25 Years Ago — Sept. 1, 1993
The first day of school for the Wayland district was marred by a school bus accident when a van forced a school bus into a ditch, but no one was injured in the incident.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners decided to allow Administrator Joanne Jones to continue 9in her position at least until the end of 1994. The action took place after a consultant’s examination of policies and procedures for the county government.
The Martin Village Council affirmed the right of local residents to own goats in the village as long as they are kept to at least 440 feet from another dwelling.
Plans for the Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids rails to trails walking and bicycling path now are running into legal troubles. Residents are fighting back in court against use of their property for such purposes.
The Globe published a correction of its story about Franco’s Pizza owner Franco LaFrance, who pleaded no contest instead of guilty to a charge of receiving and concealing stolen property.
Joe Miller, owner of Millers Phillips 66 gas station, was honored as Wayland Athletic Booster of the Year.
Builder Randy Mau’s road plans for a housing development along 110 acres on 129th Avenue at Second Street were approved by the Wayland Township Planning Commission.
Wayland Area Emergency Services personnel Nancy Jager, Rob Griffith and Jeff Jonker played major roles in delivering Melissa Smith, daughter of John and Wendy Smith of Wayland, before they reached the hospital.
The Wayland cross-country teams won their season openers against Kelloggsville, 15-48 for the boys and 27-28 for the girls. The boys were led by Jason Young and were without No. 2 harrier Brian Paul, who had suffered a toe injury.
The Martin girls’ basketball team led Schoolcraft until the very end of its season opener, but faltered at the ends and lost 39-34 in overtime.
Hopkins lost 48-26 to Byron Center in its girls’ cage opener, as junior Karen Schwartz scored 10 points.
The Wayland girls’ tennis team finished second in the Middleville Invitational and third in the Allegan Invitational in its first matches of the campaign.
Brandon Genther, Josh Smith, Kyle Anguilm and Bob Miklusicak earned the Toilet Bowl championship at the Gus Macker three-on-three basketball tournament in Belding, losing their first two contests and then winning the rest of them.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 28, 1968
Mrs. Hugh (Dorothy) DeWeerd was appointed to a seat on the Wayland Board of Education made vacant by the resignation of Mrs. Don (Clara) Durfee.
The Globe published a front page story and a couple of photos in reviewing the huge successes of the centennial celebration. Former Wayland Elementary Principal Martha Japinga referred to the Globe’s special cenetennial edition as “a masterpiece.”
One of the photos was of old-timers at the Pioneer Picnic, including Rollo Mosher, Hattie Mills, Mrs. Ivan Smith, Ward Stockham, Dawn Belka, Alice Kessler, Mrs. Ivo Milheim and Mr. and Mrs. Norris Schuh.
Wayland High School graduate Robert Andringa was honored with “Captain’s Tracks” in a special ceremony in Washington D.C., with Real Admiral J.J. Appleby conferring.
Prospects are brighter for settling an employment contract dispute between teachers and the Wayland school board. Presenting the case to a fact finder for the Board of Education were Superintendent James Thomas, Board President Wallace Wakeman and board member Jerome LaValley. Presidenting for the Wayland Education Association were teachers Diocvk Miller, Fred Comer, Mrs. Donal Miller, Dick VanPopering and Mrs. Lou Miedema.
Betsy Strong, 1963 graduate of Wayland High School, was presented with her stewardess wings for American Airlines in Nashville, Tenn.
The Hopkins chapter of the FFA received its fifth outstanding FFA chapter award at Michigan State University. Accepting were President Larry Thomas and Don Glupker.
Tom Rybiski claimed the local log rolling contest championship.
Harold Keena announced signups for Wayland’s third Rocket football season would be held for 8- to 14-year-olds at the girls’ gym Sept. 14.
75 Years Ago — Sept. 3, 1943
Lt. Roman Niemcyzk of Hilliards has been reported as missing in action after a recent daring air raid in Germany.
“We sometimes wonder if Wayland is on a sort of frly-way course for airplanes,” wrote Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher. “Hardley a day passes but one or two large planes goes over town in both directions, but usually to the east.” Mosher said 14 hyuge bombers had recently flown over in formation for training.
Mosher also noted, “Wayland is not the only place where restaurant owners have had a hard time,” with a shortage of help. He indicated Al Hunt of Martin was closing down his eatery for three weeks.
Allegan County was sending 75 young men for final military physicals in Detroit. A total of 38 were headed for the Army, 25 Navy, two Marines and one for the U.S. Coast Guard.
The community of Hilliards is gearing up for the annual chicken dinner at St. Stanislaus, with between 1,200 and 1,300 meals expected to be served.
Pfc. Hilda Crocker, Wayland first member of the Women’s Army Corps, was home on furlough visiting with her mother, Mrs. W. J. Dewey. She will be promoted in Des Moines next month to corporal. Also serving as a WAC is Pvt. Celia Hans of Hopkins in Arkansas.
The opening song at the next meeting of the Wayland Grange will be “The Dear Old Farm” and other music will be provided by Katherine and Margery Sebright, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Huff and Mr. and Mrs. Elton Calkins.
Roman Stankey of Wayland is mechanized warfare and special training in Fort Knox, Ky, at the Armored Replacement Center.
The Old Timers Club of Hopkins School District No. 3 had its annual reunion with 50 in attendance. The numbers were down because of the war.
Pvt. Richard Hines, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hines of Wayland, has been promoted to private first class while serving in training in Ft. Lewis, Wash.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers in “Song of Texas.”
- Brenda Joyce, Richard Fraser and Elsa Lancaster in “Thumbs Up.”
- Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Sabu in “White Savages.”
- Ida Lupino, Joan Leslie and Dennis Morgan in “The Hard Way.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 30, 1918
Howard Jerome, son of Mrs. Fred Newton of Wayland, has been reported as missing in action and it is feared he was captured by “the Huns.”
C.B. Atwater, formerly of Ganges Township, has sold a thousand bushels of Red Rock wheat to Gladwin County, which is suffering shortages. The sale was facilitated by Allegan County Ag Agent Alfred Benthall.
Truman Newberry won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and Bayard Davis the GOP primary for State Senate.
Allies are reprted to be establishing air supremacy over “the Huns” in battles overseas.
Don Ervine, at Camp Martin in Texas, reported via letter that the usually arid region is getting daily rain. He is preparing to join the 8th Cavalry to go overseas.
Maggie Chrissman, 34, a Wayland native, died at the home of her parents. She had been a faithful Sunday School attendant, never missing a service at the Congregational Church.
Wayland Township native G. B. Andrus died at age 60 at his home.
Guert V. Fales has accepted a science teaching post for $1,400 a year in St. Louis, Mich.
Deyo Fox has accepted a post as director of manual training at Crystal Falls, in the Upper Peninsula.
An explosion in a gas stove caused the home of William Allgeo to be burned to the ground.
The annual Tanner reunion was held at the home of Fred Legit with 63 present.
A fire at the Helvetia Milk Condensary was quickly extinguished by employees and damage was minor.
Western Knitting Mills of Middleville is hiring area girls with “good wages, room and board at the boarding house, and clean and easy work.”