25 Years Ago — April 8, 1992

Gov. John Engler’s proposed deep cuts in state government spending on adult education programs will cause drastic reductions in services offered by the Wayland Community Edfucation program. Director David VanEerden said if Engler’s cutbacks are adopted, the local program wouldn’t survive another two years.

The Wayland City election, as expected was very quiet, with just 99 people bothering to cast votes. Mayor Linden Anderson was the highest vote-getter with 88. Councilwoman Marie Hall was re-elected and newcomers Paul Kaczanowski and John Bilski were elected without opposition.

Three more students have been expelled at Wayland High School for “engaging in disruptive, hostile, threatening and aggressive behavior.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held and construction has begun for 12 new classrooms and renovations at Martin High School. Martin school district voters had a approved a 4.4-mill bond proposal in September 1991.

John Schut became the first member of the Hopkins FFA to be elected president of the state-wide FFA organization.

Diane Smith, Diane Butler and Michael Kelly were the three candidates for two open seats on the Wayland Board of Education and Roxie Muczynski was the only candidate for a two-year seat to fill out the remainder of Lee Pankratz’s term.

In Hopkins there were seven candidates for two open school board seats, including incumbent Vice President Bill Schoonveld, Don Buist, Kim Fifelski, Christine Schwartz, John Johnston, Dennis Kennedy and Larry Vollink.

Three candidates for Martin Board of Education were Naomi Martin, Art Shook and Gordy Noble.

The Wayland City Council approved the expenditure of $10,000 to start work on improvements at the City Park. The state had approved a grant, but the State Legislature had not yet released the money.

Rick Tokarchick was named regional wrestling coach of the year. He had a 232-150-8 dual meet record in his 23 years at the helm and his 1978 team set a national record for most pins in a tournament, 26, which was broken the next season.

Kevin Stone set the Wayland school record in the shot put with a toss of 51 feet 10 inches at the Michigan State University Spartan Relays.

Pitcher Jenny Fearnow headed the list of returning veterans on the Wayland softball. Coach Andrea VandenBerg said her team was setting its sights on bettering its third-place finish a year ago in the O-K Gold Conference.

50 Years Ago — April 5, 1967

Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, in a front-page editorial, came out strongly against a proposed development of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners to replace the current County Board of Supervisors. He opined that the change would further centralize local government at the expense of the grass-roots level.

Eight “Romney Girls” from Wayland were recognized in a ceremony with the governor at the State Capitol. The girls, chaperoned by Wallace Wakeman, were Jan Hendrixson, Bobbette LaValley, Mary Torrey, Lesley Wakeman, Cheryl Brower, Debbie Ward, Linda Feldwisch and Beth Kessler.

Wayland city voters rejected Allegan County’s request for one mill to repair bridges, but it passed on the county-wide ballot.

Airman 3-C Jerry Noteboom of Dorr, a graduate of South Christian High School, died of a brain hemorrhage will training at the Vandenberg Air Base. He was 21.

Less than half of Wayland’s 800 registered voters took part in the first city election. They elected Don Shafer, William Conwell and Marshall Towne to council seats.

The City Council and new City Manager Blaine Bacon noted Wayland had surpassed $5 million. Local officials acknowledged the biggest problem they had to deal with was lack of a local ambulance service.

Thieves using an acetylene torch broke into the Herb Chevrolet garage on West Superior Street and stole about $400 worth of materials.

Pfc. Robert Foote of Wayland suffered an arm injury when his truck hit a land mine in Vietnam.

Hopkins Superintendent John Andreson held a special meeting with parents of students attending Sycamore School in Dorr to talk about possibilities of annexation by Hopkins.

George Shannon was named plant manager at Kessler’s Undies and Woolies and David Low was appointed assistant manager.

The Disney movie “Moneys Go Home!” was showing at the Wayland Theatre.

Mike Ignatoski of the Hopkins chapter of the FFA was the winner of the state-wide poultry broilers contest.

The Turtles spent their third week in a row atop the Top 40 tunes list with “Happy Together.”

75 Years Ago — April 10, 1942

Ward Arbanas was announced as valedictorian of the WHS Class of 1942 and Don Gurney was salutatorian. The remaining top 10 scholars were Janet Averill. Catherine Dobson, Queen Ward, Loren mauchmar, Eileen Brog, Jim Miles, Donna Culver, Bill Manning, Kathryn Haywood and Gerald Oetman.

Robert O. Kinsman was named manager of the West Michigan office of Michigan Berll Telephone, based in Grand Rapids.

Fred Bennett has sold the Wayland Hotel business to Hunter & Taylor of Grand Rapids. He and his wife subsequently embarked on a trip to the American Southwest.

Allegan attorney Chester Ray spoke on the topic of “Democracies: Their Rise and Fall” at a meeting of the Allegan County American Legion.

The annual spelling bee is being planned for April 22 and teams from Hopkins, Dorr, Martin and Moline have indicated interest in joining Wayland. Admission is 10 cents per person.

A Defense Party will be held April 28 at Wayland High School.

Absences of area children due to a chicken pox epidemic have been acknowledged by school districts.

Adelbert Chapman, 93, regarded a pioneering local farmer, died at his current home in Hudson.

The Sauger School Extension Group, in keeping the theme of “Heath and Nutrition,” put together a dinner that included vegetable chowder, meat turnovers, health sandwiches, jello and coffee.

Valentine “Bill” Baweja of Dorr reportedly has arrived safely in Australia where he is serving with the U.S. Army.

Harold “Butch” Hinckley of Wayland sent his mother Easter lilies from a ship at sea in the Atlantic Ocean where he is stationed with the U.S. Navy.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

• Ann Sheridan, Jack Oakie, Martha Raye and Jack Haley in “Navy Blues.”
• Marlene Dietrich and Fred MacMurray in “The Lady Is Willing.”
• Jane Darwell and Jane Withers in “Young America.”
• Brenda Joyce and Bruce Edwards in “Marry the Boss’ Daughter.”
• Dick Foran, Leo Carillo and Andy Devine in “Road Agent.”

100 Years Ago — April 6, 1917

“The United States are now at war with Germany” after adoption of a resolution by both the U.S. House and Senate. The Helvetia Milk Condensary has been under guard every night… “to prevent the possibility of any damage being done on account the probability of war… The company’s product is a great necessity in a time of war.”

Wayland Township has voted to raise up to $4,500 for road building in a nod to the growing population of motorists.

In official township election results, Charles Ellis was chosen Leighton supervisor, Charles Mapes clerk and Robert Smith treasurer, all Republicans. In Dorr, it was Democrats William Herp for clerk and R. J. Borris treasurer.

The Ladies Library Club heard a presentation by Mrs. Maby on “The Money Master” by Gilbert Packer. Entertainment was provided by solo vocalist Elizabeth Gilbert and a trio sung by the LCC Quartet.

John McIntyre has closed his barber shop and moved to Charlotte.

Pryor Brothers has installed a fine electric lighting plant at their mill on the north side of town.

Mrs E. L. Calkins, president of the state-wide chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) will be guest speaker a special program April 9 at the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Frank A. Burlington has sold his stock of groceries to Laban Barnhart, who will open a meat market. Barnhart has bought a Ford truck and improved the business’ side entrance on Main Street.

Otto K. Gleason, a prosperous newspaperman, has bought a cottage on Gun Lake, and Editor-Publisher George Mosher has speculated on whether West Michigan readers will see stories about the big fish caught there.