(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 31, 1994
Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller is investigating a charge of failure to file a police report in a timely manner after reserve officer Beth Miklusicak was involved in a traffic crash on 12th Street north of the city. County authorities were not summoned to her house until more than two hours after the incident. She was reported to have been seen consuming alcoholic beverages with part-time officer Christine Wells at the Wayland Hotel earlier that evening.
Three accidents at the corner of 144th Avenue and Division have prompted calls for corrective action, but Burl Ghastin, Allegan County Road Commission Traffic and Safety Director, said the corner doesn’t meet the criteria needed for a four-way stop or flashing light.
Among the Wayland schools retiring employees honored recently were Gerald Omness, LaVonna Berry, Richard Wiley, Jeanette Schwartz, Marylin Wiersma, Berdine Dettar, Ken Pearson, Evelyn Jansen, Marion Butler and Kristi Modreske. It was noted that between them, they put in a total of more than 290 years of service to the district.
Public safety officials associated with the Operation HEMP (Help Eliminate Marijuana Planting) program have reported a decrease in number of contraband plants harvested. One officer said he surmised that either there is less planting or the growers are getting better at hiding them.
Allegan County Undersheriff Larry Ladenburger told the Globe that some of proceeds from drug offenders is being used to help with DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs in area schools.
Coach Cheri Ritz indicated she is very optimistic about the prospects for her girls’ varsity tennis team. Leading the returning veterans are Elaine DuBridge, Kelly Walma and Gina Garza.
Jason Young and Kristin Wilcox are the top returnees on the Wayland cross-country team this fall.
Coach Loren VanPortfleet and the first-ever Wayland High School boys’ soccer team, with 13 players, is getting ready for its first game, against Grand Rapids Baptist.
Brian Ballone was preparing for his first meet as head coach of the Wayland High School girls’ swim team.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 27, 1969
The Wayland Board of Education has announced a reduction of the debt retirement levy for Steeby Elementary, from 3.7 to 2.9 mills.
Joseph LaMore of Wayland was the highest bidder in buying the old and now defunct Hooker School building in Leighton Township at a price of $2,650.
The Allegan County Health Department issued a statement that all parents should have their children properly immunized before they send them to school, regardless of grade level.
Martin Schools Superintendent Robert Brandon said he plans to have in place a new speech teacher as the final piece of fielding a complete faculty before opening day Sept. 3. Teachers and the school board approved a new contract that calls for a starting salary of $6,750 and the highest pay level at $10,050 for someone with a master’s degree.
Ground was broken for the new Moline Christian Reformed Church building. The Rev. Leonard Bessenbroek is pastor and Don DeYoung is chairman of the building committee.
Martha Ballard has been hired to succeed Vincent DeJong as speech, journalism and language arts teacher at Wayland High School.
Vern and Steve Alflen and Herman Huls attended the North American Congress for farm implement dealers in Milwaukee.
Former Wayland High School teacher and coach John Wild has been promoted to lieutenant colonel for the Air Force Academy. In civilian life Wild is principal at Sebawing High School.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Walt Disney’s “Peter Pan.”
The Rev. George Bontikoe, superintendent of Mel Trotter Ministries, will be guest speaker this Sunday at the Wayland Calvary Church.
Allegan County Retired Teachers members attended a program at the Martin United Methodist Church about the struggles of Africa’s poorest country, Rwanda.
Coaches for the Wayland High School football program this fall will be Gene Knobloch and Richard Akers, varsity; Rick Morse and Rick Tokarchick, junior varsity, and Linden Anderson, freshmen.
Globe columnist Charlie Frost, in his weekly “Surveying the Sports Scene, flatly stated, “You have to fumigate Tiger Stadium after they (the Detroit Lions) play.” He also predicted them to have an awful season, but they went 9-4-1 under head coach Joe Schmidt.
Carl Blue, a Wayland High School student, landed a 26-inch pike from the Rabbit River.
The Rolling Stones ended the long No. 1 streak of Sager and Evans by taking over the top spot with “Honky Tonk Women.”
75 Years Ago — Sept. 1, 1944
Coming directly from the South Dakota State Fair to take top entertainment billing in the Allegan County Fair later this month will be Ernie Young and the State Fair Revue.
Hopkins Public Schools’ starting date has been delayed from Sept. 5 to Sept. 11 because of the high demand for farm labor.
Jack Gurney received a welcome phone call that his son Murlin has arrived in SanFrancisco after serving more than two years with the Marines in the Pacific.
Ted Willis has been promoted to lieutenant while serving with the Sea Bees, but he recently broke his right hand.
The Herrington Beauty Shop has taken over in the building that formerly was home to the Doll House Restaurant on South Main.
Wayland Grange members were scheduled to discuss prophecy about what life will be like 25 years in the future. Mrs. Ruby Smith was to have a surprise feature.
Guy Smith is recovering in a naval hospital after suffering broken bones in a fall from a gang plank at an English port.
Sgt. Frank Mlynarcheck returned from the service overseas after more than two years, in time to be the special guest for the family reunion, with Andrew Mlynarcheck as patriarch.
St. Stanislaus Church in Hilliards is expecting to serve more than 1,200 hungry patrons at the annual chicken dinner and fair next Sunday. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher admitted he stuffed himself the previous Sunday at the combined dinner from St. Therese and Sts. Cyril & Methodius. The Rev. Fr. Adelbert Radwoski earned his praise for supervising the event.
For Mauchmar is awaiting his classification while undergoing training in California, whether he will be a bombardier, a pilot or a navigator.
Pvt. Kenneth Pratt graduated from Army Air Force Training Command Department of Armaments in Lowry Field, Colo.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jimmy Lydon and Diana Lynn in “Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid.”
- Robert Lowery and Jean Parker in “Navy Way.”
- Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland and Warner Baxter in “Lady in the Dark.”
- Errol Flynn, Paul Lukas and Faye Emerson in “Uncertain Glory.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 29, 1919
The Wayland school building has been redecorated in time for the start of the academic year. Wayland High School has been accredited by the University of Michigan, so students who graduate from a prescribed series or courses designated as collegiate won’t have to take an exam to enter college. Floyd Broughner is superintendent and Dacie Haines principal.
Seventy-five people attended the Tanner Reunion at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. William Wright.
H.W. Shattuck and son Clinton visited sister and aunt Mrs. C.M. Sias in Wayland. Clinton is reported to be a celebrated track star in Milwaukee.
Lewis Wesley, formerly of Wayland, died at his home in Grand Ledge. He was operator and ticket agent for the local depot. In past years he worked for the GR & I and operator.
Mary Jane Stringham, wife of Hiram Stringham and a charter member of the local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), died at the age of 80.
The comedy “It’s a Bear,” starring Taylor Holmes,is being shown at Frank’s Opera House.
The U.S. Department of Labor has reported that the cost of living has nearly doubled for the last six years.
Members of the WCTU had lively discussions at their last meeting about the effects of alcohol and cigarettes on children and on the issue of whether people who are childless have the right to give advice on parenting.
The Globe published pictures of the Travis Implement business and Travis Warehouse in a double-page feature spread on the businesses the company owns.
John F. Stowe’s original theater production of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was coming to town Wednesday, Sept. 3, under a massive water-proof tent. The players were coming in a train of motor cars, trucks and trailers.
Mrs. Mary Corning, 77, died in Wayland after living in West Michigan since 1859.
Frank Cornwell, 69, died at his homestead in Shelbyville. He had been a master’s degree Mason at the Bradley Lodge.
COVER PHOTO: An old-fashioned barn raising on the Wayland Township property of Clayton Jackson’s grandfather.