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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Marquette County Lodge 2501 of the Order of the Sons of Italy held its eighth annual Upper Michigan Italian-American recognition dinner and dance on Oct. 7. The event was held in the Great Lakes rooms of the Don H. Bottum University Center at Northern Michigan University. Nicholas Simone of Iron Mountain, Joseph Fittante of Caspian, Larry Magaraggia of Houghton, Peter DeRubeis of Wakefield and Elmer and Teresa Mongiat of Ishpeming were honored for service to their communities. Their awards were presented by state Sen. Joseph Mack, U.S. Rep. Bob Davis, and Tom Baldini, Upper Peninsula advisor to Gov. James Blanchard. Remarks were also made by the order’s president, William Prueter. The order, established in 1905, is the oldest and largest Italian-American organization in the country. The service and charity-oriented organization has donated millions of dollars for a number of charitable purposes throughout the years of its existence. The Marquette County lodge was established in 1961.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — Mrs. Nellie Krogman, former Ishpeming High School teacher and postmistress, has donated a piece of genuine Carrara marble sculpture to the city. The work, placed in the Carnegie Public Library on a rotating pedestal base, depicts several figures celebrating the harvest of grapes. The gift, titled “Ritorno Dalla Vendemmia” was contributed by Mrs. Krogman in memory of her parents, Capt. And Mrs. Thomas Walters. Her father, a former captain or superintendent of the now extinct Lake Angeline Mine, bought the marble piece while on a trip to Italy many years ago, and the work has been kept in the home for about 50 years. The figures were carved by a Professor Garella of the Galerie of Fine Arts, Florence, Italy.