30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Plans to build the world’s largest sauna at Marquette’s Lower Harbor Park were outlined in a FinnFest USA Committee presentation to the city commission Monday night. Television personality Carl Pellonpaa, president of the committee, provided an overview of the national celebration, which will be in Marquette next Aug. 7-11. Plans include a temporary sauna that will hold up to 500 occupants, a Finnish bonfire, a parade through downtown Marquette and a concert at Lakeview Arena. The festival, which celebrates the culture and tradition of Finnish Americans, is expected to draw between 5,000 and 15,000 visitors to Marquette. The committee estimates that it will cost $250,000 to host FinnFest USA and that the festival will bring in over $1 million in revenue to the city. Approximately half of the $250,000 has been raised through donations by local residents and businesses. The Archbishop of Finland and delegations from various Finnish cities will be among the visitors.

90 years ago

MUNISING — Proposed WPA projects for Alger County were submitted to Lansing today by L.L. Farrell, manager of the Works Progress Administration in this county. The 45 projects were submitted to the manager by the city of Munising, Alger County, townships and school boards. The average contribution to the financial side of the work will be about 35 percent, Farrell said. In some instances there may be no local expense because of the jobs being purely labor. Road construction, school buildings, playgrounds, buildings and building improvements are included in the list of projects. After a review in Lansing, they are forwarded to Washington for final analysis and approval. Munising’s proposals total to about $80,000, exclusive of $4,936 asked by the township school board for construction of a garage and shop at the Mather High School here. The county road commission submitted a list of road construction and improvement jobs which approximate $344,000.

Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.