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Bygone Days: A look at the past in NE Allegan County

(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)

25 Years Ago — Sept. 23, 1996

Dan Castillo, owner of Rosita’s Mexican restaurant in downtown Wayland, in the wake of a dispute with the City of Wayland, has sold his eatery, which now is being renamed “Rosita’s Y Mas,” which translates into “Rosita’s and More. New owner Sami Khatib said it will feature Greek food as well.

Janet Lyons wrote a letter to the editor taking to task reporter Dan Kelsey and his “doom and gloom” story about a Martin woman coping with multiple sclerosis.

The Allegan County Board of Commissioners has begun the process of restructuring the Health Department to make it better comply with state health code regulations.

The Wayland Township Board is wrestling with whether or not to implement civil penalties for zoning infractions.

Alice Calkins, in a letter about her “no” sign for Hopkins school bond vote being torn down, “It looks like communism instead of decent citizens.”

Lisa Harnish, in a letter, opined to the editor, “I don’t think it’s right that when citizens want to state their opinions in the paper you seem to see it as open game for your cheap potshots and snide remarks.”

Robin Scheib asked the editor, “What can be done to make this (proposed) annexation (of Wayland Township into the city) a win-win proposition?”

Wayland schools are reporting an increase of student population by 161 students since a year ago, bringing the total district-wide number to about 3,200.

Hopkins defeated No. 2-ranked football team Beal City (Division DD) 43-7.

Caledonia and Wayland fought to a 4-4 draw in a neighborhood tennis rivalry dual match.

The Hopkins girls’ basketball team registered its ninth victory without a defeat with easy verdicts over Freedom Baptist and Kelloggsville. Melanie Heslinga had a big week in all offensive categories.

Martin’s girls’ hoops team also is unbeaten at 6-0, led by the Hildebrand sisters, Jennifer and Stacey, and Bethany Hunderman.

WHS freshman Brittany Evans won a $1,000 award or her first place essay, “Drugs and Alcohol: I’m Better than Both ofThem,” sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Wayland High School girls’ basketball team ended an unusual four-game losing streak by edging Cedar Springs 64-60.

The Wayland golf team was first in the Allegan County tournament, led by Zeke Fletcher, Nate Adamczyk, Tony Paul and Jason Cooper.

Ermabelle Hawkins, 93, died at Sandy Creek Nursing Center. A longtime teacher, she was born in the house of her grandfather, a Civil War veteran.

50 Years Ago — Sept. 22, 1971

Residents of the Wayland Union school district were getting ready for the big bond election for a new high school Sept. 27, just a month after split sessions had been implemented at the high school and junior high.

City Manager John Hefner presented a progress report on the new city sanitary sewer system, paying particular attention to potential damage to trees.

Bernadette Nicolai wrote a feature story about Porta Buildings, an industry that opened its doors in Wayland just eight months ago. The firm builds custom made studless units for additions to cottages and mobile homes.

Airman recruit James John Parker of Wayland has begun duties with the Navy at Great lakes Training Center. The 1970 WHS grad will be involved in aviation.

Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, in his terse editorial, commented on the Sept. 27 school bond proposal, “The hard fact is that the children are here to be educated. We have waited far too long already to provide adequate facilities.”

Mrs. Sally Harpold wrote a letter stating, “When I reach retirement age, I want to know that every child that attended our schools had the adequate training for a job or college.

Mrs. Marvin Miller wrote a letter suggesting local businesses be better prepared for student customers during their lunch breaks.

Robert Grafford and Wayne Thomas, president and vice president of the Student Council, wrote a letter critical of citizens who vote to deny children a quality education.

Wayland’s varsity football team defeated Bloomingdale 26-8, as QB Gib Goodwin tossed three TD passes, one to Joe Permoda, two to A. J. Predum and Con Mauchmar returned an interception for a score.

Leighton Farm Bureau members were told farmers need to pool and sell their livestock and grain collectively because markets purchase in bulk.

The Hopkins varsity football team looks to improve against Fennville this Friday after being shut out by Byron Center in its season opener.

Mrs. Dick Lawrence scored a hole-in-one at the Yankee Springs Golf Course, with Mrs. Bud DeVries, Mrs. Jerry Shaw and Mrs. George Hulst as witnesses.

75 Years Ago — Sept. 27, 1946

Kenneth DeWeerd was elected president of the Wayland High School Student Council, Jim Koster will be vice president and Adeline Niemchick secretary-treasurer.

The WHS football team will be on the home field Friday night against Middleville. The Wildcats are smarting from a 39-0 loss to Comstock in their season opener that featured the Colts scoring five of their six touchdowns via the air.

Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher announced this edition of the Globe will begin the community newspaper’s 63rd year of publication.

The Future Farmers of America and Homemakers of America are working with the local Chamber of Commerce on the Wayland Community Fair Oct. 4 and 5.

New sound equipment has been installed inside the Wayland Theatre, the same kind of equipment used in the world’s finest and largest venues.

Mosher reported taking in a lecture in Kalamazoo by Ed Babcock of Cornell University, one of the foremost authorities in American agriculture.

Village Treasurer Elizabeth Clark reported this year’s local tax collection totaled $9,336, $1 shy of 100 percent, “a mighty fine record for any community or village.

Mildred Gurney was elected president of the local VFW Auxiliary.

Eugene Mroczkoski has returned from serving in Japan for 20 months and he will be discharged Saturday.

American Legion Auxiliary will have a rummage sale at Andringa Appliance in downtown Wayland.

Frank Haefner was elected president os the Hopkins High School senior class, Doris Taylor juniors, Kenneth Button sophomores and Eileen Arehart freshmen.

Now playing at the Wayland Theatre:

  • Brenda Marshall and William Gargan in in “Strange Impersonation.”
  • John Litel, Bob Steele and Joan Woodbury in “Northwest Trail.”
  • Ann Sheridan, Dennis Morgan and Jane Wyman in “One More Tomorrow.”
  • Bing Crosy and Ingrid Bergman in “The Bells of St. Mary’s.”

100 Years Ago — Sept. 23, 1921

An Allegan County Dairymen’s Picnic, under the auspices of the Allegan County Cow Testing Association, will be held Sept. 29 at Scott Lake near Pullman.

Total enrollment at Wayland High School now is pegged at 96.

Ina Gilbert and Bertha Fox are leading the high school’s drive to purchase a new Victrola before Christmas.

Wayland lost its season-opening football game to Allegan.

The high school girls’ basketball team has begun practices and already has been asked by Martin for a pre-season game.

Wayland High School freshman initiation will be in the form of a weenie roast Friday night, including a variety of entertainment.

Dorothy DeVore will star as Mary in “45 Minutes from Broadway” at the Regent Theatre downtown Sunday and Tuesday’s presentation will be “Behold the Man,” a picturization of the life of Christ.

The New York Central freight house in Plainwell has been robbed twice in the past 10 days, losing a box of inner liners and some canned goods.

Lois and Gerald Calkins of Duluth, Minn., arrived her to spend the winter with grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Walch, making the trip mostly by themselves.

Recent rains have left rotted potatoes on low ground, so there is only about half the crop available in southeast Dorr.

Wayland Farm Bureau asked in a display ad: “Are you going to take off your coat and help complete the strongest farmers’ organization the world has ever seen?”

1 Comment

  • The photo of Stoddard’s truck is older than 1996. Stoddard’s were important to our family’s Wayland Cleaners to haul away residue that still reeked of cleaning fluid after distillation of all that was useful.

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