(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr):
25 Years Ago — Nov. 20, 2000
A huge front page photo showed several residents brandishing a sign that said “Dorr doesn’t want casino” at a special public meeting sponsored by the Gun Lake Tribe of Potawatomis discussing three potential sites for a gaming operation. It was a tumultuous session and the tribe canceled its next planned public meeting. A tribal spokesperson said, “From the behavior we witnessed last night, we see no point in another meeting.”
A tax abatement request by Simpson Industries in Middleville was granted, saving the company about $30,000 a year.
Editor Nila Aamoth expressed her support for a proposed casino by the Gun Lake Tribe, maintaining local infrastructure would be improved and the Native Americans at the same time could have a lucrative business along the U.S.-131 expressway.
There were many letters to the editor submitted about the casino issue. Those opposed said it would bring more crime, traffic congestion and big city troubles. Those in favor mentioned similar perks as did Aamoth, adding the prospect of more jobs.
The Allegan County United Way has been told it should reverse its decision to no longer fund the Boy Scouts of America.
The Village of Martin is considering a $2 increase in sewer rates.
The Wayland Board of Education is being petitioned for reinstatement of an open campus for the lunch period.
A solid football season for Hopkins came to an end in the playoff regional finals with a 22-15 loss to perennial powerhouse Schoolcraft. The Eagles put together a 94-yard drive with less than two minutes left in the ballgame to win it.
Jessie Merchant scored 27 points to lead the Wayland girls to a regular season ending victory over Hudsonville Unity. The Lady Wildcats fought their way to a district finals game against Lake Odessa Lakewood. Merchant announced she will attend the University of Michigan next fall to play softball.
Sophomore Amanda Chan drilled a trio of threes, scoring 21 points to lead Hopkins girls to victory over Allendale, but the Vikings’ season ended in the district opener. They finished at 15-6 overall.
The Globe published a photo of Kelloggsville cross-country coach Ray Antel of Wayland and Middleville coach Tammy Benjamin, both of whom guided their teams to state championships at Michigan International Speedway.
Hayley Keyzer scored 18 points to help lift Martin to a berth in the district hoops finals vs. Climax-Scotts.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 18, 1975
The City of Wayland has been notified it has won a $95,000 grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Corp. The money will be available for loans with 3% interest to residents for home improvements.
Julius Andringa has been appointed new assessor for the City of Wayland, succeeding Ernie Martin, who will retire Jan. 1.
The city announced it has renewed its lease agreement for ambulance use with George Hampel of the Archer-Hampel Funeral Home.
Ardis Spicer has pleaded guilty to embezzling $46,500 from the Dorr branch of the Wayland State Bank.
Michael Miller has been named the first village manager for Hopkins. A native of Muskegon, he earned his bachelor’s degree in urban and environmental studies from Grand Valley State College.
Wayland school administrators and teachers have been the principal targets of a rash of automobile tire slashing and vandalism in the Garden and Dahlia street areas.
Sharon Nelson and Charles O. Johnson have earned their master’s degrees at Central Michigan University.
Jim Levandoski was scheduled to present a program on copying cemetery records to the Tree Tracers Genealogy Society.
Wayland was the host school for the Ottawa-Kent Massed Choir Festival, which included 384 students.
The Wayland Middle School’s Rocketry Club had its first launching of student made rockets Oct. 3.
Kenneth Morris of Martin finished 10th in the Michigan State University Horse Judging Roundup competition, which provides training for Michigan horse judges and 4-H exhibitors.
Jenny Niemczyk, Sue Maher and Karen Caywood were named to the A-O Conference all-star girls’ basketball team. The Lady Vikings finished their regular season with an 11-4 overall record. They will open district play at home against Fennville.
Brian Groeneveld was the only member of the Wayland football team to win any kind of all-conference recognition. He won honorable mention accolades.
All-league Hopkins selections in football included Ron Schafer, Dennis Norman, Mark Hilaski, Wayne Krotz, Mel Arnsman, Jim Schwartz and Doug Stankey.
Succeeding the Gurney’s IGA Market at the corner of Main and Superior Streets in downtown Wayland is the Superior Sporting Good Store, owned by Darl Anderson and managed by his son, Jim.
Wayland High School graduate Mrs. Elwood Pallet died in Plainwell. She was 58. Mrs. Pallett was very active in banking and with Pipp Community Hospital.
KC & the Sunshine Band took over the No. 1 spot among the nation’s tunes with “That’s the Way I Like It.”
75 Years Ago —Nov. 24, 1950
Elwyn Baker, 14, of Leighton Township, was killed while demonstrating a new tractor. He was showing a turning maneuver before it flipped and pinned him underneath the machine.
Santa Claus is coming to town at 8 p.m. sharp Wednesday with his horse-drawn sleigh. All children will have a chance to shake hands with Kris Kringle. Meanwhile, adults will be beckoned to Window Shopping Night in downtown Wayland.
The local auto dealership J.J. Anderson Motor Sales has changed its name to Wayland Car & Service. Stanley Batson is the new manager, getting the 1951 Fords ready for public viewing.
A head-on collision occurred on U.S.-131 inside the village, claiming four injuries. “In seemed impossible that such an accident could result in no fatalities, as the impact of the crash knocked the entire motor from the car driven by one of the motorists, who had just purchased the car earlier that day.”
Queen Ward, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. John E. Ward, has been transferred back to Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek after serving at a Denver hospital for the past eight months.
Fred D. Hilbert has been admitted to Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment of an old persistent ailment.
The Wayland Grange is planning a hard times dance party, where prizes will be awarded for best costume.
Mrs. LaVerne Pegg, a pioneer in the Hopkins area, died after a lengthy illness. She was 77. Her funeral was to be at Hopkins Community Church and burial in Maplewood Cemetery.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Joe Palooka, Joe Kirkwood Jr. and Leon Errol in “Humphrey Takes a Chance.”
- Johnny Sheffield and Marjorie Lord in “Bomba and the Lost Volcano.”
- June Haver, Gloria DeHaven and William Lundigan in “I’ll Get By.”
- June Allyson, Dick Powell and Ricardo Montalban in “Right Cross.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 20, 1925
The West Leighton Community Club will have a Thanksgiving presentation by order of the Program Committee at the District No. 10 school house Wednesday evening, Nov. 25.
Mrs. Harold Delp gave a presentation on “Evolution of Foods and the Food Industry” to members of the Ladies Library Club. She and Pauline Smith played three songs from different eras, “Old Black Joe,” “When You and I Were Young, Maggie” and “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Hoot Gibson in “The Sawdust Trail.” Evelyn Brent in “Silk Stocking Sal.” Starting on Thanksgiving, Harold Lloyd in “The Freshman.”
Fannie Perkins of Ohio Corners died at her home after five weeks of suffering from severe burns Ian accident.
Mrs. D.J. Dunwell have a presentation to the Ladies Library Club urging young people to cultivate a liking for worthwhile books and good poetry. Henika Library was celebrating the life and legacy of author Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Wayland High School football team defeated East Grand Rapids 26-7, featuring long runs by Halloran and Brocker. Halden Hudson kicked two extra points and scored a touchdown.
The football team will close out is season with a game against Gibbons Hall in Kalamazoo. The team’s overall record is 3-4.
The Willing Workers Sunday School class met at the home of Mrs. J.L. Robinson, featuring a potluck supper.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform at the Powers Theatre in Grand Rapids.
Henika Library Director Miss Fannie Hoyt and sister, Mrs. H.F. Buskirk, and Mrs. Ivan Hunsberger attended the annual County Library Association meeting in Martin.
The Ladies Aid and Althea Class will serve a chicken supper at the American Legion Hall over the bank. There also will be a white elephant sale.
Mrs. C.W. Willis has reported the worst of her blood poisoning crisis has passed and she is improving slowly. She is able to sit up for 15 minutes a day.
Shiek Haphael Emmanuel of Chaldea, Mesopotamia have a lecture on his native country at the Christian Church Sunday. He will sing songs in the Chaldean language.
