Labor Day, an Annual Celebration of Workers and Their Achievements, Originated During One

LABOR DAY

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events.

Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions on some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.

As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.

The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it. Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later, when a watershed moment in American labor history brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view. On May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives.

On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in deaths of more than a dozen workers. In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified.

Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday. Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.

Oconto County Commission on Aging

Services Survey

The purpose of the Oconto County Commission on Aging, Inc., is to plan, initiate community action, and promote available support systems, to benefit the elderly of Oconto County. Our mission is to continually improve our products and services to meet and advocate for our clients' needs. At the present time, we offer congregate and home delivered meals; transportation, Alzheimer's funding; Stepping On and Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshops; legal services/benefits counseling, elder abuse, family caregiver, loan closet; copies; foot clinics, blood pressure checks, and a bi-monthly newsletter. We are asking that you take a moment to complete this short survey so we have a better understanding of where to invest more of our valuable resources.

1.  In what ways did you learn information about our agency and services? Please circle all that apply.

Radio Show Local Newspaper

Agency Newsletter Website

Facebook Page Friends/Family

Another Agency

2.  Do you feel our services are easy to use? YES NO

If not, what could we do to make it easier for you to use our services?

3. Are there any services that we DO NOT CURRENTLY PROVIDE that would you wish we provided? Please explain.

4. What service is most valuable to you?

Please return by mailing to (or dropping off at) 1210 Main Street, Oconto, WI, 54153, faxing to (920) 834-5070, emailing to ; or handing to your meal site manager or meal driver. Thank you!!

AUGUST 2016

(Menu subject to change)

1.
Pork Cutlet
Dressing
Gravy
Brussel
Sprouts
Fruit / 2.
Cook’s
Choice / 3.
Baked Ham
Scalloped
Potatoes
Mixed
Vegetables
Pumpkin Bar / 4.
Meat Loaf
Mashed
Potatoes/Gravy
Stewed
Tomatoes
Fruit / 5.
BBQ Chicken
Boiled
Potatoes
Asparagus
Vanilla
Pudding
8.
Chop Suey
Rice
Oriental
Vegetables
Fruit / 9.
Chicken Rice
Casserole
Peas
Cake / 10.
Pork Roast
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Green Beans
Cookie / 11.
Chicken Breast
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Corn
Cookie / 12.
Brat Pattie
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
Fruit
15.
Salisbury
Steak
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Beets
Fruit / 16.
Liver &
Onions
Boiled
Potatoes
Creamed
Corn
Rice Krispy
Bar / 17.
Baked
Chicken
Dressing
Glazed Carrots
Gravy
Cookie / 18.
Ring Bologna
Mashed
Potatoes
Sauerkraut
Fruit / 19.
Chili
Crackers
Sandwich
Pie
22.
Pork Chop
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Mixed
Vegetables
Fruit / 23.
Beef Stew
Biscuit
Fruit
Bar / 24.
Turkey
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Green Beans
Fruit / 25.
Cook’s
Choice / 26.
Hot Dog
Pasta Salad
Creamy
Cucumbers
Cake
29.
Tuna
Casserole
Peas
Fruit
Cookie / 30.
Spaghetti
Meatballs
Salad/Red Fox Dressing
Bread Stick
Cake / 31.
Cook’s
Choice

SEPTEMBER 2016

(Menu subject to change)

1.
Pork Cutlet
Au gratin
Potatoes
Peas
Cookie / 2.
Mushroom
Steak
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Carrots
Baked Apples
5.
CLOSED
/ 6.
Pea Soup
Crackers
Sandwich
Pie / 7.
BBQ Ribs
Boiled
Potatoes
Mixed
Vegetables
Fruit / 8.
Lasagna
Salad
Red Fox
Dressing
Bread Stick
Pudding / 9.
Cook’s
Choice
12.
Polish
Sausage
Boiled
Potatoes
Sauerkraut
Fruit / 13.
Pizza
Casserole
Corn
Cake / 14.
Chicken Chop
Suey
Vegetable
Rice
Pineapple / 15.
Hamburger
Stroganoff
Noodles
Peas
Cheesecake / 16.
Boiled Dinner
Cranberries
Fruit
Cookie
19.
Cook’s
Choice / 20.
Spaghetti
Meat Sauce
Green Beans
Garlic Bread
Fruit / 21.
Pork Roast
Dressing
Gravy
Squash
Applesauce / 22.
Baked Chicken
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Beets
Bar / 23.
Chili
Sandwich
Pie
26.
Ham
Scalloped
Potatoes
Carrots
Fruit / 27.
Meat Loaf
Mashed
Potatoes/Gravy
Stewed
Tomatoes
Pudding / 28.
Beef Stew
Biscuit
Cottage
Cheese
Peach Half
Cookie / 29.
Turkey
Mashed
Potatoes
Gravy
Corn
Fruit / 30.
Baked Fish
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
Cake

AUGUST

National Smile Week

Volunteer Banquet at Romy’s Holiday Inn, Kelly Lake.

In 1943, John F. Kenedy becomes a War Hero after rescuing his crew when their PT boat was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer.

In 1782 General George Washington ordered the creation of the Badge of Merit – Purple Heart.

Annie Oakley was born in 1860 and died in 1926.

Foot Health Care Month.

Toilet Paper was invented by the Chinese in 580 B.C. First sold by the roll in the West in 1871.

SEPTEMBER

The Meal Site will be closed on the 5th for Labor Day.

In 1787, the U.S. constitution was completed and signed.

Autumn begins on the 22nd.

Gunsmoke was the longest running TV Western, which started in 1955 on CBS.

International Chocolate Day on the birth anniversary of Milton Hershey. (1857-1945)

The Foot Care Clinics will be held on the 15th and 19th, $20.00 donation. Please call 715-276-7336 for an appointment.

Need Company? Come join us.

By the time you read this, our meal site will be changed to the new Fire Station/Community Center. A beautiful building. All we have to do is figure out where we will put everything!

We wish to say a big “THANK YOU” to our regular kitchen helpers – Jerry, Kenny, Duane, and Delight, and to all who help with the clean-up, so the games can begin. Why not join us for a very good meal and stay to play – cards or dominoes.

Remember our “Folks” in the hospitals and “rehab” centers. Our condolences to each of you in the loss of your loved ones.

Is anyone out there looking to help deliver meals – maybe one or two days a week? Please let us know.

If you are one of those who says time goes slow – Get Involved – you’ll wonder where the days went.

AUGUST

2: Volunteer Banquet – Romy’s Holiday

Inn

10: Foot Clinic - Call Mary at 846-

3475 to make an appointment - $20.00

donation

10: Foot Clinic - Call Mary at 846-

3475 to make an appointment - $20.00

donation

12: Corn Roast – Gillett, at Zipple Park

18 – 21: Oconto County Youth Fair – 75th

Year Anniversary

SEPTEMBER

4: Labor Day – All Meal Sites Closed

9: Foot Clinic - Call Mary at 846-

3475 to make an appointment - $20.00

donation

10: Foot Clinic - Call Mary at 846-

3475 to make an appointment - $20.00

donation

We have Blood Pressure check every Tuesday with Florence Birr from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

We play cards everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – come on down and join us – and stay for a hot delicious meal, call the day ahead. (RSVP at 846-3475)

We eat at 11:30 everyday!

AUGUST

2: Volunteer Banquet

9: Foot Care Clinic, please call 855-2066

for an appointment - $20.00 donation

11: UMW church women for lunch

13 – 14: Cat, Dog, and Horse shows at the

county fair, Zipple Park, Gillett

18 – 21: Oconto County Youth Fair, Zipple

Park, Gillett

18: 7:00 p.m. Veteran and Fair opening

program

SEPTEMBER

5: Labor Day – Mealsite Closed

11: Grandparents Day

13: Foot Care Clinic, please call 855-2066

for an appointment - $20.00 donation

This is my opportunity to say “Thank You” to volunteers at the Gillett site, but also to all the volunteers involved with the Commission on Aging programs. Senior Citizens are so in need of the service programs provided. Thus enabling them to maintain their independence. This helps give senior citizens a happier life.

We welcome anyone that wishes to join us for their noon meal, also anyone who would like to volunteer.

AUGUST

2: Volunteer Banquet

4: Blood Pressure Check

18: Foot Clinic - Please call 826-7822 or

834-4776 for an appointment. $20.00

donation

5, 12, 19 & 26: Golden Agers and Cards

SEPTEMBER

1: Blood Pressure Check

5: Labor Day

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: Golden Agers and Cards

*******************************

Volunteers Needed

The Oconto County Commission on Aging, Inc. is a not for profit organization. We operate largely on donations and volunteers. If you are looking for a charitable organization for 2016 donations, please consider us.

If you wish to volunteer your time performing meaningful and valuable work, we'd love to have you. We currently have opportunities for food and Volunteer Medical drivers. If interested please stop in our office at 1210 Main St, Oconto, or call (920) 834-7707 to volunteer.

One day, while strolling down the boardwalk, John bumped into an old friend of his, Rob, from high school.

“You look great John, how do you stay looking so young? Why you must be 60 already but you don’t look a day over 40!” Rob exclaimed. “I feel like I’m 40 too!” replied John.

“That’s incredible” exclaimed Rob, “Does it run in the family? How old was your dad when he passed?”

“Did I say he was dead?” asked John. “He’s 81 and is more active then ever. He just joined the neighborhood basketball team!” responded John.

“Whoa! Well how old was your Grandfather when he died?”

“Did I say he died” asked John. Rob was amazed. “He just had his 105th birthday and plays golf and goes swimming each day! He’s actually getting married this week!”

“Getting married?!” Rob asked. If he’s 105, why on earth does he want to get married?!

John looked at Rob and replied, “Did I say he wanted to?”

August, the second half of summer, when we begin harvesting the fruits of our labors of the first half. Time to go with the flow and enjoy the rest of the summer, and the beauty of God’s wonderful creation.

Don’t forget to attend the Oconto County Youth Fair to see all the exhibits of the 4-H children, Seniors and others.

August is also Volunteer Appreciation month. A big THANK YOU to all our volunteers and we hope to see you at the Banquet on August 2nd, at Romy’s Holiday Inn, Kelly Lake

If your mind isn’t open, keep your mouth shut.

AUGUST

2: Volunteer Banquet

3: Card Playing

4: Foot Clinc – Call 920-842-2110 for an

appointment - $20.00 Donation

10: Cards

11: Blood Pressure Check

17: Cards

18 – 21: Oconto County Youth Fair in

Gillett

24: Cards

31: Cards

Faith, sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and accomplishes the impossible.

SEPTEMBER

1: Foot Clinc – Call 920-842-2110 for an