25 years Ago — Sept. 14, 1992
Downtown Wayland in the mid-1950s.
The Martin Village Council is considering a policy to regard all employees as “at-will,” meaning they can be dismissed at ant time without prior notice and without reason. A group called “Concerned Citizens” has formed as a result, fearing this couple be an effort to fire police officer Cora Goff, but Village President Robert Brandon said that is not the case.
Angie Brinks, a blind woman living near the corner of 14th Street and 142nd Avenue in Dorr Township, credited passerby Cecil Heintzelman with helping her escape safely a fire at her house.
The Wayland Board of Education was told the district’s recently implemented all-day, alternate-day kindergarten program is serving as a model for other schools in the region.
Harvey, Melody and Justin Berg signed a letter to the editor supporting longtime high school band director Steve Working, who has been “demoted” to directing the junior high band.
Hopkins Township Supervisor Kevin Cronin has announced the Township Board now has gone on record as opposing the proposed amphiteater in Bradley. There were many letters to the editor on the issue, on both sides.
A new four-way stop has been installed at the corner of 135th Avenue and 18th Street, near the Corner Lounge and Hilliards because of increased traffic volume there.
Wayland Township’s first-ever tax abatement, for 50 percent and 12 years, has been granted to the Amcorn seed Co. in Bradley.
Allegan County United Way Executive Director Jeff McElwee has announced the goal for the organization’s 1992 drive is $450,000 county wide.
Julie DeBoer, wife of Wayland State Police Commander Lt. Steve DeBoer, has been chosen director of the Allegan County 911 emergency dispatch system.
On the high school gridiron, Hopkins defeated Watervliet 22-13, Wayland, behind 385 yards in total offense from quarterback Pat Kruizenga, beat Coopersville 26-21, and Martin was edged 22-20 by Marcellus.
Holly Zalis came in first for the third straight dual meet as the Wayland cross-country team whitewashed Byron Center 15-50. The boys won 15-49.
Becky Bouwens and Stacie Bratsburg led the Lady Wildcat tennis team to a 7-0 shutout over Caledonia, but they dropped a 6-1 decision to perennial powerhouse Middleville.
Ann Iciek scored 31 points to lead the Wayland girls’ basketball team to a 64-60 overtime victory over Ottawa Hills.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 13, 1967
Roxie Greenawalt, daughter of Fred and Effie Greenawalt of Wayland, won the Allegan County Harvest Queen title. She and two of her court members in the Miss Wayland contest, Gail Wilcox and Patty Wisniewski, were to be included in the Allegan County parade.
The Wayland City Council plans to have a special meeting Sept. 18 to explain the need for a sanitary sewage disposal system, which will be voted on in a special election Oct. 16.
Robert Ayers and Steve Alflen, Wayland High School students who spent their summers in Sweden and the Netherlands, respectively, collaborated on a special essay relaying their experiences.
Connie Smith, the Sundowners and Pee Wee King King and His Band were the featured performers at the Allegan County Fair.
Baker Elementary Principal Martha Japinga explained to the Wayland Board of Education a maturity test for prospective kindergarteners who turn 5 years old after Sept. 1, giving them a chance to enroll.
Clair Sullivan, 71, of Leighton Township, died of a stroke at his home. He had been land buyer for Consumers Power, Standard Oil and other large corporations.
Among recent draftees getting ready to report to the U.S. Army were Rex Greenawalt, Clarence Coburn, Dale Ritsema, Dennis Fleek, Gary Richardson and Bruce Smith.
The Rev. Msgr. Adelbert Radowski has informed Wayland school officials that starting next year all St. Therese School seventh-and eighth-graders will be enrolled at Wayland Junior High School, involving about 45 youngsters.
Robert Swainston, co-owner with his wife of S & S Sales, has announced its entry in the national g-kart championships in California to0ok first place.
Edward Alflen & Sons was planning to unveil a number of new 1968 Plymouths at an open house later this month.
Doug Parish, son of Mr. and Mars. Claude Smith of Wayland, has enrolled in a graduate program at Michigan State University after teaching high school German in Wisconsin.
Lorraine DeWeerd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion DeWeerd of Wayland, has graduated from nursing school at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo as a registered nurse.
Bobbie Gentry’s cross-over hit “Ode to Billy Joe” again topped the music charts.
75 Years Ago — Sept .18, 1942
Congressman Clare Hoffman defeated two challengers in the Republican Party primary Sept. 15. Meanwhile, Harold “Budd” Tripp of Allegan squeaked by Kim Sigler of Hastings for state senator, Fred Miles was elected state representative and Howard Strandt won for county register of deeds.
Charles Webber, a Salem Township farmer of German descent, was arrested by FBI agents for attempting to bribe with $500 an official to keep his son out of serving in the military.
Julius Andringa, proprietor of the A-G Food Store, has sold his business to Harold Koster of Grandville, but intends to continue to live in the community.
More than 85 grown food entries were noted in the Victory Harvest festival at the high school auditorium.
Harry Stebbins was elected president of the Leighton Farm Club at its meeting with 29 members present.
Jimmy Lynch’s Death Dodgers were topping the entertainment bill this year at the Allegan County fair, which also was offering “Lady Nimble Fingers” in the crocheting contest.
The Wayland High School football team was set to open its season at Kelloggsville Sept. 18.
Because of Children’s Day at the Allegan County Fair, there will be no school Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Kenneth Pratt was elected president of the Wayland High School senior class and Blanche Kaminski was chosen secretary and treasurer.
The Wayland school lunch program was pleading for help from local mothers, saying, “We have vegetables and equipment, but no help.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Judy Canova and Joe E. Brown in “Joan of Ozark.”
- William Holden and Frances Dee in “Meet the Stewarts.”
- George Raft and Pat O’Brien in “Broadway.”
- Irene Harvey and Kent Taylor in “Frisco Lil.”
- Edmund Lowe and Lucille Fairbanks in “Klondike Fury.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 14, 1917
Pvt. Dick Hydenberk wrote a letter to his parents from France, where he was serving in the military during the war.
Fisher’s Jazz Band was the featured entertainment at this year’s Allegan County Fair. “The county fair is one of the surviving features for the old days… you will see the greatest crowd in Allegan that has been there since P.T. Barnum drew his record there way back ‘fore the war.”
The Allegan County Road Commission is asking Sheriff Hillman to place motor cops on the roads to arrest people who run their cars at speeds faster than allowed by state law.
The Globe published of draft exemptions, about two dozen of them, among 300 who were examined by the draft broad.
A barn at the farm of Fred Hilbert was destroyed by fire, but it contained mostly hay. He said the barn was only partially insured.
Frank’s Opera House was showing the first episode of “The Mystery of the Double Cross,” starring Leon Bary and Mollie King.
Local businessman George Schuh was detained i9n Lansing, along with hundreds of other men, because of authorities’ hunt for “slackers,” me who failed to report or register for military service. He was released shortly afterward.
Edward Moy’s farm just south of Ohio Corners was consumed by fire, causing the loss of nearly all household goods.
Baily Frank was elected president of the Wayland High School Athletic Club, Ezekiel Smith treasurer and Roy Jones secretary. Howard Calkins is captain of the football team.
Science teacher John Hoyt paid a brief visit to the high school before he is inducted into the military.
The Rev. W.W. Gray was speaker for the first chapel exercise of the academic year on the topic of “Making a Living or Making a Life.”
