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

30 years ago

LAKE SUPERIOR — Wayne Nelson was well prepared for his trip across Lake Superior in an ultralight plane: satellite positioning system, military ice survival suit, and a brick. Dropped from 100 feet, a brick will break through 5 inches of ice but not 6 inches. 6 inches are what Nelson needed to support his one-seat aircraft when he landed to refuel on his way across 140 miles of the world s largest lake. The trip began at Madeline Island in Northern Wisconsin, and ended seven hours later when Nelson reached an airfield in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I felt like a little fly skimming across a sleeping giant, Nelson said, and I know how fast it can swallow you up if you wake it.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Henry J. Meyer, noted research sociologist and author, will be the speaker at Northern Michigan University tomorrow night. The purpose of the program is to lend stimulus and direction to developing programs for sociology majors and acquaint others with the importance of sociology to the total education program. The public is invited to attend the lecture at no admission charge.