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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE –Students in Mary Friggens’ fifth grade class at Bishop Baraga Central Grade School are learning all about endangered species. Each of the 14 youngsters in the classroom selected an animal and is researching its characteristics, habitat and the reasons its existence is threatened. The research will be turned into a report and each student will do some artwork to accompany his or her writing. Each will receive a grade in science and a grade in language for the work. It’s all part of an interdisciplinary approach to learning that is characteristic of the Young Authors program. Rebecca Dales chose to research the humpback whale, while Nathan Arthur selected pythons. Roberta Branam is doing her essay on the blue whale which is about 100 feet long, and her friend Amber Hannula chose the gray wolf because it reminds her of a dog. Other classmates selected a variety of creatures: Erik Prudom chose the paddle fish, Jennifer Davis picked tigers, Tracy Benzing researched jaguars, Ann Aalto was curious about chimpanzees, Dawn Lenz studied the bald eagle, and Ian Blondeau wanted to know more about komodo dragons. Jennifer Taylor found out ocelots were hunted for their fur; the same reason Shannon Hammang chose to research cheetahs. Friggens said after the writing is done, the students will begin an editing process. “They will learn both about the animals and about writing by the time we are done.”

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — Claremont C. Watson, who came to Ishpeming 37 years ago and likes the Hematite City so well he stayed on to become the dean of Michigan basketball coaches, will be honored at a testimonial dinner in the Phelps Elementary School May 7. The city will unite in paying tribute to the man who became known as “Mr. Basketball” to the entire Upper Peninsula. Heading a committee arranging plans for the affair is Edmund J. Thomas, Ishpeming attorney and a former basketball star under Watson’s tutelage. Helping him are Larry Robertson, the Rev. Erick Hammar, Guido Bonetti, Paul Zhulkie and Ogden E. Johnson.