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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Shopko will host a holiday shopping event designed especially for senior citizens and disabled persons on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The three-hour event will feature free refreshments, Christmas carolers, free gift wrapping, carry-out service, special coupons, and shopping assistance. Store employees will be on hand to escort shoppers who require assistance in gift selection. Shopko will also provide extra seating and personnel throughout the store for customer convenience. For those customers who have not sat on Santa’s lap in years, Santa will be available for photographs. The first 50 customers to sit on Santa’s lap will receive a free photograph. Free blood pressure screening will also be available.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Board of Education ordered flags at city public schools flown at half-mast for the next week, to honor the memory of Walter F. Gries of Negaunee, long a key figure in Marquette County and Michigan school circles, who died Monday. In a resolution read by Trustee Paul J. Kinville, the board commended Mr. Gries for his many years of working to “improve the opportunities of the handicapped through programs of special education” and for his “long career of support for the children of the Northern Peninsula.” Mr. Gries was a school teacher, principal and administrator, and had served as acting president of Northern Michigan College part of one year and was president of the State Board of Education.