Golden K program chairman John Aune introduces guests speaker Jim Wahoviak project manager for Kremlin Mine in Pembine, Wis.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — The endless hours of preparation was all worth it. The Pine Mountain ski jumping competition was one of the best. Even the weather cooperated. As Monday morning rolled around, the Golden K members gathered at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, anxious to share their weekend activities and fill the 50-50 bucket with compliments to the many volunteers who made the Continental Cup come together.

Happy birthday to Duane Bernard on Feb. 19 and Fran Jamar on Feb. 20. Congratulations to Lois Chartier, the winner of the 50-50 drawing.

Alyce Derwinski and Don Pedo got the group singing a few of the “oldies” and John Aune gave his thought for the day — it had something to do with Santa Claus. A clear indiction this winter has gone on long enough.

Aune, program chairman, introduced guest speaker Jim Wahoviak, project manager at the SGI Kremlin Plant in Pembine, Wis. The Kingsford graduate got his bachelor of science degree in construction management from Northern Michigan University. He worked for the family business for awhile, then joined the labor union and IMS as a laborer and superintendent. When he got laid off, he heard about a job at ISP. Not knowing where it was or what they did, he went for an interview. He was hired as a coloring department supervisor. He then transferred to maintenance forman, then on to project manager, and took on granule manager as well and in 2018 became the project manager full-time.

The plant began in 1939 taking big rocks and making them into small rocks. They were then paint colors and crushing them into fine granules. It began as Ruberoid, then GAF, ISP and finally SGI in 2011.

In 2016, it became part of Standard Industries, a worldwide building material company. The seasonal operation now runs year-round. They employ a total of 102 people at the plant. A newer plant doubled their capacity.

The Kremlin Quarry was moved to the Marinette Quarry, which is still used. Working on the fourth level with a life expectancy of 50 to 70 years depending on demand, they currently make 21 granule products in many colors. They do the rock crushing using two types of crushing machines, one dating back to the early 1900s. They produce their own colors for the granules and Wahoviak had a display of the many colors as well as two pictures of the plant. These granules are on many shingled rooftops in as many different colors.

Currently, the plant is looking to diversify their business with railroad track ballast, aggregates and marine/shore lining stone. The plant’s operating principles are safety, environment, quality, service and cost.

There are three sister plants in other states. Their main customers are GAF and Tamko. The company does many community service projects and are open to new ways to help the community.

The Golden Throats sing Wednesday at Evergreen Senior Living in Kingsford. The Golden K meeting Feb. 24 will have Steve Smith with his program on bats.