(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 7, 2000
The Fontana Music series in Shelbyville concluded its season with a concert featuring cellist Solen Diner playing Mendelssohn.
An issue has developed over Allegan County’s awarding the bid for 911 radio equipment to Ericsson com.Net without consultation with state police from the Wayland post and county fire departments.
Editor Nila Aamoth penned a Soapbox entry asking the powers that be to keep the historically significant name of Chief Noonday for the road now more often known as M-179.
Sue Sebright submitted a letter to the editor asking Hopkins Township residents to approve the one-mill request for fire department equipment purchases.
Gary Newell, former commander of the Hastings Michigan State Police post, and Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jim Bailey are running for the Republican nomination for 87th District State Representative on the Republican Party ticket.
Dorr Township voters will be asked to approve a 10-year half mill proposal to fund the township library. Voters turned down the proposal the first time it was presented. Dorr voters also will be asked to create an elected five-member parks commission.
Besides deciding on a one-mill proposal for fire equipment, Hopkins Township voters will be asked to approve a road millage of two mills for two years.
Greg Bennett, Gary Becker, Jerry Krueger and James Morren have formed Downtown Wayland Properties and now are overseeing the development of the Harding’s Market on West Superior in the plaza next to the U.S.-131 expressway.
Ann Kilmartin has been named executive director of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce. The organization includes 81 members.
Carl Zimmerman is retiring as director of the Allegan County Health Department after serving for more than 40 years.
Joel David defended his title in the annual Summerfest 5k run in 15:45. Caledonia coach Ellen Wilcox won the women’s competition, edging Jamie Blain and Julie Fritz.
The 19th annual Wayland Summerfest softball tournament drew 82 teams playing on 13 different local diamonds.
Grand Video opened its doors for business at 358 Reno Drive in the West Superior plaza.
Sara Lee has been named administrator at the Laurels of Sandy Creek senior center.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 5, 1975
The new zoning ordinance adopted by the Wayland City Council greeted its first serious test when Anthony Geib submitted a proposal to change his gas station to a self-service operation at the corner of Sycamore and South Main Streets. Geib will take his proposal to the Aug. 13 Planning Commission meeting.
State Rep. Ed Fredricks joined Mrs. Robert VandenToorn, Mrs. Bruce Moulenbelt and Mrs. William Sleeman for a hearing on telephone service in the Hopkins area at the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The new Wayland High School cafeteria will be the site this year for the annual Wayland Community Fair Aug. 14 and 15. In past years, the fair took place at the Pearl Street gym.
A new restroom building is being erected in three Wayland City park by members of of the Lions Club.
A barn caught fire on 129th Avenue south of Wayland after being being struck by lightning. Members of the Wayland Fire Department were unable to save the structure and Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd estimated the damage at $4,200.
The Wayland Area Tree Tracers will have a display at the Wayland Community Fair to help local residents with tracing their family trees.
George Mansell, Allegan County Extension Director, penned a two-part series on the newfangled Farmland Preservation Act.
Supt. James Thomas reported in his column that attendance at the first Citizens Committee meeting July 29 was very poor, but work on necessary projects has begun.
Hopkins Happenings columnist Rosemary Hitt provided a brief history on Dr. Nelson Leighton, who practiced medicine here near the turn of the century.
Wayland Township published a notice that it will receive $7,752 in federal revenue sharing funds and it will be spent on roads.
Forty members of the Jolly Retirees of Moline attended a picnic at Douglas Walker Park near Byron Center.
Joe Ilmberger of Monterey Township has finished reassembling a log cabin at the Allegan County Fairgrounds.
The Globe published a photo of the Lanning Insurance Agency, recreation softball league champions, with managers Audrey Getzen and Mrs. Warren Tyrell.
The annual Wayland Globe tennis tournament will be held the week of Aug. 18-22. Three categories, boys’ singles, women’s singles, and boys’ doubles have been canceled because lack of enough entries.
George’s Cozy Inn of Dorr won the adult softball tournament in Wayland.
Cleon Duryea was re-elected president of the Hopkins Board of Education.
Leighton Township received a check from Moline State Bank to purchase a new fire truck. Bank President Jon DeYoung said it was an interest-free loan.
Milton VanDuine was elected commander of the Dorr American Legion.
Art Shade has retired at Pet Incorporated after work there for 39 years.
75 Years Ago — Aug. 11, 1950
Mrs. May Gillespie, Wayland’s last surviving Gold Star Mother from World War I, died at the age of 76. She also was a member of the Methodist Church, American Legion and Rebekahs.
The Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Dean have returned to Wayland after a several week tour of England.
L.D. Miles reported seeing a small bear cross the road at Gun Lake. He said it behooves berry pickers to be wary of the approach of such creatures.
Seven area communities have accepted invitations to take part in the first Wayland baseball tournament, sponsored by the American Legion and Wayland Ford. They are Caledonia, Plainwell, Middleville, Hastings, Wayland, Galesburg and Allegan.
Horticulture specialist H.E. Chapman will speak to members of the Allegan County Extension group.
The second annual Hopkins Harvest Festival will be held Aug. 24, 25 and 26. Games, prizes, food and amusements fun are promised.
The Gun Lake baseball team, defeated Middleville 13-2 with a battery of Lapekas and Warner.
Rural Grange No. 37 members will have their annual picnic at Caledonia Park Aug. 13.
Mrs. Lois Baker of Hopkins, said to be in good health, celebrated her 99th birthday Aug. 2.
The 57th annual McBride family reunion was held at Murphy’s Point and 85 attended.
The Globe contained a numbered many advertisements for county and state offices in the state primary election Sept. 12.
The Leighton Grange will have a discussion about “Can the Government Stop Depression?” at the Aug. 11 meeting. Members of the Leighton Farm Bureau are being invited.
The Rev. John Miles, pastor of the Wayland Calvary Church,has just returned from a seven-week tour of the West with a gospel team, the Heralded. He and his family will leave soon for the Gitchee Gumee Bible Conference in the Upper Peninsula.
Frank Hall, 67, died at his farm home in Martin Township. He will be buried at East Martin Cemetery.
The Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce is launching an all-out campaign to finance a better fishing program for local and out of state anglers.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake in “Blondie’s Hero.”
- Johnny Weismuller as Jungle Jim in “Captive Girl.”
- Robert Walker and Joan Leslie in “The Skipper Surprised His Wife.”
- Marie Wilson as Irma and John Lund in “MyFriend Irma Goes West.
- 100 Years Ago — Aug. 7, 1925
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher printed a notice on the front that that the inside pages of this week’s Globe were lost in Chicago, “So we are forced to issue the paper without them.” This edition contained only four pages.
Allegan County farmers are being invited to a county-wide celebration Aug. 9 at all area churches recognizing the important work they do for everyone.
The contract for the annual Chautauqua has been signed to guarantee another program next year. “Everyone who attended the Chautauqua this year and the tent was full enjoyed the programs very well.”
Hundreds of people came to the downtown last weekend to help the Yeakey Auto Co. celebrate the birthday of Henry Ford. “The folks began to gather shortly after dinner and when the sports program began in the street in the vicinity of the Yeakey garage was packed with humanity.
A total of 138 Farm Bureau team workers attended the School of Instruction Aug. 3 in an all-day session. The program was held under the direction of Claude Hanby and Clark Brody, Farm Bureau secretary-manager.
Charles Nelson of Wayland had the misfortune of being rundown by the Allegan-Grand Rapids motor bus at the cheese factory corners in Hopkins Township. He sustained minors cuts to his face, but the road man had several bad cuts to his head. The machine was wrecked.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Tom Mix in “Dick Turpin.” Jack Hoxie in “Fighting Fury.” Coming soon: “In Love with Love.”
Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt recommends patrons to read “What America is Doing for Haiti.”
Nick Heibel and and Henry Majeski were involved in a traffic crash with their Fords. It was Fords Day to boot.
Mosher said he was sorry to learn that bicycle repairman Roy Somers is contemplating leaving Wayland. He is a leader of the Cadet band.
The new foundry of A.H. Clark is nearly completed. He will manufacture and keep on hand points and trimmings for the Hoyts and other plows so farmers can get them for the fall plowing.
Raymond Clark, 18, and Charles Heacock, have been charged with beating up and detaining a an elderly county farmer who wouldn’t tell them where he had hid a sum of money. They were taken to the Jackson prison.
John Knowles, one of the few remaining Civil War veterans of this area, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Otto of Bradley.
An Indian Camp meeting will be held at Selkirk’s grove Aug. 28 and 29.The Wayland Feed & Coal Co. has taken over the elevator formerly owned by Wayland Farm Bureau.
