30 years ago

NEWBERRY – Newberry contractor Howard Bawks couldn’t bear to watch local officials squabble over money while a park construction project teetered in the balance. So the 73-year-old revved up his backhoe and crane and began a unique donation of time and equipment. Thus far, Bawks has worked over 75 hours removing reinforced concrete walls at the former site of the Atlas Plywood Co. in Newberry. “(Village officials) were having trouble here,” he said. “They couldn’t get the funds from the township and the EDC (Economic Development Corp.) and if everyone feels that way, we’re not going to have a park here.” In 1989, the village received a $133,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant to remove a dangerous abandoned building and renovate the former industrial site where the Robbins Flooring Mill was built in 1913. Village officials hoped to turn the site’s 6 ½ acres into a recreational park with a baseball diamond, basketball court, walking track and playground equipment. But after months of permit delays, and after spending $50,000 to demolish the building, bids submitted to complete the project easily outstripped the remaining grant money, said Village Mayor Robert Cameron. Meanwhile, Bawks works on. He expects it will take another week to demolish and bury the remaining concrete walls at the site.

60 years ago

ISLE ROYALE – The Great Lakes ore carrier Peter A.B. Widener was reported in trouble today on gale-swept waters some 25 miles south of this western Lake Superior island. Coast Guard spokesmen at Sault Ste. Marie said the 601-foot Widener, owned by Pittsburgh Division of U.S. Steel Corp., reported a broken steering gear and possible damage to its steering mechanism and screw. Winds estimated at 45 mph and 10-foot seas were reported in the area. Coast Guard records show the Widener carries a crew of 35 men. The vessel’s captain is listed as R.A. Phillips. The Coast Guard Cutter Woodrush was reported heading toward the stricken vessel from Duluth. Also headed for the Widener were the Coast Guard vessel Naugatuck and several Pittsburgh Division vessels in the area. It was not known whether the Widener was downbound from Duluth or approaching the Duluth ore docks.