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

30 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Although the Soviet Union has a reputation for producing some of the best chess players in the world, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all Soviet students actively pursue the game. That was evident in Negaunee Monday, where members of the Negaunee Middle School and High School Chess Club defeated five Soviet exchange students 7-2 in a friendly international competition. “They are all amateur players,” said Ludmila Smotkima, a Soviet advisor to the exchange students, “but they still wanted to play the American kids.” The purpose of the match, however, was not to see who would win or lose, but to provide the rare opportunity to bridge the gap of two continents with a chess table. “I consider this match a benefit to both groups of students just for the experience of playing chess with one another,” said Greg Rose, the Negaunee Middle School and High School chess adviser and organizer of the match. “I’m sure it is something they will always remember.” Rose is a certified tournament director for the U.S. Chess Federation.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan College will be forced to discontinue grades 9 through 12 of the John D. Pierce Laboratory School because of a “dollar shortage imposed by the state legislature.” Dr. Edgar L. Harden, NMC president, told more than 100 people that the legislative budget approved for Northern’s 1961-62 operations “places the college in an impossible situation.” The Pierce closing will affect 30 freshmen, 23 sophomores and 29 juniors. Thirty-two seniors will comprise the graduating class this summer.