(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 31, 2000
The Globe published a front page photo of a couple of Hispanic workers baling hay in the dairy farm fields owned by Paul Lettinga.
The Globe printed extensive information about upcoming primary election candidates for state, county and local offices and polling locations. Editor Nila Aamoth commented, “Compiling elections issues is a time-consuming, hair-pulling drudge… Now it’s your turn. Go to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 8.”
Featured in the upcoming primary election was a contest between incumbent Sheriff David Haverdink and challenger Blaine Koops, both Republicans.
Wayland Township Supervisor Jose Blanco has stepped down from his post and instead is running for Third District County Commissioner against Republican Mark DeYoung. Republican Don Black will run against Democrat Mary Jo Fleser in the Seventh District. Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis is running unopposed for Leighton Township Clerk as a write-in because of a pre-election snafu.
A slate of Democrats in Watson Township is being challenged by fellow Dems, including incumbents Supervisor Marv Henrickson, Cathy Pardee and Albert Germain.
Randy Marklevitz will return to Wayland Township politics as a candidate for supervisor after narrowly losing four years to Jose Blanco. His opponent is Jason Dykstra.
Sports editor Scott Sullivan ran a full-page spread on the Gun Lake Triathlon. Winners were Margaret Hoag, Kevin Miller, Natalie Hoag and Bradley Hoag. The three races were in running, bicycling and swimming.
The new Wayland High School cross-country course was christened with the Road Runners Club contest, necessitated by construction happening at the school. Joel David and Jamie Blain captured first places in the men’s and women’s competition.
Wayland High School sophomore Brandon VanDrunen won the Innerform Southern Junior Open at the Orchard Hills Golf Course with an 18-hole score of 79.
Led by Boosters President Sue Sebright and helped along by Jody Schaendorf, the new eight-lane track at Hopkins High is nearing completion.
Breta Arbuthnot, 87, formerly of Wayland, died at Bryan, Ohio.; She had been customer relations representative for Consumers Energy for more than 20 years and a secretary for the Archer-Hampel Funeral Home.
50 Years Ago — June 29, 1975
Julie Ann Beckers of Allegan, the County Harvest Queen, officially was crowned Miss Michigan. Her talent was performing a contemporary dance to the theme music from “2001: A Space Odyssey.” She will compete in the Miss America pageant Sept. 6 in Atlantic City.
Members of the Wayland Rotary Club were photographed gathering around the club’s thermometer in the mini-park at the four corners of downtown Wayland. Rotary is sponsoring a drive to build a concession stand at the new football field.
A photo was published of Anna Spray, Allen Dangremond, Mary Ernst, Stacey Niemchick and Andrea Amborski showing off their trash can painting project, sponsored by the Bicentennial Boosters.
Burrell Stein was re-elected president of the Hopkins Board of Education and Raymond Sebright was chosen vice president. Kenneth Maher of Caseville was hired as new high school principal, succeeding James Danhoff, who left to take a post at Plainwell.
Pete Howard has been selected vice president of Buehler Realty.’
Bill Monroe, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Monroe of Wayland, is touring with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Orchestra as trombonist. They have stopped in at Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
The new Amvets organization has been formed in Wayland, with 23 charter members signed up.
Director Steve Working and the Wayland Community Band will perform Sousa marches, King Cotton, Stars and Stripes Forever, Sing, Sing, Sing and and Dry Bones Wednesday evening, July 30, at City Park.
The annual Democratic Party picnic, featuring barbecued chicken, is planned for Sunday, Aug. 3, 1975, at the Dorr Township Park.
Dawn Huff, 8, of Dorr, fell off her horse and suffered a broken arm at Grace Youth Camp near Harty.
Coach Dave Young and the Harding’s Market Little League baseball team were photographed as champions of the 1975 season, defeating Plank Road Farm 23-5 in the final game.
First place ribbons were awarded to Scott Bartholomew, Lance Brewer, Bob Wiley, Andrea Amborski and Rita Shoemaker in the first annual One on One and free-throw contests.
The local Connie Mack League team finished with a 5-5 record by downing Maple Valley 3-1. Paul Xylem, who fired a no-hitter a week earlier, hurled a three-hitter. Dan Merren, Joe Kramer and Kelvin Lapham each batted in a run.
Bill’s Place e, coached by Wayne Goodwin, won their second straight Babe Ruth League baseball crown, logging an 11-1 record.
Mrs. Carl Baker, wife of former Wayland teacher, died at age 35, died in Kalamazoo.
Mrs. Esther Ware, one time teller at Hopkins Bank, died July 23 at Allegan General Hospital. She was 80.
Mrs. Freda Gravettr died Saturday at her Hopkins home at 82 years of age. She was lifelong Hopkins resident.
Harold McCain, a World War I veteran and Bradley Masonic Lodge member, died at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. He was 81.
The Eagles captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “One of the These Nights.”
75 Years Ago — Aug. 4, 1950
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported there has been a bumper crop of corn this year because of plentiful rain.
A group of members from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7581 make the trip to Eaton Rapids to visit the VFW Home, which now houses as many as 200 children of veterans.
The State Conservation Department plans to develop a 20-mile section for riding trails in the Yankee Springs Recreation area.
Local businessman Fred Greenawalt and son Lee have just returned from a western trip that included the Bad Lands. Yellowstone National Park, Glacier Park and the West Coast.
The Gun Lake baseball team lost to the Texaco Trills 7-6 Sunday.
Jim McElwee has been called to serve in the U.S. Marines. He will b e succeeded at the Kroger Store by Russell Haller.
Wayland native Roy White, 66, died of a heart attack in St. John, N.D. He had been a railway clerk here for many years.
William (Oliver) Wolfinger, formerly of Hopkins, has been appointed to head the speech department at Ferris Institute. Wolfinger is a graduate of Hopkins High School, Hope College and the University of Michigan.
The skies opened up with rain to ruin the Embroidery Club Weiner roast at the Milo Willard home, Gun Lake.
U. S. Congressman Clare Hoffman of Allegan placed an ad in the Globe in a letter form to constituents, asking them to support his continuing efforts against communists and left-wingers in Washington D.C.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Trigger in “Twilight in the Sierras.”
- Rhys Williams and Ron Randell in “Tyrant of the Sea.”
- William Holden and Coleen Gray in “Father is a Bachelor.”
- Betty Hutton, Howard Keel and Louis Callhern in “Annie Get Your Gun.”
The Wayland Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star published a Resolution of Respect for recently departed Mary Carpenter.
100 Years Ago — July 31, 1925
The Allegan County Fair is scheduled to take place Aug. 25, 26, 27 and 28. Officials say the grounds and buildings have undergone renovations and improvements and a splendid time promised to all.
The Chautauqua is is full swing in Wayland, as is the Yeakey Auto Co.’s three-day celebration of Henry Ford. The first night reviews were positive and local businesses are offering patrons bargains during the festive occasions. However, there is growing concern wether or not there will be a Chautauqua celebration in 1926 because no contracts have been made.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Evelyn Brednt and Reed Howes in “The Cyclone Rider.” Virginia Valli in “The Signal Tower.”
The Wayland Grange planned a discussion on, “Should wealth be the standard for success?”
“A very enjoyable program was given by the Leighton Orchestra and the ladies Quarzette” at the Alle-Bar Community Club meeting at East Wayland. The group will meet next at the Leighton Township home of Mr. and Mrs. Art Thede.
Two new trustees, C.N. Stone and Bert Pullen, were elected at the annual school meeting for School District No. 5, Dorr Township.
Alton Bergman has purchased the Blue Lantern Confectionary and Ice Cream Parlor of F.A. Burlington on West Superior Street.
Scoutmaster Ellis asks local scouts to bring four buns and four wieners to a roast and moonlight ride at headquarters. “Be sure to bring an old broom.”
Library Director Fanny Hoyt said in an article in this month’s “Country Gentleman” magazine, John Amid declares he can take an auto camp trip cheaper than he stay at home. “These campers sometimes get into the habit telling big stories,” she observed.
The East Dorr Farmers Club enjoyed a picnic at Green Lake.
Florence Slater underwent her fifth operation at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, having an abcess removed from her back. However, she is showing signs of improvement.
