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

30 years ago

NEGAUNEE – The Negaunee High School Orchestra left Tuesday for a long bus ride to Chicago, followed by a long flight to Frankfurt, West Germany, where the orchestra arrived at 1:34 a.m. today and continued to Vienna, Austria for the International Youth and Music Festival, the oldest competition of high school bands in the world. “I don’t think I’m going to get much sleep,” said Amy Mixter, in the midst of her packing. Most of the band members share the same excitement. Ann Danielson, a violinist who will start her senior year in the fall said, “During our concert Sunday night, all everybody could talk about was the next time we perform, it will be in Austria, not Negaunee.” “I’m feeling a lot of excitement,” said violist Emily Wertanen, a freshman. Her mother Rose, was just as excited, as she’s accompanying the orchestra as a chaperone. The band will also perform on the Austrian national radio and do some sightseeing. Many orchestra members are looking forward to seeing the old buildings of Germany and Austria; the castles, cathedrals, along with the birthplaces of Mozart and homes of Beethoven, Schubert, and Strauss.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE – Two U.S. Navy destroyers, the U.S.S. Warrington and the U.S.S. Ware, which have been anchored in the lower harbor for the past four days, are expected to leave here tomorrow morning, following visits by an estimated 12,000 area persons. Lt. Cmdr. Kirk Miller, executive officer of the Warrington, said today that an average of 2,000 persons per day have toured the two ships. Service club members in Marquette visited the ships at noon today and held their regular weekly luncheon meetings aboard the two destroyers, which are here as a part of “Operation Inland Seas.” The Kiwanis and Lions Clubs and some Exchange Club members held joint meetings aboard the Ware, while the Rotary Club met on the Warrington. Many Navy men report they have enjoyed the events planned for them in the city and the scenic beauty of the area. Consensus of the officers, midshipmen and sailors indicates that Marquette “… is a good town in which to have a liberty,” Navy spokesmen said.