(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 18, 1999
Thanks to CD-ROM technology, archived issues of the Penasee Globe are available at area libraries. A front page photo featured Dorr District Library Director Kathy Nyenhuis and archivist Melinda Dykstra.
Wayland is considering a number of potential sites for a new postal service in town. Its current location on East Superior is too small. Postmaster Matt Vincent said a public meeting Jan. 27 will help decide.
Wayland Township Clerk Bev Taylor insists that Township Supervisor Jose Blanco is “just a figurehead” and therefore can be locked out of township hall, as the feud between the Township Board and Blanco continues.
A heavy snow cave-in occurred at the Shelbyville farm of Frank and Dale Doezema resulting in the loss of their barn roof and some animals.
Yankee Springs has declined a request from the YMCA for $732 in funds for sports recreation programs after making a contribution of $200 the year before.
The Wayland City Council has decided to name a major new street Reno Drive running to the south of West Superior Street through a number of industrial properties. The action honored former Mayor Phillip Reno, Planning Commissioner and community activist Dennis Reno and Councilwoman and Planning Commissioner Mary Reno.
Dan and Sara Beute, in a letter to the editor, corrected a statement that the Allegan County Road Commission started clearing snow on a Sunday. It wasn’t until Monday morning.
Letter writer Patrick Coughlin noted the average tenure of Wayland football coaches is just over three years and the Wildcats have won 98 contests and lost 177. He asked what could be done?
A housing development proposed by Dave Vanderslik is being put on hold for more review by the Yankee Springs Township Board.
The paving of 135th Avenue east to Patterson Road is scheduled for this coming summer, according to the Allegan County Road Commission.
All Gun Lake Winterfest events except the polar dip will be held at the Amber Inn and car wash along Chief Noonday Road Jan. 29-31.
Clutch free throw shooting by Jason Freeman led Wayland to a stunning upset over undefeated Allegan. Josh Smith had 21 points and sophomore Jamie Brown 18.
The Wayland volleyball team was runner-up in its own tournament to Wyoming Park.
WHS junior Kim McCarty is seeking financial help to be able to compete in sprints and hurdles in Europe next summer.
Wayland remained unbeaten on the wrestling mat and four Wildcats were champions, D.J. Sutherland, Branden Patrick, Aaron Shea and Jessy Simmons, at the Hamilton Invitational.
Hopkins is off to a slow start in basketball this season, going 1-4. Matt Miller, Tim Kiefer, Paul Stein and Kevin Glupker are leading scorers.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 15, 1973
Local gasoline dealers Joe Miller, Jim Lohrberg, R. J. Nicolai and Gordon Hudson insisted during an interview about the gas and energy crisis that local gas supplies were adequate. However, they all said they didn’t know how the Kayo station on South Main was able to sell gas for 43.9 cents per gallon. Station manager Robert LaPierre said he didn’t understand why the others’ gas was so expensive.
The Wayland Board of Education will ask voters to approve a request for three mills for five years to help students and staff move into their new high school facility that should be ready for occupancy in September.
Judith Becker has been promoted to assistant vice president and cashier at Moline State Back, according to President Jon DeYoung.
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Novosel and the Bill Carpenter family were able to catch more than 100 perch in a weekend outing up north.
The Hopkins Organization of Parents and Educators (HOPE) will present a special program on adoptive families in the Hopkins High School cafeteria Jan. 24.
Wildcat junior varsity wrestler Roger VanVolkinburg won first place honors at 105 pounds in the Byron Center tournament. Jim Krick won top honors at 98 in the Gull Lake tourney.
The Wayland basketball team has emerged in the hunt for the O-K Blue Conference title with a 4-2 record after beating Comstock Park. Randy Mauchmar has scored 22 points in both of the last two games. They are only one game behind Caledonia in the standings.
Gordon Wolotira paid a visit to the Ogres and told tales about working as a Santa Claus in New York. Jim Wasserman kept his spotless record intact in Wayland basketball game attendance, now 5-0.
Hopkins, Saugatuck and Allendale are tied for first in the A-O Conference basketball standings.
Theresa Hall of Hopkins is a member of the 4-H Horse Bowl team, Southern Regional Runoffs.
Wayland High School sophomore Orvin Sankey of was an honorable mention entry in the Michigan Hot Rod Association’s drawing contest.
Al Wilson took over the No. 1 slot for the nation’s tunes with “Show and Tell.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 21, 1949
Miss Helen Miles has been appointed county welfare agent in Allegan, succeeding the resigned Leona Haven.
The Allegan County Health Department will have a diphtheria and smallpox immunization clinic at 9 a.m. Jan. 27.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmond Strong published a testimonial on behalf of the Allegan County chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in the wake of their son’s diagnosis of polio.
A story was published asking readers if Wayland needs to have a sanitary sewer system, acknowledging it is costly, but it could paid for over many years. “If you feel that there is a need for a sewage disposal system in Wayland, you should contact your trustee of village president right away.” A public meeting to discuss the possibility may be held at a later date.
Herb Auto Sales, featuring Chevrolet cars, will have an open house at its
Its garage and showroom on North Main Street. The firm has been in business here since 1926.
Leonard Schafer, a Hopkins native, died of an illness of 10 years. He was only 35.
St. Therese Church on South Main in Wayland will have a stone cross placed on top of the building in a special ceremony.
Traffic was stalled on icy hills in Dorr Tuesday night in a storm and the problems were not handled until Wednesday morning.
Mrs. Ed Wobma is under the care of a doctor with a severe case of asthma and bronchitis. She has been bed ridden for nine weeks with a broken hip.
Mrs. Anna Short have a well-researched presentation on David Fairchild’s book, “The World Grows Round My Door” to members of the Wayland Garden Club.
It has been reported that the ice rink at Gun Lake is so slick from a mild winter that “the boys, being out of practice, did not manage always to stay in the upright position.”
Members of the Wayland Extension Club are to answer roll call at the next meeting the question, “Your first teacher and why you remember her.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake in “Blondie’s Reward.”
• Roy Acuff, Russell Arms and Sybil Merritt in “Smoky Mountain Melody.”
• George Raft, William Bendix and Marilyn Maxwell in “Race Street.”
• John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Joanne Dru and Walter Brennan in “Red River.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 18, 1924
Commercial Club members decided to ask local voters for a half mill to support the Wayland Band and give $75 to the American Legion to purchase new chairs. C. L. Miller was elected president and Warren Rankin vice president.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Marian Davies in “The Young Diana,” a Mack Sennett comedy and “Itching Palms.”
Mrs. Ivan Smith was elected president and Mrs. Paul Wing vice president of the Wayland chapter of American Legion Auxiliary.
Another community meeting is planned for Jan. 18 at the school house.
A skating party is scheduled for Jan. 18 at West Gun Lake.
The girls in the home economics class at the high school have received their recipe cabinets and exams are expected soon.
The WHS Boys’ Glee Club sang three selections for the Ladies Library Club. It was reported that one of the boys walked eight miles so he could make the appearance.
The hot lunch program at Hooker School is progressing nicely. A social evening was held and attendance was reported to be enthusiastic.
Quite a number of local boxing enthusiasts went to Grand Rapids to take in a boxing match between light heavyweight champ Gene Tunney and Foley.
Deputy Sheriff Earl Robinson of Allegan was in town Wednesday to arrest several automobile owners who were operating their cars on 1923 licenses. They each were fined $9.20.
Lynn Miles has returned from Rochester, Minn., where he received treatment for two months.
