(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 12, 1996
Martin Baby Boomers, circa 1955
Wayland City and Township officials are trying to come up witg a way to better make ends meet financially for Elmwood Cemetery operations and it may result in higher fees.
Retiring State Rep. Paul Hillegonds now is taking the reins of leadership for the Boys’ State and Girls’ State programs, which this year is welcoming Wayland High School representatives Lucan Blanco, David Kouchnerkavich, Amanda Siefert and Robyn Wallington.
Roz Nicholson, founder of the Hopkins Area Teen Scene (HATS) program is stepping down, but is asking someone to take it over and pick up the slack in activities for local youth.
Editor Nila Aamoth announced the Globe and Orbit are merging later this summer and will become a news and advertising product offered free of charge to residents. Former Globe Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey created the Orbit 25 years previous as a separate free advertising vehicle.
Mike VanAtter and Doug Talsma won two four-years seats on the Martin Board of Education and Darwin Evers and Joanne Knight were elected to two one-years posts.
Mike Kelly and Pam Rookus won seats on the Board of Education, but President Diane Butler was not re-elected.
David Williams and Patricia Higgins won school board seats at Hopkins.
A benefit auction and fund-raiser for Mike VanderPloeg was planned for Sunday afternoon at the Hillcrest Mall Market Place in Dorr. VanderPloeg, who has just graduated from Hopkins High School, was killed in a traffic crash the previous weekend.
Jack Pettet, a retired physical education teacher at South Haven, has thrown his hat in the ring for state representative. Also seeking to succeed Paul Hillegonds are Patty Birkholz and Dar VanderArk.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7581 celebrated its 50th anniversary. Post Commander Robert Doublestein welcome State Commander Richard Lehner as a special guest.
Wayland High School graduate Jason L. Hayes, 18, was killed after he lost control of his truck and crashed into trees in Yankee Springs Township.
The annual Summerfest celebration has added a five-kilometer run to its lineup for the first time. Proceeds will go to the Wayland High School cross-country program.
The Wayland High School adult education program graduated 22 students. The grads were lauded by Mayor David Miller and School Board President Diane Butler.
John Ambrose, 66, died at the Allegan Care Center. He has worked for CSX Railroad for 37 years before retiring.
50 Years Ago — June 9, 1971
The Globe published a full-page spread with photos of candidates for Wayland Board of Education. The crowded field included Art Hooker, Mike Batterson, Paul Bulow, Richard Chapple, Edward Endres, Marilyn Fifelski, Richard Kessnich, William Kessler and Donald Lapham.
The Wayuland Newcomers Club will sponsor a candidate forum for the school board hopefuls at the East Congregational Church with Earl Lanning serving as moderator.
Longtime Martin farmer Jason Moored died. He was 89.
Former Wayland school teacher Miss Dacie Haines died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Hopkins Schools Superintendent Gordon Anderson submitted his resignation to the Board of Education after three years of service. He will take a similar job at Bellevue Schools.
Loretta Ribbens was announced as valedictorian and Pat DeMaagd salutatorian, as 21 students graduated at Moline Christian School.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, suggested that now that the city permits the two taverns to sell liquor by the glass, they should renovate their businesses to be more welcoming to family-style dining.
“A Concerned Mother” wrote a letter to the editor expressing her disappointment about there being no Dorr School Picnic at the end of the academic year.
Mrs. David Whittredge wrote a letter commending a girl driving a tractor and two boys picking up alongside 135th Avenue between Wayland and Hilliards.
Henika Library Director Mrs. Henry Peterson penned a “Books ‘n Such” column on the Society Page this week.
The Globe presented information about a number of family gatherings after Wayland High School commencement. Among the listings was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kamyszek with son David, who several years later went to work at the Globe.
The Wayland varsity baseball team captured the Class B district district championship with a pair of 5-0 shutout victories over Holt and Hastings. The Wildcats’ pitching, with Joe Koperski, sophomore Gib Goodwin and Larry Tolan combined efforts to achieve the feat.
The Wayland varsity tennis team captured the O-K Blue Conference championship by winning the league meet going undefeated in dual matches. Conference champions were Jim Hendrixson and Matt Comrie in singles and Rex Andringa and Boyd Heckert in doubles.
Honey Cone took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “Want Ads.”
75 Years Ago — June 14, 1946
The Wayland Community Band will present a concert in the City Park June 19, the first of the season.
“Not every small town is privileged have a band and it should have the loyal support to come out to hear them,” wrote Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher.
The funeral for Fred Andler was held at Moline Congregational Church, Andler, 78, was killed in a traffic crash.
Cyril M. Stora sailed on a Liberty Ship to Bikini Island and with a host of other military personnel witnessed the detonation of an atomic bomb for Operation Crossroads.
The Peg-Away Club is planning the annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. Mrs. Schaibly of Hopkins will be the speaker. Music will be furnished by Berdine Chappell and Mrs. Merle Peffley.
Barbara Gardner is opening a new beauty shop at 519 W. Superior St., featuring machineless and cold wave perms.
The Michigan Department of Aeronautics is sending three engineers to Wayland to discuss and examine the possibility of an airport here. The Grand Rapids Airport is getting too much traffic to handle, so it is believed a few nearby smaller airports can help handle the load.
Harry Sutton is director and Claude Smith assistant director for the combined Summer Vacation Bible School for the Methodist and Congregational Churches.
The Republican primary elections are approaching June 18 and the Globe is chock full of advertisements for candidates for county offices.
Winona Calkins will give Wayland Grange members a presentation on the “Declaration of Purpose,” May Smith will do a review of “The Life of Oliver Hudson Kelly” and Ruby Smith will do a reading on “Hunger and Peace.”
The adult choir of the Wayland Congregational Church will present a concert at Hopkins Community Church.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Robert Lowery and Barbara Britten in “They Made Me a Killer.”
- Charles Coburn and Joan Bennett Colonel Effingham’s Raid.”
- Dennis O’Keefe, Marie McDonald and J. Carrol Naish in “Getting Gertie’s Garter.”
- Clark Gable, Greer Garson and Joan Blondell in “Adventure.”
100 Years Ago — June 10, 1921
The 22nd annual Lewis-Corning reunion will be held June 16 at Cook’s Landing.
Gerrit J. Deuer, a leading West Michigan fruit grower, is predicting a terrible harvest season for cherries, strawberries and raspberries this summer.
Georges Carpentier, European heavyweight boxing champion, will be featured in the film “The Wonder Man” at the Regent downtown. Other coming attractions are Bryant Washburn in “It Pays to Advertise” and “The Invisible Divorce.”
The Bradley chapter of the Order of Eastern Star published a Resolution of Respect Senah Tallman, who died May 5 at her home in Shelbyville.
Fay C. Wing has announced that more pledges are needed to ensure having a Chautauqua in August.
Some of the dirt used in the project for cement paving of the road between Wayland and Moline is part of a sprucing up project for the property around Village Hall.
Alfred Nelson and family were the last of the snowbirds to arrive in Wayland.
The annual Wayland High School alumni banquet will be held Saturday evening, June 16 at the school cafeteria. The banquet food will be served by members of the Anti-Can’t Club. Mrs. Esther Martin will be toastmistress.
Harold Northrup was badly injured at the gravel pit near Bradley when he cranked the engine to start the stone crusher.
Mary Jane Morrell was hurt when she was riding in the family buggy and one of the horses was spooked and ran away.
