(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 29, 2000
Legendary Wayland High School girls’ basketball coach Zack Moushegian has decided to retire with the second most career victories in the sport in Michigan. He guided the Wildcats to numerous conference and district championships from 1976 to 1999.
State law insists that every Michigan cow be tested for tuberculosis.
The Wayland and Hopkins softball teams captured conference championships and are eager to get going in district tournament action. The Wildcats sport a 33-1 overall record.
The Globe front page photo showed Leighton Township veterans Don Dandrow and John Hooker were photographed placing markers on veterans’ graves in Hooker Cemetery. Hooker’s uncle was a veteran of the Civil War.
Leighton Township officials are reporting an increase in traffic and there is now public pressure to widen 142nd Avenue from 10th Street to past downtown Dorr.
Wayland Area Emergency Services Director Bob Hess was pictured with the agency’s newest vehicle, the Mini Medic, which will be used primarily for community events.
Mrs. Clara Pilchak of Capac penned a letter to the editor insisting that Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and Congresswoman Debbie Stabenow should resign or be impeached for denying citizens the right to bear arms and defend themselves.
The Wayland Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance request from Wayland Chevrolet to expand its car dealership facilities on West Superior Street.
The Watson Township Board will have interesting primary election races. Incumbent Clerk Cathy Pardee will be opposed by Kelli Morris. Pam Brown, Judy Roberts and Caren Roberts will vie for the treasurer’s post and newcomers Stephanie Bogdan and Rodney Zeinstra are seeking trustees’ posts. Zeinstra is the only Republican.
Pitcher Aaron VanHouten has posted a 9-1 record on the mound this season for Wayland and the Wildcats tied Forest Hills Northern for the O-K Gold Conference title.
Luke Williams set the Hopkins school, record in the 3200-meter run with a time of 9:41.2 at the regional meet. Other records were set by him, his brother, Rich Stein and Pete Ziomerlei in the 3200 relay, Sean Higgins in the 110-meter hurdles and Jack Klunder 11-9 in the pole vault.
The Martin boys’ and girls’ teams both finished second in Class D regionals. Rick Mena won the regional title in the pole vault at 11-6.
50 Years Ago — May 27, 1975
Wind and thunderstorms ravaged the Wayland area Tuesday evening and into Wednesday, with most of then damage reported in the Gun Lake area.State troopers from the Wayland post freed Jennie McNutt of Grand Ledge, who was pinned underneath her mobile home. Marshall Plastics manufacturing form absorbed a lot of damage in the storm.
The proposed budget for the City of Wayland for 1975-76 shows no increase in local taxes, which remain at 15 mills.
Nine candidates will seek three seats on the Wayland Board of Education. Incumbents President Don Lapham, Art Hooker and Leonard Heckert will be joined by Mike Ekkel, Vance Hoskins, Dennis Hulme, Mary Jaskiewicz, Dorothy Linden and Tom Zoerner.
Noel Summers of Wayland has been elected deputy district governor for the Lions Club.
Wayland Schools Supt. James Thomas wrote a column about the school district’s request in June for two and a half additional mills.
Dorr Township Clerk Dick Dutkiewicz wrote a letter to the editor exposing the awful truth that when governments don’t ask for tax increases, they still get more money because assessed values of property rise every year.
Wayland High School graduate Patti Krup will direct St. Therese students in a special music festival presentation.
The recent inclement weather caused postponement of the Wayland Middle School band concert under the direction of John Dunsmore.
Emmett H. Kadwell Jr., a 1967 graduate of Wayland High School, earned his master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He plans to enter the Christian ministry.
Denny Patterson successfully executed a squeeze bunt in the 12th inning to bring home teammate Doug Goodwin and Wayland beat Delton in the opening round of the post-season baseball tourney. The Wildcats now have a 10-9 season record.
Hopkins, behind the pitching of Amy Weber, Sue Maher and Annette VanGorder, has enjoyed a winning surge near the end of the softball season. The Vikings beat Byron Center in the first round of the district tourney.
Hopkins baseball team lost 5-2 to Fennville in a pre-district baseball game. Mark Hilaski drove home two runs, but was charged with the loss on the mound.
Martin baseball coach Dave Barrett blamed overgrown grass for the Clippers’ loss to Battle Creek St. Phillip in the districts.
Those middle schools students who missed their polio vaccine booster shots must go to their doctor or the Allegan County Health department.
75 Years Ago — June 2, 1950
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said a sure sign of spring is the street superintendent turning on water fountains.
Mosher also suggested that the roads inside Elmwood Cemetery be paved, to improve access for citizens.
The Wayland High School senior trip will be three days, starting June 4 on Lake Erie, entering the Ambassador Bridge, Welland Canal, Niagara Falls and other places of interest in Canada.
A large crowd of people attended the Memorial Day ceremonies at Elmwood Cemetery, including former local residents. Featured in the parade were the newly-organized high school band, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and VFW and American Legion representatives.
Dr. Robert Kromer has just completed new office quarters in the basement of his home on South Main Street.
Agnes Robinson, a Wayland native, former employee at the Wayland State Bank, and Allegan County Register of Deeds for 16 years, died at the Allegan County Health Center. She was 74.
The first meeting of the new Archers’ Club will be held Monday night, June 5, at Perry’s Sign Shop.
The Rev. George Wingard of the Methodist Church gave an address to Hopkins graduates at commencement on “Don’t Fence Me In.” Dorothy Layton was salutatorian and Christine Iciek valedictorian. Eugene Norman was recognized for his excellent work in football and basketball.
Mrs. Thelma Nash was re-elected president of the Hopkins Ladies Library Club.
Denny Ayers of Martin was found dead of a heart attack in a field where he had been working. His funeral was held at the local Methodist Church.
Mrs. Frederic Hilbert was re-elected president of the Henika Library Board.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- George Montgomery, Rod Cameron and Marie Windsor in “Dakota Lil.”
- Maureen O’Hara, Vincent Price and Paul Christian in “Bagdad.”
- Robert Cummings, Lizabeth Scott and Eve Arden in “Paid in Full.”
100 Years Ago — May 29, 1925
Genevieve Baker has been recognized as valedictorian of the Wayland High School Class of 1925. She was among 24 seniors who were scheduled to graduate June 3 at commencement at the Disciples Church.
The Rev. A.A. Buege and the Rev. W. M. Ellis will be guest speakers at the Memorial Day observance at Elmwood Cemetery, with music provided by the Wayland band.
Former Wayland High School pitcher Bert Bouwman tossed a no-hitter for Alma College against Olivet. He struck out 10 Comets. It was believed to be Alma’s first-ever no-hitter.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: The comedy, “The Last Man on Earth.” Also showing “Zowie.” Carlyle Blackwell in “The Beloved Vagabond.”
A five-part series of articles by Wayland High School students on “How to Make Wayland a Better town,” was being published. The first article, by Faith Dell, maintained that, “The problem of making Wayland a better town is based upon a three-part proposition, including civic beauty, interest oil education and most important, moral integrity.” This translated into physically cleaning up the town, showing a commitment to education and recognizing the need for Christianity.
Bill O’Harrow now is local scoutmaster, succeeding Mr. Pettis.
Hooker School children held their annual end of the year picnic and learned Mrs. Harold Steeby has been engaged to teach for the next school year. Many other rural schools also enjoyed their seasonal picnics.
The Dorr Farmers Club held a meeting at the home of Mrs. Winnie Pawloski.
Roll call for the latest Grange meeting was answered by a story about the American
flag.
A slight tremor was reported in southwest Dorr in the celery area between Byron Center and Dorr.
Bradley School students have been engaged in a contest striving to demonstrate the best performance in penmanship.
The Allegan County Road Commission will take over the road that runs east and west from Hopkins through Bradley to the Barry County line.
Mrs. Adam Yerrick, Miss Anna Yerrick, Mrs. Charles Towne and Mrs. J.S. Walton of Wayland attended the biannual convention of the Royal Neighbors of America in Vicksburg.
Leon Mason, J.S. Randall and George Ryno drove to Allegan to attend a meeting of the county chapter of the Spanish American War Veterans.
Roy Morgenstern had the misfortune of having one of his best cows hurt so badly by tree blown down that it had to be slaughtered.
“Last Saturday afternoon, when nearly everyone was sweltering in the heat, around 85 degrees, but the wind suddenly shifted and it was not long until snow was falling with a stiff, cold wind from the northeast.”
