(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr):
25 Years Ago — Nov. 13, 2000
Lifetime local resident Jackie Straub wrote a letter to the editor praising the continuing efforts of neighbors across the street from her to put up delightful Halloween decorations on their house and property.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox, wrote about her hopes that the progressive march of technology will translate into more young people showing up at the polls to vote.
Angie Hughey penned a letter noting the Globe’s lack of coverage of the Wayland High School girls’ swim team.
Peggy Blok of Moline wrote a letter praising Aamoth’s recent Soapbox suggesting changes in how we vote in America in order to gain higher participation.
Melinda Dykstra of Dorr penned a letter exhorting area residents to properly dispose their trash, not alongside the roads.
Patricia Pattok submitted a letter about thieves and burglars, asking, “How the heck were these people brought up? What goes through their minds when they take something that doesn’t belong to them?”
Pat Staley wrote a massive story about the Gun Lake Band of Potawatomis exploring three different possible sites for a casino in this area. The tribe has won federal recognition, which makes it eligible for establishing a gaming operation. Public meetings are scheduled for Dorr Township and Wayland Township later this month.
Assistant City Manager Stacey Hiltz resigned abruptly without explanation after being on the job for eight months. City Manager Mike Jager, who had just been elevated to the post after the resignation of Barbara VanDuren, said he was surprised by her announcement.
Spencer Moore and his committee have demanded a recount of the primary election in which he lost to incumbent Republican Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk. He claimed VanderArk violated rules regulating his presence at the township on the day of the election.
William Frank Jackson of Wayland Township was arrested on a charge of child abuse, shaken baby syndrome.
A Spasmodic Dysphonia support group is being formed by Bea Stewart, Chris White and Phyllis Miner. The disease is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, making it difficult to speak.
Wayland High School’s criminalistics class, taught by Brian Ballone, has earned national recognition.
Hopkins cross-country runner Brooke Brenner finished 57th in the state meet at Michigan International Speedway near Brooklyn. Viking Luke Stein was 55th.
The Hopkins football team upset undefeated and three-time champion Ravenna 44-14 to advance to regional finals against Schoolcraft. The Vikings earlier upset Maple Valley.
Sue Heavner and Jessie Merchant led Wayland’s basketball team to two more victories to lift the Wildcats to a 10-5 record, one game out of first place in the O-K Gold Conference standings.
Hopkins now is 14-5, after winning five straight, featuring strong outings by Julie Baweja and Janine Gilder, both with double-doubles (in points and rebounds) against Kent City.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 11, 1975
Wayland Middle School teacher Ken Kolk told the Wayland Board of Education it violated the law when it issued a written reprimand to teachers who were no-shows Sept. 25 to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
Residents in the Wayland area absorbed high wind damages, but they were surprisingly minimal, according to City Manager Carl Fockler.
Wayland High School graduate Gary Finkbeiner has been admitted to the State Bar Association in Genesee County. He was a magna cum laude graduate of Michigan State University and received his juris doctor degree at Southern University in Dallas, Texas.
Barbara Keeney Crofoot has been selected director at the Henika Public Library. A Wayland High School graduate who attended Western Michigan University for two years, she had been employed at Kal-Equip Co. in Otsego.
Dorr Fire Chief Bernie Damveld reported the local Drive for Muscular Dystrophy collected $457.69.
Community Education and Recreation Director David VanEerden gave a presentation on the program to the Citizens Advisory Committee and introduced his assistant, Barbara Robbins.
“A Concerned and Disgusted Citizen” sent a letter to the editor, but did not identify himself with a signature.
Mrs. Halden Hudson has returned from a trip to Turkey to visit her daughter, Becky, and her husband.
The Pitt Family, with Don., wife Pat and children Nancy, Robin and Sherri will be guest musicians for the Sunday service at Wayland Christian Reformed Church.
Laurie Doublestein, a Wayland High School graduate, will sing with the Grand Rapids Community College choir in an upcoming concert.
Wayland is fourth in the O-K Blue Conference all-sports derby. Middleville and Hudsonville are tied for first.
Mrs. Bea Smith rolled a 612 series at Holiday Lanes in Grand Rapids.
The Wayland football team ended its season at 3-6 with a 30-0 non league victory over Delton.
The Hopkins girls’ basketball team, now 10-3 overall, defeated Wayland 60-41 and turned back Covert. Jenny Niemczyk scored 19 points in one game and Sue Maher had 18 rebounds in one and 14 caroms in another. The Lady Vikings are eyeing the first post-season girls’ basketball tournament with optimism.
Hopkins completed the football season with a record of 7-1-1 overall, second best in the school’s history, and the offense scored 318 points in nine games.
The first-ever Waylamd Middle School swim meet attracted 28 students, according to coach and instructor William Fritz.
The new post office building has opened in Dorr, twice as large as the former location. Postmaster is Russell Keeney.
County Commissioner Dennis Nickels and Community Education and Recreation Assistant Barbara Robbins were guest speakers at the Hopkins Community Action Program, (CAP) meeting at the Village/Township Hall.
The Dorr Township Lions Club will have its Charter Night Jan. 17 at Dorr Elementary School.
75 Years Ago — Nov. 17, 1950
The Community Chest’s annual drive has reached 75 percent of its goal, officials report.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his “Observations” column that the Rotary Club and Ladies Library Club deserve medals for coaxing residents into going to the polls for the Nov. 7 general election.
The Wayland Association of Churches has announced the annual Thanksgiving Union Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Gladys Johnson, president of the Wayland PTA, has reported membership in the group is 218.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce will have a breakfast at Buzz Stuch’s Friday morning, when plans will be discussed for the local Window Shopping Night, Santa’s visit and the contest for most attractively decorated homes in the village.
Roll call for the Ladies Library Club meeting last week was answered by the respondent’s favorite movie. Present were President Mrs. Alfred Snook and 38 members.
There will be a carnival Friday, Nov. 24, at the Moline Agricultural School.
The young son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Armintrout of Moline was hurt seriously when he was bitten and needed treatment for cuts and scratches to his face.
The freshman of Hopkins High School are sponsoring a Swing Dance Saturday, Nov. 18 in the high school gym.
John Metz, a member of the Martin Agricultural School Board, was killed in a traffic crash on his way to going hunting up north.
Howard Perry sent a letter from Japan, where he is serving in the armed forces. He said he was shot in the leg and is recuperating in the hospital.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Audie Murphy, Wanda Hendrix and Burl Ives in “Sierra.”
- Lucille Ball and Eddie Albert in the “The Fuller Brush Girl.”
- Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and Eddie Bracken in “Summer Stock.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 13, 1925
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson will leave soon for Los Angeles, where they will make their home. Their Ford Coupe is equipped with a complete Stroud outfit and “they will travel in real tourist fashion.”
A resolution of respect was published for George E. Tubah by the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. Another was published for Caroline Burlingame.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Reginald Denny in “The Fast Worker.” Richard Talmadge in “Stepping Lively.” Plus the comedy “The Pacemakers.”
The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. has announced it is putting into effect “rotation billing,” which is used by gas and power and light companies.
Little Wanda Pratt was severely burned at her home and was rushed by parents Mr. and Mrs. Allie Pratt to Bronson Hospital, where she died of her injuries. She would have marked her second birthday Nov. 18.
Miss Gladys Schantz of Wayland schools have a presentation on Alaska to members of the Ladies Library Club. Miss Everse read “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” a poem by Robert Service.
Mary Barbara Hines Congdon, who was born in Bradley in 1866, died Nov. 4 at age 59. “She was a hard working home loving wife and mother.”
Asel Duley is carrying his left foot in a sling, the result of George E. Ryno’s cement mixer having run over that member Thursday.
Don Uebele, the Libby McNiel representative here, escaped serious injury at the West Superior Street Interurban crossing, striking the car nearly broadside. His Ford sustained some damage.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yeakey attended an armistice party in Grand Rapids. The Yeakeys also entertained about 20 employees of Yeakey Auto Co. with a dinner and cigars.
The Wayland Young Peoples’ Prayer Band had 35 in attendance at the Dietiker home. Their next meeting will be held at the home of Ollie Tooker.
Mrs. C.W. Willis continues to be hospitalized in Gramd Rapids with blood poisoning. She is improving, but in a weakened condition.
Mr. and Mrs. Titus Hunsberger entertained the Green Lake Farmers Club with about 60 in attendance. The Hunsbergers helped initiate the club in 1919, but now will move to Miami, Fla.
