(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 19, 2000
Vern Schwartz of Wayland Township wrote a letter to the editor maintaining that the people of Shelbyville do not ask for much in the way of public services, but now it needs to help with water drainage issues.
Karen DeJager of Shelbyville penned a letter encouraging parents of school children to take part in the “Kids’ Yes” project for vouchers.
Wings of Hope Hospice President Marcia Halloran presented the first annual “Heart of Hospice” award to Allegan County Commissioner Muriel O’Leary and Liz Krause.
The Wayland City Planning Commission agreed to recommend site plans for a communications tower in the Chambers Corners commercial park, for expansion by Wayland Chevrolet at its location on West Superior, and for permission to build a business office at Wayland Ford across the street on West Superior near the U.S.131 expressway.
Barbara VanDuren, Wayland’s city manager for the past three and a half years, has accepted the deputy manager’s job at the City of Wyoming.
Martin Township Supervisor Terry Sturgis has expressed his displeasure with the red tape in granting local building permits.
New Wayland Union Schools Supt. Tom Tarnutzer has agreed to begin the search for an assistant superintendent for the district.
Martin Public Schools voters rejected a request for $6.83 million in a bond proposal in a very light turnout at the polls.
The Wayland Township Board is balking at a request for $24,000 for additional work on work on the Pearl Street drain. Residents have complained they have spent $63,000 in assessments for a utility that only moves water down the road.
Wayland City Planning Commission is recommending existing houses in the Central Business District be granted privileges normally accorded businesses.
Haley Ann Keyzer has been chosen Miss Martin for the year 2000 at the annual queen pageant.
Martin Village President Gary Brinkhuis has announced there will be a special meeting June 29 to discuss and take action on proposed local water rates.
The Wayland softball team finally lost in the state Division 2 quarterfinals to Tecumseh. The Wildcats completed the campaign with a 37-2 overall record.
Hopkins captured both the O-K Silver Conference and Division 3 district championships under coach Mick Francis.
Coach Rick Morse guided the Wayland baseball team to the shared O-K Gold conference crown and its third straight district championship.
Shelly Klinge of Dorr remains in a coma after falling off her her horse in a ride with her husband. Fund-raisers are planned to help Klinge, 40, with medical expenses.
Marjorie Marie Jackson of Monterey Township, died June 10 at age 88. She had been director of housekeeping at Kalamazoo State Hospital.
An open house was planned for retiring Wayland Schools Supt. Bob Brenner, who served at Wayland for 23 years.
50 Years Ago — June 17, 1975
Millage requests from all three local school districts passed in the annual school election, Wayland’s by a scant six votes, 753 to 747. All incumbents were returned to office in the school board elections, including Don Lapham, Leonard Heckert and Arthur Hooker in Wayland, James Lapham in Martin and Ronald Bockheim and Evelyn Green in Hopkins.
Allegan County Home Economist Shirley Hamman was pictured on the front page with assistant Mary Klimek, last year’s Young Homemaker of the Year Mimi Moulenbelt, Carol VanderPoppen, Chris Brenner and Sandy VandenToorn. This year’s contest will be in September at the Allegan County Fair.
Three Hopkins women, Mimi Meulenbelt, Sandy VandenToorn and Jean Sleeman, gave testimony to protest the Bell Telephone Co.’s plans to charge users extra when they make more than three long distance calls in a month. Michigan Bell officials said they have been working on cutting the number of local eight-party lines.
Wayland City Council officials apparently favor a proposal to offer a rent subsidy to local doctors who have just completed their residency requirements to get them to practice here.
Wayland Superintendent of Public Works Dick Baxter was injured when a vehicle struck him at the intersection of old U.S.-131 and 142nd Avenue while he was waiting to get picked up by an ambulance. He was treated for injuries at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids and released.
Paul Bloem of Bowens Mill Road was fined $50 for violations of the Wayland Township junk car ordinance, enforced by officer Jack Henderson.
The annual Hopkins Queen Pageant will be held at pavilion in downtown Hopkins July 4.
The Globe received yet another anonymous letter criticizing the put-downs, insults and ridicule at the Wayland High School farewell assembly.
David Kamyszek wrote a letter telling the horror tale about several youngsters who dumped a box of kittens along a road near Moline.
Fawn York, a member of the Wayland High School Class of 1975, wrote a letter saying she appreciated the criticism of those who perpetrated the insults and put-downs at the farewell assembly, but said it would mean more if the authors would sign their names.
Richard and Linda Wiley will present two puppet shows, “The Lollipop Princess” and “The Egg” for the first in a series of programs in the City Park, sponsored by the Wayland Snowmobile Club.
The contemporary art series concert “Seasons” was held for the Wayland High School auditorium, featuring teachers Robin Akers and Gene Washchuck.
Members of the Hopkins Lions Club are continuing their project of building a shelter in the downtown park.
Grand Valley State College wrestler Jamie Hosford put together a summer wrestling clinic in the new Wayland High School gym, with 33 youngsters attending.
The Wayland High School community pool was scheduled for a grand opening June 23, followed by the start of a six-week series of swim programs.
The Hopkins FFA Demonstration Team entered its exhibit on raising chickens at the West Michigan Farm Fair in Grand Rapids.
The Allegan County Health Department is warning residents there has been a surprising uptick in cases of strep throat, scarlet fever and rheumatic fever in the Hopkins and Dorr areas.
The group America took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Sister Golden Hair.”
75 Years Ago — June 23, 1950
The 1950 U.S. Census is reporting that the Village of Wayland now includes a population of 1,590, a gain of 58 percent from the 1940 research.
The Fish Division of the Conservation Department has been conducting studies at Gun Lake.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported that the Wayland area was blessed with good weather in the spring, which has contributed to a bountiful crop of strawberries.
Antonette Shulek was elected president and Ruth Brooks first vice president of the local American Legion Auxiliary.
Former Dorr Township Supervisor Amos Thomson died at his home in McMillan in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He was 80 years old.
Members of the Men’s Club of the Church of Christ converged on the Myron Wilde farm and were shown an impressive television showroom.
William Blair, who lived in Hopkins ever since he was just a boy, died at age 78, and services were held Saturday afternoon at the Klinesteker Funeral Home.
Mrs. Mattie McKinnon Bennett, who operated millenary stores in Wayland and Hopkins, died at the home of her brother. She was 81.
The Franciscan Friars have assumed management of the St. Stanisalus Church in Hilliards and they are expected to announce the identity of the new pastor here.
Members of the Wayland Grange reported at their most recent meeting that a new bowling alley, Airport Lanes, will open soon just north of Wayland.
The play “Night Court Revue” was presented at the Wayland High School auditorium for the benefit of the athletic program to purchase baseball uniforms.
Former Wayland man Walter Ellis was elected state chaplain of the VFW at the state convention in Grand Rapids.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Richard Denning and Barbara Fuller in “Harbor of Missing Men.”
- Allen “Rocky” Lane in “Navajo Trail Riders.”
- June Haver, Gordon McRae and Gene Nelson in “The Daughter of Rosie O’Grady.”
- Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in “Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town.”
100 Years Ago — June 19, 1925
Wayland pioneer banker, farmer and capitalist Valentine Fish died of an illness of several months. He had been one of the largest investors at Wayland State Bank. His funeral will be at his house and the Rev. Fay Wing will conduct the service.
More than 50 Wayland people traveled to Allegan to witness the unveiling of the soldier’s monument at the Allegan County Park.
The M-13 road between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo will be paved in 1926, the Grand Rapids Press has reported.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Tom Mix, with Tony the horse and Duke the dog, in “Teeth.” Richard Talmadge in “On Time.”
Bert Bowman of this place has been granted a tryout with the Detroit Tigers. Bert has been credited with tossing two no-hitters this summer for Alma College and has won nine of his ten starts on the mound.
The Wayland Globe has just completed arrangements with the Bonnet-Brown Company of Chicago, which Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said he hopes will “increase the artistic appearance of this paper, and and what is far greater moment, add to its pulling power as an advertising medium.”
All eighth-graders at County Line School passed the eighth grade examination at Allegan. Highest grade averages were posted by Wellington Jackson, Stiles Standish and Esther Parker.
Bradley letter carrier F. G. Birchard is enjoying a 12-day vacation and his son, Russell, has meanwhile taken over his duties temporarily.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Todd were notified by telegram that their son, Ernest, had accidentally died by drowning in the Indianapolis area.
Nelson Brinkert of Hopkins finished first in Allegan County for handicraft work.
Hot lunches were served at Hopkins School No. 2 over seven months.
Robert W. Ward, 32, died. He had been a teacher at Ada, Munising, Hillsdale and Mt. Clemens.
A grass fire consumed the property near the condenser in Wayland.
W. B. Hooker has announced there will be a paint demonstration at his store Saturday.
Aaron Thaler died of appendicitis at the hospital in Hastings.
Dr. I.L. Slater has reported the serious condition of his daughter, Florence, remains while she is a patient at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Health workers have been unable to bring down her temperature from mastoid and adenoid trouble.
