25 Years Ago — Jan. 15, 1992
Three Caledonia teens, one age 
17 and two even younger, have been arrested in connection with the damage done to Hooker Cemetery in Leighton Township. Lt. Steve DeBoer of the Michigan State Police Wayland post said Silent Observer played a major role in determining their involvement.
The Allegan County courthouse now is entirely smoke-free, as are all county public buildings, as of Jan. 1.
The Rev. Brewster Willcox of the United Church of Wayland was pictured handing a $1,150 check to Diane Smith of the Christian Neighbors food pantry. The check was the money raised by the annual CROP Walk in Wayland in October.
Pat Staley interviewed Wayland High School’s four foreign exchange stiudents, Annaliese Odlebroek of the Netherlands, staying with the Renee and Roger Pitcher family; Tala Moga of Spain, staying with George and Lois Blanco; Simone Bussmann of Germany, staying with Dave and Ellen Gort, and Katherine Vlasica of Yugoslavia, staying with Phil and Janice Kuhtic.
Kelly Reynolds drilled four three-point field goals and scored 32 points, but Hopkins fell short, 76-66, of Covert, the state’s No. 4-ranked basketball team in Class D.
Martin absorbed a couple of close losses on the hardcourt to Saugatuck and Bloomingdale. Chip Nightingale, coach Dave Nightingale’s son, led the Clippers in scoring with 16 and 20 points in the two contests.
The Wayland volleyball team and coach Dennis Angulim have their sites set on recapturing next weekend’s Wildcat Invitational after East Grand Rapids broke their 10-year streak of championships. The Lady Wildcats were runners-up to Battle Creek St. Phillip in the Ferris State Invitational, with Janelle Tietsma, Stacie Bratsburg, Kristi Niewenhuis and Shannon VanPutten leading the attack.
Martin, despite depleted numbers, was runner-up to Coopersville in the Allendale wrestling tournament. Winning individual championships were Tim Dimock (189 pounds), Matt Salady (145) and Buzz Hunderman (103).
50 Years Ago — Jan. 11, 1967
Globe Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey had some editorial thoughts about Wayland selecting Blaine Bacon as its first-ever city manager: “Whether we we like it or not, there are no longer enough hours in a day for a councilman to work at making a living for his family and still devote precious time to the details of local government operations.” He said he thought Bacon was a bargain for his $7,500 salary.
Lee A. Currey, 78, former Wayland Globe employee and former publisher of the Burton Heights Beacon, died at Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. He had worked at the Globe until illness forced him to retire in 1966.
Paul R. Manning, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Manning of Wayland and a Wayland High School graduate, was named a vice president at National Bank of Hastings.
A Valentine’s Dance is being planned at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hillards for the benefit of the Precious Acres home for retarded children. Providing the music will be Irv Helmey, William Mauchmar and the Terrible Troubadors.
A new bridge has been installed over the Gun River four miles east of Martin.
The deadline to file for city elections is Feb. 13. Terms are expiring for Councilmen Marshall Towne, Richard Wilson and Bill Conwell Sr. and Supervisors William Mauchmar and J. L. Gurney. There also will be a one-mill request on the April 3 ballot to repair bridges in the county.
Willie Mullen is retiring from a 39-year career as a postal worker, almost 30 of them serving Hopkins.
Karen Parker of Grand Rapids wrote a letter to the editor taking issue with comments made earlier by former Editor Rollo G. Mosher in his “Observations” column. Mosher wondered why Negroes in the South didn’t riot and demonstrate, where there was evidence of worse racism. She wrote, “White people don’t understand that they (Negroes) are equally human and have the same desires as anybody — even you… We ‘colored’ people will get along just fine if people like you stop pointing out our accomplishments as anomalies.”
Plainwell hammered the Wayland basketball team 84-38, as Steve Sleeman scored 39 points for the Trojans. Mel Spencer led the Wildcats with seven points and Jack Konecny and Lee Pankratz added six apiece.
Dick VanDyk was starring in “Lt. Robin Crusoe, USN” at the Wayland Theatre.
The Monkees continued their streak at No. 1 on the music charts with “I’m a Believer.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 16, 1942
“Mountains of snow made parking on village streets a very hazardous proposition,” reported Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher.
Peffleys’ Sweet Shop has added a new soda fountain and a new counter is expected to arrive shortly.
Fire destroyed the farm house of Frank Cutler. Out buildings were saved by the new fire truck and Wayland Department, but contents and equipment were a total loss. The new truck also fought a fire at a West Superior home, as it was used three times within seven days after it first arrived.
William Herb, 61, who had been Chevrolet distributor in Wayland for the last 13 years, died Jan. 8.
Fred Yeakey was elected to a seat on the board of directors for Wayland State Bank, succeeding Charles McClintock, who left the community.
A “V for Victory” all-games party is being planned for the Friday evening at the Wayland school auditorium to raise money for the American Red Cross war fund.
Local farm equipment dealer Ed Alflen will offer a “Farmall Frolic of 1942” celebration at the Wayland school cafeteria Jan. 20.
The Leighton Grange plans a three-act play, an auction sale and music provided by the Grange Orchestra at the hall.
The Barkenall League basketball tournament is scheduled to get under way next week at Caledonia.
Rollo G. Mosher, in his “Observations” column, wrote, “Farmers, as a group, have got two big faults: They are not organized and they do not squawk loud enough about how, for the last 10 to 15 years, have been carrying too heavy a load.”
The Wayland school agriculture department has been granted a charter for membership in the Future Farmers of America (FFA).
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in “Sierra Sue.”
- Grace Hayes and Peter Lind Hayes in “Zis, Boom Bah.”
- Barbara Stanwyk, Henry Fonda and Edgar Buchahan in “You Belong to Me.”
- Roy Rogers in “Red River Valley.”
- Leif Erikson and Florence Rice in “The Blonde from Singapore.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 12, 1917
E.S. Linsley, who lived in Wayland for 20 years and was a school teacher here, wrote a letter to the Globe. He said Prof. P.A. Latta, superintendent of schools for Allegan County from 1870 to 1872, told him Wayland had “the best, brightest and most promising class of young ladies.”
Last week’s report that Fred Weaver was selected postmaster in Dorr was in error. The new postmaster is Earl Cheesebro.
The Ladies Aid Society of Corning served dinner at the church parlors for the Leighton Telephone Co. and and school teachers and their families.
School at Ohio Corners was back in session with Miss Kester of Plainwell as instructor.
Miss Bender, after spending a week in Detroit with her aunt, has returned to teacher her classroom at Dorr District No. 6.
The highest academic performances at the Shelbyville school were turned in by Leonia Noble, eighth grade; Pauline Howarth, seventh grade; Ruth Warner, sixth grade, and Ruth Mills, fifth grade.
Shelbyville school students returned from the holiday break to find patrons had raised enough money to but a fine new organ.
Leona Pickett, 24, daughter of Ensign Pickett, died of appendicitis at her home. Among her survivors are her son and husband. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Anti-Can’t Club.
Dorothy Wilde was left off last week’s listing of scholars in December at Wayland High School. Her grade was 94%.
A presentation of the comedy “The Sweet Family” is taking place at Frank’s Opera House.
C.G. Mabey had two entries in the Kalamazoo Pultry Show, with his pullets taking first and cockerels taking second.
G.L. Laker, while overturning a tree in the Gun Swamp, discovered a nest of five snakes, one of which was a rattler.
Leone Rankin was elected president of the eighth grade class at Wayland School.
PHOTO: At one time, Smith Lumber & Coal was referred to as the Businessmen’s Paper Press Association.
