25 Years Ago — June 26, 2000
New signs have been installed at the four entrances of the City of Wayland. The signs, purchased at a cost of $1,600 apiece, were designed by Art Smith of Gun Lake and were paid for by the Downtown Development Authority.
The search for a new city manager is just beginning in the wake of the announcement by Barbara VanDuren that she is leaving to take the assistant manager’s post for the City of Wyoming.
H. Dale Thaler, a citizen of Leighton Township, sent a letter to the editor via e-mail opposing rezoning land along Division from 144th Avenue south to 142nd Avenue from agricultural to rural estates to make way for a mobile home park.
Don Dandrow wrote a letter setting the record straight that Hooker Cemetery in Leighton Township had 26 veterans not listed within its confines, out of a total of 109. He wrote, “I will do what I can for the people who went before us to preserve and protect the democracy we had, a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Former State Senator Fred Hilbert has published a book about his life and travels, “The Times and Travels of Frederic Hilbert, Seedsman.” Six copies are available at the Henika Library.
Martin Board of Education President Darwin Evers has vowed to lead a renewed effort for the local district in the wake of the loss of the bond proposal earlier this month.
A satellite campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College is being proposed by the Allegan County Intermediate School District.
The first-ever prom for senior citizens at the Sandy Creek Nursing Center has been hailed as a success.
Marcia Beare has opened a clothes closet affiliated with the Martin Resource Center, operated by Harvey and Carol Visser.
The Dorr Lions Club named Bob Wagner as local Citizen of the Year.
The Globe did a feature story about the retirement of Trooper Gary Hirdes from the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police. He came to Wayland in 1977.
Rural letter carrier Donna Smith of Leighton Township was honored by the U.S. Postal Service for putting in 22 years on the job without being involved in any traffic accidents.
50 Years — June 24, 1975
Julie Ann Beckers of Allegan was crowned as the new Miss Michigan at the pageant at the L. C. Walker Arena in Muskegon. Her talent was a dance she performed to music from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
The Wayland Rotary Club members erected a “thermometer” showing fund-raising progress in their attempts to raise money for a new concession stand at the new high school football field.
More than $385 in prizes were handed out at the annual Moline Community Fair, sponsored by the Moline Action Committee.
Five local businesses reported they were victims of burglaries or vandalism over the past weekend. Incidents were reported at Jackson’s Western Store, Jackson’s Farm Services, Gene’s Barber Shop, Burpee’s Appliance & TV and the Wayland Party Store.
Mary Morgenstern, a 1973 graduate of Wayland High School, wrote a letter about the recent Farewell Assembly controversy, noting that collective indifference of the student body was a huge factor in contributing to the problem.
Evelyn Green, newest Hopkins Board of Education member, praised the Globe’s coverage of the recent school board election.
Mimi Moulenbelt of Hopkins wrote a letter indicating State Rep. Ed Fredericks told her and her colleagues that organized groups get better attention from lawmakers in Lansing when they bring their grievances.
Mr. and Mrs. David Wobma, Mr. and Mrs. Fred James, Mr. and Mrs. Don Snooks and Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Czarnecki combined efforts on a letter decrying loud and speeding vehicles that pass by their homes.
Hopkins Supt. Charles Pelham wrote a column noting the purpose of kindergarten is no longer regarded as organized play, but social preparation.
Fred D. Hilbert, born in Wayland in 1877, celebrated his 98th birthday with his four children at his home.
Farm House Restaurant owner Bill Kessler and baker Ben Botta were photographed displaying a five-foot hero sandwich.
Wayland finished seventh out of eight teams in the O-K Blue Conference in the annual all-sports derby.
In the “Ogre Locals” column, Ed Buchanan and David T. Young discussed the possibility of hanging up their pitching arms after suffering a 19-6 defeat at the hands of a hastily formed Wayland team that included Rick Morse, Jon Gambee, Eric Weber, Gib Goodwin, Mike Trubiroha, Jerry Langley and Con Mauchmar. Zack Moushegian served as umpire.
The second annual Wayland Community Education and Recreation Pet show will be held July 11 at the City Park.
Hopkins Elementary School is offering a summer reading program for grades one through six, beginning July 8, for one hour a day.
The Captain and Tennille combined efforts to produce the No. 1 song in the nation, “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
75 Years Ago — June 30, 1950
Frederic Clingen died of a two-year illness at his home. He had lived in Wayland for the last 35 years and was owner and proprietor of the Bee Hive Restaurant with his wife, Bertha, for 16 years.
The annual St. Therese chicken dinner is planned for July 9 on the parish grounds. The church has accommodations for as many as 400 hungry guests.
The Globe published a front page photo of three local scouts, Michael Hilbert, Dale Jones and Michael Andringa, who attended the national Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pa.
Fire department members quickly extinguished a car blaze in the alley by the A-G Store. The car was owned by Jake Duimstra.
The Rev. Edwin Hrupek has assumed duties as new pastor at St. Stanislaus Church in Hilliards.
A special Fourth of July ballgame will be played at the Moline ballpark between Wustman Produce of Byron Center and Moline Implement.
The granary of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dzierwa had the misfortune of being struck by lightning. Some grain, tools and other items were destroyed.
Bud Wolfe and his four-piece orchestra will provide music for a dance set for July 3 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Gun Lake.
Forest McKinnon lost control of the vehicle he was driving, which went into a ditch and forced his head to go through the front windshield, suffering lacerations.
Former Hopkins man Roger Wilcox has been hired by Michigan State College in East Lansing to teach advanced speech for the next four weeks.
Rev. Fr. Raymond Drinar of Sacred Heart Parish of Watson has been promoted to serving at a parish in Ludington.
Robert Genteman of Pet Milk, talked to Wayland Grangers about the new bowling alley north of town. He is one of the managers.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Mary Ryan and Marsha Hunt in “Detective.”
- Gene Autry and his horse Champion in “Riders in the Sky.”
- Yvonne DeCarlo, Elsa Lancaster and Phillip Friend in “Buccaneer’s Girl.”
- Audie Murphy and Gale Storm in “The Kid from Texas.”
100 Years Ago — June 26, 1925
Safe cracking burglars broke into Yeakey Auto Co. garage, but were unsuccessful in attempts to open the safe inside. Next-door neighbor John Stockdale shooed them away a little after midnight.
Production of gasoline in the United States is breaking records, according to statistics provided by the Department of the Interior in April.
Wayland and other communities are being urged to observe the Fourth of July and Defense Day. Wayland’s will be held at the City Park, according to Village President Alvesten Weaver.
James Leggett, a prominent young businessman died of scarlet fever, working in his bakery to the very end. Because of the contagious nature of the disease his burial will be private. He leaves a widow and two children.
Valentine Fish, who came to a rural Wayland farm in 1881and then to the village afterward, died at age 83.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “The Warrens of Virginia,” featuring an all-star cast in a story about Generals Grant and Lee at the end of the Civil War. A big cast in “There’s Millions in It.”
Death came to Mike Halloran, a “welcoming relief to a body tortured with a malignant cancerous growth of about two years duration.” He was 62. Services were held at the Leighton Catholic Church. He quietly plied his trade as a farmer and in drain construction work.
Charles Panyrek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Panyrek of Gun Lake, died at the Kalamazoo Hospital after an illness of two weeks. “He was well liked wherever known and will be sadly missed by his young friends and acquaintances.”
Several young people from Wayland attended the Young Peoples Conference in Allegan, with about 160 total coming from all parts of the county.
Mary Bennett, who was born in Wayland Township in 1864, died at age 60. Her daughter, Iva, preceded her in death in May 1924 and she is survived by husband Alfred.
The Wayland and Plainwell bands will provide music at the Allegan County Fair Aug. 27.
Plans this year call for a four-day Chautauqua in Wayland starting in the first week in August.
Florence Slater has undergone blood transfusions in Battle Creek Hospital and reports she is feeling better, but not yet out of danger.
Scoutmaster Ellis and patrol leader Clyde Fowler spent the weekend at the Camp Shawondossee on Lake Michigan. Mr. Ellis has completed his training course and earned his certificate from the National Council.
Members of the American Legion enjoyed a fish supper at the Gun Lake cottage of Rollo G. Mosher. Several members caught the fish on the menu that afternoon and Mr. Kelley, a Spanish-American war veteran, did the cooking.
