The Peter White Public Library in Marquette is pictured. (Journal file photo)

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

30 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Nancy LaLande’s 90-year-old mother wants just one thing for Christmas – to be closer to her family. That won’t happen in time for this Christmas, but Ruth Hoppe will finally get her wish come July, when a new nursing home opens in her hometown of Negaunee. The $5 million, 100-bed Eastwood Nursing Center is taking shape along U.S. 41 at Mass Street in Negaunee. Dentist Ray Johnson, who is president and co-owner for the Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette, waged an eight-year battle with the state to get permission to open the new skilled nursing center. For years, the state maintained there wasn’t a need for more nursing homes, but a 1991 survey determined that 400 new beds could be filled. About 150 rare winter construction jobs have been created by the project, according to Bill Heide, superintendent for general contractor Tom Moyle Construction Co. of Houghon. With an annual payroll of $1.5 million, Eastwood will have 100 full-time employees. Johnson will advertise those positions in the spring.

60 years ago

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP — A new hockey board encloses the ice skating rink at the Silver Creek Elementary School in Chocolay Township. The rink is maintained and supervised by the Chocolay Lions Club. The club also maintains and supervises an ice rink located at the Beaver Grove School. Both rinks are lighted and are open to hockey playing Tuesday and Thursday evenings and to public skating at other times. The rinks are each 200 feet by 85 feet. The four-foot hockey board at the Silver Creek rink was purchased from the Marquette Hockey Association. Victor Mattson was chairman of the project. The Lions Club also has purchased a skate sharpening machine which is available at Shaw’s Service Station.