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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Through the efforts of Tim Bennett and Beverly Laughna, physically handicapped athletes will have an opportunity to compete in the inaugural Upper Peninsula Summer Sports Festival Aug. 4-6 in Marquette County. Including handicapped events in the Festival is a pilot project. “I fully expect that quite a few people will be interested in competing,” noted Bennett, who is serving as co-commissioner with Laughna for the handicapped events. The festival offers a specific bowling event and the volksmarch (walking event) for handicapped athletes. “We’ll have adaptive equipment available in the bowling competition, so even a person in a wheelchair with limited strength can participate,” Bennett, the assistant director and therapy coordinator for Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay added. “Handicapped athletes need to be a part of the entire society and participate in all of life’s events to their fullest,” said Laughna, a physical education instructor at St. Michael’s Catholic School. “Any way we can help the handicapped participate is beneficial to them and to the entire festival.” The Festival is for both the elite level athlete and the “weekend warrior.” Divisions in each sport are designed for various ages and skill levels. Festival competition will take place in Marquette, Ishpeming, Negaunee, K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base and at the Michigamme softball fields.

90 years ago

ISHPEMING — The Whirlwind chapter of the American Model league, made up of a group of Ishpeming youngsters, has a display of model airplaines in the lobby of the Y.M.C.A. The public is invited to see them. The models were made by members of the club and the motive power is furnished by elastic bands. The models have flying records of from one to five minutes. Among the models exhibited are a tri-motor Pohkee, Stinson-Detroiter, tri-motor seaplane, and Curtis Hawk. The boys are on hand during the hours of the exhibit to explain the models. They also show the parts and tools used in construction of the planes. Members of the club are: Paul LaFrenier, president; Rudolph Swanson, vice-president; Gould Lawry, secretary and treasurer; Paul Silas, test pilot; Leo Jysha, Iver Nelson, John Benstrom, Fred Tilson, Ronald Thomas, Albert Pearce and Ed Kirby.