(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now historical library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 10, 1997
The front page of the Globe was graced by members of the local Wave Runners swim group of youths who learn water safety at the Wayland High School pool.
The number of Polar Bear Dippers who are crazy enough to plunge into the frigid waters at the16th annual Gun Lake Winterfest continues to grow every year.
A Martin first-grader wrote the prize-winning essay to get the teacher on television and classmates a pizza party.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote a “Soapbox” tribute to Mrs. Bumgarden and Mr. Passmore as two quality influences in her early life as part Principal Appreciation Week.
Larry Cappon wrote a letter to the editor cautioning the Wayland Board of Education about outsourcing bus transportation services and hidden costs.
Robert McClymont also wrote a letter praising the efforts of the current bus drivers, despite what has been taking place with the threat of privatization of services.
Carol Whittredge former 4-H leader and Baker Elementary staffer, expressed support for a students’ memorial at the entrance of the high school and middle school.
Motivational speaker Bill Sanders, who had appeared on the 700 Club, was scheduled to make a presentation on positivity at the middle school and high school.
Allegan County Commission Chairman Jon Campbell and Wayland Union Schools Supt. Bob Brenner say they are frustrated by the spate of recent bomb threats and vow the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Brian Maher’s layup two seconds before the buzzer gave Hopkins is first basketball win at Allendale in 22 years. Tim Kisner swished six three-pointers and the Vikings bested ninth-ranked Covenant Christian.
Walt Smith scored a career-high 36 points and Wayland scored an important victory over O-K Gold rival Caledonia.
Hopkins’ Wendy Schrock led the Lady Vikings to three wins that enable the team to take over first place in the O-K Silver Conference volleyball standings.
Matt Noble, a 145-pound senior, improved his season record to 30-0 for Martin.
Wilma Pogodzinski was given a plaque and a party for driving a school bus for 26 years for the Hopkins district.
Earl Brooks, former operator of the Brooks Grocery Store and Restaurant at Gun Lake with wife Marian, died at the age of 85.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 9, 1972
The Wayland City Planning Commission has recommended the establishment of a Beautification Commission to handle projects that make the community more attractive.
Wayland High School seniors Cindy Browand and Jeff Tinsler have been selected to attend a nine-day United Nations seminar in Washington D.C. Feb. 11-19.
The Allegan County Apportionment Committee is still grappling with the issue of how many county commissioners’ districts to approve, between five and 19. The old board of supervisors included 21 members.
Richard Weick was nominated for village president at the Hopkins Village Caucus, which also nominated Ellen Linsley for treasurer, Duane Ewing clerk and Jerry Hazen, Irving Morris, Richard Thompson, Robert Beck and Esther Vanderkolk, two-year trustees.
Jim Graham and William Michael Johnston, both Wayland High School seniors, filed for City Council and Library Board, respectively, but the city charter does not permit 18-year-olds to hold office.
The Dorr Township Board adopted a resolution to establish a local police department. Only Constable Louis Schmidt has any policing responsibilities under current law in the township.
Robert Andringa, a 1959 graduate of Wayland High School, has spent several weeks in the Soviet Union with a U.S. House subcommittee to learn about Russia’s education system.
Cheryl Brower wrote a letter to the editor criticizing U.S. government policy on drugs, which she said is a troubling and exploding issue.
Wayland High School graduate Tom Latondress wrote a letter criticizing President Richard Nixon for playing politics with servicemen in Vietnam during an election year.
Elizabeth Young, a member of a journalism class at Martin High School took issue with biased reporting of a basketball game between the Martin and Wayland girls’ basketball teams, suggesting the Clippers resorted to “elbowing and tripping.”
Gib Goodwin scored 17 points and Jim Hendrixson had 14 as the Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team moved into a tie with Kelloggsville for fifth place in the O-K Blue Conference with a 58-55 victory.
Dave Foley had 19 points and Bob Walker and Don Cadman 15 each as Hopkins edged Climax-Scotts 76-75 on a last-minute shot by Mike Pavlak.
Kathy Shea sank a free throw with nmine second left to enable Hopkins to beat Wayland 39-38. Brenda Bala scored 18 points for the Vikings and Kathy Worfel had 17 for the Wildcats and Sherry Smith 14.
Wayland Athletic Director Richard Akers had a personal meeting with sports writer David T. Young about the girls receiving second class treatment for use of gym facilities. He explained that facilities are tied up with long-planned events and suggested the problem will not be resolved until split sessions are eradicated with the new high school’s construction.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 14, 1947
Wayland High School junior Florence Nussdorfer was crowned queen of the Allegan County cherry pie contest and the Allegan Junior Chamber of Commerce banquet.
A Valentine’s Day party and benefit dance will be held Saturday evening at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Hall, Gun Lake.
Mrs. Niesken Henderson, co-founder of the former Henderson Milling Co. in Grand Rapids, died after a long illness at the age of 89.
Hoolsema and Shoemate have announced the opening of an appliance store at the post office in Moline. They also offer radio and electrical services.
Rollo G. Mosher was elected president of the newly formed Wayland chapter of the Humane Society. Myrtle Mauchmar was named vice president and Grayce Delp secretary-treasurer. Clyde Welch was chosen humane officer.
The Michigan State College Rural Progress caravan will make a stop Feb. 19 in Allegan, according to County Agricultural Agent A.D. Morley.
Miss Evelyn Mroczkoski suffered injuries to three of her fingers while trying to help her brother, Gene, extricate their car from a snowdrift west of Hilliards.
Misses Grace Hamilton and Nina Babcock of the Cedar Springs Clipper will b e guest speakers at the anniversary banquet of the Wayland Ladies Library Club.
The Wayland varsity basketball team defeated Otsego 41-37, but the second team absorbed its first loss this season.
The Michigan Bureau of Marketing and Enforcement is notifying all businesses they must sell all candy bars at the price marked on the package.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Warner Baxter and Ellen Drew in Crime Doctor’s Manhunt.”
• The Hoosier Hot Shots in “Lone Star Midnight.”
• George Sanders, Signe Hasso and Carole Landis in :”A Scandal in Paris.”
• Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Joan Caulfield in Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 10, 1922
The adjutant for the local post of the American Legion has announced that it has received ten rifles for drill purposes.
The junior class play, “Gallagher,” will be presented at the high school assembly room later this week.
Members of the freshman class gathered for a party at the home Glen McCaslin and collected $6.50 for the spring athletes’ sports programs.
The Middleville Sun reported on the local team’s 22-21 victory over Wayland: “Our local boys were characterized by their fair and sportsmanlike playing, their ability to use only decent language and to avoid other filthy and vicious habits.”
The Ladies Library Club had a program planned at the Church of Christ, but the entertainer didn’t show up owing to a misunderstanding about the performance date. Miss Pauline Smith played two piano selections and Irene Yeakey gave a reading and a cantillation.
The Gun Swamp in Allegan County is regarded now as one of the prosperous celery gardens in Michigan.
Younger members of the First Congregational Church have established a Christian Endeavor Society. Charles Nevins was elected president and Harold Noah vice president.
The Stitch and Chat Club of East Wayland tied off a quit for a family victimized by fire near Pickeral Lake.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Houdini in “Terror Island.” Eileen Percy in “Big Town Ideas.” Phila Duel, Irene Yeakey, Hazel Brower, Cash Knight, Al Hunt, Paul Wing and Naman Frank will present “The Country Squire.” Proceeds will go to community welfare.
Yeakey Auto Co. will present demonstrations of the DeLeval Milker, billed as a better way to separate milk from cream.
Congressman John C. Ketchum will speak at the Corning Community Center Feb. 14 with a potluck planned for noon.
Fred Yerrington has returned home after working n the Upper Peninsula. He crossed the Straits on foot over the ice, which he reported to be as much as 30 inches thick.
Mrs. A.D. Hughes was set to deliver a presentation to the Women’s foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Church on “Present Day Conditions and Needs in China.”
Love these articles. Keep them coming.