(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 3, 1992
The Wayland Township Board is recommending the Players Club at Selkirk Lake be permitted to continue to serve liquor, but patrons not be allowed to dance in the 300-seat lounge. The action follows complaints of violations of liquor laws such as selling to minors and to intoxicated people.
The Gun Lake Sewer Authority (GLASA) plans to increase monthly fees from $18 to $19 per month, effective January 1993.
Nick and Bertha Krulac sent the Globe a letter urging people to get out and vote in the June 8 school election. “If you don’t vote, the system will continue to proceed as it has, and that is something Wayland does not needs.”
The City of Wayland will capture an additional $2,100 in local property tax revenue as a result of a truth in taxation hearing if a proposed 0.679-mill increase is approved.
Lee Miller has sold Harding’s Market to the Harding and Hill Corp. of Plainwell. Present owners Kauffman and Miller have had the Wayland grocery since 1954. Lee has been retired for 10 years, but his son David has managed the store since.
Steve and Candy Lawrence were arraigned in Barry County Circuit Court in front of Judge James Shuster on charges of murder and arson. Steve remains in jail in connection with the Feb. 20 death of his father, Willard, at Gun Lake.
Hopkins school officials, fearing continued crowding conditions in Sycamore and Hopkins elementaries, are begging parents in the district to register their kindergarteners in order to have a good idea how many new students will arrive in the fall.
A Muskegon firm is looking at property near 129th Avenue and U.S.-131 for a sawmill, but it wants a tax abatement. As a result, Wayland Township officials are considering creation of an industrial district in the area.
Hard-hitting Martin was limited to three singles by Schoolcraft’s pitcher and was shut out in its district opener.
The Wayland softball team had the winning run on third base, but lost 5-4 to Gull Lake in its district opener. Kim Verburg had a two-run triple and Jenny Fearnow yielded only six hits.
Hopkins had an early exit from a 17-4 baseball season in a loss to Gobles in the district tournament.
Ringling College of Arts and Design has invited Wayland High School sophomore Nick Mandaville to take part in a four-week summer study series.
50 Years Ago — May 31, 1967
Corporal James Post of the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police has been promoted and transferred to Hart, much closer to his hometown of Frederic. Post had served in Wayland since 1957.
Harry Elenbaas was presented with a bouquet of red carnations for his perfect attendance and service as secretary of the Rotary Club over the past 23 years.
Charles V. Stoddard, owner of the Stoddard & Sons road oiling and oil business, was killed in a traffic crash near Mattawan. He was active in the Allegan County Democratic Party and was former commander of the local VFW post.
Hopkins High School graduated 72 seniors at commencement.
Patricia Krup received two special awards at the St. Therese School graduation, one for an essay she wrote in an American Legion contest and another for distinguished achievement. St. Therese reporter David Kamyszek wrote a brief account of the ceremony.
The Henika Library Board has voted not to accept the lone bid for construction work on an addition and has won approval from the Michigan State Library Board to negotiate for a new proposal.
Globe Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey was selected as president of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, succeeding James Charles, who had to resign because he closed his business.
Robert Ayers lost in the finals of the regional tennis tournament, but earned a spot in the state Class B tourney the following weekend. The Wildcats tied for fourth in the region with players Bill Carpenter, Mick Mutschler, Scott Chestnut, Hward Thomas, Rick Blok, Steve Smith and foreign exchange student Chister Persson.
Hopkins had its Mayor Exchange Day with Howard City, trading Vernon Weick from the former town and Herbert Peck from the latter.
The Globe’s weekly recipe feature was of Irv Helmey and his “famous” wine-sauced chicken livers.
Ann Ryno, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alden Ryno, was guest speaker for a Sunday evening service at Wayland Calvary Church. She had just graduated at Detroit Bible Institute and has agreed to join the faculty there next fall.
The Rascals’ “Groovin” remained at No. 1 for the week on the music charts.
75 Years Ago — June 5, 1942
Ed Russell and his crew received praise from Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher for the immaculate condition of Elmwood Cemetery for Memorial Day observances.
The William Haywood house at Gun Lake was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm, setting the structure ablaze, but local firefighters handled it quickly and efficiently.
The Village Streets Department under Supt. Clayton Blue and employee Ralph Whitcomb, has installed sidewalks on the east side of South Main Street.
U.S. Congressman Clare Hoffman was guest speaker at the local Memorial Day observance and he warned citizens about the dangers of communism. Marge Sebright played “Taps” and Mavis Welch presented a reading.
John Nulty is replacing Carl Ryno as manager of the local Kroger grocery. Ryno, who has been manager for 10 years, is joining the U.S. Army.
Wartime restrictions have reduced the Greyhound bus speed limits to 40 miles per hour.
The acclaimed movie “The Eternal Gift,” the first sound film of a Catholic Church Solemn Mass, will be shown June 16 at the Wayland Theatre.
Seventeen Wayland High School students enjoyed their Senior Skip Day with a boat trip from Holland to Chicago.
Coach Rex Allen took five Wayland High School track team members to the regional meet at Kalamazoo, where Halden Hooker won the 220-yard dash and earned a medal in the 110. Others included Dick Hooker, Andy Wisniewski and Dick Jager. Hooker was unable to compete in the state meet in Lansing because he instead took part in the Senior Skip Day.
The Wayland High School potluck reunion will be held June 5 at 6:30 in the new dining room at the high school.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Double feature: “Lone Star Ranger” and “Gentleman After Dark” with Brian Donlevy and Miriam Hopkins.
- Fibber McGee and Molly, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy in “Look Who’s Laughing.”
- Lon Chaney Jr. in “Ghost of Frankenstein.”
- Irene Harvey and Kent Taylor in “Frisco Lil.”
100 Years Ago — June 1, 1917
Otsego won the Allegan County track and field meet with 52 points. Wayland was fourth with 17 and Hopkins fifth with seven. Fred Bowman of Wayland Moxon of Hopkins tied for the county record in the pole vault at 10-0. Roy Jones won the high jump for Wayland at 5-2 ½. Lellwyn Anway was second in both the 440 and 880.
Hopkins lost to Otsego 6-3 in eight innings in the county baseball championship.
It was reported that “Wayland has as straight and clean a bunch as can be found anywhere. When they go away to play ball you won’t find any of them going down the street with cigarettes in the northwest corner of their mouths.
During the Wayland commencement, Cleo Fox play a trombone solo, Bonnie Lewis and Clarence Sumers gave readings, Ethel Williamson performed a piano solo, Clayton Tarnutzer read excerpts of President Wilson’s speech to Congress, Mildred Chappel sang a solo, Edward Hudson gave the class history Leone Rankin the presidential address, and Ermabelle Tooker the valedictory address.
William H. Shuh announced, “I will give a ($10) reward for information that will lead to the conviction of the lowest of low down thieves that stole the plant and broke off the blossom from the from the decorations at the Gunn lot at Elmwood Cemetery.”
Klass Bakker of Dorr lost a good work horse after it began to bleed from the nose and died shortly afterward.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Timmer or Dorr, but he died just two days later.
Sheriff Nutten of Adrian found Roy Douglas in Bradley and arrested him on a charge of family desertion.
Joseph Pratt of Moline was located by area authorities and apprehended after he ran away from Kalamazoo State Hospital. He explained that he was homesick for his children.
A news serial film Wednesday nights at Frank’s Opera House is “The Shielding Shadow,” starring Grace Darmond, with special music by the Ford Service band. Admission is 15 cents.
Edward Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Clark, died a week after suffering the onset of spinal meningitis. Doctors tried several serum treatments, but to no avail.
NIce Job, Dave Young Growing up in Wayland, I recognize a lot of the people and events.