PHOTO CAPTION: The Wayland High School Marching Band performing at the Allegan County Fair parade in 1954. This photograph was taken in Allegan by Clayton Baugh and was donated by Mildred Baugh to Then-Now Genealogical-Library. (From left) Drum Major Marie Finkbeiner, Director Arthur Steward (front row: Robert Crofoot Jr. Behind him is: Mary Ann Witherell Baton Twiller: Ruthann Heth and Eileen Witherell
(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 12, 1994
Groundbreaking for two- and four-unit apartments soon will be under way in Orangeville Township on Marsh Road across from Blue Lagoon Road.
The former location of the Carriage Stop Restaurant in downtown Martin will be taken over by the Ken Bleeker Insurance Agency after the Village Council approved a special use permit.
Meanwhile, the Carriage Stop building in Watson Township, which recently burned down, was given an extended deadline until Dec. 31 to vacate and clean up the premises.
Pat Staley, in the weekly “Soapbox,” too the state to task for its insistence the Wayland Board of Education waste its time by adopting a resolution declaring it to be a family friendly district.
Faith Geisel penned a letter maintaining that freedom of expression comes with a pricetag, referencing Fuzzy’s Videos in Leighton Township expanding its offerings of adult entertainment.
Renee Oldebeeker wrote a letter expressing disappointment with a local police officer who didn’t have ID to buy a videotape but was driving his patrol car without a license. She concluded, “The laws for them are different than for you or me.”
Veronica LeMaire wrote a letter defending Police Chief Dan Miller in the recent incident in which part-time officers were involved in a traffic accident.
The Dorr Township Board endorsed an Allegan County solid waste proposal to allow all waste to go to any municipality that would accept it.
The bridge on 14th Street off 135th Avenue has been closed by the County Road Commission because it is deemed to be unsafe.
The Watson Township Board has adopted an “aggressive” plan to upgrade local gravel roads for the next two years.
Hopkins, ranked No. 9 in the latest state-wide poll, blasted Bellevue 62-0, setting up a showdown with O-K Silver Conference co-leader Comstock Park. Jerry Funk successfully booted six of seven extra point attempts and Scott Langlois tallied three rushing touchdowns in the first quarter.
Matt Meuwssen cared an 18-hole score of 85 and Joe Konecny had an 86, but the Wayland golf team settled for sixth place in the regional tourney.
Martin is is still winless in six ballgames this fall after a 48-0 drubbing at the hands of Lawton.
The Wayland High School football team is now 4-2 after bouncing back from its loss to South Christian with a 37-27 decision over Sparta. Steve Sevigny had three touchdowns and 10 tackles.
Carley McCully scored 10 poimnts off the bench in Wayland’s easy victory over Allegan and Angie Farmer and Jessica McEwen each had 13. The ‘Cats, however, lost to Grand Rapids Catholic Central and all-state 6-2 center Jennifer Hamilton.
The Martin girls’ basketball team is now 12-0 and ranked third in the latest state-wide Class D poll. The Clippers are gunning for their eighth SAC championship in the last nine years.
Jason Young broke the WHS cross-country record by recording a time of 17:04 at the Lakewood Invitational, eclipsing the standard set by Chris Mercer in 1980.
The No. 4 doubles team of Brooke Warner and Julie Martin was O-K Gold tennis champion and the Wildcats tied for second in the final standings.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 8, 1969
Wayland Schools Supt. James Thomas, in his latest “Your School Operation” column, continued his sales job on the bond issue for a new high school, pointing out that it would only cost the average homeowner an additional $36 a year.
Wayland jeweler Jack Cook has been elected president of the Michigan Square Dance Leaders Association.
The Rev. Fr. William Kobza has begun duties as pastor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius and St. Augustine Church in Middleville.
Mrs. Etta Jones Linsley, a longtime cook at Wayland High School, retiring in 1962, died at Sunshine Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was 57.
The Wayland City Council continues its search for a new city manager to succeed Blaine Bacon, who left to take a similar post at Lowell.
John Wild, successful and beloved former Wayland High School football coach, died in Sebawing, where he was principal, after announcing a football game. He compiled an impressive career record of 93-15-5 while guiding the Wildcats. He also was a lieutenant colonel with the Air Force Reserves.
Officials at the Wayland Christian Reformed Church broke ground for an addition to the building, which was constructed in 1957.
Both the Wayland senior high and junior high marching bands were scheduled to present the halftime show with 145 performers for the football game Friday night against defending Expressway Conference champion Caledonia.
The Rev. Fr. Bill Kobza, the Rev. James Smith and the Rev. George Vander Welt combined efforts on a letter to the editor taking issue with Irv Helmey’s defense the previous week of Green Berets arrested for war crimes in Vietnam. Their main point was that Germans has been tried, convicted and some even executed for the same kinds of crimes against humanity in the 1946 Nuremberg Trials.
“Vietnam Diary” author and Wayland High School grad Barry Brower said in his latest column, “In all seriousness, I am quite satisfied with my duty in Vietnam. I consider myself to be quite fortunate to have been assigned to my current position.” He is a media specialist.
The Wayland Garden Club is planning a fall color tour including the Devil’s Soup Bowl in Yankee Springs.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Walt Disney’s “Hang Your Hat on the Wind” and “Rascal.”
“Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies continued to be No. 1 on nationwide music charts.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 13, 1944
After Albert Parry’s presentation last week on Russia, Rose Hum Lee of Chicago will be guest speaker for a program on China in the continuing series of Rotary Club International Understanding lectures at the Wayland High School girls’ gym.
The Wayland football team, has defeated Middleville 31-0 and Hudsonville 9-0 thus far and will play at Kelloggsville Wednesday.
President Joanna Kinney welcomed 34 members to this season’s first meeting of Ladies Library Club.
Mrs. Emma Vorbeck, 71, died at the Resthaven Nursing Home in Kalamazoo after suffering congestion of the lungs and she had been in a coma for three days. She lived in Wayland for 28 years.
Though he died at age 53 in South Carolina, George Wilson’s funeral was held in Wayland. He had been a cashier at the Wayland State Bank and treasurer of the Village of Wayland.
The Allegan County Republican Committee ran an advertisement warning that more than a million eligible Michigan residents failed to vote in 1940, noting, “Browder, Hillman and the communists are registered and they will vote. Will you?”
R.C. Stevens, building contractor of Kalamazoo, placed a display ad asking for applicants for jobs helping build a residential rehab and vocational training center for returning war veterans. It promised, “Indoor toilets, shower rooms, and heated tool and coat rooms.”
Mr. and Mrs. Norris Schuh of Wayland have learned their son, Bill, is serving in France under general George Patton. Bill has told them the French have some wines “that will put blisters on your stomach.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick and Ted Donaldson in “Mr. Winkle Goes to War.”
- William Henry, Beverly Loys and Grant Withers in “Silent Partner.”
- Linda Darnell, Lyn Bari and the Benny Goodman Orchestra in “Sweet and Low Down.”
- Carmen Miranda, Don Ameche and William Bendix in “Greenwich Village.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 10, 1919
“There is every indication that there will be a large attendance at the banquet and social evening tendered by the Soldiers and Sailors of Wayland tonight at Yeakey’s Hall.” Fisher’s Orchestra of Kalamazoo was to provide the musical entertainment.
A special community meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, to discuss important issues faced by local schools, with Supt. Fell of Holland as guest presenter.
Hazel Waite was elected president of the freshman class at Wayland High School, which raised $15 toward the purchase of a piano.
F.D. Cutler, in a letter to Globe readers, said his Holstein sale last month at village park included sale of 27 cattle to Michigan buyers, 19 to Indiana, 15 to Illinois, six to Kansas, five to West Virginia and two each to Nebraska and Ohio.
L.P. Reno has resigned his position as railroad agent and has taken a job as cashier at Wayland State Bank.
Ben Stockdale is engaged as a manual training instructor and assistant athletic coach for Flint schools.
L.A. Carner is putting in the foundation for a new garage on North Main Street after purchasing the Tourist Hotel property. George Carner now is occupying the upstairs living rooms.
New members welcomed into the Wayland Ladies Library Club include Wilhelmina Brown, Beth Mosher, Metta Sooy, Nettie Stokie, Georgia VanArsdale, Ida Mills, Ella Chapman and Elsa Russ. Fannie Hoyt, library director, is president of the group. Margaret Hanlon played a couple of piano selections for the group’s first meeting of the new season.
Wayland High School and Western Normal College graduate Arthur Deuel died. He had worked at the Bradley store as a youngster and later at the Wayland State Bank.
Henry Shute of Hastings was drowned while duck hunting at Mud Lake after the canoe in which he was riding capsized. He tried to swim to shore, but his last words to his companions were, “Good-bye, boys. I can’t make it.”
Ira Burleson, son of Fred Burleson, has been selected to remain with the Army of Occupation in Germany.
