Candy Buchcuski, left, Golden K chairperson, and Emily Cummings, local history and adult programmer at the Dickinson County Library who gave a presentation on the Titanic at Monday’s Golden K meeting.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — A bright sunny day greeted the Golden K seniors on Monday morning. Chairperson Candy Buchcuski brought the group together and Alyce Derwinski took her cue on piano, and with song leader Judy Sielaff the music began. “Blue Moon,” “Dear Hearts and Gentle People” and “Don’t Fence Me In” were the day’s old tunes. Young guests, and not so young, filled the room with that robust music found among the Golden K.

Welcomed guests included Emily Cummings; Bill Menza; Lucy and Jeff Krznarich, grandchildren of Judy Sielaff; and Jim and Ben Roberts.

The 50-50 ticket was drawn for a very happy Jeff Krznarich, who picked up winnings. Happy dollars were all about the sunshine and the Roberts’ family Super Bowl party.

Candy’s Thought for the Day was a quote from Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things, but we all can do small things with great love.”

The day’s guest speaker was Emily Cummings, who spoke about the personal side of the passengers on the great ship Titanic.

Cummings began her program handing out copies of Titanic Boarding Passes with pictures of the passengers onboard this “ship of all ships.” The tickets held pertinent information on who each person was and why they were aboard this ship. Bringing these stories to life was a beautiful way to peek into history. They were an eclectic variety of people traveling for many different reasons. Some survived but many more did not.

Cummings shared pictures of each section of the ship beginning with First Class, boasting the luxury and amenities that money could buy. Second Class was less fancy but still comfortable. Third Class satisfied basic needs and sported crowded conditions. In the Boiler Room, the doors were specifically made to prevent water from flooding.

The group was dazzled by pictures of the inside and outside of this grand ship.

As the adage goes “the best laid plans of mice and men oft’ go awry.” For the Titanic, the finger of blame pointed in several directions.

The captain was suspect, and the bow was made with a weaker metal. When the ship hit sideways it tore open the hull. Water rushed in as quickly as cold air when you unzip your jacket. The water could not be stopped and the ship was doomed.

Most of us have seen the movie, heard stories of survivors, or seen pictures of the sunken ship. Even so, the episode is difficult to digest. Imagine those who sat in life boats through the dark and cold night reliving the shock and heartache of those left behind. There were many people who helped others to safety and stories of unsung heroes. Violins played until they could play no more.

Things do not always happen only to others. There were people from Iron Mountain, Houghton and Fond du Lac on that ship. Locally, there was the Skoog family and the Davis family. The richest man on the ship was John Jacob Astor from Rhinebeck, N.Y. He did not survive, but his pregnant wife Madeleine did and their son was born in the U.S.

If you have an opportunity to see the complete presentation, it will be well worth it.

The Golden K will meet Monday for the Valentine’s party for the children with special needs. Members and volunteers are asked to be at the First Presbyterian Church by 8:30 a.m. to begin set-up. The event will begin at 10 a.m.