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

30 years ago

L’ANSE — A Keweenaw Bay Indian fishing boat capsized Tuesday on Lake Superior and the three tribal biologists on board floated nearly three hours in 45-degree water before reaching shore. According to the Baraga County Sheriff’s Department, tribal fisheries biologist Michael Donofrio, 28, of Baraga set out in a 20-foot fiberglass StarCraft at 3 p.m. Tuesday with passengers Harry Mensch, 20, of Pelkie, and Evelyn Smith, 24, of L’Anse. Donofrio and his assistants were apparently setting nets from the boat when the back end of the vessel began to fill up with water. The pumps could not keep up with the water intake and the boat capsized about 1.5 miles west of Karshney’s Creek, north of Keweenaw Bay. Donofrio said this morning that he, Mensch, and Smith were able to get on top of the capsized boat, but waves on the lake kept washing over them. “We were constantly getting wet the whole time,” he said. Lake temperatures are about 45 degrees, he said. The air at 3 p.m. was 47 degrees. The boat and its passengers floated 2 to 3 hours before being spotted by members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the sheriff said. The county patrol boat and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission’s boat were sent to rescue the biologists, who drifted in within 50 feet of shore and walked onto land before the boats arrived. The sheriff said the three were cold and wet, but otherwise OK.

60 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Organization of the Negaunee Youth Center Governing Board has been completed by recently-elected board members with selection of Tom Baldini as president for the 1960-61 year, Recreation Director Lowell Johnson announced today. Baldini, a St. Paul High senior, succeeds Edward Brisson, who graduated from St. Paul’s in June. Other officers named by the board included Jill Hill, Negaunee High junior, vice president; Nancy Jo Maki, Negaunee High junior, secretary, and Barbara Patierno, St. Paul senior, treasurer. Representatives on the Governing Board were selected at elections held at both high schools. Other members of the board include Susan Roberts, Tom Remilard, Richard Trewhella, Jean Sedlock, Bill Juidici, Janet Patierno, Kathy Tremblay, and Jean Roberts. Serving on the adult advisory committee for the 1960-61 year are Miss Berlyene Miller, the Rev. Ronald Shirkey, pastor of the Bethany Church, the Rev. William Russell, assistant pastor of St. Paul’s Church, Marshall Phillips and Leslie Richards.