25 Years Ago — Feb. 20, 1991
Steven Stearns was nominated for another term as president at the Hopkins Village Caucus. Lisa Rewa decided against seeking re-election and three candidates, Gerry Collier, Joyce Jones and Kimberly Bark will run to succeed her. Incumbent trustees Irwin Morris, Richard Kerber and Robert Trumbull will be joined by newcomer Richard Malone in the race for three seats.
Andrew Leep, 64, who had been Martin Township Supervisor since 1979, died of a heart attack. Leep also had one of the largest potato farms in West Michigan.
Linda Hutchings wrote a feature story about the burgeoning residential growth in Dorr Township of late.
The Wayland City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Downtown Development Authority to purchase up to $575,000 in bonds to pay for downtown improvements, which include an eight-inch water main on South Main Street.
Hopkins basketball coaches Mark Austin and Barry Kiefer and Susan Newell, wife of football coach Jim Newell, all wrote letters to the editor defending the performance of Tom McArthur as junior high basketball coach, in response to a critical letter the week before from Dawn Gibson.
The Martin boys’ varsity basketball team, ranked No. 10 in the state-wide Class D poll, was steamrolled by Hopkins 87-62. The Clippers were without star 6-7 center Dan Herp, sidelined by an injury. Kelly Reynolds meshed 30 points and Zack Wilson had 20 for the Vikings. Martin, which saw its record fall to 13-2, was led by Dave Talsma’s 17 points. The Clippers’ other big guy, Brian Klok, gathered 13 rebounds, but was held to six points.
The Wayland varsity volleyball team, coached by Dennis Angulim, was preparing for the O-K Gold Conference tournament and shooting for its seventh straight league title.
Wayland came close twice in the same week, losing 62-57 to Coopersville and 69-62 in overtime to Kenowa Hills. Eric VandenBerg netted 29 points in the latter contest.
Annette Tietsma and Kevin Zalis were named snowcoming queen and king at Wayland High School.
Forest Hills Northern touched out Wayland in a dual meet to take over first place in the O-K Rainbow Conference swim standings.
Lisa Idema of Wayland took second place in the Apparel and Accessories category of the state competition for Distributive Education Club of America (DECA).
50 Years Ago — Feb. 16, 1966
The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team had a good week, winning twice. The Wildcats defeated Kalamazoo Christian 71-64, with five scoring in double figures, led by Rick Baughman 19 points, Gordon Hudson 17, Terry Bartell 13, Walter Messer 12 and Terry Parks 10. Hudson had 11 rebounds. The ‘Cats beat Wyoming Park 58-49 the previous Friday, with Baughman scoring 21 points, Parks 13 and Gary TerBeek 10.
Former State Senator Fred Hilbert of Wayland was appointed to the State Tax Appeals Board by Gov. George Romney.
The Allegan County Association for Retarded Children received a check for $550, the proceeds of the recent dance to benefit the Precious Acres facility.
Gerald Baker was promoted to plant utility and protection systems engineer at American Seating Co. in Grand Rapids.
The annual Hopkins Village Caucus yielded Vernon Weick as nominee for president, John Lindsey cler, Mrs. John Lindsey treasurer, Jacob Arndt assessor and trustees Earl Miller, Paul McClung and Robert Larr.
The Moline blood bank fell 30 pints shy of its 150-pint goal, according to drive chairwoman Mrs. Wesley Jackson.
Local Boy Scout leaders Wayne Leonardson of Wayland and Robert Fredericks of Hopkins received special awards during National Boy Scout Week by the Grand Valley Council.
Members of the Hopkins Board of Education officially went on record as supporting the new law insisting all public schools be K-12, leading to the need for consolidation.
Betsy Strong, a 1963 graduate of Wayland High School, was elected vice president of the Delta Zeta sorority at Central Michigan University.
Production management will be the topic of discussion at the Southwest Michigan Farm Crops Day seminar at Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 14, 1941
Congressman Clare E. Hoffman will take part in a radio broadcast debate with Senator Ball and other officials from 8 to 8:45 p.m. on the “Americn Forum of the Air.”
Walter Ellis served as chairman of the Forrest Lewis American Legion Post No. 266 Lincoln birthday patriotic program at the Wayland Theatre.
A February blizzard cut down on the number of people who took part in the Wayland Village Caucus. Nominated were Rollo Mosher for president, Leo M. Nash for clerk, Elizabeth Clark treasurer, George E. Ryno assessor, J.R. Rugaber, Clayton Blue and Clare Calkins for trustee seats.
The Wayland Pet Milk plant was very busy with orders across the sea for condensed milk and powdered milk.
“Gone with the Wind,” the blockbuster Oscar-winning film from 1939, was to be shown Feb. 27 and 28 at the Wayland Theatre, which promised, “Nothing cut but the price.”
Other movies being shown locally included Ann Southern and Lew Ayres in “Maisie Was a Lady,” Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan in “The Westerner,” Frank Morgan in “Wild Man of Borneo” and Lloyd Nolan in “Michael Shayne, Private Detective.”
The Gun Lake Rural Life Club was sponsor a “rural mixer” Saturday, Feb. 22, featuring beverages, sandwiches and good music, at the Bradley Hall.
100 Years Ago — Feb. 18, 1916
Both the Republican and Citizens’ Caucuses will be held Monday evening, Feb. 21. Republicans will caucus in the village hall and Citizens in Yeakey’s Hall. “All voters should attend one of the caucuses and assist in nominating capable men for the various village offices.”
About 50 local Rebekahs met at the lodge room to celebrate the birthdays of two members, Mrs. Arthur Clarke and Miss Grace Chamberlain.
“One of the largest crowds that ever forced their way into Frank’s Opera House” saw the Wayland High School senior play, “A College Town.” Serving as critic was Mrs. Arthur Duel.
“The Mirth of a Nation,” six reels of a motion picture comedy by Charlie Chaplain, will be shown Saturday night at Frank’s Opera House.
Ray Gaylor of Hopkins Township was sentenced to 40 days in the Allegan County jail after pleading guilty to stealing an overcoat from a rig in the Methodist Church sheds in Bradley while attending a dance.
The Helping Aid Society put together a “hard times” social in Leighton with tickets costing 15 cents apiece. Included was a dinner and a raffle on on a quilt won by Bernie Tobin. The event raised $9.
The Bradley Thimble Club appointed a committee to oversee the repair of a railing between the Simon Fox and Charles Tolhurst residences. It was reported that expenses for the project were coming in less than expected.
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Pratt have issued invitations for a Victrola Party at their home.
All schools in Wayland Township participating in the spelling bee are sending their candidates to the Gardner School.
Humphrey Gardner attended the Dairymen’s Association event in Kalamazoo and now is thinking about investing in a milking machine.
The Washington’s birthday ball being planned by the Wayland Dancing Club will feature music by the Koon’s Orchestra, with Frank L. Barnhart calling.