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

30 years ago

ISHPEMING — Erik Racine, the 6-0 senior guard for the Ishpeming Hematites pocketed the Class A-B-C Player of the Year nod by a 19-1 vote. The balloting came at the annual spring meeting of the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association in Marquette. Coming to Ishpeming when his father, Jerry Racine, took the Hematites coaching position, Erik moved from Class D basketball in Republic-Michigamme to lead the Class C IHS team to a 20-0 regular season mark and a 14-0 Mid-Peninsula Conference ledger. He still managed to score 338 points for a 16.9 average, despite playing just 20 minutes a game for the talent-laden Hematites. He eclipsed the career 1,700-point mark this season.“Erik showed his ability to be a team leader this season,” his father said. “He showed senior leadership and worked as hard in practice as any kid I’ve ever coached.”

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — The Marquette-Alger County Medical Society last night gave strong endorsement to the fluoridation of public water supplies.At a meeting at the Northwoods, medical society members unanimously approved a resolution.More than 30 years of scientific research have proved that fluoridated water, drunk from infancy, prevents two out of every three cavities in children’s teeth and that it continues to be effective throughout life. Marquette and Negaunee public water supplies have been fluoridated continuously for many in which time no cases of ill health, disease or dental enamel abnormalities due to fluorine have occurred. The cost of the fluoridation program in the State of Michigan averages 24 cents per person per year. The society said it adopted the resolution in answer to questions created by recent publicity on the fluoridation program. A proposal to add fluorine to the water supply will be voted on in the April 2 election in Ishpeming.