30 years ago

MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula’s population changed little during the last century, and preliminary state estimates show that trend will continue through the year 2020. Since the 1930 census, the U.P.’s population has varied only by about 17,000 people. The high was 319,757 residents recorded in 1980; the low was nearly 302,000 residents in 1950. “There has been no more than a 6 percent change” in the overall U.P. population, said Dr. Steve DeGoosh, Northern Michigan University assistant professor of geography. The predictions were made in April 1994 by state demographer Ching-Li Wang, based on factors such as birth and death rates, migration and the latest census figures. Without major economic growth, DeGoosh expects there won’t be a dramatic change in the U.P. population during the next 25 years. Some Yoopers don’t move to higher paying, out-of-state jobs because of life issues–low pollution and crime. Tourist attractions and renewed copper mining may signal a busy future for the Copper Country. The zeal to attract visitors, however, must be done carefully because of “the dark side of tourism,” said Stephen Albee, senior planner with the Western U.P. Planning and Development Regional Commission. “If there is any fear I have, it’s that uncontrolled tourism development is going to ruin what we hold so dear–the ambiance and the sense of place we have about or communities up here. People have a concern about looking like everyplace else.”

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — At least 100 projects, prepared by young scientists from Upper Michigan high schools, will be on display at the 11th annual Northern Michigan Science fair to be held at Norther Michigan University tomorrow. The public is invited to view the exhibits, beginning at noon in the C.B. Hedgecock Fieldhouse on the NMU campus, according to William E. Wright, fair coordinator. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Last year’s top senior division winners were Robert Quayle and Jo Ann Napoleon. Quayle’s exhibit was titled “Study Factors Controlling Species Variations in Producer and Consumer Plankton,” while Napoleon’s entry was titled “The Crippling Effects of Caffeine Alkaloid.” In conjunction with the fair, scientific papers will be presented by high school students beginning at 10 a.m. in the physical education classrooms. Dr. Alfred O. Niemi, in charge of this phase of the fair, said that the public is invited to attend the presentations.