25 Years Ago — Dec. 25, 1991
Dave Stebleton of the Dorr Business Association presented awards to Frank and Marilyn Bastian, Charlotte Kadwell and Glen Snyder for being selected to the organization’s hall of fame. Marilyn Bastian and Mrs. Kadwell are both retired educators, Frank Bastian is a retired transportation supervisor of Wayland schools and “Silent Sam” Snyder is best known for his very active community volunteerism.
Two of the things State Rep. Paul Hillegonds mentioned in his year-end Soapbox column as things he’s grateful for were “journalists with an unbending belief in freedom of speech” and “a Michigan Republican Parry leadership that has forcefully denounced the racism, bigotry and fear mongering of David Duke.”
Jennifer Bond penned a letter to the editor defending the Michigan Model, singling out “calm breathing” for stress reduction. By contrast, Christine Schwartz wrote a letter criticizing the Michigan Model for the same thing.
Wayland Emergency Medical Services personnel issued a public warning about the agency’s volunteers suffering from burnout, which some said led to Manager Bob Farrell’s recent decision to leave Wayland for a job in Saginaw after only three years.
Fire destroyed a pole barn on the Dorr Township farm of Herm Potter, causing about $80,000 in damage.
Wayland won the Allegan County wresting tournament, helped along by state powerhouse Allegan sending only its “B” team. All 11 Wildcats won medals and four, Mike Merren (112 pounds), Scott Kelch (140), Jason Stanton (152) and Kris Shyne (171) were champions. Martin had two champs, Lloyd Foster and Buzz Hunderman.
The Wayland varsity basketball team lost to Caledonia 58-53 and by a wider margin to South Christian. Coach Jim Orlowski’s Wildcats are still winless thus far, despite the promising offensive and rebounding performances by sophomore Matt Barghan.
Wayland finished second in the Allegan volleyball tournament.
The Hopkins varsity basketball team was humbled by state-ranked Allendale 90-50, despite 24 points from Zack Wilson and 17 by Kelly Reynolds.
Karen O’Patik opened Rudy’s Restaurant at the site of the former Dog ‘N Suds on South Main, Bell’s Family Restaurant and Diana’s Family Restaurant.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 21, 1966
Seniors Gary Finkbeiner and Cathy Gilbert, juniors Kay Graham and Kathy Smith, sophomore Lois Sykes and eighth-grader Cathy Seifert earned 4.0 grade point averages during the second marking perios at Wayland Senior and Junior High School.
Mrs. Clem (Adah) Clawson of Martin, referred to as a “pioneer” in the area, had her Christmas poem “Remember?” published on the front page.
Wayland’s basketball team has hit a rough patch, losing 59-50 to Middleville and 76-41 to Kenowa Hills. Rich Blok scored 17 points for the ‘Cats against TK and Mel Spencer added 13.
Christel Schnieder, a foreign exchange student at Wayland High School during the 1965-66 academic year, wrote a letter to the editor noting she has graduated from High school in her native Germany and plans to attend the University of Saarbrucken next spring. She stayed with the Lee Miller family while living in Wayland.
Wayland High School’s most famous alum, Fireman of the Year Phil Regan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, stopped in at the Globe office and told interesting tales about touring Japan with his Dodger teammates. He indicated he plans to bring his all-star basketball team to play area coaches this winter in a charity game.
Wayland City Council members adopted an ordinance permitting the special assessment process for construction and development and services for residents.
Inclement weather postponed the Wayland schools’ annual Christmas concert until Thursday evening, Dec. 22, at the “boys’ gym.”
Mrs. Robert Marutz, wife of the Wayland High School athletic director, earned a master of science degress in speech from Michigan State University. She is an elementary teacher in the Wayland school system.
The Rev. Neil Horn, pastor of the Wayland Calvary Church, has announced it has purchased two buses to transport people to Sunday School and other church functions.
Senior Dennis Boggs wrote a brief story about complaints against some Wayland High School students abusing their driving privleges in bringing their cars to school.
Senior Valerie Jager wrote a story about a visit from professional musician and comedian Vic Hyde, play played four trumpets all at the same time for an assembly program.
Mrs. Harold Hinckley has been hired to fill the growing needs of the local Wayland schools’ food service program caused by consolidation with rural schools. Her husband, Butch, is the chief cook.
The Monkees took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top 40 tunes with “I’m a Believer.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 26, 1941
Hundreds of children and young folks in the Wayland area were treated to a free Christmas matinee Saturday, sponsored by the Wayland Theatre and American Legion. Meanwhile, their parents were encouraged to shop downtown Wayland while the kids were occupied.
A nativity scene has been on display at the village bandstand. Also on display is a series of paintings by local artist Russell Perry, sponsored by the Businessmen’s Association.
Two hundred educators from Allegan County traveled to Battle Creek to meet with officials of the Kellogg Foundation and ask about applying for financial help for school modernization.
The newly-purchased village fire truck was summoned for its first run, a car fire that destroyed a vehicle owned by Harold VanEssel, but the blaze was extinguished before spreading to a nearby house. The cause of the fire was determined to be faulty wiring.
Wayland’s school system is initiating a job opportunities inventory for high school seniors. Thirty-seven students will interview at with local employers to determine what kinds of qualifications are needed in today’s labor market.
Servicemen Leo Baweja and Jack Henderson wrote letters to the editor describing their experiences in preparing for military conflict.
Trapping enthusiast Joe Bellgraph was able to catch two white muskrats near his home west of Wayland. The critters are regarded as very rare in these parts.
Now showing this week at the Wayland Theatre:
- Robert Stack, Frances Farmer, Ann Rutherford, Broderick Crawford, Lon Chaney Jr. and Andy Devine in “Badlands of Dakota.”
- William Gargan in “Flying Cadets.”
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in a “Hold that Ghost.”
- Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth in “You’ll Never Get Rich.”
- Ilona Massey, Alan Curtis and Binnie Barnes in “New Wine,” a biography of composer Franz Schubert.
100 Years Ago — Dec. 22, 1916
Many Christmas programs were being planned for Sunday school services in the area, including a cantata, “Around the World with Santa Claus” at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Globe received a couple of well-wishing holiday season letters from former residents Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Irvin of White Salmon, Wash., and Dolly Briggs of Chicago.
Practice is beginning at Wayland School for the play “Jepthah’s Daughter.”
A state traveling library service has been applied for on behalf of Wayland grade school students.
Among local teachers going to their hometowns for the holidays is Mr. Hoyt to Willmar, Minn.
Top stars in spelling were Leon Anway, Ermabelle and Ralph Whitcomb.
Mrs. E.S. McIntyre is very ill with appendicitis and has undergone surgery in Grand Rapids under the care of Dr. Richard Smith.
George Stearns of near Shelbyville has just installed a new gasoline engine to power his milking machine.
Halloran’s Orchestra is providing the music for the Christmas dance at Yeoman Hall in Bradley. Bracelin’s Orchestra of Allegan will furnish the music for another dance at Yeakey Hall.
Mrs. Ada Bachel, a delegate from Colorado to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, stopped in Wayland for a meeting at a private residence to inform club members the WCTU has been buoyed by recent electoral developments in Michigan and other states.
Longtime local resident J. R. Stauffer died at his home on Maple Street.
All District No. 8 Shelbyville school classes in geography are studying salt maps. Seventh-graders, mostly boys, have just completed their study of “A Man without a Country.”
Lucia Bostwick, a native of Mexico, died at age 83 in her home in Hopkins Township. She came here with her husband in 1856 and had a brother who died at Andersonville during the Civil War.