By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — Monday morning greeted Golden K members with a perfect U.P. day. Not too hot, not too windy, tempered with just the right amount of sunshine. Spirits were running high as members gathered in the fellowship room of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford.

With everyone in such a festive like mood, Bill Roberts, chairman, got the group to their feet for the pledge to the flag, followed by singing of “God Bless America.” Alyce Derwinski lost no time getting those piano keys working with Al Calcari busy directing the group singing “I Got Rhythm” and “I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover.” Those senior “Golden Throats” never lost a beat.

Roberts welcomed his guests, his son Jim and grandson Daniel, who was the guest speaker. When grandpa asks who can say no. They also welcomed Wendy Mulka, daughter of former Golden K members Henry and Joyce London. New members to join GK roster are Joe Santi and Maxine Vacarelli. Recent additions to the GK membership, Kathy Jo Anderson, won the 50-50 drawing, wasting no time pocketing her winnings and feeling it was going to be a good lunch today.

Daniel Roberts gave the GK group an overview of his life growing up in foreign countries. Transitioning to the U.S. later and living now in South Carolina. As a child in South America, the jungle was his playground. His “pets” were a bit more frisky than those of the states. He and a friend raised iguanas. Snakes are a bit more challenging in Lima, Peru, than here in the U.P. Much to his mother’s dismay he did have a Boa, an aligator, and went fishing for piranhas, which his father cautioned “don’t handle the business end of that fish.” His experience with a bamboo crop, a lake, a tall tree, a rope swing and fire was a story only to be told by him. By experience, he learned some creatures are intriguing, colorful and tempting to touch without any warnings signs visible it may caused great pain. Including a the caterpillar that had toxic barbs.

Daniel resides in South Carolina, where he is a substitute teacher and stay-at-home dad. Traveling in foreign lands and around the U.S. he has many stories of growing up, learning experiences, changes in daily life and growing in the knowledge, where every anyone travels “home” is where your family is. The Roberts family have ties to the U.P. and enjoy spending their summers here.

The Golden K members, friends and guests are reminded of the picnic on Monday at First Presbyterian Church pavilion. Bring your own drinks, lunch will be provided. Coffee and doughnuts will greet you at 10 a.m.

The Golden will again host their annual Peanut Fundraiser Friday, Sept. 3, at various locations to be named at a later date.

The picnic for special needs children, which was postponed earlier, will be rescheduled in September with that date yet decided.

Resuming bingo and singing at nursing homes is still on hold until further notice from the facilities.