Kathy Jo Anderson photo Bruce Rutter, pilot and flight instructor, gave a presentation on Northwoods AirLifeline to the Golden K Club. He was introduced by Golden K member Sarah Gospodarek.

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Upper Peninsula embraces the slogan of being “Someplace Special.” It’s definitely that. Where else can one find a snow shovel and a leaf rake standing side by side just outside the door? By preparing for whatever greets them, Yoopers are ready for anything.

The Golden K welcomes another Monday morning with a checklist. First the weather, then breakfast, dress accordingly and head for the meeting.

Gilbert Engel as chairman rings the bell to gather the group together. Bill Roberts gathers his list of songs as Alyce Derwinski on piano sets the tune. The seniors belt out those old songs, bringing the warmth of fellowship into the great hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford.

Bruce Rutter and Kathy Arnold of the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency were the welcomed guests. Sarah Gospodarek took home the winnings from the 50-50 drawing. Happy Dollars began with Kathy Bourdeau, who enjoyed a reuben pizza for St. Patrick’s Day. Next Ron Jouppi celebrated his twin great-grandchildren’s eighth-grade Wisconsin State Basketball Championship. Winding up, Sandy Soltis wished everyone a happy day.

Sarah Gospodarek introduced guest speaker Bruce Rutter, a pilot for Northwoods AirLifeline.

Rutter presented an informative narrative on the workings of the Northwoods AirLifeline. Back in 1989, a man named Bob Larson saw a need for emergency transportation to provide medical services not found in local areas.

Lifesaving missions are flown day or night with no cost to the patient. More than 2,200 missions have been flown for things such as transplants, severe injuries and chronic illness.

Volunteer pilots donate their time and their aircraft to fly patients to Ann Arbor or Mayo Clinic. They travel throughout the U.P. and northeast Wisconsin. The pilots are trained, certified and continually updated. Their planes must be in top condition and be ready to go when a call comes in.

Rutter has 21 years of experience in this field, with 5,000 hours of flight time.

Training can begin as early as age 17. With periodic check-ups, one can be qualified to fly into their 70s.

The organization relies completely on donations. They have a 24-hour emergency line and have been tagged as #Performers of Miracles in the Sky.

Several Golden K members related personal experiences with the AirLifeline. They all felt that they couldn’t have been in better hands.

These volunteer pilots have one goal in mind: Get those in dire medical need to their destination as quickly and safely as possible.

Engel’s Thought for the Day was a quotation from Luther Burbank that reflected Bob Larson’s plan for helping others. “Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers, plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.”

The Golden K will meet at 10 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. All are welcome.