FROM LEFT ARE Renee Lindow, a Companion Care volunteer who spoke at the Golden K meeting Monday, and Golden K November Chair Kathy Jo Anderson. (Submitted photo)

KINGSFORD — Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning” has a sentence that seems applicable to today’s world. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” As change confronts us daily we have to be able to adapt, accept and apply those changes comfortably.

Thanksgiving comes in the middle of conflicts, turmoil and anxieties to remind us of the goodness that surrounds us. Family, friends, neighbors and strangers take time to appreciate the blessings we have. As November Golden K Chair Kathy Jo Anderson remarked in her “Thought for the Day”: “Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and offer thanks for troubles we don’t have.”

When the Golden K seniors come together each Monday morning they are ready to tackle whatever the day has in store for them. Precisely at 10 a.m., Anderson has them on their feet to sing.

Alyce Derwinski on piano played a medley of Christmas carols, leading into the singing of “Let it Snow,” “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bells.”

Anna Vincent happily took home the winnings from the 50-50 drawing and Gary Proudfit read the Happy Dollars thoughts. Happy anniversary was sung for Al and LaVern Calcari, who celebrated on Nov. 27. Guests for the day included Kathy Arnold, director of the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency, and Renee Lindow as guest speaker.

Lindow spoke on the Companion Care program initiated at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. She, along with a group of other volunteers, work with patients to provide support for therapy, hospice and visitation.

Lindow worked within the VA for many years and now volunteers her expertise to patients and staff. The intention is to do what one can to remind patients of their value. She has worked with companion therapy animals that included dogs and one cat. Animals can ease heartache and loneliness.

She and other volunteers are there for the patients. Some have family members who can visit, while others have no family contact. As a Companion Care volunteer, the health and well-being of each patient is priority.

There is a Remembrance Program held once a year for families and friends of any veteran who has passed on.

An optional photo, a prayer service where names are read and a luncheon afterwards gives attendees time to reflect, remember and share stories. Balloons, seed packets and a Remembrance Tree are all part of the Companion Care Team’s way of saying “Thanks for letting us share in your veteran’s life.”

The Golden K will meet Monday with guest speaker Paul Oliver. Everyone has a story and Oliver’s is partcularly interesting. The program begins at 10:30 a.m.

Golden K members are reminded to mark their calendars for Dec. 12. The general meeting will be for the Students with Special Needs Christmas Celebration. Members asked to begin setting up at 9 a.m.