25 Years Ago — Nov. 6, 1991
The Wayland Township Boar
d is asking Planning Commission Chairman Larry Scheidel to be flexible about his leaving date after his resignation because of the controversy continuing over the 500-foot frontal rule for agricultural parcels.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners has begun foreclosure proceedings against the former building that housed the Kessler’s manufacturing firm on South Main Street. The business has closed and the property is for sale.
Hopkins (7-2) defeated neighboring rival Martin (6-3) in the regular season finale, but both schools earned spots in the post-season playoffs. Hopkins will play at Decatur in Class C and Martin will be at Schoolcraft in Class D.
The Michigan Department of Transportation is conducting a traffic study near the Wayland exit off the U.S.-131 expressway.
Russell Bredeweg, 83, of Gun Lake, died of a heart attack while a spectator at the Middleville-Wayland football game.
Wayland schools sent out a letter then immediately retracted it because it asked local businesses to give discounts to staff and employees for shopping local.
A surprising early snowstorm was blamed for 13 reports of traffic accidents on a Saturday and eight more on a Sunday.
Sandra Metiva, Miss Michigan for 1991, will be the special guest and performer at the upcoming Allegan County Harvest Queen scholarship pageant. Director is Marcia Halloran of Dorr.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about the area’s helpers for the poor and needy, including Christian Neighbors, the Allegan and Barry County Departments of Social Services, Love In. of Barry County, the Second Harvest Network and local church food pantries.
Wayland lost is regular season football finale to playoff-bound Middleville 28-12, finishing its campaign with 5-4 overall record.
Freshmen Jason Young and Brian Paul were 91st and 93rd, respectively, and junior Angie Permoda finished 61st in the Division 2 state cross-country meet.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team had a mixed week, edging Caledonia 56-55, but losing for the second time this season to Kenowa Hills.
Richard Kerber, a longtime firefighter and Hopkins Village Council member, died at his home. He was 57.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 2, 1966
Sgt. Michael Alyea of Wayland died of injuries in a truck accident in Virginia, where he had been stationed with the U.S. Army.
Several Western Michigan University students from this area were doing their directed teaching this fall. They were Peggy Arnsman of Hopkins, Judy Klawiter of Hopkins and Charles Brower of Shelbyville.
The Wayland City precinct has been selected by CBS as one of the test cases of polling results in the upcoming Nov. 8 general election.
There was a full slate of candidates from both parties in the Dorr Township elections. The Democrats had put up Clem Rewa for supervisor, Dick Dutkiewicz clerk, Steve Fifelski treasurer and Robert Merren trustee. The Republicans were challenging with Robert Zerfas supervisor, Angelene DeHaan clerk, Carl Graczyk treasurer and Ellert Hendricksma trustee.
In Hopkins Township, the Democratic candidates were Stanley Hilaski supervisor, Irene Wilson clerk, Isabel Dandrow treasurer and Arnold Adamczak trustee. The Republican slate included Arnold Ross supervisor, Frank Dyer clerk, Velma Rankens treasurer and Raymond Timmer trustee.
Martin Township had contests looming with Republicans Nick Leep supervisor, LaVerne Young clerk, William Hendges treasurer and Democrats Lester Martin clerk, Mary Jensen treasurer and Harold Wells trustee.
The contests in Wayland Township weren’t as clear because of the recent move by the Village of Wayland to become a home-rule city, depleting the roster of some candidates from both parties. Some were running “sticker” campaigns.
Robert Doublestein of Wayland is one of 75 chefs involved in a program to prepare special Christmas dinners for soldiers in Vietnam.
A citizens committee has been formed on behalf of a fund-raising effort for expansion of the Henika Public Library. Under the leadership of Director Mrs. Henry Peterson, they have applied for a federal grant to help pay for the project.
Wayland High School and Michigan State University graduate Don Japinga, co-captain of the MSU Rose Bowl team, is director of continuing education for physical fitness at the college.
Hopkins is appealing the final score of a 2-0 loss to Lawton in which the two points were awarded because of a personal foul called against the Vikings in the last seven seconds, with the flag thrown in the end zone.
Wayland is preparing to face Hamilton in its season finale at home after a 25-0 loss to Zeeland. The Wildcats are 1-6 on the campaign overall.
Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood and Jack Lemmon were starring in “The Great Race” at the Wayland Theatre.
Question Mark and the Mysterians were atop No. 1 in the music charts with “96 Tears.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 7, 1941
There will be a joint meeting between the American Legion and Auxiliary at the hall Nov. 18 with a potluck. The groups will be making plans for the upcoming Christmas party.
Chaplain Walter M. Ellis was to be the speaker at a special Armistice Day service at the Church of Christ in Wayland.
About 150 people attended Frederic Hilbert’s annual Corn Show at the Wayland High School Auditorium. Frank Doezema was overall winner, Harry Klomparens second and Joe Iciek third. Mike Novosel had the longest ear and John Nowak best shelling sample.
Attorney Harold Weston of Allegan was to be the featured speaker Nov. 13 on “Child Delinquency” at the Wayland High School auditorium.
Mrs. Bessie Ward, daughter Jaen, Gladys Shafer and driver Jerome Zaiser all sustained injuries when the car Zaiser was driving was struck by a train near Muskegon.
A group of 22 local businessmen took a major step forwatrd toward establishing a Wayland Rotary Club. They met for dinner at the Doll House with representatives of the Middleville Club to get information on how to do it.
The three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Pirl Truax have enlisted in the military service.
R.J. Nicolai of the local Standard Oil Station, won a $100 award in the company’s Pride of the Community contest.
Mrs. Fred Brenner, 45, of Dorr, was killed in a traffic accident in that township when the car in which she was riding crashed into the back of a truck that had stalled on the road.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in “Under Fiesta Stars.”
- Ward Bond, John Beal and Florence Rice in “Doctors Don’t Tell.”
- Irene Dunne and Robert Montgomery in “Unfinished Business.”
- Roy Rogers in “Jessie James at Bay” and Lynn Bari and Alan Curtis in “We Go Fast.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 3, 1916
A “rousing” Republican rally took place in Wayland at Frank’s Opera House with guest speaker Lewis L. Thompson of Allegan. Also featured was the singing of campaign songs by the Ladies’ Republican Quartette.
Besides voting for state and national candidates in the Nov. 7 general election, local voters were faced with ballot questions on nation-wide Prohibition, a home rule amendment, a fratyernal insurance amendment and the right of the legislature to repeal local acts.
It was Prohibition Weekend and anti-alcohol rallies were numerous at area churches, including Wayland United Methodist, the Gun Lake CE Church and in Bradley.
The Prof. DeHenery Co. gave the people of Dorr a magic show with tricks, chalk and sand pictures.
The seniors and sophomores defeated the juniors and freshmen in an inter-school football game, 13-0.
Students in the seventh and eighth grades have been writing essays on the topics of “Why we should vote yes on Prohibition” and “Why we should vote no on home rule.”
Lee Rumery of Monterey Township is a candidate for Allegan County Sheriff in the Nov. 7 general election.
John C. Jordan, now of W. Superior Street, has made improvements to his house by having steel lathing put on siding and then treating it with a mixture of cement and sand.
J.B. Gillespie has purchased the bungalow owned by Dr. E.O. Hanlon. It had been occupied by William Somers, who moved his family to an apartment above the Schuh Furniture Store in downtown Wayland.