NIAGARA, Wis. — One characteristic that remains constant with each passing decade is, ironically, change. No matter the topic of conversation, whether it be automobiles, school, travel, food, clothing design or music, each generation has experienced different popular trends. The ways in which we earn a living is no exception and have dramatically changed since I was a kid; most of that is due to the development and popularization of the personal computer. Today, I wanted us to take a walk back in time to look at jobs that we would be hard pressed to apply for today.

I was born in 1951 and really began working when I started babysitting at the age of 10. It was a great way for someone my age to earn 35 cents per hour — eventually raised to 50 cents. I enjoyed children and always had a lot of fun with them. We played games, and I read them a lot of stories. At one point in time, I was regularly babysitting for a half-dozen families and a total of 20 kids. The summer between eighth and ninth grade, I landed a full-time babysitting job for a couple who owned a local tavern with rooms to rent upstairs. They had only one baby girl who I cared for every day while her mother ran the lodging part of the business. On Friday nights, I stayed well into the evening while both parents tended bar. I always got my own small pizza and a bottle of Coke for supper. It was a great job for someone my age and came at a great time. I was able to buy all of my own clothes for the start of high school.

I entered the workforce at the age of 15, as soon as I could get a work permit. I worked every summer at the college bookstore and later at the college library. I also kept up my typing skills, learned in eight weeks of summer school, by working for my mother from time to time as summer help. I had taken a typing class over one summer and kept up those skills by typing envelopes for the many student mailings that the office of the deans generated to incoming students. My mother never allowed us to work during the school year, as she wanted us to put all of our effort into our homework and getting good grades.

While I never worked doing any of the obsolete jobs described next, I certainly do remember them. I am sure they will bring back memories for many of you as well.

1. Telephone switchboard operator. I remember picking up our home telephone and hearing the operator say, “Number, please.” In our small town, the four-digit number was always preceded by a color. Once told to the operator, she would “connect” us to the party we were calling. If their phone was busy, she came back and told us to call again later. “Party lines” were quite common and aptly named. These occurred when neighbors “shared” the same line despite having different numbers. It was not uncommon to pick up your telephone and hear your neighbor talking to a friend. We were not supposed to “listen in,” but we often did and learned many an interesting fact.

In this decade, the United States had approximately 342,000 telephone switchboard operators employed by the Bell System and independent telephone companies, plus a million operators working in private settings such as offices, factories, hotels, and apartment buildings. It was a demanding job that required quick reflexes and strong customer service skills as the operators manually connected calls by plugging and unplugging cords on massive switchboards.

By the 1960s and 1970s, automated dialing systems and digital telecommunications gradually phased out the need for human operators, making this profession nearly obsolete.

2. Milkman. I can remember the milkman coming to our house when I was in grade school. The local milkman back then made daily or weekly rounds, leaving glass bottles of milk on doorsteps and retrieving empty ones. This service was necessary before the widespread adoption of home refrigeration, as fresh dairy products spoiled quickly. In this decade, more than half of consumer milk sales came from home delivery services. With the rise of supermarkets and improved home refrigeration technology, milk delivery became obsolete — along with milkmen.

3. Elevator operator. In the mid-20th century, elevator operators were essential for manually controlling elevators in department stores, office and apartment buildings, and hotels. At its peak, more than 90,000 people made a living as elevator operators. They were responsible for operating the controls, greeting passengers, and ensuring smooth rides.

While automated elevators existed as early as 1900, people did not trust them, so their widespread adoption was slow. After a 1945 elevator operator strike in New York City, however, the public learned that self-service elevators were, indeed, safe and could easily be operated. In 1950, only 12.6% of new elevator installations were automated, but this number surged to more than 90% by 1959. Today, elevator operators are nearly nonexistent; in fact, the job is no longer tracked in labor statistics. A few historic buildings, primarily in New York City, still employ operators for nostalgic reasons or specialized services.

4. Typist. Secretarial jobs such as stenographers and typists became essential during the Industrial Revolution, as businesses generated more paperwork than ever before. By the early 20th century, clerical work was a predominantly female profession whose lower wages made women more economical to employ; obviously, gender discrimination in the workplace was popular as well. Secretarial schools provided professional training — in my mother’s day, such a school was called Business College. By 1950, secretarial work had become the most common occupation for women, with 1.7 million employed as stenographers, typists or secretaries. However, the introduction of computers, word processing software, and voice recognition technology gradually reduced the need for dedicated typists. Secretarial roles do still exist today, but the number of workers specifically categorized as “word processors and typists” declined to 37,200 by 2023.

5. Motion picture projectionist. Those who held this job played a vital role in the moviegoing experience in the 1950s, operating and maintaining the film projectors in theaters. The work was labor-intensive, involving film changeovers, managing carbon arc lamps, and handling nitrate film. I can still remember seeing the screen go totally blank as the “man up in the little room by the ceiling” was changing film reels. In 1950, more than 26,000 people were employed as projectionists; by 2023, that number had fallen to just 2,610. The drastic reduction was largely due to the automation brought about by digital projection, which has replaced the need for manual operation and maintenance of film projectors.

6. Gas station attendant. Most of us can remember staying seated in the car while the gas station worker pumped the gas, checked oil levels, cleaned windshields, and inspected tire pressure. While the first self-service station in the U.S. opened in Los Angeles in 1947, the concept did not gain public acceptance until the 1970s. Several factors contributed to the shift toward self-service gas stations: rising labor costs, technological advancements that improved the safety and ease of filling your own car with gas, and the 1973 oil crisis that led to soaring gas prices. Today, New Jersey is the only state that prohibits drivers from pumping their own gas and that maintains the full-service model.

It is truly incredible how much has changed in the “world of work” since we were kids. I am sure as each of us thinks back over our own work experiences, we could name quite a few more monumental changes. And, I am just as sure, that more and more changes will continue to impact the future of the workplace and the kinds of jobs that will be available to future generations. After all, AI is just beginning to have its impact.

Source: “History Facts” by Kristina Wright.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Group in activities room, 11 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in the dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Darts, 10 a.m.; bunny visit, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; song-along, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; name that word, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; DT luncheon, 11:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; trivia teasers, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; Iron River Bible Church, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; “Name That Tune,” 2 p.m.; crime movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/penny ante, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; monthly birthday party with Paul, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

No additional information available.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Resident council meeting, 9:30 a.m.; May Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crochet club,

1 – 2 p.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Brothers and Sisters Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; sing along, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; short stories, 10:15 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; tic tac trivia, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; mugs and muffins, 10 a.m.; Resident council, 1 p.m.; silly crafters, 2 p.m.

Friday: Parachute, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Kerplunk, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; where in the world, 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; winter or spring, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, coffee social, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who-what-where/bingo, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, shopping outing to Family Dollar, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

No additional information available.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Barbecue chicken legs, buttered noodles, corn, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Deluxe hamburger, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans, garlic bread, pudding cup.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Layered chicken bake, cauliflower, croissant.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Wednesday: Boiled dinner, biscuit, applesauce.

Thursday: Turkey dinner, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots, dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken salad sammy, baked beans, potato chips.

Tuesday: Pizza.

Wednesday: Turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, yogurt.

Wednesday: Pasty pie, corn, fancy applesauce.

Thursday: Walking tacos, refried beans, fruit.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, yogurt.

Wednesday: Pasty pie, corn, fancy applesauce.

Thursday: Walking tacos, refried beans, fruit.

Friday: Ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, dinner roll.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Menu for the week —

Monday: Smothered chicken and rice, California blend vegetables, dinner roll, pudding parfait.

Tuesday: Deluxe hamburger, baked beans, fruit salad.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish, buttered noodles, tartar sauce, corn, cookies.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, yogurt.

Wednesday: Pasty pie, corn, fancy applesauce.

Note: Effective Thursday, DICSA will no longer provide congregate meals at the Felch Township site. DICSA will still deliver meals in the Felch area.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cook’s choice: entree, vegetables, fruit.

Tuesday: Pasty, coleslaw, fruit, cookies.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, spinach orange salad, garlic bread, fruit pie with ice cream.

Thursday: Parmesan chicken, black beans and rice, broccoli, fruit.

Friday: Pork chop suey, rice, carrots, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Cheese tortellini with red sauce, country trio vegetables, corn, tropical fruit.

Tuesday: Boiled dinner with ham, carrots, potatoes and cabbage, fruit cocktail, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Congregate birthday celebration — Chicken Alfredo over fettuccine, peas, Sicilian vegetables, breadstick, apple crumble cake.

Thursday: Western egg bake, oven potatoes, sausage links, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread.

Friday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, whole wheat bread, peaches.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken teriyaki bowl, Oriental vegetables, pears.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Chicken bacon ranch, parsley buttered noodles, broccoli, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, Italian blend vegetables, garlic bread stick.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Café

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, noodles, carrots, side salad, peaches.

Wednesday: Cheesy chicken and rice casserole, green beans, banana, whole wheat roll.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll, orange.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, dinner roll, broccoli, pineapple, pistachio dessert.

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff with egg noodles and peas, fruit cocktail, brownie.

Wednesday: Chef salads with chicken, ham, and egg, breadstick, ham and Swiss sliders, mandarin oranges, pudding.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, apricots, pudding.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Tuesday: Hot beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts, strawberry shortcake.

Wednesday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, biscuit, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, dinner roll.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, yogurt.

Wednesday: Pasty pie, corn, fancy applesauce.