(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 2, 1994
Henika Library Director Lynn Mandaville and Hopkins Library Director Alice Hazen appealed to the Allegan County Board of Commissioners for a per capita raise in support for the county’s libraries, from 22 to 30 cents.
Watson Township Building Administrator Kenneth Pardee said he hasn’t seen any evidence yet of demolition of the old Carriage Stop Restaurant building. Glenn Leep and Donald Kern are trying to assure im the work will be done very soon.
Doug Havens was granted narrow approval from the Wayland Township Planning Commission for rezoning to accommodate a bed and breakfast and restaurant on 130th Avenue. Havens plans to have a 60-seat restaurant and 20-seat lounge.
Shane Towne wrote a letter to the editor asserting he believes a local police officer is out to get him as some kind of smart aleck.
Four state-wide proposals will appear on the November general election ballot: a constitutional convention, limiting the number of criminal appeals, establishing a natural resources trust fund and amending Michigan’s no-fault insurance law.
Michael Geisel wrote a letter to the editor taking issue with Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk’s letter the week before criticizing the character of his wife, Faith Geisel.
Among the candidates for state offices on the November ballot are Jose Blanco of Wayland Township running against Republican State Senator William VanRegenmorter and Terry Delp of Wayland opposing State Rep. Paul Hillegonds. Blanco’s ad used the slogan, “Hometown values, state-wide concerns.”
The biggest county issue on the ballot will be changing the funding for the emergency 911 program.
Jeffrey Scott Travis, 35, was arrested in connection with the recent robbery of the United Bank branch at Gun Lake. The arrest was the conclusion of investigation by Allegan County Sheriff’s Detective Frank Baker and Lou Quinn of the Michigan State Police post in Wayland.
The Wayland High School football capped its best season since 1973 with a 22-6 win over Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. The Wildcats had been 5-4 for four consecutive seasons under coach Ed Lark.
Hopkins finished its regular season with an 8-1 record after clobbering Martin 46-0, but missed the post-season football playoffs. The six Viking TDs were scored by Tim Kisner, Tim Hibma, Brad Francis, Shannon Bird, Grant Kern and Jeff Reynolds.
Angie Farmer drilled five three-point field goals and Angie Burmania added 16 points, but the Lady Wildcats were edged by South Christian 63-62 to fall to 10-7 overall.
Jason Young qualified for the state Division 2 cross-country meet by finishing 13th in the regionals. Teammate Brian Swanson just missed the cut, as did the Wayland team, which placed fourth.
The Martin girls’ basketball team now stands at 17-0 and continues to be ranked No. 3 in the latest state-wide Class D poll.
Doug Goodwin, Dan Miller, Eli Frank, Gary Rorye and Gerrit Rorye combined efforts to place in sixth in a regional bowling tournament.
The Country Market Place in Dorr welcomed Dutcher’s Last Stand, a comics and sports card business.
John Tuinstra of Dorr, placed a large display advertisement opposing the re-election of Allegan County Probate Judge George Greig. He was upset with Greig’s ruling to allow Mary Martin of Moline to have the feeding tube keeping her husband alive removed.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 29, 1969
Teacher’s aides Virginia Smith, Mrs. Robert Marutz, Mrs. Rick Morse, Mrs. Gordon Smith, Mrs. Dale Armintrout, Mrs. Jack Buist and Mrs. Neil Bulteman have begun their work in helping students catch up academically.
By a vote of 636 to 533, Wayland school district voters rejected a bond proposal to build a new high school.
Hopkins district voters next week will decide on a proposal to fund building a new elementary school.
Thwe former Dorr Raceway Lodge has been relocated from its track to Gries Memorial Park by the Dorr Recreation Association.
Hazel Riedlinger, former worthy matron of the Wayland chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and mother of Globe plant manager Robert Riedlinger, died at age 79.
Dick’s Market owner Dick Dutkiewicz was injured seriously in a traffic crash near Hastings. He was taken first to Pennock Hospital and then to Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Sister Mary Ruth of St. Therese penned a letter to the editor praising Irv Helmey’s critical editorial against anti-war protesters during the Vietnam War Moratorium at Wayland High School. She suggested many local people may have their potential “yes” votes to the bond proposal to “no” because of the event.
On the other hand, George Towne, a 1968 Wayland High School graduate and a student at Michigan State University, said it is time for the United States to admit it made a serious mistake getting involved in Vietnam and should bring the troops home.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Hilbert presented a program on their Alaska trip to to members of the Ladies Library Club.
Mrs. Holis Kent of Martin was elected treasurer of the Allegan County Sunday School Association’s executive council.
About 400 people were reported to have attended the Wayland Ministerial Association’s “Festival of Faith.”
Ann Bender and Bob Merren were elected king and queen of homecoming festivities at Wayland High School, but the Wildcats suffered a 12-6 loss to Byron Center, which hadn’t won a game in two years. Coach Eugene Knobloch’s group now is 1-5 for the season.
The Wayland High School freshman football team remained undefeated in its six games by pasting the Hopkins junior varsity 34-0.
John E. Salski, a 1966 Wayland High School graduate, was elected vice president of his fraternity at Grand Valley State College.
Elvis Presley scored his first national No. 1 hit in almost eight years with “Suspicious Minds.”
Now showing at the Waylkand Theatre: My Side of the Mountain.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 3, 1944
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported that Wayland Township now has the largest number of registered voters in its history, 1,165.
Wayland Village Treasurer Elizabeth Clark has announced that all but $1.35 in taxes has been collected this year, a rate of 99.95 percent.
Ten members of the Wayland Rotary Club made the trip to Marcellus to help that village organize its club.
The local American Legion post had a pheasant feed featuring birds that were hunted down by members.
Charles Doublestein is recovering from battle wounds in a hospital in Italy and he received his Purple Heart. He has two brothers, Robert and Erwin, serving in the military.
The Honor Roll listing for local veterans is near completion and will be dedicated Nov. 10.
Sgts. Harley and Alvin Truax met up in France after not seeing one another for more than three and a half years overseas.
Second Lt. Ellert Hendricksma is recovering in a hospital in Italy after being wounded in action. He received a Purple Heart.
A barn on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kinert south of Bradley was destroyed by fire. The couple was unaware until being alerted by passing motorists.
Cpl. Mitchell Laker received a commendation for his services in communication on the island of Guam.
Wayland schools has won its second consecutive Safety Cup from the Automobile Club of Michigan.
Staff Sgt. Wayne Aubil has won commendation for his abilities as a mechanic for airplanes flying out of England.
Glenn fales has sold his blacksmith shop tp Merle Rairigh.
Merrill Barrett wrote a letter published in the Globe from France.
Donna Blue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Blue, performed a violin solo of DeBeriot’s Concerto in A Minor at the Young Artists’ concert in Kalamazoo.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Paullette Goddward and Sonny Tufts in “I Love a Soldier.”
- Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines and William Demarest in “Hail the Conquering Hero.”
- Robert Watson and Alexander Pope in “Hitler Gang.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 31, 1919
Allegan County farm Bureau Agent Alfred Bentall, in his weekly column, wrote, “Not a pound of product should leave the American farm that does not bring the cost of economic production and reasonable profit.”
Roosevelt Day was celebrated in the Wayland schools, causing a change of dates for the assembly exercises.
Members of the home economics class are studying the costs of educating a woman for a year in high school.
Student enrollment at Wayland is 48 in the first and second grades, 28 in third and fourth grades, and 40 in seventh and eighth grades.
Carmelita Waite entertained on the piano, Lillian Buskirk gave a presentation on basketry, and county demonstration agent Miss Woodworth gave a presentation on “pictures” to the Ladies Library Club.
A masquerade dance is planned for Saturday night at Vrooman’s Hall, Green Lake. Music will be provided by Barnaby’s Orchestra.
Longtime Mason O.P. Gordon died and his remains were brought to Hopkins station for a funeral.
Neihbors made a bee for Roy Edgell and disinfected his barn.
District No. 7 teacher Kate Smith sponsored a box social with proceeds of $24.60 to be used for improvements at the school.
A three-reel movie, “Jepthah’s Daughter,” will be shown at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Christian Church on West Superior Street.
The Congregational Church will celebrate its 40th anniversary with three days of programs, meetings and a dinner in the basement.
The sermon topic of this Sunday’s service at the Methodist Church will be, “Some Intellectual Aspects of the Christian Religion.”
Supt. Floy Boughner and Miss Dacie Haines are attending the Teachers’ Association convention in Detroit this week.
William Stockdale was taken to a hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment of a hernia he suffered.
Allegan is planning a gala “Victory Festival” exactly one year after the armistice was signed, on Nov. 11. Entertainment will be provided and food served to soldiers and sailors from the county.
