(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 31, 1999
The Globe published a front page photo of seven adult education graduates, including husband and wife James and LeeAnne Smith.
The third suspect in the recent spate of phony bomb threats at Wayland High School has been apprehended by authorities. The Wayland Boatd of Education expelled the juvenile from school.
Two Hopkins teens were killed in a traffic crash in Monterey Township and two others suffered injuries. The deceased were James Anthony Henry, 19, and Robert Wayne Stoffers, 18. Both were killed when the crash ignited a fire in the vehicle they were riding.
The smelly “Chip flip” contest conducted for Martin youngsters drew complaints about odor, but East Martin kids had fun the competition.
The Hopkins softball team has posted 17 consecutive victories under coach Mick Francis. Viking ringleaders are pitcher Heather Houseman and offensive-minded players Allison Miller, Kelli Fifelski, Lynette Belka and Pam Fuller.
A local sting operation has busted a few businesses in nearby Barry County for selling alcohol to minors.
A Great Lakes Energy employee grilled a frankfurter on a hot power line to demonstrate to students the danger of touching electric wires that have been downed.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote a piece in her Soapbox about “Werewolves behind the wheel,” or road rage motorists, making suggestions on how to cool down their anger.
Lisa Dykstra of Hopkins penned a letter to the editor saying she researched court documents and has come to the conclusion that Allegan County tends to impose light sentences on motorists who violate rules on the highways, most interestingly on drunken driving. She wrote it in the wake of a traffic crash that killed two Hopkins teen-agers.
James A. Pitsch has announced his resignation as chair of the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drive and issued an apology for comments he made defending soliciting at the four corners in downtown Dorr.
Taylor Fletcher, 9, a student at Steeby Elementary, took first place in the statewide Michigan Industrial Technology Education Fair contest.
Carol Visser of Martin was elected president of the Allegan County United Way and Jan Murray of Hopkins vice president.
Sarah Grygiel qualified for the state meet in the 3200-meter run and Sarah Baker did the same in the 800.
Wayland baseball team finished the regular season in style by sweeping a doubleheader to improve to 20-7. John Paul Damveld, Bobby Miklusicak and Kyle Anguilm provided offensive fireworks and Aaron VanHouten sparkled on the mound.
The Wayland softball team will take a 33-1 overall record into the district tournament. Jessie Merchant leads the way with a .483 batting average.
Fran Sage of Hopkins qualified for the state meet in three events for the second straight year. Luke Williams, Tom Marcoux, Jim Finkbeiner and Richard Stein broke the school record in the 3200 relay and qualified for state as well.
Justin Mena was regional champion in the discus and shot, as was Rick Mena in the pole vault and Becky Justice in both hurdles for the Martin track teams.
Harry Lodenstein, only 20 years old, of Hopkins Township, died of cancer that he had battled for a long time.
Lewis Schaafsma of Martin, longtime carpenter, builder and community activist, died at age 80. He was a veteran of World War II.
Charles Wright of Wayland, a career Army veteran who served in the Korean Conflict, died at age 80.
50 Years Ago — May 28, 1974
Wayland Township Clerk Mary Marcott demonstrated the new ballot bags and seals intended to prevent ballot tampering, with members of the Allegan County Board of Canvassers looking on in a photo on the Globe’s front page.
The Hopkins Board of Education is planning two public information community forums to discuss the upcoming request for a three-mill increase for operating purposes. One of the sessions will be at the newly completed Sycamore Elementary School in Dorr.
Editor-Publisher Irv Helmey apologized to readers for printing a letter in the previous edition without a signature. It was supposed to be written by Wayland High School Principal JC Clyma.
Maribeth Culver of Shelbyville won the J.P. McCarthy Broadcasting Award at Northwood Institute for outstanding contributions to the school’s radio station WJRN.
The Globe for the second straight week published “rib tickling” recipes presented by kindergarteners from Rexanna Francis’ class in Hopkins.
Wayland High School graduate Jeff Hampel took part in the Michigan State University Law Day by presenting a speech on the difficulty of returning sovereignty to the Americn people.
The annual Wayland High School alumni potluck dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the high school cafeteria. The classes of 1954 and 1924 will be honored.
Laurie Doublestein, a senior at Wayland High School, has won a vocal music scholarship from Grand Rapids Junior College.
Moline Christian eighth-graders took a trip to Lansing to watch the State Legislature in action.
Wayland took a 3-2 thriller from Hastings in a Class B pre-district baseball contest. Lefty Jim Longreet was the winning pitcher and Rick Mauchmar drilled the winning single in the 11th inning, scoring Jon Johnson from second base.
Hopkins lost its pre-district game 4-3 in 12 innings to Wyoming Lee. Louis Stein came on in relief of Bernie Steffes to put out the fire in a Rebel rally, but eventually was tagged with the loss. Lee pitcher Ray Carson fanned 23 Viking hitters in the 12 innings.
Wayland’s tennis team avenged an earlier loss to Caledonia to set up a showdown for the O-K Blue Conference championship.
Co-Captain Bill Mauchmar was the team decathlon champion, amassing 5490 points to break the school record by Russ McCarren
Jan Shoemaker was named winner of the first-ever Harry Multer Award for being the school’s outstanding scholar-athlete.
A special emergency services course will be offered in Wayland by Allegan General Hospital. Dr. Laurence LaGattuta will be in charge and Dr. Dale W. Kuiper will be physician supervisor.
Though expressing concern about rising costs, area builders say they are busy constructing new residential complexes, such as in Royal Downs Plat.
Patricia Pierce has been announced as valedictorian at Martin High School and Judy Tein salutatorian.
Lyle J. Johnson of Middleville, co-owner of Peter Laning Disposal, died.
Two infants, one from Dorr and another from Hopkins, died at their homes during the week.
75 Years Ago — June 3, 1949
The Wayland Merchants again will sponsor the Wednesday night entertainment programs downtown, which will culminate with a carnival Labor Day weekend. Merchants will be on hand as members of the Knights of the Cowbell to sponsor gifts to attendees. Walt Gurney and Merle Rairigh are co-chairs of the series.
Rollo G. Mosher, editor-publisher, reported donations have been generous for Janey Allgeo, who lost her home to a fire last month.
The Wayland Airport is observing its one-year anniversary north of town on U.S.-131.
The Wayland Fire Department has been busy this past week, handling three fires, but none involved serious damages or injuries.
The Party Line Extension members voted to designate the Zinnia as its official flower.
Hugh MacVean, retired longtime farmer in the Martin area, died at Maplelawn Home in Bradley. He was 80.
Garrie Mason, who was born in Hopkins in 1864 and moved to Wayland in 1936, died at age 75.
The American Legion Auxiliary is launching a safety program to apply reflector tape to children’s bicycles.
The Helping Aid Society of Green Lake will celebrate its 35th anniversary and get together with the Leighton Grange Saturday evening.
The Play-Way Bowling League held their annual steak and chicken dinner at the Ot-Well-Egan golf club.
Services were held Thursday at the Archer Funeral Home for Mrs. Agnes Holmes of Bradley, who died last Monday at the age of 91.
Gene Weber attended a recital in Coopersville and served as an adjudicator. He played “Title Serenade” on the flute.
Supervisor of Nurses Ruth Smith has reported Allegan County children now are getting closer to complete protection from smallpox and diphtheria because of recent implementation of an immunization program.
Female teachers from Wayland schools held a good-bye luncheon at the Doll House for Miss Lenore Sykes, who has been music director at the high school for the past three years.
Adult driver training classes will be offered this summer through Hopkins schools. Those interested may call Supt. Gaylord Caszett.
About 150 members attended the Hopkins alumni potluck. The 31 members of the Class of 1949 were recognized.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Lex Barker and Brenda Joyce in “Tarzan’s Magic Mountain.”
• Steve Brodie and Myrna Dell in “Rose of the Yukon.”
• Randolph Scott and Ella Raines in “The Walking Hills.”
• Clifton Webb and Shirley Temple in “Mr. Belvedere Goes to College.”
100 Years Ago — May 30, 1924
Robert LaTourette has been announced as valedictorian for the Wayland High School Class of 1924.
The Rev. Arthur Buege was scheduled to deliver the sermon for Baccalaureate services at the Methodist Church June 8.
The first senior party of the commencement season was held May 29 at the home of Bernice Thede in Leighton Township.
Seniors announced the publication of the first WHS annual, “The Tatler.”
The Wayland High School commencement ceremony will be held at at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at the Church of Christ.
The first eight grades of the local school system will present “A Seasonal Pageant” June 5, under the supervision of the grade teachers.
The Wayland Grange will have a discussion June 7 about whether it’s profitable to raise guineas.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Agnes Ayres in “A Daughter of Luxury.” Douglas Fairbanks in “The Mark of Zorro.”
A number of area rural schools were closing and students and teachers were enjoying year-end picnics.
A U.S. Postal examination will take place in Otsego June 21, as a vacancy has occurred in the Bradley post office.
Louis Baker, president of the junior class, officiated as toastmaster of the Junior-Senior Banquet at Wayland High School May 15.
Rollo G. Mosher wrote in an editorial: “No matter ardently we may believe in the Republican Party, we must concede that there will be one other party, called the Democratic Party… They (other parties) have either gone into discord or have been absorbed into other parties. What does this teach us? That we need two parties… The Democrats or some other party just to make the Republicans do the best they can.”
Lewis Schaafsma was not a farmer ,he was a carpenter and built many home in the Martin area.
Thanks, Marlene. Stay tuned for corrected copy.
I enjoy your every week stories Dave.