30 years ago

HANCOCK – Between England and Japan, the Copper Country is but another unfamiliar place for sailor Hirohisa Tetsumura. The 57-year-old Japanese man, who is on the second leg of a voyage from England to his home country, docked his 34-foot craft Monday at Houghton County Marina. The journey began in spring 1992 when he set out for the Canary Islands from an English port. From there, he traveled to the Caribbean and back up along the east coast of the U.S. to Annapolis, Md., where he docked the boat last winter. “It was my dream to sail Hudson River,” he said. Following that dream led him to the lakes and, eventually, to the Keweenaw Peninsula. After reaching Duluth, Tetsumura will follow his boat to Seattle, where it will be docked this winter. When the weather turns cold, he returns to Japan to be with his wife and four children and oversee operations of a small business he owns. Next summer, he will sail the final leg to Japan if everything goes as planned. The most challenging part of his trip is still ahead of him, but Tetsumura is not too worried about potential troubles. “I have met many wonderful people here on board and on shore,” he said. “This boat will arrive next year in Japan if everything goes as planned, but who can tell?”

60 years ago

ST. IGNACE – Rich historic lore of the straits of Mackinac region will be presented on the National Broadcasting Co’s. “Today” television show when the program originates from Northern Michigan next week. The first show Monday will be telecast from 200-year-old Fort Mackinac, on Mackinac Island, and will trace the development of fur-trading military operations and other historical facets of the Straits area. Gov. George Romney will be a guest on the Fort Mackinac show, and will be interviewed by the program’s host, Hugh Downs. Jack Lescoulie and Pat Fontaine also are featured members of the “Today” show cast. The week-long programming from Northern Michigan is the result of cooperation between the NBC and several Michigan organizations.