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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Ed Anglin says it’s a popular misconception that cemeteries are busiest on Memorial Day. “People visit the cemetery before Memorial Day so the graves will be decorated for the holiday,” said Anglin, owner of Northland Chapel Gardens.

A number of people were out Saturday sprucing up the graves of friends and relatives at Marquette’s Park Cemetery where plots were awash in colorful flowers.

“I like having this all done before Memorial Day,” said Katherine Olson of Marquette, as she watered freshly planted flowers on the graves of her in-laws. “It’s real important to remember the people who have gone before us.”

Bill Fetterhoff, supervisor of Marquette Park Cemetery said a steady stream of people have been decorating graves for a couple of weeks. Although Memorial Day was originally conceived to honor those killed in war, it has evolved into a day to remember everyone who’s died, said Richard Burke, Ishpeming”s parks and cemetery supervisor. Burke and his crew have been raking, cutting, trimming and seeding the city cemetery for about four weeks.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — All eight grades at St. Michael’s School produced posters or other exhibits showing the geography, resources and other attributes of Michigan during the Michigan Week. Several fourth and fifth graders who worked on their special projects were: Roberta Kellner, Kathryn Chapman, Marie McKindles and Susan Trezona. Sixth graders whose displays were among the most colorful in the school were Bruce Olson, Janet St. Onge and Susan Bohm. Michigan paper and woods products displays were also featured in observance of Michigan Week by Fisher School students Gary Boucher, a sixth grader; and Kathy Nord and Robert Hanson, both in the third grade.