(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 15, 1999
The Globe published a huge front page photo of the state Division 2 champion Middleville Thornapple Kellogg girls’ cross-country team. Included were coach Tammy Benjamin and No. 1 runner Danielle Quisenberry, who later became a journalist for MLive in Jackson. The annual Coach B Invitational at Gun Lake is named after the TK coach.
The Women’s Auxiliary for the Wayland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7581 celebrated its 50th anniversary of existence. Special honors went to charter members in attendance Anna Patton, Dorothy Rybiski, Virginia Kotrba, Bette Hines, Mary Wisniewski, Delores Bells, Catherine Milheim and Mary Ann Gamble.
A gravel mining request for Green Ridge Estates on Second Street was turned down by the Leighton Township Planning Commission.
It has been determined that improvements are needed for Martin water systems.
The Hopkins football team defeated Holton 28-6 to capture the district championship in the post-season playoffs.
The Wayland and Middleville girls’ basketball teams may meet in a district tournament showdown of two conference champions, the Wildcats from the O-K Gold and TK in the O-K Blue.
Susan Coburn has been selected as Martin Township cemeteries sexton.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox, suggested that one advantage in on-line shopping rather than at brick and mortar sites is that you don’t have to put up with Christmas music, If it intrudes into the computer, you can turn off the sound.
Kathleen Oglesbee penned a letter to the editor taking Globe reporter Scott Sullivan to task for writing flippant and perhaps inaccurate headlines.
Letter writer Barbara Mock opined that in the past 30 years, America has turned away from Judeo-Christian principles and its results haven’t been good.
Hopkins’ Luke Williams finished 17th in the state Division 3 cross-country meet to earn all-state accolades.
Forest E. Calkins, who taught at Wayland and Byron Center, died Nov. 6. She was 89.
Carolyn Pike, who lived in Alaska for seven years and claimed to have slept in an igloo, died at the of 69.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 12, 1974
DeYoung’s general store in Moline closed its doors for good after being in business for 30 years. Harry DeYoung, longtime owner, said the store’s slogan was “Everything for Everybody.” He said the reason for closing was, “For today’s business, it isn’t practical.”
The Wayland Board of Education prioritized lights over bleachers in approving additions and improvements at the new football field.
Wayland Police Chief Harold Ernst is investigating the burglary of dangerous drugs at Nickels Pharmacy. It was believed the thieves entered the store through the roof.
The Rev. Richard Koster of the United Church of Wayland has been selected co-vice chairman of the Allegan County Red Cross.
Earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages at Wayland High School for the second marking period were Jane Calkins, Pat Crofoot, Carol Davis, James Grafford, Sue Lucas, Lynn Marutz, Jane Perry, Laurie Smith. Augie Stoken and Betty Tobolic.
Wayland Middle School enrollment was pegged at 625, six more students than reported for the Fourth Friday count in the first week of October.
Mike Getty was announced as champion of the Wayland Junior High School chess tournament.
The WHS senior class was planning to present the play “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Sandy Miedema was elected president of the Wayland 4-H Club and Deb VanGood vice president.
Two hundred members and guests joined the 25th anniversary celebration of the Wayland VFW Auxiliary.
Wayland is tied for fifth place in the race for the O-K Blue Conference all-sports trophy. Middleville is first among the eight schools.
Wayland finished its football season with a 5-4 overall record and Hopkins was 7-2.
The Wayland, Hopkins and Martin girls’ basketball teams were preparing for the first-ever post-season tournament as a result of the implementation of Title Nine federal law.
A small, but determined group of young people marched through Wayland urging people to boycott California grapes. They stayed overnight at the Martin United Methodist Church
Democrat Valerie Arndt edged Republican Leonard Beltran in the general election contest for Monterey Township Supervisor.
Dorr Township Fire Chief Bernie Damveld reported the department’s annual Muscular Dystrophy drive netted its largest sum ever, $437.72.
Bachman Turner Overdrive took over the No.1 slot for the nation’s tunes with “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 18, 1949
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher called it “a despicable trick” after it was reported while Mr. and Wayne Johnson were up north hunting, someone turpentined their dog, who was staying with their daughter.
The Globe published a front page photo of the Wayland varsity football team, which was to be honored Monday evening, Nov. 21, at the annual banquet. Russell Rugaber was to be toastmaster. J.T. White, who played in the University of Michigan Rose Bowl victory, was to be guest speaker.
Mrs. Maggie Hooker of Leighton and 15-year-old Lucille Moore were winners of the apple pie contest.
Rollo Mosher attended the testimonial dinner in Allegan for Congressman Clare Hoffman. The editor-publisher said Hoffman was at his best outlining hair-brained ideas presented by some lawmakers.
About 70 people attended a Wayland Board of Education dinner honoring school district employees. Those honored included teachers, custodians, staff, secretaries and the librarian.
Santa Claus is coming to town at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, greeting the kiddies with a big pack-sack full of treats for everyone. It also will be Wayland’s first-ever “Window Shopping Night.”
The Ladies Library Club welcomed new members at a reception attended by 55 people in a carry-in supper in the music room at the high school.
The club voted to give $5 to the newly formed Girl Scouts organization, sponsored by the American Legion.
The annual Union Thanksgiving dinner and service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of Christ.
Roll call for the next Grange meeting will be answered by “The Thanksgiving I remember best.”
Lucille Gardner was elected chair of the East Bradley Extension Club.
A conference that beckoned several recent WHS graduates asked the question what high schools should have given pupils, but did not.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
100 Years Ago — Nov. 14, 1924
- Wild Bill Elliott, Marie Windsor and Forrest Tucker in “Hellfire.”
- Kathryn Grayson, Jose Iturbi and Ethel Barrymore, and introducing Mario Lanza in “That Midnight Kiss.”
- Susan Hayward and Robert Preston in “Tulsa.”
Though Wayland’s football team had been trounced by Allegan and Otsego, the local boys gave Plainwell all it wanted in a surprising 19-14 ballgame.
Wayland High School debaters had a contest over the question of whether the Philippines should be granted independence. The contestants included Clyde Fowler, Faith Dell, Henry Amborski, Carleton Birchard and Mildred Dietiker. Mrs. Buskirk, Mr. Hughes and Library Director Fanny Hoyt were the judges who decided in favor of the negative side.
C.L. Goodrich, state inspector of high schools, was in attendance at the first Wayland High School assembly at the Methodist Church.
The Grand Rapids Press published a feature story about three generations of doctors, E.O. Hanlon, Harold Hanlon and Amos Hanlon, the latter from Middleville.
Members of the Ladies Library Club heard two violin solos and had a discussion about duties and responsibilities of women in society.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Jackie Coogan in “Circus Days.” Wednesday, “Loving Lies.”
Quite a number of Bradley youngsters attended the box social in Ohio Corners.
Michigan went for Republican Calvin Coolidge in the presidential election and A.J Grosbeck of the GOP was elected governor. Coolidge’s vote totals were even better than those garnered by his predecessor, Warren G, Harding, in 1920.
Thomas Stora narrowly escaped death when the dropping tongue of his wagon caused his team of horses to run away. The wagon passed over his back and caused the fracture of two vertebrae and ribs.
A dance is planned at Woodman Hall with attendance for 75 cents, ladies free.
Mrs. Marion Jordan, a local pioneer, suffered a stroke and has been bedridden and has not regained consciousness since her fall at home.
The St. Cecelia Chorus of Grand Rapids will present a concert for the Community Club at the Corning ME Church,
The pavement on East Superior in front of Wayland State bank has been opened for use, vastly improving traffic congestion troubles.
