Joanne Lindholm photo Joe Rizzo, director of public relations and business development at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson, and Judy Sielaff, Golden K chair. Rizzo spoke to the club about the new cancer center opening soon at the hospital.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — Chair Judy Sielaff shared a thought for the day, “Up in the deep blue sky, great white clouds are floating by. All the world is dressed in green, many happy birds are seen. Roses bright and sunshine clear, show that lovely June is here. Summer arches into full swing and the calendar fills with places to go and things to do.”

The Golden K seniors take time out from busy schedules to make Monday mornings a priority. As Sielaff brings the group together for opening ceremonies, Alyce Derwinski warms up the synthetic ivory keys and Bill Roberts leads the group in singing.

Guests welcomed for the day were Sally Swan, sister to Sue Proudfit, and Joe Rizzo, director of public relations and business development for the Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson.

Happy Birthday was wished for John Aune and Happy Anniversary wishes sung for Larry and Joanne Lindholm.

Pat Polzin happily took home the 50-50 winnings and Gary Proudfit read the Happy Dollar thoughts. Sue Proudfit was happy to have her sister visit, and there are some happy trout that Gilbert Engel left swimming in his pool. The Jouppis were happy to have accommodated a wedding and four birthday guests at their home in between the rains.

Rizzo shared excitement as the new 8,000-square-foot cancer center prepares for opening July 9.

The cancer center brings together various aspects of care in a dedicated unit that provides privacy and state-of-the-art facilities. Services that once required travel to other areas will now be provided locally.

Almost $3 million in private funds helped offset the inflation costs of construction, which totaled more than $13 million. Marshfield-Dickinson has put forth every effort to bring top-quality medical care to patients.

New professionals are becoming available in this area as medical personal from the main center in Marshfield, Wis., complete training to provide services in both Michigan and Wisconsin.

Clinical trials for potential new treatments are underway in Marshfield. They may one day bring hope to patients in this area.

Volunteers continue to be an essential element for the hospital and a program is in place if you have a few extra hours of time.

Health care is a challenge and opportunity for all of us. Rizzo and the team at Marshfield-Dickinson are doing their best to provide the best care and services possible.

The hospital is a non-profit organization that still has a bottom line to meet to continue to take care of this community. This group wishes to thank them for all they do.

Golden K will not meet Monday. Enjoy the summer and join them for coffee, donuts, and news at the next meeting at 10 a.m. June 17 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford.