25 Years Ago — Feb. 5, 1992
After receiving a $980,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Amcorn of Bradley will build a $1.3 million plant that will change the status of the business from paper mulch producer to paper mulch consumer by re-routing tons of waste paper from landfills.
Diane Spencer, 24, of Wayland, was found guilty in Allegan County Circuit Court of first-degree murder of her six-month-old son, Aaron. She admitted to suffocating her child and is a suspect in the deaths of her two infants in Pennsylvania.
Alex Liceaga was elected mock mayor of Gun Lake to preside over the 1992 Winterfest festivities.
A 14-year-old Wayland youth has been apprehended in connection with the arson fore at Wayland Junior High School Jan. 22. He also is suspected of larceny, according to Police Chief Dan Miller.
Dr. John Hanleski of the Michigan Department of Commerce was to be guest facilitator for the Feb. 6 meeting of the Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce to explore the possibility of Gun Lake being incorporated into a village.
Wayland schools has formed a district-wide committee to implement a plan for “Schools of Choice,” mandated by the State of Michigan.
Wayland Township elections now will be overseen by a computer that reads paper ballots in voting.
Wayland Township voters in August will be asked to approve a proposal for a half mill to support the Henika Public Library in the city. The township now pays $500 a year, only a tiny fraction of the library’s budget, despite having one-third of the population served within the library’s service area.
The Wayland High School wrestling team will be shooting for a second place finish in the O-K Gold Conference meet behind Cedar Springs.
With eight games remaining in the season, the Wayland varsity basketball team is still seeking its first victory. Will Moore nailed five three-pointers against Byron Center, but he and his teammates lost 81-62.
Hopkins now is 2-3 in its league and 4-6 overall after an overtime 76-75 win over Tri-Unity Christian.
Martin stands at 2-5 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and 3-9 overall after beating Marcellus, 50-45.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 1, 1967
Billed as an old-fashioned blizzard, a severe winter snowstorm buried the city and forced residents to lodge people who couldn’t get to rural residents. A bizarre twist was that just two days before the blizzard hit there was a tornado warning for Allegan County.
The Globe reported, “Telephone, television and radio kept everyone aware of weather conditions and a majority of families comfortable, a far cry from the plight of our forefathers of merely a couple of generations ago.”
The trio of Leeps from Shelbyville, Nick, Andrew and Henry, has been named among the 20 Outstanding Farm Managers of the Year by Michigan State University.
Walt Wenzel, Ted Green, Bill Conwell, Richard Capon and Russell Culver have been elected to seats on the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Joe LaValley, J.L. Smith, Lou Miedema, Dale Cramer and James Drake.
Elementary parent-teacher conference in the Wayland district were reported to have an 83 percent participation rate.
Kevin Woote, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Wooten of Wayland, died at his home from anoxia, a plugging of the air passages. Firefighters arrived at the home, but could not revive the child.
Wayland High School senior James Levandoski, as part of a government class project, sent a get well card to President Lyndon Johnson, who was undergoiung gall bladder surgery. He receive a thank you note that included a huge photo of the president, his wife Lady Bird and daughters Lucy Baines and Lynda Bird.
The Rev. Lawrence Maines, executive direrctor of the Michigan Association of Christian Churches, was scheduled to speak at the Congregational Church about its plans to merge with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ.
The number of businesses in Allegan County has grown by 2.6% in the last year. Wayland, which has the third largest total, behind Allegan and Plainwell, increased from 80 to 84 during that period.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 6, 1942
“Milk prices had advanced to 12 cents per quart last Sunday, which is quite a jump all at one time.”
Sugar rationing books will be next in the war program.
The Grand Rapids Herald next Sunday will publish a special full-page spread of photos and stories about Wayland. Author Tom Malloy has been spending time in the village interviewing people.
First aid courses are being conducted at Wayland Schools under the auspices of the American Red Cross.
Mary Bullis of Allegan County Cooperative Extension Service will speak to the Parent-Teacher Association at Wayland High School about “Nutrition and Its Relation to National Defense” and Allegan County Agriculture Agent A.D. Morley will talk about “Gardens for Victory.”
Globe Editor Rollo Mosher called it “The year’s biggest and best movie picture, Sergeant York,” is coming to Wayland Theatre Sunday, starring Gary Cooper and telling the story of an American soldier who single-handledly captured at least 125 Germans during World War I. Because of the length of the film, the customary starting time was moved back to 2:30 p.m.
The American Legion Auxiliary was to have a potluck in Saugatuck and members were asked to being along cigarettes, candy, etc. to be sent to service selectees with mothers who are Auxiliary members.
Members of the grad school and high school have purchased more than $550 in savings stamps and bonds since Jan. 5.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Johnny Weismuller, Maureen O’Sullivan and Johnny Sheffield in “Tarzan’s Secret Treasures.”
- Featured with Gary Cooper in “Sergeant York” were Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie and George Tobias.
- Rosalind Russellm Don Ameche and Kay Francis in “The Feminine Touch.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 2, 1917
Thomas Hazen and his son, Henry, died 38 hours apart at the home of Mrs. Jeanette Ames. Henry, age 66, died first, and Thomas followed soon after nearing his 100th birthday. The Globe described both as Wayland area farming pioneers on their 160-acre property.
The village election will be held March 12 and caucuses are being planned for nominate candidates.
The Helvetia Milk Condensary has announced production of a record 70,000 pounds of milk in one day during the past month.
A Ladies Literary Club quartet sang “Fair Fountain” and “Come Where the Lillies Bloom” at the group’s recent gathering. Also featured in the musical program were the quartet performing, by request, “Tommy the Cat” and two trombone selections by Cleo Fox. Closing the program with a vocal trio were Fox. Phila Deuel and Mrs. William Schuh. The groups’ next program will focus on mythology.
Anna Kurdleski said she saw famous actor John Drew in Grand Rapids Wednesday evening.
There will be no chapel at Wayland School this week.
“Anyone might infer from reading an item in the Globe two weeks ago about the fire at the Charles T. Haywood residence on East Superior Street was due to carelessness. But the facts were that the water pipes beneath the floor had frozen and in thawing same an oil stove was placed under the pipe with an old piece of carpet, which caught on fire.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has installed a new bell after it arrived from Caledonia.
The families of Lee Calkins and of Editor George Mosher have been released from quarantine after a scarlet fever outbreak.
Naman Frank, owner of Frank’s Opera House, has announced he is bringing in the film drama “Whispering Pines,” starring Helen Holmes, who also headed the cast in the recent favorite “The Girl and the Game.” The “Liberty” series will continue.
The county roundup of the Farmers Institute will be held in Dorr Feb. 9 and 10, with the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church serving dinner in the basement of the church for 25 cents apiece.