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

30 years ago

ESCANABA — Technology can’t wait. The Escanaba Area School Board agreed with that idea, voting Monday to seek counsel on a long-range technology plan. A district-wide technology committee has been meeting for almost two years, but hasn’t established a clear plan for bringing high-tech education into Escanaba, administrators said. The board voted to retain staff from UGLETI (Upper Great Lakes Educational Technologies Inc.). Most of the $16,000 cost would be covered under the district’s federal Chapter 2 funding. UGLETI is a non-profit group that includes representatives from education and U.P. hospitals who are working together to promote long-distance learning. Robert Koski, who chairs Escanaba’s technology committee, says his group needs UGLETI’s expertise. “We’ve been working to get some direction with what we want to do with technology, but we have had a difficult time searching for that vision.” Koski described the district’s attempts at high-tech education as “a bunch of fragments we need to put together.” He said about 10 committee members would work with UGLETI to come up with a three- to five-year plan. It would cover such areas as educational television channels, computers, and distance learning.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — Another custom car to be featured in the Peninsula Pistons’ Custom Car Show to be held May 4-5 at the Ishpeming National Guard Armory is the “Golden Tiki.” Before describing the automobile, the club took opportunity to tell auto lovers jut what a Tiki is. Through the centuries, the Polynesian people have lived a carefree existence on the islands in the tropical South Pacific. Each day, they look to gods to guide and protect them, for each god represents a good or evil that must be appeased. There is a Tiki god for nearly every act of nature and legend has it that the wearer will be protected from danger and enhanced with luck and charm. The custom auto, in itself, represents a lot of work and accomplishment for its owner, Mike Donovan of Milwaukee. This 1961 Mercury convertible, with gold dust metallic paint, has a body which is nosed and decked, shaved front fenders, a bullet grille, 1958 DeSoto taillight, custom hub-caps, and full length lakers. The safety-minded auto club stated that the car has pleated gas, oil, and water cans, and a first aid kit, safety reflectors and flags, safety lights, flares, fire extinguisher, booster cable, and a adium plated jack and handle. Driven daily through rain, sleet, snow or hail, the car also is driven to each custom auto show near or far, club officials said.