(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 31, 1998
A front page photo showed two local children dancing in the City Park to the sounds of the Williams Family in the third of a series of concerts in the park sponsored by the City of Wayland.
Todd Ernst, a Wayland High School graduate who worked at Earth Tech, who died recently in a traffic crash,was remembered for his love of science.
The Wayland girls’ cross-country team took the top spot in the Allegan County meet. Sarah Grygiel and Kari Blain finished first and second, respectively.
The Globe published photos of four local students who attended the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp over the summer. They were pianist Jeanne Hanley, flautist Jennifer Green and clarinetists Jennifer DeVrou and Caroline Hodge.
W. Stephen Lynch, president of the Wayland Classic Car Club, wrote a letter complaining that the group has been ignored during local festivals.
The Allegan County Board of Public Works has agreed to offer a contract funding the Wayland sewer project to increase lagoon capacity.
The Allegan County Road Commission has determined that the corner of 142nd Avenue and Kalamazoo Avenue isn’t dangerous enough to warrant changes requested by neighbors of the intersection.
Dorr Township Fire Chief William Fifelski Sr. has been arraigned on charge of drunken driving. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of operating while impaired.
Leighton Township voters will be asked in November for a one-mill levy for 10 years for fire protection.
A rezoning request from Ben Young for a 77-acre parcel at the corner of Division and 146th Avenue to establish a modular home transport and setup business.
The Globe published a feature story about Gun Lake children’s author Johnnie Tuitel, who gets around on a wheelchair and has cerebral palsey.
Coach Cheri Ritz expressed surprise and pleasure in her team’s title-winning performance at the Wayland Tennis Invitational.
Sabrina Bird and Janine Gilder led Hopkins to a 55-40 cross-town rivalry triumph over Martin, which was led by Stacey Hildebrand.
Coach Allen Brewer and the Wayland varsity golf team are rebuilding after the graduation loss of state co-champion Zeke Fletcher.
Longtime nurse and community activist Olive Brower died in Everett, Wash. She was 95.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 29, 1973
The Globe published a front page feature story with photos of five retiring longtime local teachers — Claude Smith, Mrs. Halden Hudson, Virginia Smith, Mrs. Reuben Fox and Mrs. Elton Calkins.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Towne have sold their longtime flower shop on North Main Street to Mr. and Mrs. Rolland West. The Townes owned and operated the business for 28 years.
Fred E. Yeakey, former chairman of the board for Wayland State Bank, died at Greenview Manor in Grand Rapids. He was 89.
Hopkins FFA Chapter President Scott Miller attended the chapter presidents’ conference at Michigan State University.
Wayland High School graduate Gib Goodwin has been selected to hurl for the Wayland Nuffkies in a baseball contest with the Ogres. His opponent will be Ed Buchanan.
Nickels Pharmacy published an advertisement saying “Pardon Our Progress” because the building was getting a facelift. The building today is Dollar General on West Superior Street.
Former Wayland City Police Dept. patrolman Ralph Effner was among graduates at Michigan State Police Academy. New Trooper Robert Thomas has been assigned to the Wayland post.
New Martin High School varsity basketball coach John Zemlo has earned his master’s degree, as have Wayland teachers Linden Anderson and Eugene Washchuck.
Stories captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Brother Louie,” about eight years after Janis Ian first brought up the issue of interracial dating.
75 Years Ago — Sept. 3, 1948
The annual Hilliards ham dinner will be held at Hilliards Parish Hall Sunday, Sept. 5. There also will be games and other forms of entertainment.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his weekly column, “What we cannot understand is why the Barry County Road Commission can willfully let that piece of road from the Allegan Road at Robbins School corners to the Yankee Springs project go to pieces without the use of a binder, dust layer or at least something to keep the fine material of the highway from blowing off as dust and leaving only ruts filled with rust material and stones.”
Robert Genteman of Wayland is showing cows at the Southwest Paris Jersey Show at the Michigan State Fair.
The Cowbell Carnival plans are set, including a big band show, the Knapp Family of radio fame, carnival rides, etc.
Jack Henderson is the new Sinclair Oil dealer.
Allegan County Congressman Clare Hoffman said of President Harry S. Truman, “It’s an ill bird that fouls his own nest,” in response to his charge that Congress this year has been the worst do-nothing group in history.
Eding’s has taken a half-game lead in the Wayland Summer Softball standings, with Dorr coming in a close second.
Free movies for all school children will be shown at 2 p.m. Saturday, Saturday, Sept. 4. They will include cartoons in a one-hour show.
The Dorr Township Library has received $196.29 from the state board for libraries, according to Library Director Jennie Fray. The Dorr library also has received a $106.55 from the general library fund.
Miss Virginia Benson and five delegates from Region Five of the Future Homemakers of America stopped in Wayland.
Harry Pollak, called the Human Torpedo, will be shot out of a cannon at the Allegan County Fair as part of a presentation by the Death Dodgers.
Loren Mauchmar had the misfortune of suffering a broken leg while playing ball for the Wayland Vets in the Grand Rapids League.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Gene Autry, Jack Holt and Gloria Henry in “The Strawberry Roan.”
• Dan Dailey, Charles Ruggles and Fay Bainter in “Give My Regards to Broadway.”
• Cornell Wilde, Linda Darnell Anna Baxter and Kirk Douglas in “The Walls of Jericho.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 31, 1923
The Yeakey Auto Co. will sponsor a “Ford Day and Dollar Day” Saturday, Sept. 15. “Mr. Yeakey has arranged for a big program of races, sports, etc. that will keep the crowds on edge. There also will be a balloon ascension and the Wayland band will provide music.
The Wayland High School Class of 1916 held a picnic reunion at Selkirk Lake.
John W. Morris, a longtime member of the Bradley Masonic Lodge, died at his home near Shelbyville. He was 79.
The Cleveland Exhibition Singing Colored Orchestra will be featured entertainment at the Barry County Fair Sept. 4-7.
Peter Novosel fell from the straw stack while assisting with the threshing at the R.G. Hines farm in Bradley. He suffered a broken collar bone.
Miss Thelma Reed of Shelbyville will be the teacher this coming year at Yankee Springs.
In a section labeled “The Voice of the Community,” the Alabama Power Co. was lauded for placing a full-page advertisement in many small town newspapers, praising the dispensation of local news.
A collision between the Nevins Ford touring car and Yeakey’s Ford coupe caused extensive damage to both vehicles.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Jack Holt as the Fighting Parson in “While Satan Sleeps.” Eille Norwood as Sherlock Holmes in “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Admission prices are 10 and 25 cents.
Green’s Grocery was advertising “A splendid line of men’s and boys’ work shirts… hosiery for the entire family” in a “Read ‘Em and Reap” Saturday sale.
The Bechtel Reunion was held at the home of R.J. Steeby with 155 adults and eight babies attending.
