Bygone Days: A brief look at Wayland area’s past, Part 177

E. Superior St.

Only three interested citizens showed up for a public hearing on a proposed $25 recycling surcharge for Allegan County residents, starting on Jan. 1, 1991.

Hopkins voters, in the Aug. 7 primary election, will decide the fate of a proposed new township and village building complex. The cost would be an extra three-fourths of a mill annually for 10 years. Plans call for two buildings on site, also to include the Hopkins Fire Department.

Hopkins voters must decide on what to do with a 25-acre site just outside the village limits.

Mart Ellen Mynatt DeYoung wrote in a letter to the editor, “This is a free country, but it is only free because we exercise our right to vote. Don’t fail to vote in the Aug. 7 primary.”

Kim Alderton of Hopkins wrote a letter to the editor defending the local school district’s use of the Michigan Model in teaching sex education. “Kids today need correct information,” she opined. “They need to make informed and good decisions to try in some cases to protect themselves.”

There were very few contested races in the Aug. 7 primary for Allegan County voters. John Lauve and John Engler were the two contestants for the Republican primary for governor. Clark Durant and Bill Schuette were to vie for the GOP nomination for attorney general. The race for state senator includes William VanRegenmorter, John C. Hooge and Dick Jacobs.

Ken Klump, 18, was fined $250 in Allegan County Circuit Court for making harassing telephone calls to a Wayland High School teacher. Klump was suspended from Wayland High School for six days but was allowed to compete in the wrestling state championships, where he finished fourth.

Wayland softball standout Jenny Ritz, who pitches and plays first base for Kern’s Great Lake 18 and Under fast-pitch softball team, has been invited with her team to compete in an all-star tournament in California.

A total of 135 golf enthusiasts in 35 groups competed in the Orchard Hills Summerfest Gof Tournament, according to coordinator Rick Morse.

The Wayland Summerfest Softball Tournament attracted 64 teams, the largest field ever, coordinator Bob Golm reported.

Several local girls are among the contestants for Miss Allegan County, including Wayland High School graduates Carmen Lee, Heather Zuidersma and Kelly Nieuwenhuis, along with Mandy Buskard of Hopkins.

 50 Years Ago — July 28, 1965

Mrs. Ruby Smith, a longtime local historian and writer, wrote a letter in response to Bob Adams, who lamented about the lack of knowledge and appreciation of local history. She wrote: “Knowing that in another decade or so there would be no one left who could write such a book, I took it upon myself to do this as a service to Wayland.”

The Wayland area and rural surroundings were lashed by the worst storm of the season that included widespread power outages, two hours of continuous thunder and lightning and fallen trees.

Former Wayland resident Vernon J. Weidenfeller stopped in to visit with old friends. He had just retired as captain for the Los Angeles Fire Department. He had lived many years at what is now the Jenkins Farm east of the village.

National Republican Committeeman John Martin of Grand Rapids was the be the keynote speaker at the Allegan County Republican Party Picnic at the Allegan County Fairgrounds.

Dennis Reno, Carol Ritz and George L. Brown all received bachelor’s degrees at Western Michigan University commencement.

Richard Worfel and Donald Duimstra have joined the staff at Wayland State Bank. Duimstra already lives nearby, at Selkirk Lake.

The 20th annual Wayland Community Fair will be celebrated during the same three days, Aug. 26-28, at the annual Cowbell Days festival. Mrs. Dora Weaver is president of the Fair Board, David Peet is vice president, Frank Langley secretary and Mrs. Floyd Modreske treasurer.

The Wayland Recreation Department will have a watermelon bust for boys and girls ages 8 to 18 at Hilton’s Resort, Green Lake.

Six 1965 Wayland High School graduates , Robert Parker, David Baar, Peter Chiarmonte, Bill and Bob Simpkins, and Alan Hayes, all signed up for the U,S. Navy on the same day.

Judy Kiser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Kiser of Hopkins, was one of 42 graduates of the Swedish Covenant Hospital nursing school in Chicago.

A new Dorr 4-H horse club is being formed by Kenneth Bruursma with assistance of Gus Westhouse and Cliff Cooke.

“Swingin’ Summer,” a Go-Go musical film featuring the Rip Chords, Gary Lewis and the Playboys and the Righteous Brothers.LaVina Shook, Jerold McAllister and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dunbar of the Wayland Disciples of Christ Church attended the Puerto Rican Convention of Churches.

The Rolling Stones captured the top spot on the music charts for the third week in a row with “Satisfaction.”

 75 Years Ago — July 26, 1940

There is not much to write about this week except the weather, and with the mercury up in high nineties that is enough for anyone to write home about.

There are a lot of inconveniences that go with hot weather and one of them is trying to shave with one of those electric dry shavers, with the sweat running a stream off your brow.
A woman motorist was driving along a country road when she noticed a couple of repair men climbing telephone poles. “Fools!” she exclaimed to her compa­nion. “They must think I never drove a car before in my life.”

How you can keep preserves Garden Fresh: Seal in garden-fresh goodness with pe-ko jar rings. Because pe-ko insures a perfect seal. Buy now. U.S. Royal pe-ko edge jar rubbers.

The perfect recipe for glamour for any belle who dines and dances at fashionable summer fetes is a head-dress of fragrant gardenias with streamers of silvered leaves to silhouette her coiffure. Orchids, carnations or roses make equally as glamourous headpieces.

Village Marshal and deputy sheriff George Douglas arrested Daniel Johnson, 66, of RFD No. 1, Hopkins, in Wayland last week Thursday evening as a fugitive from the Michigan City and Frankfort, Ky., state prison. He was returned Friday afternoon to the In­diana institution to complete a three- to ten-year term for burglary. He escaped from the Michigan City prison in 1932 and from the Kentucky prison in 1923, where he was serving a life term for murder.

 100 Years Ago — July 30, 1915

Mrs. Charles Burghardt, living on the farm known as the Cuddy Place, had a narrow escape from serious injury at the hands of a charging Holstein bull, She and her husband hd just finished milking and were letting out the cows when a bull charged and tossed her into the air. Her daughter rushed to her rescue with a club and then her husband drove a pitchfork into the animal’s nose. The bull has been dehorned.

Harry D. Alligeo and Willie Hookof er 135 bluegills of eating size out of Gun Lake.

Frank Smith suffered a a stroke of apoplexy and died at his home in Dorr.

The Helping Aid Society of Leighton Township met at the home of Nellie Lewis with a good attendance and a number of visitors.

At a special school meeting Monday evening, it was voted build a new school house in Shelbyville. Another meeting will be held later to decide on a bond issue.

Abigail Cornell Hanlon, wife of Dr. A. Hanlon, died at age 84. The funeral was held at the home of her son, Dr. E.D. Hanlon. She had lived in Wayland for past 20 years and was born in 1830 in Ontario, Canada.

Hanlon Court will be the official name of the new street being constructed in the first block east from South Main. It was platted by Dr. E.D. Hanlon and is located in back of the Globe offices and the William Jones and Dr. George W. Brower residences.

WHS graduate Sadie Chamberlain will wed Ernest Notestine of Kaheap much jewelrylamazoo. She has been a teacher in the Allegan, Clinton and Montcalm school districts.

“The Indian Medicine Man Show has come and gone. Not much medicine, but heap much jewelry.” Chief Red Eagle and his wife wore war paint and captivated the young people with their 50-cent diamons rings, safety lead pencils, etc.

Prof. D.C. Richardson of Vicksburg has been hired as principal for Wayland schools. Guert V. Fales remains as superintendent.

Clifford Schwartz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schwartz, narrowly avoided serious injury when a wheel from a loaded wagon passed over his head, bruising his lower jaw. Dr. Slater dressed the wound.

The Wayland Independents breezed 6-0 over the Grand Rapids Oakdales in a much ballyhooed baseball contest. One observer called it “a really bad day on an unkempt field.”

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