Bygone Days: A look at the past in NE Allegan County

COVER PHOTO: The Hopkins Library now located at 142 East Main St.in Hopkins, started out being sponsored by the Hopkins Ladies Literary Club and was located in various buildings in the village, which included the township hall. A meeting was then held to organize a campaign to promote a free public library in Hopkins.

(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)

25 Years Ago — June 22, 1998

Local officials are reporting that contamination levels are high again for the Cuddy Drain near the Allegan-Barry County border. Meanwhile, no swimming signs are being posted by the health department at Gun Lake.

The City of Wayland soon will get a second stop light, but stop signs will be used temporarily at the new location on West Superior Street, right by the United Bank.

The Martin Board of Education’s top two officers, President Roger Evans and Vice President Monte Burns, are stepping down and it isn’t known who their successors will be.

The City of Wayland is applying for block grants to fund work on its new industrial park.

Martin community members are working together on behalf of parents of two leukemia patients, Danny Tiemeyer and David Smit.

A Middleville couple, Kathleen Link, 72, and Donald Link, 73, were killed in a traffic crash at Kalamazoo and 142nd Avenue when their vehicle struck a gravel truck.

Wayland city residents on South Locust Street appeared at a City Council meeting to protest removal of a stop sign at Pine Street as part of a road widening project.

Police Chief Dan Miller indicated a Community Oriented Police Service (COPS) grant will enable the city to offer 24-hour police service in town.

Penasee Globe proofreader Leslie Kulikauskus of Gun Lake scored a hole in one at the Lynx Golf Course near Otsego, using an eight-iron on a 118-yard hole.

Jennifer Smith of Wayland has been accepted by the World Gospel Mission to work in youth activities at Cordoba, Argentina.

Marie Dawson, 92, formerly of Hilliards, and Edward Eylander, 93, died at Allegan Care Center and at home, respectively.

50 Years Ago — June 19, 1973

The Rev. John Witvliet gave a commencement address, “Well Then, Why Not?” to seniors at Martin High School.

Cleon Duryea was the winner of the drawing for a Hopkins Board oif Education seat. He and incumbent Carl Johnson had tied in the general election with 116 votes.

Scott Norman resigned his post as chief of police for the City of Wayland to take another job, which was not disclosed.

The Reith Riley Co. has been selected to install and all-purpose court at the city park for $1,150.

The Rev. and Mrs. Reinhold Barth, world-wide evangelists, were scheduled to be special guests at a drive-in service at Grenn Lake Calvary Church.

Henika Library and Director Mrs. Henry Peterson were hosts for a series of mini-workshops that beckoned 35 representatives from libraries in southwest Michigan.

Greg Morlock was pictured with a 19-inch bass he caught at a lake south of Bradley.

Two Dorr girls signed up to play Little League baseball for the summer, sparking a controversy and a column by Globe sports writer David T. Young. “The argument that baseball is traditionally a male sport carries no weight with me at all,” Young opined. “Voting was only a male tradition until 1920.” He argued that more athletic opportunities should be provided to females, and a year later a softball program was organized.

Doug Baker, a 1973 Wayland High School graduate and son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kaumeyer of Wayland, was selected by the Wayland Rotary Club to attend the Camp Emery Leadership Conference.

Michigan Gas Utilities workers were installating an anti-corrosion pipe system in Wayland.

Roland Church of Athens, Maine, and his family traveled through Wayland in a covered wagon. The Amish family were on a mission to visit virtually every state in the U.S. They were on their way to the Mackinac Bridge.

A groundbreaking for the new Sycamore Elementary School west of Dorr took place on a Saturday morning with Hopkins school officials taking part.

Wayland Mayor Marshall Towne was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack, but was recuperating nicely at Blodgett Hospital.

Kristen Mellon of Wayland earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing with honors. She will begin duties in the burn unit at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

75 Years Ago — June 25, 1948

Wayland High School vocational agriculture teacher Jack Prescott has accepted a position with Michigan State College and will begin duties training students at Owosso High School in July. He launched the ag program at Wayland in 1940, served in the military during Worls War II and then came back to continue the ag program.

Mrs. Gordon Printup died four days before her 54th birthday. She was a member of the Wayland Calvary Church and Order of Eastern Star.

A surprise feature by the “The Three Graces,” Mrs. Elmer Brown, Mrs. Nina Clemens and Mrs. Nora Nofsinger, are scheduled to entertain the Leighton Grange.

Ronnie Chappel of Hopkins had to be rushed to the hospital after suffering cuts from a broken Coke bottle. He received several stitches.

Mrs. Ada Curie entertained her grandson Midshipman Herbert Smith, who will soon be aboard the U.S. Pasadena on a cruise of the Pacific.

The Dorr Township Fire Dept. quickly extinguished a fire caused by an explosion by a stove at the home of William DeJong.

The annual meeting and school election of the Wayland Union School will be held at the school library from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 12. Harry Elenbaas, Helen Buskirk, Fred Greenawalt and Harold Dietiker have filed as candidates for the board.

A display ad in the Globe noted a Youth for Christ Rally in Grand Rapids featuring an appearance by Billy Graham.

The Wayland Chamber of Commerce now boasts of 65 members.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

• Donald Barry, Dale Evans in “Slippy McGee.”

• Allen “Rocky” Lane in “Oklahoma Badlands.”

• Walter Pigeon, Angela Lansbury and Deborah Kerr in “If Winter Comes.”

• Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple and John Wayne in “Fort Apache.”

100 Years Ago — June 22, 1923

Dr. D.J. Dunwell has purchased the dental practice of the late Dr. Brewer and his office will be open every Wednesday and Saturday.

Streeter’s Resort reported all 30 of its boats were in use Saturday and Sunday for fishing enthusiasts and all indicated good catches.

J.W. Smith, a Master Mason died at his home on South Main Street at age 71. He had suffered with paralysis for the last two months.

The fourth annual Threshermen’s Picnic will be held at Gun Lake June 29.

Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Richard Barthlemess and Ernest Torrence in “Tol’able David” and Harry Carey in “Canyon of Fools.”

A change of Wayland schools personnel: Mr. Fales will be succeeded by Mr. Glen Pettis, Miss McKinstry will be principal. Miss Haines has resigned after nine years to take a post with Western Normal. Miss Brower, who just graduated at Hope College, will assist at the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Ingham will teach at Plainwell. Mrs. Mary Jackson will be elevated from grammar school.

“About one o’clock Monday morning two autos met in a head-on collision about a mile south of town, completely demolishing both cars. Fortunately, none of the occupants were hurt seriously.” Both cars were Studebakers.

An advertisement declared, “Moline State Bank, under State supervision, The bank that pays 4% on your savings if left 4 months and gives you real banking service.”

The Northeast District of Allegan County will hold their Sunday school picnic in the park at Wayland Friday, June 22.

The three-day Wayland Days celebration will be held downtown June 28, 29 and 30. Included will be a balloon ascension, barbecue, ball games and music concerts.

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