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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Today is the last day of work for 44 employees laid off at the Presque Isle Power Plant as the ongoing strike by miners continues to take its toll on the area economy. Terry Hanson, Wisconsin Electric’s representative at the plant, said officials had hoped the layoffs would not be necessary. “We had our hopes that they would settle the strike by now,” Hanson said. “We’ve gone as long as we can.” At full strength, the power plant employs about 250 people. Another 18 workers are scheduled to be laid off Dec. 7 unless the strike is settled, Hanson said. About half the plant’s 600 megawatt capacity usually goes to the idle Tilden and Empire mines in western Marquette County, where 1,800 workers have been on strike for nine weeks. The rest goes to Wisconsin Electric customers in Wisconsin and area customers of the Upper Peninsula Power Co., which runs the plant. Workers were told of the layoffs about six weeks ago. Hanson said the names of people laid off were determined over the past three weeks, based mainly on seniority. He said some workers volunteered to take “rotating layoffs,” taking part of another worker’s unpaid time off. “People have volunteered to share the load,” he said. Workers have been keeping busy with maintenance, he said. “We’re catching up on things you would like to do but are not able to do,” including an “extensive painting and cleaning program.” The plant is running only two of nine generating units. Other units were run in August and September to clear leftover coal out of bunkers, Hanson said. In a two-hour meeting in Cleveland Wednesday, officials of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and the United Steelworkers union talked about resuming negotiations, but no dates have been set.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Housewives in the WLUC-TV viewing area are “going to class” this week in their own living rooms. The curriculum? How work can be made easier in the kitchen. The class, which is being televised on three days a week this week and next, is being taught by Mrs. Ruth Kettunen, Lansing, consultant in the Homemakers Rehabilitation Cooperative Project at Michigan State University and the Michigan Heart Assn. Mrs. Olive Sain, Marquette County extension agent in home economics, is assisting her. This week the class was held Monday and yesterday, and is scheduled again Friday. Next week, the telecast is to be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enrollment in the course totals 458, it was reported yesterday and those enrolled having received materials connected with the lessons without fee. There is still time to register and obtain materials at the Upper Peninsula Extension Center. Registrations will be taken through Friday. Kitchen work area, lay-out methods made easier, storage and time, reduction in get-ready and put-away time for foods, kitchen tools and equipment used to make the job easier are some of the topics being covered.