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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — John Van Beynen, a Northern Michigan University mathematics professor, will be the guest speaker for the next meeting of the Cooperative Team Learning Initiative Group on Wednesday in the Michigan Room of the Don H. Bottum University Center at NMU. Van Beynen will discuss the use of cooperative teams for learning factors of numbers through use of manipulatives and the computer for problem solving. Participating teachers will receive a floppy disc prepared for classroom use. There will also be a discussion of the effects of team learning in the classroom, with a panel made up of George Ruuska, Sandy Knoll principal; Marybeth Greany, Superior Central Elementary second grade teacher; Richard Demboski, Bothwell Middle School social studies teacher; Lois Ralph, Silver Creek Elementary learning disabilities teacher; and Pam Pesola, parent of a Whitman Elementary third-grader.

90 years ago

MARQUETTE — Some time ago, George Kindlin and Gus Apostle, who own eight lots on Wilson Avenue, west of the end of Fisher Street, did some prospecting, believing there were oil deposits under their property. Samples of liquid taken from test holes were sent to the state department of conservation where R. R. Newcombe, geologist in that department, tested the samples and submitted the following report: “Upon examination I find that the water contains no trace of petroleum of any kind. The substance which probably created the impression that the water contained oil is a flocculent precipitate of iron oxide which, when floated on water as a scum, gives an irridescent play of colors and resembles a film of oil. A simple test may be effected by stirring up the scum and, if it breaks up, it is not oil, but a mixture of iron oxides as described. Such occurrences are frequently found.