(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 24, 2000
City Park received a handicap accessible swing that was to be used first by local youngsters Benjamin Reurink and Tony Carpenter. The swing was purchased by the city through the Dora Weaver fund. Carol Miller said the Wayland area has as many as 260 special needs children in the Wayland Union School District.
No casino for Bradley, but maybe construction of seniors’ housing, local residents are being told in Bradley and Wayland Township. “We have no intention to place a casino there,” said John Shaganoby, a spokesman for the Gun Lake Band of Potowatomis… “The fact is, we don’t have a site. We would have to buy land.” Meanwhile, Gov. John Engler refuses to negotiate with the tribe on any such plans.
SPX, Wayland’s fourth largest local industry with 71 employees, has announced its departure from Wayland, despite a sweetheart deal on the property purchase through tax abatement programs. Editor Nila Aamoth contended it’s a familiar tune, when a business gets a tax abatement as an enticement to come to town. ”It makes one wonder if tax breaks for some, but not for others, is an evenhanded application of government obligation.”
Deborah Boyd of West Michigan BMX Association wrote a letter to the editor responding to concerns about the BMX activities brought up by Leighton Township Trustee Char Troost.
A special use permit for Wyoming Asphalt for gravel mining was granted by the Watson Township Planning Commission.
Plenty of food, music, amusements and the annual pet show will be featured in the 2000 Wayland Summerfest celebration July 28-30. Also featured will be a performance by the Disco Divas.
Mary Bowman of Gun Lake, has been arrested for her alleged role in a multi-county pyramid scheme.
A Hallmark Golden Crown store will be open soon in the plaza that currently houses Harding’s Market and Quality Farm & Fleet.
An advertisement for some 50 jobs was placed in the Globe, as preparations are being made for a combination Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut in front of the plaza at West Superior and the U.S.-131 expressway.
Sean Coburn has announced his resignation as Martin Township Sexton, less than a year after his predecessor, Jim Pardee, resigned. Both said the job is too demanding.
Longtime Martin High School Athletic Director Ron Merrill retired and he will be succeeded by assistant Principal Todd Farmer.
Roman Stankey, who was awarded five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart during World War II, died at Laurels of Sandy Creek nursing Center, He was 77.
Marion Smith, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, died July 11. He was 74.
James D. Seymour, formerly of Wayland and recently of Zephyr Hills, Fla., died at age 78. He was a Navy veteran from World War II.
50 Years Ago — July 22, 1975
The City of Wayland has been awarded a $95,000 grant from the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department to be used to help low and middle income residents update their homes. The city will loan up to $3,500 for 10 years at 3 percent interest.
Wayland High School graduate Dennis Dickinson, 28, was found dead on a street one block from his vacation residence in San Francisco. Police believe he was a robbery victim. His more permanent residence was East Lansing.
Ernest W. Bates of Ionia has been named assistant cashier at Moline State Bank.
The Wayland City Council voted to lease the Cowbell Seeds building on West Superior Street for at least a year for $100 a month. The city will use the building for additional office space.
Five local residents, Arnold Wilde, Thomas Shoup, Dr. Georgia Richards, Irv Helmey and Phil Reno, have been appointed to the newly created Compensation Committee.
The Wayland Community Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Helen Gamble, performed at the Showmobile concert the City Park. Soloists were Nancy Conwell, Walter Chrysler, Lorna Clyma, Elaine Kovac, Wayne Goodwin and Robert Hendrixson.
Two more local Showmobile concerts are planned at the City Park in the next two weeks this year, including square dancing called by Jack Cook and the Wayland Community Band.
Former Hopkins resident Bill Gilligan has been in Saudi Arabia to supervise installation of hospital equipment.
Paul Zylema threw a no-hitter at the Middleville Connie Mark baseball team July 15 in a 10-0 victory. Wayland is 4-5 and Hastings was crowned champion in the local league for the summer.
The Metering Trenching team went through the softball season season undefeated Wednesday nights at Moline. Members include leading hitter Russ Haller, Leon Hilaski, Dick Bruin, Roger Merren, Ron Merren, Rick Merren, Jack Konecny, Gary Kotrba, Jim Kotrba, Joe Koperski and Larry Medendorp.
The body of 18-year-old Paul David Langlois Jr. was recovered after he was swept off a pier near Saugatuck while fishing. His service was held at St. Stanislaus Church, Dorr.
A comprehensive new zoning ordinance for the City of Wayland will take effect Aug. 1 after extensive work that was done by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony grabbed the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “The Hustle.”
75 Years Ago — July 28, 1950
Leroy Russell, who has operated the service station at the corner of Sycamore and South Main streets for 17 years, has sold his property to the Ohio Oil Co. Leo Sevigny, formerly with Wayland Super Service, is leasing the building and taking over operations.
Pvt. Paul Jackson Jr. of Bradley, is the first casualty of the Korean War. He was struck by shrapnel while covering a retreat after blowing up a bridge. He lost his leg to amputation as a result. He was raised in the Indian settlement in Bradley.
Major Charles Boise, son of a Wayland couple, died after an airplane crash in Rome, N.Y.
The Junior Choir Camp of the Methodist churches or Wayland and Martin was attended by an estimated crowd of 100. The group went on a six-mile hike to West Gun Lake.
A special luncheon for Mrs. Virginia Parrish was held at the Red Brick Tavern north of Plainwell. She will become the bride of Claude Smith later this year.
The gymnasium at Olivet College in Kankakee, Ill., has been named for the late Carlton Birchard, who was stricken while playing basketball. He was the son of Fred Birchard of Bradley.
Free chest x-rays, sponsored by the Hopkins Lions Club, will be offered at the Hopkins High School auditorium on three days in August.
Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Willis have received word their son, T.H. Willis, has been transferred to the Hanford office of Atkins Jones & Jones Construction Co. in Richland, Wash., as estimator for the Atomic Energy Commission.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Randolph Scott and Dorothy Malone in “The Nevadan.”
- Montgomery Clift, Paul Douglas and Bruni Lobel in “The Big Lift.”
- Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead and Ellen Corby in “Caged.”
100 Years Ago — July 24, 1925
The 45th annual reunion of Soldiers & Sailors Association will be held in 1926 in Wayland, it was decided at the 44th reunion earlier this month in Allegan.
Grange members were being asked to answer roll call with “Why I live in Michigan” at the next meeting.
Four days of a Chautauqua are planned in Wayland July 29 to Aug. 1, featuring the Yeakey Auto Co. celebrating the birthday of Henry Ford and local merchants’ offering of “Dollar Days.” The Wayland and Grand Rapids Shrine Bands will perform.
Orville Smith of Hopkins was sentenced in Allegan. County Circuit Court to six months in jail for issuing a check without funds.
Elmer Calkins and John Smith of Hopkins were sentenced to six months for breaking into a house and stealing items.
Arthur Wyman of Dorr was given 45 days in jail and fined $78.65 for driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Gold Heels,” the story of the race track. William Desmond in “Big Timber.” Gold Heels is an adaptation from Henry Blossom’s play “Checkers.”
Miss Addie Fox is now the regular agent at the Michigan Railway Depot in Moline.
A 13-mile stretch of new concrete road between Plainwell and Kalamazoo was thrown open for traffic. “It is now possible to drive Kalamazoo direct without any detour.
Florence Slater underwent her fourth surgery in eight weeks after suffering from serious bouts with pneumonia. A specialist from Toronto, Canada, performed the operation at Battle Creek Sanitarium. Her husband, Dr. Ira Slater, has been staying at the sanitarium.
The Anti-Can’t Club will meet Tuesday instead of Friday because of the Chautauqua.
