(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr):
25 Years Ago — Nov. 6, 2000
Wayland Board of Education member and Hopkins High School teacher Robert Wiersma penned a letter to the editor maintaining the school voucher proposal would strengthen public education by expanding opportunities.
The first-ever Dorr Township Parks Commission has been established with members Steve Wolbrink, Paul Koperski, Nancy Fifelski, Elise DeYoung and Steve Jurczuk.
Moline Christian Principal Preston Bruxvoort also came out in favor of school vouchers.
Allegan County Treasurer Fulton Sheen has indicated his objection to the United Way’s decision to pull funding from the Boy Scouts in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Gail VanAuken of Salem Township was killed in a traffic crash en route to a fire at a turkey farm. Her husband, who was hospitalized in the crash, was a local firefighter.
Midway Die & Engineering has purchased the property formerly occupied by SPX on South Main Street in Wayland.
Donna VanderArk has announced she is a write-in candidate for Wayland Township Clerk. She and her husband, Dave, are owners of Superior Frames in downtown Wayland.
Two break-ins were reported at Wayland High School, but nothing was reported missing or damaged.
Wayland High School student Dane Genther was pictured as a page at the nation’s Capital, Washington D.C. He was photographed with Congressman Peter Hoekstra.
Richard Mlynarchek of Gun Lake wrote a letter to the editor intended instead for the thief who stole a Gore-Liberman sign from his yard.
Mary Howard, Hopkins Elementary Principal, wrote a letter against vouchers insisting diversity will suffer when all schools are subject to state regulations.
Jack Klunder kicked the first field goal of his career with no time remaining in the playoff game as Hopkins edged Maple Valley 25-22 to advance to the next round against Ravenna.
Wayland’s Robby Young completed the 5K course in 16:48 to finish 12th in the Division 2 regionals and qualify for the state meet at Michigan International Speedway. Brooke Brenner and Richard Stein of Hopkins also will compete in the state meet.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team is 12-5 overall and preparing for the post-season tournament. They are led by Nicki Brower, Jodi Ingle, Sue Heavner and Jessie Merchant, coming back from an injury.
Hopkins upended Thornapple Kellogg on the hardcourt, 50-39, as sophomore Amanda Chen scored 17 points. Martin’s squad now is 12-6 and 9-3 in the SAC. They are led Sara Harthorn.
Ford Mauchmar, former owner of a body shop in Leighton Township, died at his home. He was 75.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 4, 1975
The Wayland City Council had lengthy discussion about how the new ambulance service would be funded and used. The service has received a new vehicle, paid for on an annual basis by the City of Wayland and the townships of Wayland, Hopkins, Dorr and Leighton.
Robert Jackson has been elected president of the Community Fair Board.
The Allegan County Community Mental Health Board has decided to offer a mental health clinic on a trial basis for four hours a week at the United Church of Wayland.
Members of the new Amvets post have decided to name the organization after Don Gurney, who was killed at Guadacanal during World War II.
Gail Nelson penned a letter to the editor expressing her appreciation for the efforts of Dr. Dale Kuiper, Protective Services social worker Julia Luttrell and local attorney Jim Ainsworth in explaining the problems of child abuse.
Mrs. Arthur Miller of Wayland presided over the fall meeting of Allegan County Federation of Women’s Clubs at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
John Bouterse and Jeffrey VanderWoude of Moline won a plane ride after a light bulb selling contest for the Moline Calvinist Cadet Club.
QB Ron Schafer tossed three touchdown passes and running back Phil Arndt was approaching 1,000 yards for the season as Hopkins devastated Calvin Christian, a first-year program, 70-0.
Wayland’s football squad lost 20-12 to Byron Center, a remarkably improved team fresh from a 58-13 drubbing of Hamilton. Linebacker Brian Groeneveld had 11 tackles and five assists. Wayland finished its O-K Blue Conference season with a record of 1-6.
Wayland volleyball coaches Pat Rowley and Pat Sowle have announced the start of an intramural program for all WHS girls in grades 9-12.
Hopkins girls’ basketball team is 8-3 after losing 44-40 to Fennville and drubbing Saugatuck 88-15.
The Wayland junior varsity girls’ basketball team, coached by Zack Moushegian, lost 22-12 to league-leading Hudsonville, but defeated Kenowa Hills.
Frank Suhusky was elected president of the Wayland Band Boosters and Imogene Mooney first vice president.
Carol and Laura Davis of Selkirk Lake gave the local Grange a presentation about the Youth for Understanding foreign exchange program.
Mrs. Andrew Smith suffered several injuries in a traffic crash near the corner of Vine and Superior Streets. She said her husband reached down to retrieve an item when the car he was driving struck a couple of parked vehicles.
A Wyoming woman has opened The Sample Shop, featuring men’s and children’s wholesale clothing.
Mrs. Bessie Stone, who was born in Hopkins in 1878, died Oct. 30 at the Cunningham Nursing Home.
Elton John took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s popular tunes with “Island Girl.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 10, 1950
Herman B. Doren, chief electrician mate in the U.S. Navy in both world wars, died at the Veterans Facility in Grand Rapids.
Late election returns showed Republicans with a slight lead in the gubernatorial race. However, Democrat G. Mennen Williams eventually prevailed.
Seven Wayland youngsters admitted to cutting a high wire fence, according to Deputy Sheriff Forrest Reichenbach.
Anna Frank, who spent all of her 64 years living in this area, died at her home in Dorr Township.
The northeast district of Home Extension will have its fall rally at the Wayland High School cafeteria Nov. 14. All members of the East Bradley Party Line, South Wayland, Dorr and Leighton clubs are urged to be present.
Nearly 400 customers signed up in a drawing for a new dishwasher at the Jacob Eding open house. Winners were Priscilla Shade, Clarice Burbank, Forest Selby and Mrs. Andrew Mays.
The Rev. Ralph Dean is assisting an evangelistic crusade in Carthage, N.Y., but local services will continue in his absence.
Frank E. Wise, who lived in Hopkins for 68 years, died at age 89. He was a native of Youngstown, Ohio.
Sunday School teachers Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brenner, Mrs. Oliver Knobloch and Mrs. Carl Unger of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church attended an institute in Benton Harbor.
Mrs. Gerhardt Arndt and brothers and their wives, took a one-day trip to Taquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula, covering 677 miles round trip.
Apologies to Mrs. Netta Stokoe who is the oldest person living in Leighton Township, not Dr. Hacker.
The fathers of Wayland High School football players are sponsoring a banquet Friday. Dinner cost is $1.25. Guest speaker will be Bill Perrigo, basketball coach at Western Michigan College.
The Michigan Education Association (MEA) of Allegan County held its meeting and dinner at the Wayland High School cafeteria. R. J. Steeby is president of the county organization.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Richard Basehart and Marilyn Maxwell in “Outside the Wall.”
- Eddy Arnold and J. O’Mahoney in “Hoedown.”
- Burt Lancaster, Dorothy McGuire and Edmund Gwenn in “Mr. 880.”
- Kathryn Grayson, Mario Lanza and David Niven in “The Toast of New Orleans.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 6, 1925
Members of the Ladies Library Club were to respond to roll call with “Biblical quotations.”
The sudden death of John Wolford from heart trouble occurred at the home of his nephew, James Gordon, with whom he had lived with for many years.
Caroline Bell Miller, who was born in Wayland Township in 1870, died at age 55.
George Tubah, a local hardware businessman and member of the board of directors for Wayland State Bank, died at age 55.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Jack Hoxie in “Western Wallop.” Johnie Walker in “Life’s Greatest Gain.” Also showing, the comedy “The Pacemakers.” Next week: Reginald Denny in “The Fast Worker.”
Word has been received of the death of Mrs. A. B. Congdon of Allegan. Her funeral will be at Bradley Congregational church.
The last home football game of the season will be held Nov. 6 when Grandville comes to town. “If football continues as one of the activities of the local school, it will do so only if supported by the people in the community.” The local lads lost 7-0 to Galesburg last week.
Members of the Wayland High School freshman class enjoyed a Halloween party at the school house.
An anonymous high school student penned an editorial comment supporting a school band. He or she insisted that students who attend high school without any music instruction have a very dull and uninteresting experience.
There will be a Hat Social in connection with Hope Rebekah Lodge.
Bert Paul, assistant postmaster in Dowagiac, was a guest for three days at the home of his mother, Mrs. S. H. Paul.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher attended the University Press Club meeting in Ann Arbor and took in the Michigan-Navy football game.
The Wayland Young Peoples Prayer Band met with Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Baxter with 33 in attendance. All young people in the community are invited to these gatherings.
August Stromberg suffered a stroke and has lost the use of his right side. He is confined to his bed and is receiving nursing care from his wife and sister in law.
The fire bell sounded in Wayland to summon aid to the home of Clifford Averill, where a mattress stored in the basement somehow caught fire.
