25 years Ago — April 22, 1992
Stephen Lawrence, 36, and Candy Lawrence, husband and wife, have been charged with murder and arson in connection with the death of Stephen’s father, Willard, at his Gun Lake home on Elmwood Beach. Willard was a retired president of the Felpausch grocery chain.
Members of the Wayland Township Board have promised to re-examine the liquor license for the Players Club, formerly the Apple Core Lounge at the Orchard Hills Golf Course. The move was prompted by renewed complaints.
Randy Brenner, auctioneer for Brenner Auctioneers in Dorr, was the winner of a statewide contest in Lansing.
Dennis Warner, 26, of Hopkins, was killed in a traffic crash on 34th Street in Hopkins Township after his car struck a parked tractor.
Wayland was one of 15 school districts in Michigan to receive a state grant of $18,750 to extend the academic year by 20 days. Administrative Assistant Tom Tarnutzer said, “I hope the state will follow through the intent, but you never know what the legislature is going to do.”
Wayland High School student Beth Stewart won third place and $250 in Davenport College scholarship money in the “Food for Thought” contest.
The Wayland varsity baseball and softball teams won the Middleville Thornapple Kellogg Invitationals on the same Saturday. The Wildcats ran their team stolen base total to 45 and highlights were scoreless relief pitching from Robert Moore, a game-tying three-run double by Kris Koopman, and an extra-inning triple by Mike Wilson and game-winning single by Howie Koopman. Featured in the Lady Wildcats’ tourney title were solid pichiung from Jenny Fearnow and Kim VerBerg and 5-4 victory over O-K Gold Conference defending champion South Christian in the finals.
The baseball team now is 6-2 and the softball team is 5-3.
Kevin Stone set the Wayland school record in the discus throw at 147-6 and expects to add to that total as the season progresses.
The Hopkins softball team lifted its season record to 7-0, buoyed by timely hitting from Mary Sebright, Megan Pavlak and Tracy Ablett.
Kelly Reynolds tossed a five-inning no-hitter and Zack Wilson and Dennis Kennedy combined on a three-hitter as coach Mark Austin’s Hopkins baseball team took a twin bill to move its record to 6-0.
Neill Sanders, co-founder of the Fontana Ensemble Society in Shelbyville with wife Ann Meara, died at Mayo Hospital.
50 Years Ago — April 19, 1967
Don Borgic of the Wayland Wranglers and Diane Smith of the Leighton Sevenettes were master and mistress of ceremonies for the Northeast District 4-H Achievement, which included 4-Hers from Wayland, Dorr, Moline, Leighton and New Salem.
Melvin Huttinga, owner of Action Ambulance, told the Wayland City Council his company would need a monthly stipend of $1,237 just to stay in business in Wayland. The city has been seeking an ambulance service for some time, but took no action.
A federal grant of $27,522 will help pay for a summer academic program for 10 weeks in Wayland, starting July 28.
A civil defense police group is being organized for training in disaster response. Members include Richard Clack, Ronald Hines, Harold Rybiski, Dale French, Roscoe French and Don Bush.
Mrs. Phillip Reno and Mrs. Lewis Brandt were co-chairs of the American Cancer Society Wayland canvas.
First grade teacher Mrs. Frederic Hilbert attended a special seminar on remedial reading in Grand Rapids.
Marjean Lynema and Cindy Miller were Wayland High School’s two representatives at the Future Teachers of America conference in Lansing.
Wayland High School students Arlie Syers Jr. and John Nieuwenhuis Jr. both won trophies at the West Michigan Bassett Hound Trials in Hastings.
Lesley Wakeman scored four points and Sue Worfel added the other in the Wayland Girls Athletic Association’s 7-5 basketball loss to Martin.
Brenda Sinke wrote a letter to the editor questioning the U.S. government’s financial commitment to equipping American soldiers serving in Vietnam, of which her husband was one.
Julius Mutschler of Wayland received an award for distinguished service as director for two years for the East Allegan Soil Conservation District.
Paul Orman and Barry Burgess were elected elders at the Wayland Calvary Church, James Post deacon, Lewis Nakken lead usher and Harvey Bredeweg Sunday School superintendent.
The U.S.-131 Drive-In Theatre was showing “A Man Could Get Killed,” starring James Garner, Melina Mercuri and Sandra Dee. The film introduced the song “Stangers in the Night,” but only the instrumental version by its composer, Bert Kaempfert.
75 Years Ago — April 24, 1942
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher announced that all older men between the ages of 45 and 65 must register for the draft at the Village Hall.
Walter Ellis, a local pastor at the Christian Church and foreman of the Globe office staff, had to go to U.S. Marine Hospital in Detroit for an operation and would be sidelined for at least a month. Lee Curry of Watson is filling in at the Globe.
Margery Sebright, Janet Averill, Paul Taplin and Gladys Malina competed in the district speech contests. Sebright took first place in oratory declamation to advance to the regionals.
About 15 members of the Wayland Rotary Club plan to attend the Chatter Night in Cedar Springs.
Minnie Fowler was the winner of the community spelling bee and Beatrice Rairigh took first place in the junior division.
A Red Cross home nursing class will be offered in the community, taught by Mrs. Phillip Reno.
Retailers are being told they must register for sugar rationing at local schools.
Civil Defense volunteers are being sought in the community to help with the war effort, under the auspices of the Legion Auxiliary. Men and women are needed for police, first aid, air raid alarms and public works.
Wayland school third-graders are organizing a bird study group, Barbara Andringa is president and Virginia Burch vice president.
Wayland grade and high school students are beginning to make plans to plant a Victory Garden under the watchful eyes of their teachers.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry in “The Heart of the Rio Grand.”
- John Howard and Margaret Lindsay in “A Tragedy at Midnight.”
- Betty Grable, Victor Mature and Jack Oakie in “Song of the Islands.”
- Frederic March and Loretta Young in “Bedtime Story.”
- Elizabeth Bergner, Basil Rathbone and Randolph Scott in “Paris Calling.”
100 Years Ago — April 20, 1917
The Peter Foltyer family’s barn was burned on the Sweetland Farm, causing a loss of $800 for the building, not including livestock and equipment. Sheriff’s Deputy David Stockdale is investigating the incident.
Louis Hanlon read a paper on Queen Ester, Elizabeth Clark sang two solos and Ladies Library Club members’ roll call answered to “A trip I would like to take.”
Enlistments in the regular U.S. Army and National Guard now must be for the duration of the war.
The Schuh Furniture Store has been sold to local pastor and undertaker Fay C. Wing. Paul H. Shuh, who operated the business for half a generation, is moving to California.
The dog quarantine will be lifted May 5 in Allegan County by W.L. Harper, Livestock Sanctuary Commission Secretary.
Charles McKenna, president of Central Normal School in Ypsilanti, will be guest speaker at Wayland High School commencement May 31.
The Rev. and Mrs. Gray, missionaries to Panama, gave a talk about their experiences in that unique Central American country.
Leona Baker did all the scoring for the Wayland girls’ basketball team in a 9-8 win over Martin.
Otsego will send its baseball, basketball and tennis teams to do battle in Wayland Saturday, April 22.
About 40 YMCA boys and friends enjoyed a weiner roast at the Tarnutzer Woods south of town.
The excavation for the new site of the Wayland State Bank has been completed. The foundation is next, at the corner of Main and Superior streets downtown.
Ben Stockdale and Stan Eggert are members of the Western State Normal baseball team as pitcher and catcher. They were the battery in a 22-2 triumph over Albion.
Mrs. Clay Hollister of Grand Rapids was scheduled to speak to members of the Bradley Congregational Church at a Sunday potluck. Her son now is serving in the military in France.
