EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — For several years, the veterans who reside at the Jacobetti Michigan Veterans Facility on Fisher Street in Marquette have had the use of a woodshop. But its capabilities were greatly expanded recently with a $327.36 donation from the Munising Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. With the money, the facility was able to purchase a 10-inch table saw, a Skil saw, a sander and sanding bench, a rotary power tool and a number of tools for the shop. About 25-30 facility members regularly use the woodshop. Randy Wiitala was seen working on a plaque with a woodburning tool, while Larry Lambert and Ed Leppanen sanded their pieces. With the help of activity aide Mike Westman, Frank Black made a model car with the new rotary tool. The new table saw was being utilized by George Antosh, while Leo St. Amour sanded a project he is working on and Leo Poylio used a woodburning tool to etch a design in a plaque. The workshop provides a place for its residents to display their skills both as craftsmen and artists.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — Santa Claus wears a blue uniform and a big shiny badge. His name may not be Friday, but he’s a cop. Actually, the policemen are just helping out St. Nick. They got word about a child who sent a letter to Santa Claus and asked for the same kind of little toys and gifts that other children ask for at this time of year. Except this child didn’t have a father to help Santa with the Christmas shopping. The father died a few months ago. Police heard about the plight and rounded up a small collection among the force to give the kid a proper Christmas. When they went into the new Coast-to-Coast Store to buy a sled, they came out with both sled and money, donated by the proprietor when he heard the cause.