(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 28, 1999
Hopkins High School will be graced the presence of some new faces when school resumes sessions in the fall. Among the newcomers are curriculum director Susan Minnegar and and media specialist Darlene Yasick.
Wayland High School girls’ basketball coach Zack Mousehgian, one of the winningest coaches in Michigan, is back in the gym.
Mike Bell has been hired as the new varsity basketball coach at Hopkins High School, succeeding Jack Klunder. He guided the junior varsity to an 11-9 record the previous season.
Kathryn Seelye of Caledonia wrote a letter to the editor focusing on urban sprawl developments taking over farm areas. She stated, “If I wanted to live in Detroit, I would have moved there long ago.” Later in her letter she asked, “When all the farm land is gone, what are we going to eat? Rice from China?”
Ron and Cathy Merren penned a letter praising the strict discipline of baseball coach Randy Kasper, despite other parents’ criticism of him.
A 17-year-old from Wayland and a 16-year-old Dorr youth both have been charged with vandalizing North Park west of Dorr on 142nd Avenue. The suspects broke into a storage shed and damaged and pilfered tools.
The 20th annual Fontana Music Festival is starting July 11 on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Art Emporium in Shelbyville.
The Moline Baptist Church sponsored a block party that was so well received that it may become an annual event.
Longtime Wayland elementary teacher Norma Hudson died. A longtime member of the United Church of Wayland, she was 87.
50 Years Ago — June 25, 1974
Wayland area police officers Eldon Milheim and Robert Larr were honored with the presentation of citations from the Wayland post of the VFW.
State Police at the Wayland post have issued a warning to citizens about handling fireworks with the Independence Day approaching. Post Commander Lt. Bill Monroe pointed out that state law prohibits the sale, possession and use of most types of fireworks.
Mrs. Nathan Hester and Mrs. William Sleeman of Hopkins attended a seminar in Kalamazoo on the topic of Sudden Death Syndrome (SIDS) or “crib death.”
Gary Stewart of Otsego has been named as new Allegan County District Judge, 57th Judicial District.
Longtime Wayland resident Fred Hilbert, founder of the Cowbell Seeds company and Plank Road Farm, celebrated his 97th birthday with family and friends and is reported to be getting around just fine, despite his advanced age.
The Wayland Showmobile entertainment series will get under way at the City Park Wednesday evening, June 26, with an appearance by The Dixie Cats. Also planned for the series this summer are Jack Cook and his square dancers, area vocal groups and the community band.
Doug Kuiphoff of Wayland was top Cub Scouts tickets salesman in the district, winning a new bicycle, and Jeff Veenkant was the winner of the Pinewood Derby. The awards were presented at the Scouts Expo at Grand Valley State College.
William McElwee Jr., grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Joe McElwee of Wayland, has been named commercial manager for Indiana Bell Telephone in the Marion, Ind., area.
Janet Stark, a 1974 graduate of Wayland High School, has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Grand Rapids chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants.
The Wayland Board of Education has scheduled an open house between 1 and 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the new high school building on East Superior Street.
Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot took over the No. 1 among the nation’s tunes with “Sundown.”
75 Years Ago — Friday, July 1, 1949
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher noted that Wayland has one of the oldest female anglers in the area with Mrs. Eva Aspinwall, 84, who just purchased her license again this year.
Mosher also encouraged area motorists to exercise extra caution on the highways over the Independence Day holiday season because more and more people are taking to the roadways to go north and beat the heat. He also reminded readers that it is unlawful to possess, light and set off fireworks because of potential dangers. He noted there are plenty of bootleggers.
Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church of West Gun Lake has finalized plans for the annual ham dinner and festival Sunday, July 3.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Door have sold the Ed and Vern Coffee Shop a mile and a half south of Moline to Mr. and Mrs. Frank McMahon of Grand Rapids, who will call the new business “The Two Me Family Shop” featuring sandwiches, ice cream and homemade pies.
St. Therese Church will have its annual chicken dinner and festival Sunday, July 10.
Miss Ann Dickinson, 13, was asked a trivia question over the radio about who was the founder of the March of Dimes. She correctly answered Franklin D. Roosevelt and was awarded a $50 prize.
Allegan County Health Nurse Miss Ruth Smith showed a film on reproduction to members of the Wayland Extension Club. Discussion followed at the home of Mrs. Clarence Calkins.
Dorr Library Director Mrs. A.A. Frary has obtained grant from the General Library of Michigan Fund to help meet standards set by State Board of Librarians.
Mrs. Virginia Parrish has resigned her job at the local bakery to attend summer school in Kalamazoo.
The 13th annual reunion of graduates and former students at Burnips High School was held at the Salem Township Hall.
The Moline Business Men will sponsor a fireworks display at the ball park after two local softball field.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Adele Jergens and Marilyn Monroe in “Ladies of the Chorus.”
• Roy Rogers in “The Far Frontier.”
• June Allyson, Peter Lawford and Elizabeth Taylor in “Little Women.”
• Cesar Romero and Rudy Vallee in “The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend.”
100 Years Ago — June 27, 1924
The body of missing Hopkins Township farmer Ralph Button, 50, eventually was found in the Rabbit River near the Faye Hazen farm. The Globe reported, “It was evident the man had ended his own life, although his widow could advance no cause for him doing so.” His body was found lying face down in shallow water… “It was believed Button leaped from a tree… his body had been in the water so long it was almost unrecognizable.”
It looks like paving will commence at the corner of Church and Superior streets in the village and go east 80 rods to the flag pole. The property owners on East Superior have raised $719 for the project, but the village is struggling in its efforts to secure funds. Village Trustee Ivan Smith wanted to add 24 rods west of Main. The entire project’s costs have been estimated at $9,500.
The official blanks for applications for the new Solider’s Bonus that Congress approved have been received by the Wayland American Legion.
A tent meeting by the Church of the Nazarene is being implemented on the school grounds in Bradley, starting Sunday, June 29.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: William Russell in “Times Have Changed.” Alberta Vaughn, Gertrude Short, Kit Guard and Al Cooke in “The Telephone Girl.” An additional feature, “Our Mutual Friend.”
Editor-Pubisher Rolls G. Mosher wrote in his editorial, …”free trade never yet fulfilled the promises made by advocates before the election.”
“Next to Herbert Hoover, it is probably that the Repubicans must be held in honor by the American people as the best qualified vice presidential candidate was Charles G. Dawes. (Mosher was a GOP delegate at the convention in Cleveland).”
Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Ross attended graduation exercises at Grand Rapids South High School, where their granddaughter, Mamie Lewis, earned her diploma and was granted a two-year scholarship from Grand Rapids Junior College.
“Several cars have been tampered with lately and it seems as though it was time for officers of the law to take a hand.” Most recent incident was theft of a tire and rim from a car belonging to F.R. Birchard while he was in church.
Don’t forget the pavement dance Saturday night downtown. “Good music will be furnished.”