25 Years Ago — Oct. 31, 1990

As happens occasionally, the Then & Now Historical Museum in downtown Dorr did not have any copies of the Oct. 31, 1990, edition of the Penasee Globe. The series from 25 years ago will return next week with the Nov. 7 edition.
Humble apologies from the staff at townbroadcast.com

50 Years Ago — Oct. 27, 1965

Both the Martin and Hopkins school districts had millage requests approved by voters. Hopkins residents approved a two-and-three-quarters mill request for one year by a vote of 128 to 70. In Martin the vote was 154 to 17 for a five-mill proposal for three years.

Allegan attorney Dwight M. Cheever was the only candidate for the Allegan County Probate Judge’s post in the upcoming election. He will succeed Harol Weston, who died earlier in the year. Also on the ballot will be a proposal to increase the county tax limitation from 15 to 16 mills.

Mrs. Gerald A. VandeVoord of Wayland has been chosen new president of the Allegan County Medical Auxiliary group.

Congressman Robert P. Griffin was to be the guest speaker at a Republican Party fund-raiser at Allegan County High School Nov. 11.

A Halloween dance was scheduled for Oct. 30 to benefit Wayland pharmacist Ollie Gysin, who had to have a leg amputated recently.

Rollo Mosher, in his “Observations Here and There” column, presented an interesting history on the origins of high school football in Wayland. He said the sport first was played in 1905, and opponents included Otsego, Plainwell and Allegan, Grand Haven and even Hope College and Western Normal Teachers College, coached by Bill Spaulding. He noted the games were played in a farm pasture and fans were asked to pass the hat instead of charging admission.

The Wayland varsity football team picked up its first victory of the season in its homecoming game, edging South Christian 13-12. It was a big night for quarterback Terry Parks, who tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Gordon Hudson and a 10-yarder to Roger Merren. The one-point difference was provided when Parks tossed a PAT pass to Hudson. The Wildcats now are 1-4-1 for the season.

George Pawloski was elected king and Penny Linnington queen at homecoming festivities. The court included Swedish foreign exchange student Annette Anderssen, Donna Stora, Helen Chappell, Brent Sebright, Steve McBride and David Allen.

Hopkins’ dreams of an undefeated gridiron season were dashed by Fennville in a 14-0 verdict. The Vikings now are 5-1.

The Hopkins High School yearbook for the 1965-66 academic year will be dedicated to HHS grad Jim Parmalee, also a Wheaton College alum, who was killed in Vietnam earlier in the year.

Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard were starring in “Von Ryan’s Express” at the Wayland Theatre.

The Beatles made it four weeks n a row atop the music charts with “Yesterday.”

75 Years Ago — Nov. 1, 1940

Here’s a new wrinkle, from Hollywood, designed by Max Factor, Jr., for a red-hot political campaign. Starlets Joan Barclay and Muriel Zaler wear their choice for president (FDR, WW), in the form of an old-fashioned beauty patch, with the initials cut out of court plaster. As a fad it’s good until Nov. 6, but not a day longer.

There were rumors and counter rumors about the total evacuation of London, in the face of Goering’s aerial bombardment. Old people over 65, school children, and active mothers were advised to leave as soon as possible, taking with them all sick or invalid souls.

Reports from London, Berlin and Rome indicated that the British air force had launched a major air offensive against the axis powers in reply to the constant   bombings of London by the Nazis.

Thirty thousand (U.S.) draftees were to be put into the army by Nov. 18, and another 800,000 by June 15. There had been a total of 17 million young men that registered, which topped the forecasts. In reference to these young men, War Secretary Henry Stimson declared: “Only God and Hitler know what will happen to the United States.”

One southwestern Indian was found who claimed to be a member of the German Bund, and didn’t want to register. He said he was waiting for Hitler to come and “free” him from the white man, the White House, and the Great White Father. Some people said that this aborigine was red in more ways than on

National Apple Week at A&P food stores. Michigan Wagner apples, 10 pounds, 31 cents. Idaho potatoes, 10-pound bag, 23 cents. Grapefruit, seedless, six for 23 cents. Wax paper, 125-foot roll, 10 cents.

100 Years Ago — Nov. 5, 1915

A history of the invention of the Dell Mammoth Oil Heated Compartment Incubator by Horace E. Dell of Wayland was outlined in a front page story. Dell told the Globe, “I have wanted an incubator that would hatch a stronger chick than anything on the American market.”

The Ladies Library Club heard a program on “Mexico, Past and Present” from Louise Hanlon and listened to a presentation by Metta Ross of Bradley about forming a local women’s suffrage group.

The Wayland school report for October 1915 noted there were 100 students at the high school, 38 in grammar school, 37 in primary and 58 in intermediate. Also presented was a list of all students who thus far this year had no been absent nor tardy.

“School was closed in the district east of Moline last week on account of illness of the teacher.”

Commencing Tuesday, Nov. 9, Moline stores will be open evenings only on Mondays, Thursday and Saturdays.

Longtime Leighton Township resident Frank Watkins, 71, died at his home after an illness of a year. His wife had died 10 years earlier. Survivors include his aging mother-in-law, two sons and an adopted daughter.

Andrew Brog reported from Redlands, Calif., that he had begun his journey back home to Wayland. He said Redlands is “a regular flower garden now with lots of ornge groves and palm trees.”

Mrs. F. B. Pertins of Ann Arbor will conduct a meeting Nov. 13 of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union at the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mothers are being advised that irritable children who experience fever, grind their teeth during sleep and show a coated tongue should be rid of worms with Kickapoo Worm Killer.

Lee Smith, William Bohn, Ruben Smith, Silas Hilbert and Guy Smith will leave next week to make a trip to the Upper Peninsula for Deer Camp.