NIAGARA, Wis. — The topic of today’s column may surprise some of you as much as it did me when I read it in an email from History Facts. I decided to share it with you through this column, not because I thought it was a particularly good idea, but because I was just so amused and wondered about the reasons.

Historian Ron Doel pointed out that “so much of U.S. ideology usually involved looking West, but every now and again, it was, ‘Let’s look North.’ And Greenland fits in that along with the purchase of Alaska.” So, today we are going to take a walk through history to discover when and why America has been taking a serious look toward this island of ice and snow.

It was U.S. Secretary of State Sen. William Seward who first looked toward Greenland as a land “that could empower the United States to ‘command the commerce’ of the world.” In 1867, he ordered a detailed survey of this Denmark-owned land with the following conclusion: “Greenland has in vast quantities whale, walrus, seal and shark, cod, salmon, salmon-trout and herring; foxes, wolf, reindeer, bear, and a myriad of birds. Good coal is found on the western coast at various points, extending far north, most cheaply mined and close to good harbors.” He promoted Greenland as a land of nearly inexhaustible natural resources — especially coal, but also whale blubber and a mineral called criolite — that would empower the United States to “command the commerce of the world.”

In 1868, however, Seward had successfully persuaded the United States to purchase Alaska, another unknown northern territory. As we all know the Alaska purchase succeeded, but not without a tremendous amount of public outcry and criticism. Seward became the butt of many jokes, and the purchase was dubbed “Seward’s Folly,” “Seward’s Ice Box,” and “Andrew Johnson’s Polar Bear Garden” by many of the notable newspapers of the day.

After Alaska, neither Congress nor the American public had any appetite for more frozen territories. It would not be until the success of the Yukon Gold Rush decades later, and Alaska’s eventual statehood, that proved its purchase had been a good idea.

In 1910, another scheme was hatched for the United States to get its hands on Greenland. This proposal was engineered by the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Maurice Egan. He proposed not to actually buy it but to “acquire it” through a complicated three-way trade. In September of 1910, Egan knew that Denmark had recently lost a valuable territory, situated between Denmark and Germany, called Schleswig-Holstein to a German confederation. He figured out a way for Denmark to recover that loss through the following scheme: 1) Denmark cedes Greenland to the United States; 2) in exchange, the U.S. gives Denmark a cluster of islands in the Philippines; 3) Denmark then gives the Philippine islands to Germany, which had been seeking more influence in the East; and 4) Germany, in return, gives Schleswig-Holstein back to Denmark.

Even Egan, himself, conceded that the scheme was an “audacious suggestion” and apparently the United States agreed. No action was ever taken on the Greenland swap, but it may have paved the way for the United States’ eventual purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

The closest the United States ever came to owning Greenland was after the conclusion of World War II. During the war, more than 10,000 Allied aircraft landed on Greenland to refuel for bombing runs in Germany. It was written in historical accounts of that time that the Pentagon thought of Greenland as the “world’s largest stationary aircraft carrier.” The distance over the Atlantic Ocean was too great for planes to make it in a single flight without a place to refuel. Consequently, places like Greenland and Iceland became crucial to the war effort.

Despite the fact that Denmark had declared its neutrality during World War II, Germany invaded the country anyway and placed it under Nazi occupation. Since Denmark still ruled Greenland at the time, there was great concern that Germany would also invade Greenland, giving the Nazis a North American base of operations. In 1941, early in the war, a treaty was signed between the U.S. and Denmark that made America responsible for Greenland’s defense and gave the U.S. military the right to build any necessary facilities to land its planes.

At the conclusion of the war, America proposed buying Greenland from Denmark because it had proven to be such a strategic asset; the U.S. offered $100 million in gold in exchange for all of Greenland. Denmark was shocked. As history records it, “The Danes were rather horrified that the U.S. thought it could gain a territory by putting that kind of a monetary value on it, and that Denmark would be willing to part with it.” As the Danish Foreign Minister stated at the time, “While we owe much to America, I do not feel that we owe them the whole island of Greenland.”

During the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, Greenland held great strategic importance. The strategic center of a potential World War III was deemed to be the North Pole. So, instead of leaving Greenland at the conclusion of World War II, the United States signed a new treaty with Denmark in 1951 that gave our military even more latitude to use Greenland as its base of arctic operations.

This treaty sparked a series of expanded U.S. military developments in Greenland. By 1953, the Thule Air Base was constructed under the code name “Blue Jay.” It was a massive project that required 12,000 workers and shipments of 300,000 tons of cargo and was more complicated and difficult than the construction of the Panama Canal. At the peak of the Cold War, Thule housed 10,000 American troops and enabled American bombers to reach targets in Leningrad and Moscow in a matter of hours if necessary.

Two more experimental projects were also undertaken. Camp Century was a nuclear-powered city built under the ice. Project Iceworm was even more ambitious, although never finished, that called for the construction of a network of railroad tracks under Greenland’s ice to shuttle nuclear missiles capable of reaching the Soviet mainland. The United States remained interested in purchasing Greenland until 1955, but no official offer was ever made.

In 1979, Denmark granted Greenland “home rule” making them responsible for their own nation while Denmark remains involved in its defense and foreign affairs. Our country retains a military presence there, although Thule Air Base was transferred to the U.S. Space Force in 2020 and is now called the Pituffik Space Base.

So, as they say, “now you know the rest of the story.” There has been an historic interest in Greenland for hundreds of years. There is also strategic significance in that part of the world given the politics of modern day. Yet they continue to retain their independence and resistance to any kind of foreign rule … or purchase. Time will tell, of course, as world events continue to evolve.

And, for now at least, the only “frozen tundra” our country can claim (other than Alaska) is Green Bay’s Lambeau Field. Or, as it has been fondly re-named in our family … the “Holy Land.”

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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.; Strong Tower Church, 1 p.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; Memory Cafe with Jamie, 2 p.m.

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

Thursday: Pine Mountain School, 10 a.m.; bunny visit, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Easter bunny pictures, 10 a.m.; Easter 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.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; web browsing, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; travel film, 1 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Easter egg coloring, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; United Lutheran Church, 2 pm.; happy hour with Jim, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Getting pretty, 9:30 a.m.; men’s club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Easter party with Appaloosa Sky, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/how do you feel, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1:00 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

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.; karaoke, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee club, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Easter 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: Hot cocoa social, 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.; what’s the scoop, ice cream cones, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Stations Of The Cross, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Lenten reflections, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; game, egg exchange, 10 a.m.; craft, stained glass part 1, 2 p.m.; Stations Of The Cross, 3 p.m.

Friday: Egg coloring, 10 a.m.; Stations Of The Cross, 1 p.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Youth group sing along, 10:30 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; Holy Saturday devotions, 3 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

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.; riddle me this, 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; music trivia, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; sci-fi movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who/what/where, bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; Hangman, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation, “Say Yes to the Dress,” Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; A-Z dog breeds, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Charlie Chaplin, 11 a.m.; Spring Formal, theme is “Old Vegas,” music by Vicky and Dave, assisting will be Carney-Nadeau High School National Honor Society, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation, exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Hot beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, pudding.

Wednesday: Chicken bacon ranch, parslied buttered noodles, carrots, biscuit, yogurt parfait.

Thursday: Easter dinner, ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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: Brats, macaroni and cheese, corn-on-the-cob, Jell-O.

Tuesday: Baked turkey, buttered noodles, Italian vegetables.

Wednesday: Liver and onions (or substitute), seasoned rice, carrots, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding cup.

Thursday: Easter dinner, baked ham, scalloped potatoes, hard roll, broccoli, fruit crumble.

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: Glazed ham, oven-browned potatoes, sweet potatoes.

Tuesday: Cheesy cod, parsley boiled potatoes, slaw.

Wednesday: Lasagna, garlic bread.

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

Monday: French bread pizza, mixed vegetables, fruit.

Tuesday: Pineapple pork fried rice, Oriental vegetables, whole wheat bun.

Wednesday: Corn chowder, biscuit with butter, pudding parfait.

Thursday: Easter — ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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: French bread pizza, mixed vegetables, fruit.

Tuesday: Pineapple pork fried rice, Oriental vegetables, whole wheat bun.

Wednesday: Corn chowder, biscuit with butter, pudding parfait.

Thursday: Easter, ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, biscuit with butter.

Friday: Barbecue chicken legs, baked fries, broccoli, 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

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll, dessert bars.

Tuesday: Liver or substitute, parsley buttered noodles, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding.

Wednesday: Evening meal, scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, biscuit, fruit crumble.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: French bread pizza, mixed vegetables, fruit.

Tuesday: Pineapple pork fried rice, Oriental vegetables, whole wheat bun.

Wednesday: Corn chowder, biscuit with butter, pudding parfait.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, vegetable cup, fruit.

Tuesday: Pizza casserole, broccoli slaw, fruit.

Wednesday: Easter meal — baked ham, company potatoes, green bean casserole, whole wheat rolls, strawberry shortcake.

Thursday: Chicken strips, sweet potato fries, black bean and corn salad, fruit.

Friday: Good Friday — all centers closed.

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 Wednesday 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: Breaded chicken breast on a bun, oven potatoes, Riviera blend vegetables, diced pears, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Smothered pork chop, au gratin potatoes, peas and onions, fruit cocktail, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Easter meal — baked ham, mashed sweet potatoes, California vegetables, dinner roll, pineapple delight cake.

Thursday: Beefy tater tot casserole, green beans, warm apples, whole wheat bread.

Friday: Cream of broccoli soup, tuna salad sandwich, cucumber and carrot salad, cottage cheese with 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: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes applesauce.

Tuesday: Apple pork chops, seasoned rice pilaf, biscuit.

Wednesday: Italian cheddar bake with noodles, Italian vegetables, warm pears.

Thursday: Easter meal — Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, hard roll, broccoli, fruit crumble.

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

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

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: Sloppy Joes, green beans, sweet potato tots, fruit juice, cookie.

Wednesday: Easter dinner, ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli, wheat dinner roll, cherry pie.

Thursday: Vegetable lasagna, Italian side salad, fruit salad.

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: Shepherd pie with mixed vegetable and a biscuit, cranberry sauce, tropical blend fruit, cookie.

Tuesday: Philly steak and cheese sandwich, fries, corn, pineapple, Jell-O.

Wednesday: 4 p.m., barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, wax beans, chocolate chip bars.

Thursday: Spaghetti with sausage, garlic bread, cauliflower, mandarin oranges, pudding.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday.

Board meeting on 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. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Lasagna, broccoli, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato wedges, carrots, pudding parfait.

Thursday: Easter meal, ham, au gratin potatoes, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: French bread pizza, mixed vegetables, fruit.

Tuesday: Pineapple pork fried rice, Oriental vegetables, whole wheat bun.

Wednesday: Corn chowder, biscuit with butter, pudding parfait.