(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr):
25 Years Ago — Sept. 18, 2000
A Leighton Township woman, is escalating her feud with the township and promises that the. Grand Rapids Center for Independent Living will file suit for violating the rights of Random Heth, a person with a disability.
A Wayland man, Lynn Allen Dings, has been sentenced to jail for home invasion, 17 months, as part of a plea bargain.
Fees for water hookups in Martin Village have been increased.
Wayland High School is seeking a new athletic director in the wake of the decision by Kevin Wiltshire to move back closer to family near Alma, a position at Mt. Pleasant schools.
The Globe published a front page photo of Chris Windier, Gary Havens, Pam Schmidt and Wayne Kidder portraying the key foursome from the “Wizard of Oz” for the Caraway Street Ministry.
Though projections say Wayland Union will have 3,214 students enrolled this fall, there is a good possibility the actual numbers will fall short.
The Globe published a guest commentary piece written by former State Senator and Cowbell Seeds Fred Hilbert, owner about the arrival of Harding’s Market at the famous ancient location known as Chambers Corners.
Barb Schaefer, Tamara Wigger and Darla Beck wrote letters to the editor defending the Wayland Board of Education’s decisions on Pine Street Elementary’s starting times and parking protocol.
Thomas Houseman wrote a letter opposing Dick DeVos’ plans to institute vouchers for private schools at the expense of public schools.
Kelloggsville freshman Nicole Bush completed the Yankee Springs Invitational 5K course in just 19:24. She is coached by Ray Antel of Wayland.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team, rated sixth in the state, defeated Hudsonville and Cedar Springs to move to 4-0 overall for the season. Jessie Merchant scored 22 points against Hudsonville.
The Hopkins girls copped their first victory after three losses. They were led by sophomore guard Amanda Chan’s 11 points.
The Wildcat girls’ tennis team is hoping to capture their first-ever league title. The ‘Cats are 4-0 in the O-K Gold.
Martin upset Lawrence 14-8 and Hopkins blew out Saugatuck 47-0 on the gridiron. Wayland lost the battle for the cowbell to Caledonia, 41-14.
Master gardener Eleanor Johanna Pawloski-Wolf died at age 78.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 16, 1975
Best of Show winners at the Allegan County Fair in painting and drawing were Dawn Brog of Wayland and Suzanne Stafford Wood of Martin.
Allegan County Commissioner Dennis Nickels told the Wayland City Council that prospects were good for establishing the public Wayland Ambulance Service, according to the Office of Highway Safety Planning.
Hopkins widow Mrs. Jerry Brenner was named winner of the Allegan County Young Homemaker of the Year, succeeding Mimi Moulenbelt, who placed the crown on her head during the ceremony at the pageant.
The bus drivers’ union for Wayland schools reached an agreement on a new employment contract with the Board of Education, but the teachers are still working without a new contract.
The Wayland Community Education and Recreation program is sponsoring “Local Leisure Time” classes, including scuba diving, home wine making, ceramics and pottery.
A Bicentennial meeting is planned for Moline with Chairman Peter DeKraker and Secretary Carol Ritz.
The Wayland varsity football team took advantage of breaks to squeak by Ravenna 14-13 in its season opener. Jim Longstreet scored both touchdowns and Dave Meinke came up with clutch fumble recoveries.
Hopkins had to settle for a 12-12 tie with Byron Center and Martin lost 20-8 to Saugatuck. Ken DeMann picked up a fumble and ran it in for a TD.
After bragging about his forecasting prowess in the previous season, sports writer David T. Young went only 1-2 this past Friday.
Peggy Rose Arnsman, customarily the high school librarian, was named Hopkins Women’s Athletic Director.
The Wayland Lions Club again plans to offer a series of travelogues for the 1975-76 season at the Wayland High School Auditorium.
Dan Genther of Dorr harvested a 63-pound squash from his garden. Eugene Moore of Hopkins grew unusual pencil-shaped potatoes.
Dave Genther and Nancy Stark have been elected student council president and vice president, respectively, at Wayland High School.
Wayland High School graduate Craig Suhusky has been awarded a special citation from Western Michigan University.
Mrs. Lessie Clay, wife of former local pastor the Rev. Charles A. Clay, died at age 88 at the Alamo Nursing Home.
David Bowie captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “Fame.”
75 Years Ago — Sept. 22, 1950
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported there has been a bear cub sighting near Robbins Bay, Gun Lake.
This edition of the Wayland Globe marks the 66th anniversary of the weekly newspaper, which was started in September 1884.
Paul R. Manning of Wayland, a WHS Class of 1949 alum, has enlisted in the air corps and has reported for duty at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.
The Wayland Garden Club published the rules for entering the floriculture exhibit at the Allegan Fair.
Lifetime Leighton Township resident Mrs. Olive Douglas died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Oliver Francisco. She was 91.
All members of the Allegan County PTA are invited to the first meeting of the Allegan Area Council Sept. 25.
The Wayland Rural Grange is sponsoring a square and round dance Saturday night Sept. 23. Doughnuts and coffee will be served.
Arthur Young of Shelbyville suffered a back injury and was transported to Burgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Mrs. Stella Shafer, a longtime local resident who recently returned from Florida, died. She was a member of the Bradley Methodist Church and Order of Eastern Star.
The Hopkins ladies Library Club held its first meeting of the new season and it was reported that Mary Ellen Dyer has been hired as librarian.
Congressman Clare Hoffman of Allegan published an ad thanking local voters for returning him to another two years in Washington D.C.
An advertisement advised anyone planning to buy a television do so before Oct. 1 because a 10% excise tax will be applied after that date.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and the Bowery Boys in “Lucky Losers.”
- Kirby Grant, Chinook and Elena Verdugo in “Snowdog.”
- Esther Williams, Van Johnson, Paula Raymond and John Lund in “Duchess of Idaho.”
- Sterling Hayden, James Whitmore and Jean Hagen in “The Asphalt Jungle.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 18, 1925
The White School, District No. 11, under the leadership of Mrs. Lena Heldenberg held a fair of their own. The school room was crowded with exhibits of farm produce bought by students. Harold Doxey and Walter Angsman won first and second prizes, respectively.
The Allegan County Clerk has announced the allotment of primary school money according to population at a rate of $13.70 per child. Wayland received $8,274.80 for 604 students. Hopkins got $7,206.20 and Martin $5,315.60.
Michigan’s general tax for the year, despite a lopping off of more than $2 million from legislature appropriations, will be $17,800,000.
The Barcafer Evangelistic non-denomination tent services are attracting growing interest in the village park. Mr. and Mrs. Barcafer brought their message to the high school.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Tom Mix in Zane Grey’s “The Rainbow Trail.” Jack Poxie in “Daring Chances.” Coming next week: Lon Chaney in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
The Grand Rapids Rapids Press Newsboys Band will be featured in the Fall Festival, along with a large parade, including entry prizes. The festival will be held downtown on Oct. 1, 2 and 3.
The funeral for Marion Eddy of Howard City, well known in this area, will be in his hometown. He was traveling with his family and was stricken by apolplexy in Kalamazoo, causing his death.
Henika Public Library Director Fanny Hoyt recommended an article, “Henry Ford Takes Up Dancing” in this month’s Country Gentleman magazine.
Alfred Lyons of the County Line School passed with highest honors for the eighth grade exam in Barry County.
The Village of Wayland is seeking bids for paving work on South Main Street, 495 square yards.
John D. Rockefeller, believed to be the United States’ richest man, has paid $8.277 million in income tax in 1924.
William Plant had the best luck among Wayland’s first day duck hunters, bagging seven birds.
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Beall and daughter, Margaret, drove to Lafayette, Ind., where Margaret will enter Purdue University to study English and sociology.
Johnson and Barber of Byron Center have leased the Ward garage on North Main. They are expected to be successful auto mechanics.
Adam Yerick’s Tudor Ford started out of his yard and crashed into tree across the street in front of the home of L.P. Reno. The vehicle then was repaired in Grand Rapids.
The Wayland High School football squad will open its season against Otsego Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3, despite the fact the Fall Festival will be going on downtown at the same time. Prospects outlined by Coach Vedder are that the Wildcats will have a successful season.
