25 Years Ago — Feb. 6, 1991
A support group for families of military troops serving overseas in the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, has been established by the local VFW post and the American Red Cross.
Vandals broke into Moline Elementary School and attempted to set a fire by pouring gasoline on posters they ripped down from the halls and igniting them.
Hillcrest Mall on 142nd Avenue in Dorr Township, still has not been filled to capacity since it opened four years earlier and the reason suggested has been that rent is too high. Dick Dutkiewicz of Dick’s Market, the first tenant, has indicated he has one more year on his lease and may explore other options. Developer is Bernie Hull.
Earl G. Miller of Wyoming wrote a letter to the editor suggesting Wayland Area Emergency Services do a better job with its finances in the wake of news it may seek more funding for operations.
ArtTrain, a portable art gallery, has been added to the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce’s plans for the 1991 Summerfest. Dennis Reno said the cost is expected to be about $9,000.
A cracked gas line was blamed by authorities for a fire that destroyed the double-wide mobile home of Brian Pelham on 5th Street in Wayland Township.
Surveyors were out pounding the streets to prepare the city for downtown infrastructure improvements, much of which will be paid for by a $575,000 Downtown Development Authority bond.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about George and Casey Pereboom expanding their flower and plant business into two greenhouses in Leighton Township.
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Zartman is the new pastor at the Gun Lake Community Church, offering “dream enabling services.”
The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team’s record slipped to 4-10 overall with a 65-50 loss to South Christian.
Martin’s boys’ varsity basketball team is 11-1 overall and 8-0 in the Southwest Athletic Conference. The Clippers. coached by Herb Johnson were just about to clinch the league title early.
Hopkins, coached by Scott Hall, was licking its wounds after an awful 101-62 spanking from Allendale. The Vikings now are 8-6 overall.
The Martin volleyball team edged neighborhood rival Hopkins in best two of three sets.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 2, 1966
The Palisades nuclear plant site has been chosen to be about 35 miles west of Kalamazoo. The facility is expected to open in 1970.
George F. Singer, a salesman for the Faultless Rubber Co., local Rotarian and member of the Wayland VFW and Grand Rapids Shriners, has died. He was 75.
Trooper J.D. Wolf, who hails from Decatur, was one one of 56 graduates of the most recent Michigan State Police Academy and is being assigned to the Wayland post.
Mrs. Kenneth DeWeerd has been selected as chairwoman of the benefit dance for the American Association for Retarded Children. The event will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hillards.
Former Wayland Village Councilman A.H. Snook has died at age 81. A strong advocate of a new city charter, he had been a Rotarian, a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a manufacturing representative for the American Air Filter Co.
Sister Narcissa Knapik and Mrs. Rose Paulson both sustained injuries in a traffic accident at the corner of Cedar and South Main Streets near St. Therese Catholic Church.
Michigan Budget Director Glenn Allen was to be the guest speaker at the annual Allegan County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner at Allegan High School.
Gerald Nash, 77, died. A former member of the Hopkins Board of Education, he was retired owner of the Hopkins Lumber and Coal Co., a Mason and OES member, and a member of the Hopkins Community Reformed Church.
Middleville, ranked No. 6 in the latest state-wide basketball poll, defeated Wayland 70-55. Rob White scored 23 points and Terry Moore 14 for the Trojans. Gordon Hudson had 18 for the Wildcats and Terry Bartell 13. Hurting the ‘Cats cause was that they were only 3-for-14 at the free throw line.
Stella Stevens and Shirley Jones were starring in “The Secret of My Success” at the Wayland Theatre.
The Wayland Grange was having its meetings at members’ home over the winter months. The Feb. 5 meeting was to be at Tom Jackson’s.
The pastors of four local churches, Forest Crum, Wayland United Methodist, Fred Dunbar, Church of Christ, Ed Visser, Christian Reformed, and Oscar Wilson, Congregational, were making plans for combined Good Friday and Easter Sunday services April 8 and 10.
The Rev. Leonard Heyboer has announced his resignation as pastor of the Hopkins Baptist Church, with his last day Feb. 20.
Petula Clark, who burst on the music scene almost exactly one year earlier with “Downtown,” took over the No. 1 slot with “My Love.”
75 Years Ago — Feb. 7, 1941
Amos Sprague of Wayland, son of well-known baseball pitcher Henry Sprague, won two bouts at the Golden Gloves boxing tournament in Grand Rapids.
There has been more than a few complaints of late about motorists who double park downtown. They drive up next to a legally parked vehicle, leave the motor running and make a quick trip inside a shop, creating a traffic hazard.
Walter M. Ellis has been called to be pastor for three consecutive Sundays at the Church of Christ until a permanent minister can be determined.
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union is planning a cooperative dinner Feb. 12 at the Methodist Church. All interested in temperance are invited.
Willis Parmalee of Hopkins Township is one of three farmers in the state to have earned the Master Farmer designation by Michigan Farmer magazine.
The Ladies of the Queen Esther had a special dinner for 65 guests, including Dr. Merton Rice, who was the featured speaker in a program at Wayland High School, with 500 in attendance.
The Rev. J.D. Shorrey was to present the sermon at the Union Worship Service Sunday at the Congregational Church.
The Hope Rebekah Lodge No. 12 is planning a chicken supper, with proceeds to be used to buy a community hospital bed.
Jackie Cooper, Bonita Grandville and Gene Reynolds were starring in “Gallant Son” at the Wayland Theatre. Jeannette McDonald and Nelson Eddy were combining singing talents in Noel Coward’s “Bittersweet” and Frank Morgan and Ann Rutherford were featured in “Keeping Company.”
The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are set to play Martin for their last home games and they will close out the season Feb. 11 at Caledonia.
100 Years Ago — Feb. 4, 1916
Phillip Henderson and Frank Fox narrowly escaped serious harm when they were overcome by fumes in the engine room at the Henderson Milling Co. flour mill. Both were recovering under the care of Dr. Slater.
Miss Inez Rose is filling in for the ill Ora Chase as an operator at the local telephone office.
Clara Nevins is engaged in teaching her first term at the Standard School House east of Moline. George Highstone is teaching his first term at the Moline school.
About 40 people attended the adult Bible class Tuesday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Ayers. “All left with the feeling their teacher and his wife knew how to entertain.”
The Bradley Thimble Club had nine members meet at the home of Mrs. Nelson Ring. “Much interest was displayed at the opening of the parcels post package, as each was interested in what had fallen to the lot of others.”
Mrs. Moses’ presentation on “The War and Its Effects” was given to members of the Ladies Library Club. Mrs. Brower also presented a talk on the work of the Red Cross.
The high school orchestra, under the direction of Prof. Barendsen, is scheduled soon to present its first public concert.
“The recent increases in our local population because of the condensary and other enterprises, make it imperative that something be done to relieve the crowded conditions in the schools.”
A.J. Bostwick, the high school janitor, is very ill, prompting Fred Moses to provide assistance.
The Yeakey Auto Co. is building a huge stock room in the interior of the garage for more display room and office on South Main Street.
Wayland Dancing Club members said they are pleased with the turnout at the recent masquerade ball, “so they can continue their parties every two weeks during the winter.”
Lillian G. LaTourette and Lena Heydenberk were elected to lead the Hope Rebekah Lodge for the next year.
F.D. Travis of Plainwell is opening a salesroom for Studebakers and Maxwell cars on West Superior Street.
PHOTO:This is the 1906 graduating class of Hopkins Station. Top row: John McCreerig, Hazel Parmelee, Leon Reed. Bottom row: Vera Atwater, Leon Young Valney Stuck, teacher, Lloyd Dendell and Ethel Krug. (Photo courtesy of the Then & Now Historial Library in Dorr)