(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 21, 2000
The Globe’s front page picture was Wayland Middle School secretary Sue Henningson registering seventh-grader Sarah Brewer. The irony today is that Brewer eventually earned a doctorate degree in epidemiology.
A recount has been requested for the election earlier this month of in the primary for Yankee Springs Township. The request came from Nancy Near, supervisor candidate and Bob Herold, treasurer.
The Globe did a survey of prospects for girls’ basketball this coming season, the first without veteran Wayland coach Zack Moushegian, who retired with the second most victories in Michigan, 434. Nonetheless, new coach Coralie Miller is welcoming a veteran crew, particularly Jessie Merchant.
A picture was published of members of the Gun Lake Federation of Women’s Clubs who cleaned up two miles of the M-179 Highway.
The Michigan Department of Transportation has denied a grant request from the City of Wayland to fund a 1.3-mile bike path, called Pedestrian from Dahlia Street south to 133rd Avenue.
Ruth Evilsizor wrote a letter to the editor expressing concerns that busing at Pine Street Elementary is not safe.
Dorr Township Clerk Dick Dutkiewicz and Globe staff writer Scott Sullivan editorialized about the low voting turnout totals in the primary elections earlier this month.
The Gun River Watershed Committee is seeking a grant to improve water quality of the stream and is using the Martin Township Hall as a meeting room.
Hopkins Public Schools for the first is employing the middle school concept for the first time, welcoming sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.
Trina Boyle-Holmes has been named principal at St. Stanislaus School, succeeding Peter Boy, now a teacher and coach at Martin Schools.
A photo was published of Scott Getter demonstrating a computerized document camera at Hopkins High School.
Bill Eis has been selected principal at Moline Elementary and Andy Pridgeon new assistant principal at Wayland Middle School.
Mike Oshinski is the new varsity girls’ basketball coach at Hopkins, succeeding Mark Austin.
Sophomore Robby Young and junior Josh Cole will lead the Wayland High School boys’ cross-country team.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 19, 1975
The Gurney’s Market building at the downtown Wayland four corners has been purchased by Darl Anderson Construction of Shelbyville. The structure was home to Gurney’s IGA from 1921 to 1974, when John Gurney closed it. Anderson has plans to remodel and turn it into three small businesses.
Hopkins ladies Mimi Moulenbelt, Jean Sleeman and Laura VandenToorn are leading the charge for Hopkins Telephone Exchange to legally challenge Michigan Bell Telephone’s rate increase request.
The Community Education and Recreation program has begun its second year and Director David VanEerden says he’s expecting bigger and better things. The program now includes Hopkins and Martin schools.
Melvin Arnsman, 16, son of Lee Dale and Peggy Rose Arnsman of Hopkins, is returning from a two-month summer visit in Germany.
The local Golden Agers Club plans to take two trips to the Allegan County Fair, one for a potluck.
The local Bicentennial Boosters will sponsor a Wayland Community Street Dance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the St. Therese Church parking lot.
WHS graduate Sheryl Lynn DeHaan has graduated from Pine Rest Christian Hospital with a degree in practical nursing.
Veteran baseball, football and basketball coach Mark Austin has been chosen athletic director at Hopkins High School, succeeding James Danhoff, who left to take the principal’s post at Plainwell High School.
Sports writer David T. Young, in his column, noted there will be post-season high football playoffs in the A, B, C and D divisions for the first time ever. Young said basketball coaches won’t like the new program interfering with their season and acknowledged he’s growing weary of football by late November.
Mrs. Richard Presser of Dorr was photographed with a 28-inch walleye she caught in Gun Lake, using only a night crawler.
Wayland High School junior Jim Krick earned a second place medal at the U.S. Freestyle Championship tournament, grappling in the 126-pound division.
Hopkins correspondent Rosemary took a picture of and wrote an article about Irv Morris who removes damaged trees in the community and uses them to heat his house in the winter.
Dorr teen-agers are invited to attend a special movie presentation of “The Ipcress File,” at Dorr Elementary, starring Michael Caine and Susan Lloyd. The event is sponsored by Wayland Community Education/Recreation.
Mimi Moulenbelt of Hopkins is a contestant in the Michigan State Fair’s Homemaker of the Year contest.
Wayland has been designated as a winner in the 36th annual American Automobile Association Pedestrian safety contest. It was one of 44 finalists. The overall winner was Grosse Pointe Woods.
The group Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds took over the top slot among the nation’s tunes with “Fallin’ in Love.”
75 Years Ago — Aug. 25, 1950
The annual Cowbell Carnival will get under way next Wednesday, featuring kids’ rides, entertainment and concession over four days.
Wayland Schools will open for the next academic year on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
The Wayland Village Council is inviting representatives from the State Police, Allegan County Sheriff’s Department and prosecutor’s office to discuss ways to curb speeding motorists and reckless drivers in town. Taking down license numbers is promised in the local campaign.
Village night officer Fay Hall has reported there was a chase Wednesday night, with speeds reaching up to 90 miles per hour. It ended in Kent County.
Private first class Howard Perry sent the Globe a letter from war-torn Korea, telling readers the country seems to be all mountains, rice paddies and stockyards.
Former Wayland Schools Supt. Ira Arehart died at age 89 at his home on Outer Drive, Detroit.
Mrs. Margaret Towne has opened a beauty shop in the Naman Frank House just west of the theater on Superior Street.
Lloyd Jones, owner of Wayland Transfer Line, has purchased the gravel business of L. W. Johnson, who is selling because of ill health.
Allegan won the Ford Trophy in the baseball tournament by taking out Hastings in the final round.
The Globe published accounts of family reunions of the Nicolais, the Schwartz’s, the Adamses.
The Globe ran a public service advertisement, “Polio Precautions” recommending citizens avoid new groups, don’t get over tired, don’t get chilled and keep clean.
With Pastor O.B Little and wife staying at Torch Lake, John Miller is serving on an interim basis at the Church of Christ. He is a graduate of Johnson Bible College.
“It’s said that in all of Allegan County history only eight Democrats have ever been elected. This information was passed along by Erwy C. Reid of the Allegan Gazette.
A special matinee movie is scheduled for airing at the Wayland Theatre at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Cartoons and a one-hour film are planned.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Maureen O’Hara and MacDonald Carey in Comanche Territory.”
- William Bendix, Una Merkel and Ray Collins in “Kill the Umpire.”
- Joseph Cotten, Valli and Trevor Howard in “The Third Man.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 21, 1925
The newly refurbished Doll House Restaurant will reopen downtown with Mrs. Eisenlohr leading an open house. The Globe reported, “Mrs. Eisenlohr has built up a fine trade among those who travel along M13, and her many regular patrons will surely be well pleased with the new location.”
The Wayland School District will open Aug. 31 under Supt. Almon Vedder. Physics will be given in place of chemistry and there will be advanced courses in typing, shorthand and possibly bookkeeping.
Francis Fales, age 7, landed a seven and a half pound pickerel at Barlow Lake after a long tussle without any help.
About 75 people gathered for the Youngs-Wisner reunion at Barlow Lake.
The 37th annual Farmers Picnic has been scheduled for next Saturday at Streeter’s Resort, Gun Lake. The Leighton Tigers will play a fast team. Included will be a balloon ascension. The Leighton Cornet Band will provide music.
Mrs. F. D. Cutler is recovering from surgery at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Daughters of the Night.” Hoot Gibson in “The Ridin’ Kid from Powder River.”
Henika Public Library Director Fanny Hoyt reported that about 1,000 immigrants each day come in to this country. She also noted the Allegan County Librarians Association will have an exhibit for the Allegan County Fair.
Roy Powers, while driving across the railroad tracks north of Hopkins, tried to beat the train and had the back end of his truck hit by therein, causing some damage. Roy was more scared than hurt.
While M.D. Thomas was on his way to the creamery last Friday with a truck load of milk, he engaged in a race with another truck and lost control. His vehicle was turned upside down on the side of the road and a large quantity of milk was spilled.
Glen Gorby and sister and Ford Ellinger ran into a fence at the foot of Lane’s Hill while returning from Grand Rapids.
