Bygone Days: A look at history of NE Allegan County

25 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 1991

More than 125 gravestonpostma-gas-stationes were overturned and several were broken by vandals at Hooker Cemetery along Kalamazoo Avenue between 139th and 140th Street. Leighton Township Acting Sexton Art Hooker found the damage on a Sunday afternoon.

The Wayland Union school district will apply for a grant funded by a pilot program to extend the academic year by 20 days. The grant would amount to $250 per student.

Globe staff writer Paul Jackson wrote a feature story about Jack Rewa of Dorr, who was an eyewitness to the bombing of Pearl Harbor 50 years earlier as a 22-year-old Navy seaman.

The Michigan Court of Appeals denied an appeal by the late Fred Edgerton, former Allegan County Treasurer, who sought to overturn the redistricting decision that would reduce the number of commissioners from 13 to nine.

About 250 people were in attendance at a special hearing at Hopkins High School on a proposed “rails to trails” recreation trail. Proponents were suggesting the trail to go south from Dorr through Hillards and Hopkins to Allegan and then go east to Otsego.

Todd Anthony Foreman, 26, of Shelbyville, was charged in Barry County District Court of felonious assault and other offenses after he was arrested for firing gunshots into the house occupied by his estranged wife in the Gun Lake area.

Class D state champion Tim Dimock was returning, but Martin’s wrestling team this season was forced to compete in Class C. Wayland was regarded as one of the favorites in the O-K Gold because of returning veterans Bob Sikkema and Kris Shyne, among others.

Earning all-conference girls’ basketball accolades for the recently concluded season were Ann Iciek and Joanne Lodenstein from Wayland, Heather DeSmit and Jennifer Merrill of Martin and Tonya Schwartz of Hopkins.

The Wayland Fire Department earned praise for its quick response and work on a roof fire at Pizza Ranch downtown. Restaurant owner Butch Clevenger offered the kind words.

50 Years Ago — Dec. 7, 1966

Alice Kidney, daughter of Albert and Vivian Kidney of Wayland, will leave Dec. 14 for an assignment to join the Peace Corps in Brazil.

Norris, Valerie and William Schuh were pictured on the front page after it was reported their family had lived in the community for a century. Paul and Margaret Schuh came to Wayland in 1866 and settled in a house at the corner of Sycamore and South Main streets. It has become a gas station since the house was razed.

Marvin VanTuinen of Wayland is a brother to Sgt. Stanley VanTuinen, who was killed in the line of duty in Grand Rapids while attempting to make an arrest.

Charlotte Buck, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Buck of Hopkins, has graduated from United Airlines flight school at O’Hare Airport in Chcago to become an airline stewardess.

Robert Brouwer will be guest presenter for the Wayland Rotary Club’s travelogue, “Spring Captures Holland” at the “girls’ gym” at Wayland High School.

The Wayland City Council is considering an ordinance that would permit a special assessment process for construction and improvement projects.

Steve Kuthic, a Democrat, has been appointed clerk for Wayland Township in the wake of a court ruling that LeRoy Russell, clerk for the last 18 years, now is ineligible because he lives in the City of Wayland.

The Wayland High School chapter of the National Honor Society is having a holiday toy collection drive and those interested in donating may call PY2-6061.

The Wayland basketball team crushed Hopkins 72-45, as four Wildcats scored in double figures, including Lee Pankratz, 18 points; Mel Spencer and Rick Middleton, 16 apiece, and Rock Blok 12. Dave Kerber led the Vikings with 15 points and Don Walker had 10.

“The Man Called Flintstone,” an animated film, was showing at the Wayland Theatre.

Recovering alcoholic Loren Bishop stopped in at Hopkins High School to make a presentation on the dangers of smoking and drinking. Student Kathy McEwen declared, “I’ve never smoked or drank before, and now I know I never will.”

Students of Mrs. Rhoda Irvine presented a piano recital at the Wayland VFW Post No. 7581.

Mrs. Lorna Clyma, wife of Wayland High School Principal JC Clyma, was slated to sing solo “Great Bambino” at a special holiday program at the Congregational Church.

The New Vaudeville Band’s “Winchester Cathedral” returned to the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes.

75 Years Ago — Dec. 12, 1941

The Globe front page headline read, “War Is Declared! Following a dastardly attack without warning by the Japanese at peal Harbor, Hawaii. President Roosevely declared a state of emergency existed and congress immediately declared war on Japan.”

The Globe noted several local connections with the news. Mr. and Mars. Karl; Gustafson were living in Honolulu, where he was working as a government contractor. Among the boys in the service were Donald Sooy, Harold Hinckley, James Carpenter and Bob Wisniewski. Local American Legion Commander Harold Reinhart announced a joint meeting of area organizations to coordinate local defense activities.

About 450 people attended the special Charter Night festivities for the new Wayland Rotary Club at Wayland High School’s auditorium. Presentation of the charter was made from Rotary District Gov. C.W. Bemer to Wayland Rotary President Russell Rugaber. Among the guests was Kim Sigler of Hastings, who five years later was elected Michigan governor.

Night Marshal George Douglas has been donning his new uniform furnished by order of the Common Council. “Modern conditions have so changed the picture and make it necessary for for all officers to be in uniform in the performance of their duties,” explained Editor Rollo Mosher.

A defense training course in metal work is being offered at Wayland High School to all young men ages 17 to 25.

The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball was set to play at Byron Center for the last game of 1941.

Mrs. Margaret Edwards, 61, who came to America from England at age 7 before the turn of the century, died at her home near Bradley.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

  • Lynn Bari, John Sutton and Dan Dailey Jr. in “Moon over Her Shoulder.”
  • Warsen William in “Secrets of the Lone Wolf.”
  • Robert Cummings, Catherine Ducet and Guy Kibbe in “It Started with Eve.”
  • Wild Bill Elliott in “King of Dodge City.”
  • Maxine Rosenbloom, Victor Jory and Rochelle Hudson in “The Stork Pays Off.”

 

100 Years Ago — Dec. 8, 1916

Andrew Jackson of this community was killed when the auto he was driving was struck by an interurban car just north of Martin. His wife was seriously injured, but expected to recover at Borgess Hospital. The Jacksons were returning from Allegan on business when the incident occurred near the old Plank Road, where a bell had been placed because of increasing traffic. Jackson came to Wayland from New York in 1850 and established his house in 1871.

A letter writer described the recent development in which a Mrs. Hunt and her two children, ages 10 and 7, were allowed to move into their own house because of the generosity of neighbors and local churches, especially Mr. and Mrs. Charles Decker.

An oyster supper and bazaar at the Bresson Resort, Gun Lake, took in $48 for the Ladies Aid Society.

District No. 4 in Leighton Township reports a 94.2 percent attendance in November with teacher Alice E. Gaylord.

John Damoth had the misfortune of mangling a hand while working on a machine at his farm. Dr. J.E. Bryson dressed the wound.

Deputy Sheriff Will King of Moline has reported seven arrests for violations of the dog quarantine, with offenders ordered to pay $10 fines each.

The Globe was presented with a bouquet of dandelions and told of the harvest near Byron Center of a quart of strawberries, owning to the recent spate of unseasonably warm December weather.

While presenting a list of “Star Students,” Wayland High School opined, “The fact that they are better students than nearly 100 others in this high school is evidence that in the proper time they will be leaders in this community, perhaps the state and the nation.”

William Clemence of the Martin area was killed while working on the railroad. He had come to the United States from England only five years ago.

The Wayland primary school was reported to have had a particularly grand chapel program that included a lot of band and orchestra music, under the leadership of Lwellyn Anway. It was noted, “The final encore was a genuine band sneeze.”

PHOTO: John Postma stands in front of his gas station on the northwest corner of 142nd Avenue and 22nd Street in Dorr Township.

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