(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 26, 1994
A Muskegon County judge has ruled that Allegan County Clerk-Register of Deeds Joyce Watts may hire her own attorney rather than be forced to used the county prosecutor in a legal action between her and the County Board of Commissioners.
The Allegan Country Health Department has reported there are unacceptable levels of harmful organisms at Selkirk Lake and Round Lake, showing high levels of fecal coliform.
Jon Campbell, vice chairman of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners, penned a special guest Soapbox in an attempt to clear up misconceptions about the emergency 911 issue on the November general election ballot.
Kelly Schmidt wrote a letter to the editor insisting everyone is responsible for themselves and their actions.
Jackson’s Western Store in Wayland and Marshall Plastics Film in Martin were named outstanding businesses by the Allegan County Alliance, and Mary Ellen Mynatt DeYoung won individual honors as owner of the Johnson Agency.
Fred Green and James Rybicki are filling two vacancies caused by the resignations of Laura Sheppard and Jan Striegle on the Wayland Township Planning Commission.
Joe Orr has been hired for a one-year contract as new head varsity basketball coach at Martin.
Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk wrote a letter to the editor” “It is vitally important that we promote a culture that is not morally bankrupt,” in his position against left wing liberal myths about democracy.
The Globe published a note, “A number of letters endorsing candidates were received this week. It is the policy of this newspaper to publish letters that deal with issues.” The Globe suggested letters supporting or opposing candidates be submitted instead as advertisements.
Wayland schools social worker Eleanor Lish has been chosen Region C Social Worker of the Year.
Hopkins’ bid for an undefeated season in football was ruined by Olivet, 19-15. Furthermore, the Vikings’ hopes to join the Class C post-season playoffs now are in jeopardy.
The Wayland High School soccer team endured a brutal week, losing by shutouts to South Christian, Middleville, Caledonia and Calvin Christian.
Wayland High School graduate Phil Regan has been named manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Regan was a star pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
Martin finally claimed a victory on the gridiron, as Andy Davis scored four touchdowns in a 54-8 romp over Bloomingdale.
Michelle Mazei scored 18 points to lead the undefeated (15-0) and state-ranked Martin girls’ basketball team to a 64-40 victory over Marcellus, handing the Clippers their eighth SAC title in the last nine years.
The Wayland varsity football team squeaked by Caledonia 24-22 on a blocked punt by Matt Brower and 60-yard recovery by Kevin Bala. The ‘Cats now are 5-3 overall.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 22, 1969
Wayland City Council voted unanimously to seek help from the newly-established Allegan County Department of Public Works in securing financing for a sanitary sewer system. The issue has been defeated at the local polls twice in the past year.
Wayland High School is planning its first-ever Saturday afternoon homecoming parade in an effort to salute alumni. The homecoming game still be Friday night, against Byron Center.
The Vietnam War Moratorium event was a rather quiet affair, with the most noise perhaps made by 17 faculty members, led by Fred Comer, in condemning America’s role in the war overseas. Student Council President Tom Lanning gave a speech on “Why War?” Gary Doublestein played guitar and sang folk songs. About 25 students, led by Neil Ellinger, presented the other side of the debate.
A home owned by Mr. and Mrs. James Bourdo in Shelbyville was destroyed by fire. Firefighters said it was a total loss except for the washer and dryer.
Spec.-4 Michael Evans was killed in a traffic crash near Lima, Ohio, where he was receiving treatment for wounds he received in Vietnam. He was the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones of Wayland.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey was busy on the editorial page. He opined in favor of the bond issue Oct. 27 for a new Wayland High School. However, he wasn’t so charitable about the local protests against the Vietnam War. “We all fervently want the war to end… moratorium fans don’t care how… An overwhelming majority of Americans demand the war be concluded with honor.”
Dick and Rusty Dutkiewicz of Dorr sent the Globe a letter suggesting Wayland school officials approve the use of books that expose the lies and treachery of communists.
The Wayland freshman football team defeated Middleville 20-0 to remain unbeaten under the tutelage of coach Linden Anderson. The varsity, however, lost 36-6 to the Trojans, with Mike Chrisman scoring the lone TD.
Word has been received about the establishment of a John Wild Athletic Memorial Scholarship, with the funds being kept in a bank in Sebawing. Wild, longtime coach and athletic director at Wayland, died of a heart attack earlier in the month at age 46.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Andy Griffith in “Angel in My Pocket.”
75 Years Ago — Oct. 27, 1944
The State Highway Department had four automatic traffic counters at the downtown intersection to determine the timing of green and red light indications. The first-ever traffic light is expected to be installed soon, for which the village will pay and the state will maintain.
Wayland Fire Chief Cliff Averill and assistant Chief Merle Rairigh have announced they are purchasing a new front mounted pump for the fire truck.
The Village of Wayland is seriously considering curb and gutters work on the streets after learning the state and federal governments are willing to share costs.
The village has agreed for the second straight year not to put up Christmas lighting in an effort to conserve electricity during wartime.
Pfc. Albert Lynema of Shelbyville was wounded in action on Palau Island in the Pacific and was recovering in a New Guinea hospital.
The Rev. William P. Gumser, retired pastor from the Wesleyan Methodist and Evangelical Church, has died.
The Youth Council from the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, Gun Lake, is planning a Halloween Masquerade Dance Saturday evening.
Austin Bowman, a resident of the area for all of his life since 1866, died at age 78. He had been in the lumber and coal business with Ivan Hunsberger.
Moline soldier Jerry Ham was promoted to sergeant and awarded a Bronze Star for heroic actions in a tank battle in France.
Bud Roon has been elected president of the senior class at Hopkins High School and June Moored is president of the junior class.
Mrs. Harrison Jackson and Mrs. Andrew Smith attended the Home Extension meeting at Wayland High School and presented a lesson for local women at the home of Mr. Robert Smith.
Congressman Clare Hoffman, in an advertisement, reported, “I voted against the New Deal legislation which called increased taxation and spending billions and billions of dollars for boondoggling.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Constance Moore and Brad Taylor in “Atlantic City.”
- Smiley Burnette in “Laramie Trail.”
- Bing Crosby, Rise Stevens and Barry Fitzgerald in the Academy Award winning “Going My Way.”
- Sonny Tufts and Paulette Goddard in “I Love a Soldier.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 24, 1919
From Wayland school officials: “We insist all social affairs, whether high school or grades, if given the name of the school, should be chaperoned by one of the teachers.”
Mr. Fell “gave a splendid address” and there were musical selections by Ethel Jensen, James Halloran and the misses Montgomery at the Community meeting Oct. 17. Elected president of the parents’ group was Homer Brown and Lillian Buskirk vice president.
The Wayland football squad put a gallant, but losing fight at Otsego and lost the services of players Marion Sherwood and Morris Eggert. “We admire your pluck, boys, in sticking to a losing game.”
An eighth-grade Halloween party is planned at the home of Lucille Crocker.
Second-grader John Ayers wrote a report on his birthday party in which his mother brought out a jar of beans and asked children to guess how many. Edward Brog won the contest by guessing 62 when the jar contained 65.
Roll call for the next Wayland Rural Grange meeting will be answering the question, “Why are you a Granger?”
Donald Sooy sang three favorite selections to members of the Ladies’ Library Club — “Love’s Old Sweet Song,” “Old Black Joe” and “Old Folks at Home.” The ladies claimed Mr. Sooy was blessed with “a most pleasing voice.”
Later in the LCC program, Elizabeth Clark sang, “The Darkies’ Cradle Song.”
A number of people around Bradley already have begun to put in their winter coal. “It looks as though winter is coming.”
The library in Wayland will be open from 2 to 5:30 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from Nov. 1 to June 1.
Lee Calkins suffered serious injuries when the horse he was driving was spooked and took off, throwing him into a stone gutter next to the Beall Brothers business. He was rendered unconscious and was taken to his South Main home.
The Globe has begun publishing in serial form Booth Tarkington’s “The Magnificent Ambersons.”
The Wayland Bakery, in its advertisement, “No substitutes are used in baking — we use pure lard exclusively.”
