(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr):
25 Years Ago — Oct. 2, 2000
Editor Nila Aamoth penned a Soapbox entry about the problems with downtown parking, noting that one four corners building, formerly home to a Mexican restaurant, “has been empty for so long it may be haunted.”
Agnes Smith wrote a letter to the editor praising the staff and services to senior citizens at Thornapple Manor in Barry County.
Marie Finkbeiner Whittemore wrote a letter promising she will return to Wayland after an absence of 44 years. She said, “I look forward to hearing more reminiscences from Mr. (Fred) Hilbert as well as any others who have such stories to share.”
KeLinda Scott wrote a scathing letter about a citizen who dumped kittens to fend for themselves in the wilderness. One had already died.
Jan Kimmel has decided to retire as business manager of Martin Public Schools after serving for 25 years.
Leighton and Dorr Township Water Manager Dick Baxter has announced that a first of its kind water tower will be up and running soon, providing 700 gallons per minute. The tower is owned privately by a group of businessmen.
Wally Gunderson has been hired as assistant superintendent for the Allegan County Intermediate School District. Former Wayland school chief Robert Brenner is the current superintendent.
The American Legion in Dorr was victim of a burglary. Thieves took cash, cigarettes, a safe and alcohol. The safe later was recovered from the Rabbit River.
Australian educators Sandra Lowry and Shirley Urch visited Wayland Union schools as part of “a learning adventure.”
Jaime McEwen, a Wayland High School graduate, came back home for a visit after two years with the Young Americans touring group. Phil Vilenski, another WHS grad, did an impersonation of Elvis Presley two years earlier when the Young Americans first stopped in.
Darren Green and Christopher Shoemaker, both of Wayland, have begun recruit training class for the Michigan State Police in Lansing.
Karen Kirkjian signed up to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune TV quiz show, but lost her bid in the second round of auditions.
The Globe published a feature story about longtime Wayland resident Arnold Wilde’s service during World War II on the HMT Rohna, which was sunk and served as the greatest loss of life at sea in U.S. military history.
Coach Cheri Ritz’s Wildcat girls’ tennis team captured its first O-K Gold Conference championship. Ritz was a member of the 1976 Wayland outfit that won the league title.
Wayland speedster Justin Stuive scored five touchdowns as the ‘Cats blasted Kenowa Hills 33-3. Martin lost 28-0 to state-ranked Gobles. Hopkins blew out rival Allendale 46 to 6, rushing for more than 300 yards.
WHS sophomore Jon Kirkwood lost both of his shoes in the muck during an O-K Gold Conference cross-country jamboree and was disqualified, even though he ran his personal best time.
Hopkins harrier Richard Stein won the second O-K Silver Conference jamboree and Wayland’s Ray Antel Kelloggsville crews took first place for both girls’ and boys’ teams.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team defeated South Christian 53-41 to keep alive its hopes for a second straight O-K Gold title. Renee Dumond scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Martin, led by Sara Harthorn won two SAC encounters to move its girls’ basketball record to 5-2 overall.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 30, 1975
Negotiations between the Wayland Board of Education and teachers’ union bargaining teams have resumed after the teachers staged a one-day walkout Thursday, Sept. 25. Mediator Karl Kajawski of the Michigan Employment Security Commisssion issued a media blackout.
LuAnne Bala was crowned Miss Wayland and Frances Marie Kles first runner-up at the annual pageant held for the first time as the Wayland High School auditorium. One of the judges was WOOD-TV Channel 8 weatherman Andy Rent.
Members of the new created Citizen Resource Committee has gone on record as supporting a weather alert system for Allegan County. The group is made up of area school superintendents, interested citizens and police officers.
The Rev. Richard Koster remarked in a letter to the editor that the latest Red Cross blood drive netted 151 pints, falling short of the goal.
Mrs. Jerome LaValley wrote a letter praising the schools’ efforts to put together a quality dedication of the new football field, which included participation by the Central Michigan University marching band.
Correspondent Rosemary Hitt wrote about the history of Hopkins, noting that M.W. Hicks was proprietor of the Springdale Cheese Factory, turning a market for local farmers.
Mrs. Milo Farnsworth was to give a book review on “Fort Ticonderoga” at the next meeting of the Wayland Grange.
Saralee Mohn issued a formal invitation ot all local girls to join the Camp Fire Girls Glowing Embers Council.
Caledonia scored on 48-yard touchdown pass with just 39 seconds showing on the clock to ruin a festive field dedication for Wayland, 20-16.
The Hopkins football team’s offense exploded in a 68-0 rout of Covert. The Vikings scored three TDs in the first four and four more in the second to lead 52-0 at halftime.
The Martin girls’ basketball team remained undefeated at 4-0 with victories over Fennville and Lawrence.
Wayland High School cross-country team had improved times across the board , but lost to Delton and Middleville in separate dual meets.
Portage Northern spoiled the Hopkins girls’ basketball debut in a tight 43-41 overtime verdict.
Sports writer David T. Young noted his football prediction record now is 7-2.
An advertisement outlined enrichment classes that will be available to Hopkins and Martin residents this year.
Earl Terpstra, son of Mr. And Mrs. Bert Terpstra of Wayland, was pictured with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz. Terpstra is assistant state conservationist in Minnesota.
Mattie Faber retired at Moline State Bank after nearly 30 years of employment.
Ron Nakken of Hopkins has been named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship program.
Linden Steeby of Wayland will be the manager of the new Three Rivers Savings & Loan Association’s Plainwell office.
John Denver had the No. 1 song in the land with “I’m Sorry.”
75 Years Ago — Oct. 6, 1950
Mary A. Shad, who lived in Wayland for more than 50 years, died at the Bradley Convalescent Home. She was 76.
Howard Esket will make an appearance at Airport Lanes to show off some bowling tricks.
Wayland Community Fair exhibits are on display at all grades rooms. Sgt. Coykendal of the Michigan State Police will demonstrate firearms safety and the Wayland band will perform. “The Wallflower Cuts In” will be presented as a humorous play at the auditorium.
The Sycamore Street home of Mr. and Mrs. Naman Frank was broken into and ransacked. The thief apparently cut his hand while gaining entry through a basement window.
Hopkins United Methodist Church welcomed about 75 parishioners to a service introducing new pastor Milford Bowen and his wife.
Chapell School has a new mothers’ club and Mrs. L.C. Teater was elected president.
Corning School has 21 students attending, the largest number in awhile.
Students from the FFA, FHA and HI-Mar clubs of Martin enjoyed a hayride party and weiner roast.
The Globe correspondent from Hilliards said, “The House of (George and Rollo) Mosher deserves something more than casual recognition for its achievement of continuous publishing as a newspaper.”
The Martin chapter of the Future Homemakers of America has elected Marie Warner as president. The group has 46 members.
Michigan Bell Telephone has submitted a petition for permission to establish a local rate for the Shelbyville community. Right now, the Shelbyville users have multi-party service with Martin.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Donald O’Connor and Gale Storm in “Curtain Call at Cactus Creek.”
- Gordon McRae and Doris Day in “Tea for Two.”
- Ray Milland and Lana Turner in “A Life of Her Own.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 2, 1925
Globe Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher was elected commander of the Forest Lewis Post of the American Legion.
The Wayland High School football team has begun practices and has been the recipient of equipment updates, “This insures the Wayland boys that they go into their football games with protection equal to any other school.” Four games on the home field will attract Zeeland, Plainwell, Lee Street High and Grandville.
The Ladies Library Club will meet Oct. 6 at the library to welcome school teachers in Wayland.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Tom Mix in “The Deadwood Coach.” Hoot Gibson in “Hit and Run.”
Class officers at Wayland High School are presidents, freshmen, Elizabeth Baker; sophomores Olive Franks; juniors, Julia Smith, and seniors, Dorothy Douglas.
More than 100 students have enrolled in Wayland schools’ music programs.
Eugene Lyons, who was born in Leighton Township in 1866, died. “He was a kind and loving husband and father.”
The Wayland High School varsity football team will open its season Saturday against Otsego.
The large barn of Bernard Tobin burned to the ground with all of its contents.
George Youngs sent a letter to the Globe telling readers all about his visit to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and his hometown of Atlanta, N.Y.
Frank McGarry, a tombstone maker, and auto salesman Martin Blair, both of Allegan, were ordered to pay $50 and court costs after pleading guilty to possession of liquor. They told the judge they purchased a small quantity in Dorr while traveling to Grand Rapids.
