90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, March 13, 1919

The gatherings of the "Old Folks" bunch have proved such pleasant functions that at a meeting held in Moose hall Monday evening it was decided to perfect a permanent organization for social entertainment. Mrs. C.W. Rogers was elected president, and Mrs. W.G. Davis vice president.

Dr. Darby and J.F. Rhoades surprised the natives Monday by taking an auto trip to Taylor's camps. Everything went lovely for a ways. Near Brown's at Carp River, they took the ice to Jamieson's mill and went along swimmingly. Then they took the Jamieson logging roads and opened the eyes of the woodsmen along the way at the speed they made. But there was trouble when they reached the county road, and for some distance they were compelled to shovel snow in order to get through. But through they got, and returned in safety and without accident. Both said it was one of the most enjoyable rides they ever took.

The Gateway City band boys are already preparing for their Easter ball, having leased Soucie's hall for the event. Hunters and trappers are being advised by fur buyers to hurry and unload their season's take of hides and furs, as the market is bound to go off, due to the opening of the European fur market.

A public meeting will be held at the Grand theatre Friday evening of this week to discuss the advisability of adopting a commission form of government for this city.

Of the original 29 men comprising the first list of draft men to be sent from Mackinac county at the outbreak of the war, all are expected to return but one. James McAllister died overseas of disease and Chas. I. Littlefield was severely wounded, but is expected home.

It's an ill wind that blows no one good. This was illustrated when a large field of 12-inch ice was blown shoreward, grounding a short distance from the Grand, and which furnished a full supply of ice for the summer. In order to reach the solid ice, it was necessary to bridge for a short distance.

Rev. John Mockler is expected to resume charge of St. Ignatius church Friday after an absence of a week spent in Rome City, Indiana.

County War Historian Ed McNamara has appointed Misses Katherine Murray and Ethel Lennon to secure the data for the St. Ignace soldiers.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News & St. Ignace Enterprise Thursday, March 12, 1959 Consolidation of school in the vicinity of St. Ignace was the consideration of a report made Monday night by James J. Brown to the St. Ignace board of education. Brown told of a public meeting held in St. Ignace township last week attended by about 35 interested persons who discussed with a panel the proposals published recently by a school district study commission.

It will be an exchange between cities located at the southern tip of the upper peninsula and at the southern portion of the lower peninsula come Mayor Exchange Day, during Michigan Week Monday, May 18. The mayor of St. Ignace, not yet determined, and the mayor of Belleville will exchange seats for the day. Mackinaw City is scheduled with Metamora and the Soo with Hazel Park.

The worst blizzard of the winter struck Thursday night. It followed nearly a week of mild weather when the mercury hit 40 degrees.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Della- Moretta, residents of St. Ignace since 1935, leave March 24 on a trip to Europe. Mr. Della-Moretta will visit his native land, Italy, which he left nearly a half century ago.

Mackinac Island council has asked the state to return the ferry docks at St. Ignace and Mackinaw City to the state highway department. The move by Mackinac Island was in the form of a resolution sent to the legislature, saying that retention of the docks by the department "would protect the traffic to and from Mackinac Island on which its very existence is dependent."

Lawrence Brown, electrician's mate second class, U.S.N., of St. Ignace, is serving abroad the Atlantic Fleet submarine U.S.S. Conger, which is operating in the Caribbean Sea.

The nation's oldest chain retailer, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., known to most Americans as A&P, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

35 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, March 14, 1974

At the March meeting of the St. Ignace Board of Education, Dr. Berggen read a letter from Assistant Principal Jerry Gallagher resigning his position as head football coach. Mr. Gallagher will continue his duties as assistant principal.

State Police Director Col. John R. Plants said today that State Police patrols would begin enforcing the new 55-mile-anhour speed limit throughout Michigan, effective March 16.

Fire Chief Lyle Hudson, who plans to step down as head of the Clark Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept. in April of this year, was the guest speaker at the meeting of Les Cheneaux Lions Club March 4.

The Saints' hopes of a third straight district crown were ruined Tuesday night, when the Newberry Indians handed them a 64-61 loss on the Saints' home floor. For the Saints, it was the final game of the season, and they ended up with a 15-6 record. Lou Grondin was the team's leader in scoring against Newberry, with 20 points, despite missing much of the game due to foul trouble.

15 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, March 10, 1994

In the Cedarville-Hessel area, a public works crew was working to reduce the list of frozen sewer services from 80. That amounted to some 10,000 feet of frozen sewer pipe, officials say.

Estimate of St. Ignace's frozen pipe problems: 242 customers water service thawed; 61 still frozen; 2.7 million gallons of water a day, triple the norm. Costs for equipment and payroll of $45,500 and rising.

Spring came another step closer to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Monday, March 7, with the arrival of a gull and some mourning doves at Loreli Lodges in Hessel.

Standing next to his machine in the slushy ice on Cedarville Bay, local snowmobile drag racer Chris Riley held back his excitement over a second straight AStock "State Championship." Wiping the drizzle from the bill of his ball cap, Riley appeared relieved the racing season was over and proud to have won the two-day race in front of his home town.

The Rudyard Bulldogs, in their first year of Michigan Huron Shores Conference play, laid claim to the school's first league title Thursday, February 3, with a come-from-behind away victory over Gaylord. Had they lost, they would have shared the conference crown with Gaylord, the five-time defending champion in volleyball.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Ignace News is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to be scanned into the archives and for the Looking Back column. Photographs to be loaned or donated to the Michilimackinac Historical Society can also be dropped off at The St. Ignace News.