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

30 years ago

CHATHAM — Using techniques he honed as a Michigan Tech University student, ice sculpture king Dan Johnson has already pumped 1,000 gallons of water on his creation for Friday’s Chatham Winter Carnival. The carnival will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Chatham Fair Grounds in conjunction with the Midnight Run and U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship. Johnson, superintendent of the Alger County Road Commission said he graduated from MTU in 1969 with the skills needed to make ice art. This year, Johnson’s crew is building a castle drawbridge, and a St. Bernard — complete with a flask of whiskey — heading out to rescue a stranded sled dog team. The defending champs include Don Johnson (Dan’s brother), Bruce and Wilma Hill, Jerry Riley and Matt Roop. With help from family and friends, employees at the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Experiment Station in Chatham are trying to create the best-looking snow cow in town — a black and white Holstein. “We did it to fit into the community at first. After you get going it gets to be a lot of fun,” said manager Paul Naasz.

90 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Employees of the city street department have been busy for several days removing snow from railroad crossings in the downtown section. Grades and bumps have been reduced and the crossings are in good condition. After the workmen had removed the snow and ice, city trucks were used to haul it away and other crews were used to move the snow from Iron street. The highway department has completed a good job of snow plowing and there is not a street or alley in Negaunee that has not been cleared.