(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 5, 1994
Arson is suspected in a fire that destroyed the historic Carriage House Restaurant, a former fixture in Martin, relocated across the expressway to a site in Watson Township. The building, constructed in 1880, once was a three-story funeral home, a boarding house, a veterinary practice, all the corner of 10th Street and 118th Avenue. After a contentious battle over granting a liquor license, it was moved by owner Gordon Lyons.
John and Nancy Grivens, owners of the Martin Raceway, won a recommendation from the Martin Township Zoning Board of Appeals for a special use permit to sell beer and wine at the facility.
The Wayland Union Schools’ bond proposal top build a new middle school and upgrade technology, won by a count of 1,135 to 1.022.
Larry Amborski of Wayland wrote a letter to the editor to protest Jose Blanco buying a registered voters’ list at Wayland City Hall. “No wonder people have lost all respect for politicians, from city councils on up to Hilly and Billy.”
Elizabeth Arms penned a letter critical of Police Chief Dan Miller for not making public what transpired in the recent traffic accident involving a reserve officer. Shelly Flora blasted the character of the three officers involved.
Joseph Steven Smith, 18, of Martin, was killed in a traffic accident when his car collided with a tractor-trailer on Patterson Avenue in Leighton Township.
Wayland High School student Gina Garza spearheaded a campaign to collect about 7,000 to help Skyler Lull of Allegan raise money to defray costs of receiving a liver transplant.
Unbeaten and fifth-ranked South Christian showed Wayland why with a 35-6 decision on the gridiron.
Hopkins, meanwhile, is 5-0 and state ranked after defeating Allendale and Portland. Leading the charge were QB Tim Hibma, running back Scott Langlois and the defensive prowess of Ron Gibson and Tim Kisner. The Vikings have outscored their opponents 251 to 34 in the five contests.
Martin, however, is struggling with a 0-5 overall record. Josh Conley scored the Clippers’ only TD in a loss to Lawton.
Joe Konecny and Matt Meussen both carded a 34 for nine holes when the ‘Cats defeated Thornapple Kellogg, but they finished fifth in the rugged O-K Gold.
Jason Young came back from illness to record a fine time of 17:19 to lead Wayland to a 25-30 win over South Christian.
The Martin girls’ varsity basketball team is ranked No. 3 in the latest Class D state poll with a 9-0 record. Michelle Mazei, Millie Kruzel, Kristin Fraaza and Tracey Smith are leading the way.
Sophomore Angie Farmer drilled 30 points in Wayland’s cage victory of Sparta, improving the ‘Cats’ record to 7-3 overall.
Wildcat champions in the Wayland Invitational Tennis Tournament were Gina Garza, Kelly Jo Walma, Jennifer Halloran and Kim Nieuwenhuis, Tricia Elvin and Adrienne Crow, and Brooke Warner and Julir Martin.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 1, 1969
Layout artist Mrs. Lewis Nakken and the Globe were visited by Wayland High School students Joylyn Kotrba, Sharon Snook, Dan Oglesbee, Renee Purdum, Cindy Dewey, David Kamyszek. Ron Patterson, Susie Chapple and A.J. Predum, with teacher Mrs. Kenneth Ritz.
Trooper Stanley Burkhardt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burkhardt, has transferred from the Jackson post of Michigan State Police to Jonesville.
A portion of a Globe front page appread in “The Voice,” a magazine published by the Independent Fundamentalist Christian Churches of America. It was a photo and article of Wayland Calvary Church’s champion quiz bowl team. The Rev. Neil Horn declared, “The Globe goes everywhere but behind the Iron Curtain.”
“Slickers” posing as Consumers Power employees have been offering local homeowners free wiring inspections.
Douglas Woodford, 18, Portage, was killed by a car while walking just north of the Martin exit on U.S.-131.
The latest state aid payment to Wayland schools is $132,000. Martin will get $75,500 and Hopkins $76,500.
Dr. Charles S. May of rural Hopkins died at the Allegan Health Center. May, 89. Had been an optometrist in the Allegan area for 42 years.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, in his “Helmey at the Helm” op-ed, commented on recent charges against Green Berets in Vietnam, “War is spawned by governments, not by men in uniform. When the government trains men for war… we must accept the consequences of actions taken in the line of duty.”
Pfc. Stephen Johnson has transferred from Qui-Nhon to Pletku in Vietnam.
“Vietnam Diary” columnist Barry Brower, a 1963 Wayland High School graduate, wrote thios week, “How do you visibly tell the difference between Vietcong or Vietcong sympathizers from South Vietnamese citizens?”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Don Knotts in “The Love God.”
The United Methodist Church annual stewardship drive is being led by Everett Mutschler, Robert Crofoot, Donal Mellon, Neil Summers, Charles Andringa, the Rev. Bernard Randolph, Jerrold Chrisman and Richard Overmire.
The Wayland Grange Booster Night and potluck featured piano music by Andrea Smith.
Maple Valley defeated Wayland 22-19 on the gridiron. Tom Latondress scored on a 60-yard pass play, Mike Chrisman scored six points on a short run and Tom Bala kicked a 25-yard field goal. The awful part of this was the Wildcats led 19-0 at the half.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 6, 1944
George R. Wilson, former treasurer of the Village of Wayland, died of a heart attack at his home in South Carolina. His funeral was to be held at the Archer Funeral Home in Wayland.
Author and lecturer Albert Parry, who grew up in Southern Russia, will give a presentation about the mysterious nation at the second in a series of Rotary-sponsored public affairs programs at the Wayland High School auditorium.
Harold Koster placed canned foods at a business window downtown and promised they were free “until the OPA changes its mind.”
Major Bud Malmstone, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Malmstone, one of the most decorated pilots in the Pacific Theatre, was spending part of his 23-day furlough at home.
The Leighton Community Grange Free Fair will be at the hall Oct. 6. Featured will be displays of local farm garden produce, baked goods and antiques.
Mrs. Grace Jackson was elected president of the Willing Workers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sgt. Bill Hooker, who was on a boat struck by enemy fire during the Normandy Invasion June 6, said if he never saw a beach ever again in his life it was all right by him. He and other soldiers in the decorated Fourth Infantry are advancing on Paris.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, is the last day to register to vote in the 1944 general election, featuring athe presidential contest between incumbent Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt and Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey.
Worthy Matron Mildred Pease entertained 24 guests at the Order of Eastern Star Hall Friday evening when the “Mystery Pals” were revealed.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- The documentary film “Dangerous Journey” by Armand Denis and Leila Roosevelt.
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and the Tennessee Ramblers in “Ride, Ranger Ride.”
- Don Ameche, Dana Andrews, Charles Bickford in “Wing and a Prayer.”
- Red Skelton, Esther Williams, and Xavier Cugat and Harry James and their orchestras in “Bathing Beauty.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 3, 1919
A huge crowd of buyers appeared at F.D. Cutler’s Rag Apple Sale of livestock at the village park Despite a constant drizzle, receipts for 77 Holsteins totaled more than $23,000. The most expensive was a cow and her calf for $1,100.
Michigan Bell Telephone has issued a request to raise annual rates to $30 and $33 for businesses, $21 and $24 for residences, and from $21 to $30 for farms.
Bernice Watts and Mattilda Joldersma will be librarians at Wyland High School this academic year.
The Martina and Wayland High School football squads played to a 12-12 tie.
High school home economics students are launching a fund-raising drive to purchase a new piano.
As report cards are due soon, Wayland Schools announced, “Last year it happened sometimes that a parent refused to sign the card if the marks were not satisfactory.”
Jacob Roszak of Dorr, Dick Andrews of Bradley, Wavin Svetsek of Wayland and C. Schans of Moline all have decided to quit farming and are having auction sales.
Allegan County Farm Bureau Agent Alfred Bentall reported, “The labor situation makes it still more necessary that we pay more attention to matters of labor saving machinery and the high cost of feed makes it necessary the number of horses kept be as few as possible.”
Mrs. Hazel Waggoner, mother of a 2-year-old girl, died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Grinage, three months after suffering an illness.
The Farmers Club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Baitman of Moline tp elect officers. Next meeting will be at the home of the Ray Trautmans.
George R. Wilson was appointed village treasurer to succeed Arthur Deuel, who died recently at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
The Christian Church and the Rev. Fay C. Wing will have a special program on “The church and labor problems of today.” As usual, there will be two films shown Sunday evening.
Anti-Can’t Club members will serve at a special banquet honoring all area service members who fought overseas. Cost will be $1 a plate. Dock Heydenberk, one of Wayland’s most decorated soldiers, is expected to be on hand after discharge.