Ben Determan photo From left ARE Sarah Gospodarek, Golden K program chairwoman; Nancy Pellegrini, director of the local Habitat for Humanity; and Sue Proudfit, Golden K chairwoman. Pellegrini gave the club a presentation about Habitat.

By ORICE WALTERS

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — “Oh, what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day,” and that was the case for the weekly Golden K Club on Oct. 11. The sun peeked out and the early cloudy morning left us — for a while, anyway.

The October chairwoman, Sue Proudfit, opened the meeting. It was nice to have Sue LeDuc at the piano and Lois Outcelt volunteered to lead the singing.

The welcome song was sung for the day’s speaker, Nancy Pellegrini, and for Sue LeDuc. Happy Birthday was sung for Kathy Jo Anderson.

Proudfit offered the prayer and coffee and doughnut time began. In the meantime, one could see her husband, Gary, walking around promoting happy thoughts for Happy Dollars.

Bill Roberts was happy to be with three grandchildren and two more at parties in Grand Rapids on Saturday and then back home to Norway for the Leif Erickson celebration.

Lois and Steve said “Adios, amigos” — they’ll see us again in the spring.

Jon Corson was happy the Boston Red Sox won two straight in the playoffs, while Orice Walters was happy the Green Bay Packers finally beat the Bengals, 25-22, after a tense overtime.

Joan Jouppi was happy that Ron will be home today, along with their son and friends.

The Proudfits were especially happy for the birth of their 10th great-grandbaby, a healthy little girl.

Corson was anxious to tell a fishing story. It was quite the story. One can always count on his stories to get you laughing.

Program chairwoman Sarah Gospodarek introduced the day’s speaker, Nancy Pellegrini, a longtime friend of the family.

Pellegrini is the local area director of Menominee River Habitat for Humanity. Her enthusiasm for helping others was problematic when COVID-19 hit this area in 2020. It slowed construction of needed homes for families along with other needs of older homes. Building supplies were also in short supply. As the virus affected all of us, it also slowed and shut down Habitat construction for at least three months.

Volunteers are very important to the functioning of Habitat. After they once started up again, several construction volunteers did not come back. Then about five weeks ago, their construction manager passed away.

All hope is not lost, though, as Habitat will soon break ground for building their 15th home. It is hoped that more construction type volunteers will give of their time to providing homes for those needing them. These new homes are not free. Habitat for Humanity homes are paid for by the persons or family according to their income and as they qualify.

Besides new homes, Habitat also builds ramps for those with wheelchairs, decks, etc. Some of the needs have been: A veteran, a leg amputee, needed assistance; a single mom with young children has waited a year for a new home; a four-time cancer survivor needed his furnace fixed in 37 degree weather. These are just some of the needs Habitat helps with.

There were more applications during the pandemic than they have ever had, according to Pellegrini.

She also explained that the ReStore, behind the old Cochran building off east Woodward Avenue in Kingsford, helps provide monies for Habitat for Humanity. At the ReStore, people can find things such as antiques, furniture, building stuff and camp stuff. Donations are always welcome. Volunteers are needed there, too.

During question and answers, Pellegrini said they have written for and gotten a few grants.

Habitat has helped out veterans when needed.

In closing, Pellegrini thanked the veterans who are Habitat volunteers and for their service by recognizing GK veterans present.

The Golden K thanks Pellegrini for her enthusiasm in helping others during tough times and her dedication to Habitat for Humanity in the area.

Dickinson County area Golden K meets every Monday morning at the First Presbyterian Church on Hamilton Avenue in Kingsford. Visitors and new members are welcome, with all meetings starting at 10 a.m.

The Monday meeting will have Joe Santi as speaker.