(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 30, 1994
Martha Thomas, 83, of Wyoming, was struck by a hunter’s stray bullet in a freak accident while visiting her brother at his home on 133rd Avenue. Michigan State Trooper Lane Booms, Wayland post, said it is up to the Allegan County prosecutor as to whether any charges of careless use of a firearm will be filed as a result.
Though Hopkins Township contracts with Professional Code Inspections of Dorr for building, mechanical and plumbing inspections, Lansing-based authorities insist the State of Michigan be used in handling building inspections.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox entry this week, listed a plethora of useless, but famous Christmas gifts. Making the list were mood rings, the Ronco Slicer-Shredder, clip-on ties, underwater ball-point pens, Capt. Marvel code rings, eight-track tapes, pet rocks, Pop Beads and, of course, “Cha Cha Cha Chia.”
The Globe published a photo of Sarah Brenner of Hopkins, narrator of a video of her father, Bruce, who produced “Farming in High Gear.”
In the Globe’s winter sports preview, the Hopkins boys’ team and coach Mike Oshinski appear to be optimistic with the return of super sophomore point guard Tim Kisner and starters Tim Hibma, Jeff Reynolds, Scott Van Bonn and Ryan Rewa.
Wayland hoops coach Mike Hudson, beginning his second season, said he expects his squad is facing a rebuilding year after winning a district championship.
Martin coach Joe Orr is counting on 6-3 veteran three-year starter Richie Guerrant, but no other Clipper has a lot of size.
The Airport Lanes “High Flyers” team won the WWMT-TV Channel 3 Team Challenge with bowlers Eva VanDussen, Mary Kerber, Cindy Mohn, Patsy Smith and Betty Smith.
The Globe published two related stories on new local businesses Errands Unlimited with Shannon Brown and Cathy Carpenter of Dorr and on Relief Services Unlimited with Sue Ribbons of Wayland.
Raymond Beaver, 81, of Hilliards, died. He had been a lifelong member the St. Stanislaus Church, Wayland VFW and the Knights of Columbus.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 26, 1969
“Operation Thank You” members Jim Levandoski, Harry Rybiski, Mrs. David Whittredge and Mrs. Willard Benedict were pictured tallying up the more than $200 in donations for gifts to servicemen overseas in Vietnam.
Walter S. Dodson will present “A Taste of Israel” for the next Rotary-sponsored travelogue at the girls’ gym at Wayland High School.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” starring Dick VanDyk and Sally Ann Howes.
C.H. Sebright, a serviceman in California, wrote a letter to the editor commenting on the recent Vietnam War moratorium protest. He said, “I hate to think these demonstrators of today will be our leaders of tomorrow, for if that is the case, the U.S. will be a track team and all of us will be participating in running events.”
Former Gun Lake resident Clifford Swanson, 64, was killed in a hunting accident.
Santa Claus is coming to town for the annual holiday parade at 7 p.m. Friday evening, Nov. 28, according to Chamber of Commerce President Walt Wenzel.
The Globe’s weekly recipe feature was about Gerda and Maryrose Bishop, both Belgian natives who promoted a dish from their native land.
Allegan County historian John Pahl spoke to the county retired teachers’ group about his recent trip to Ireland.
The Wayland High School girls’ basketball team, led by Mary Lou Worfel, Pam Rairigh and Julie Kessenich, defeated Otsego 36-6.
Herb Chevrolet has been placing a weekly classified ad asking anyone who witnessed the famous fire downtown in the summer of 1965 to contact the auto dealer.
The Allegan County 4-H program has added snowmobiling.
Michigan State Police troopers’ wives are planning a Christmas party in a meeting at the home of Mrs. Charles George and Mrs. Robert Golm as co-hostess.
The iconic sports song, “Na Na, Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam took over the No. 1 spot among the nation’s tunes.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 1, 1944
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported that five to six inches of snow fell, causing the village snowplow to make its first appearance of the season.
Navy signalman Guy B. Smith is enjoying his furlough in New York City while recovering from a fall from a gangplank in England.
There are rumors a black bear was sighted near Ely Lake in the Allegan State Forest.
Warren Darwin Lapham, a Wayland High School graduate who attended Western Michigan University, earned his commission as a pilot at the Army Air Field in Victoria, Texas.
Hilbert Bysterveld of Wayland was awarded the combat infantryman badge for his services in Italy.
Fred Moses, a longtime streetcar conductor who lived in Wayland for about 30 years, died at Allegan County Hospital. Also a janitor for Wayland schools and a sailor in the Great Lakes, he was 77.
Mrs. Joseph Panyrek has reported her husband is serving in the Army with the Seventh Division. He is a staff sergeant on a unit that is steadily advancing in France.
Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, will be War Bond Day, when any customer who purchases a war bond will be admitted to the movies free of charge.
A two-wheel light green trailer and gas-powered washing machine was stolen from the garage of Al Palenick of Green Lake.
Walt Gurney will have the lead role in the WHS Senior Play “Ghost Train.” Top supporting roles are taken by Donna Rule and Hugh DeWeerd.
Ted Niemchick has arrived home in Wayland from overseas. His brother, Bill, is recovering at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids from a gunshot wound he suffered in a hunting accident. Bill gets a tetanus shot every three hours.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in “San Fernando Valley.”
- Janet Martin and Allegan Love in “Call of the South Seas.”
- Pat O’Brien, Robert Ryan and Ruth Hussey in “Marine Raiders.”
- Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The data for 100 years ago was not available this week because the Microfiche materials were undergoing renovations at the Then & Now Historical Library.