30 years ago

MARQUETTE – “Michigan Week,” highlighting the state’s assets and history, is being re-energized by Secretary of State Candice Miller, who was in the Upper Peninsula last week. Miller is the state’s historian and is responsible for its History Bureau. She met with representatives of Upper Peninsula historical societies and other historical organizations at Northern Michigan University. The event was hosted by NMU president William E. Vandament, the 1995 Michigan Week co-chairman for the U.P. Miller said the Secretary of State’s office and the Michigan History Bureau will be making efforts to better publicize the Michigan History Center museum in Lansing as “…one of the state’s most outstanding resources – which I think a lot of people are unaware of.” Miller was in Marquette to launch Michigan’s first specialized motor vehicle license plate, which highlights the U.S. Olympic Education Center at NMU. A portion of the plate’s service fee is earmarked for the center.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE – The board of trustees of St. Luke’s Hospital has accepted the Hotel Northland as a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Frazier and Mr. and Mrs. Max Reynolds, all of Marquette. The announcement came from John E. McDonald, vice president of the St. Luke’s board, and became official July 1. The St. Luke’s trustees will act as an interim board of directors of the Kawbawgam Hotel Co. There will be no change in management. The Hotel Northland has been placed on the market and the St. Luke’s group will step out of the picture immediately upon consummation of sale. McDonald emphasized that the board members have no desire to operate the hotel, feeling that their commitment is to the hospital. There has been sustained negotiation for more than the past year with the intent that Northern Michigan University acquire the hotel. Dr. Edgar L. Harden was offered first refusal on the property, however the operation did not align with the university’s development program. It was also stressed that this transaction is completely separate from St. Luke’s building fund campaign. McDonald pointed out that there would be no value to the Hotel Northland stock until a purchase has been completed.