By Golden K

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — A true heart-warming Valentine’s party was hosted by Golden K members Monday. As the children arrived, the meeting room at the Presbyterian Church in Kingsford lit up with love, laughter and the noise of happy youth.

Each group brought in the valentines made by the classes for special needs children of the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. The homemade valentines filled the tables for the GK to judge — which was quite a display.

GK treasurer Kirk Olson, as master of ceremonies, did a roll call of the schools present, with each school trying to outdo the others by hollering out “Happy Valentine’s Day” when their school was called.

Mindy Pilon and her father, Ray Pilon of Niagara, Wis. set up their musical equipment to begin the entertainment and then the dancing began for those who wanted to join in. One little guy walked around the room giving a hug to many of the adults — a great show of love.

Golden K members handed out Valentine’s Day cookies. Each table was covered with hearts and crayon love messages written by the children.

When the music stopped, the MC read the names of the valentine winners from each school. A thank you goes to Ellen Roberts, who seemed to handle the kitchen duties with the help of other GK members.

In charge of judging as well as displaying the valentines was GK members Don Pedo, Shirley Winters, Louise Swope and Lois Outcelt. Schools present were Willis ISD, Norway ISD, Crystal Falls ISD and Woodland ISD, along with Florence and Niagara, Wis. schools. Five school groups with three winners in each group. Every valentine had great messages of love.

First-place winners were Angela Smith, Daniel Georgeff, David Short, Brett V. and Hailey Coron. Second-place winners were Makayla Kuehl, Kaleb Collins, Destin Ross, Meghan Paupore and Evan Maule. Third place went to Carson Batti, Drew Wilson, E.J. Mattson, William Haigh and Kenzie Thomas.

Some of the clever sayings on the homemade valentines included “I’d pick you any day,” “I am tweet on you,” “I woof you,” “Let’s chill out,” and “I love you a whole watt.” You can imagine by the saying what the picture or display might have been.

There was also a patriotic valentine thanking those who serve our country and a colorful mailbox that said, “Sending My Love.”

As these wonderful, special kids got ready to get back on their buses, each school was presented with Valentine’s Day gift bags of treats to take home. Extra treat bags also were brought to the Caring House, along with cookies.

Bill Roberts did a great job taking care of so many details, even parking cars to make room for the buses to drive closer to the entrance.

It was nice to have Lisa Anderson of the DIISD present, as so many of the kids know her.

Thanks to Kathy Arnold, RSVP director, who assisted and was the official photographer for the day.

GK looks forward to the next special needs kids’ event, a picnic at City Park in May.

Golden K regular meetings are every Monday morning, except when schools call snow days or on holidays. On Monday the program will be Duane Barnard, an oil painter who studied with Bob Ross. Singing of oldies starts about 10 a.m.

The Golden Throats will sing at Freeman’s Nursing Home at 2 p.m. Wednesday.