(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — Dec. 18, 2000
Northeast Allegan County sustained an early winter blizzard that closed schools and traffic on a Monday and Tuesday. Schools were back in session by Wednesday.
Amy Hedgecock regional coordinator for the youth soccer program suggested Wayland Union Schools set aside a large, flat grassy area to enable youngsters to learn the game and have fun.
Wayland High School graduate Lisa Haller Fenn of Arizona wrote a letter saying her town out west has had a casino now for some time and it’s been a welcome addition. Barb Steffes of Dorr wrote a letter to the editor insisting all casinos she’s visited have been very business-like.
A fire that erupted during the Monday, Dec. 11, blizzard destroyed the home of Maureen Zalewski, but no one was injured.
Martin Village officials have announced a campaign for higher sewer rates and an increase in millage has been launched. Officials are considering a 40-year project for water with a 5.12% interest rate. Martin is projected to have 327 water connections by the year 2020.
Michigan House and Senate officials are taking up the issue of the possibility for a casino to be built by the Gun Lake Band of Potawatomis. Possible sites include land adjacent to the U.S.-131 freeway in Hopkins, Wayland Dorr Townships. The tribe earlier this year canceled public meetings about the prospects because of a “hostile atmosphere.”
New Watson Township Supervisor Mark Deschermier was preparing to take over the board activities with the help of outgoing Clerk Cathy Pardee. The new supervisor is succeeding Marv Henrickson.
The new Wildflower Ridge residential development is preparing to move into an area just south of Wayland High School. The location formerly was a gravel pit, but the Department of Environmental Quality has determined there is nothing toxic on site.
Vanderlind & Son is planning to establish a distribution business for water and sewer pipes at 1110 133rd Ave,. on the south side of the City of Wayland.
Members of the Leighton Township Board decided against spending $200,000 for an addition to the township hall, maintaining it would be only a “band-aid approach to the overcrowding problem at the hall.
Matt Vincent, Wayland postmaster, has announced the new local post office will open in April 2001 on Reno Drive, leaving behind the longtime site on East Superior Street next to the old Wayland Globe (Helmey) building.
Brandon Elementary in Martin has been awarded a Golden Apple designation for improvements in the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) tests.
Wayland City Manager Mike Jager has announced the hiring of Jeannette Skowron as finance director. Jager held the position until recently, when he was promoted ton city manager to succeed Barbara VanDuren, who left to work for the City of Wyoming.
Wayland High School’s basketball team overcame a slow start in its season opener to beat Wyoming Godwin Heights, 50-48. The Wolverines successfully limited Jamie Brown offensively, but Kurt Rizley and Jon Hindenach stepped up their performances.
Travis Brenner and Josh Hildebrand both have a flurry of victories by pins and the Martin’s wrestling team has taken control of first place in the Southwest Athletic Conference.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 23, 1975
The Hopkins Board of Education has decided to seek a renewal of eight mills and a two-mill increase to offset recent state support cutbacks in a special election in March.
The Michigan State Highways and Transportation has notified City Manager Carl Fockler that Wayland has been officially designated as a Bicentennial City, which will be displayed on four highway signs.
Wayland attorney Edward Reed Barton has been elected vice president of the Jaycees International and has been assigned to visit Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua, New Guinea.
Letters to the editor from Alice Switek and David Wolowicz praised the efforts of sports writer David T. Young and Wayland High School wrestling coach Rick Tokarchick.
Mary Visser, Pat Brefke, Kelly Goodwin, Mary Chrisman, Leslie Thompson, Phyllis Pintarelli, Lois Edwards, Stephanie Thompson, Priscilla Lindgren Joyce and John Hilbert and Todd Hilbert sang Christmas carols to the residents of the Sandy Creek Nursing Center.
Agri-Products Co. has replaced Agrico Fertilizer Co. of Martin, with Charley Conyer of Richland as president. Notable employees include Kermit Pike and Moe Hagerman, formerly with Wolverine Feed.
The Christmas choral concert under the direction of Richard Wiley and accompanist Karen Dunsmore, earned a lot of appreciative comments.
Teacher-coach Zack Moushegian was the winner of the Wayland Middle School Christmas door decoration contest.
The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team is 0-5 after a tough 59-57 loss to Middleville. Marty Trubiroha had 14 points and Rod Mauchmar 13. Hopkins, led by Phil Arndt’s 29 points, defeated Wayland 80-73 in the annual friendly neighborhood rivalry contest.
Wayland’s wrestling team improved to 5-0 in dual meets after victories over Caledonia and Forest Hills Northern.
Wayland volleyball coach Pat Rowley said 60 girls tried out for the first volleyball team, which will play 20 games.
Robert VanDenBerg hauled down 20 rebounds and scored 10 points, but Martin lost to Lawton, 45-33.
The Dorr Lions Club will have a “Charter Night” Jan. 17. The group now boasts of 23 charter members.
Omar Messer was presented with the Cowbell Seeds HMS Trophy at the annual company Christmas party.
The new Hopkins Village Manager has announced that volunteers are needed to help build and fill an ice skating rink.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 22, 1950
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce was unable to repeat the Christmas lighting contest this holiday season because of a lack of funding for prizes.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher commented that the Wayland Globe does its darnedest to edit any reference to Christmas as “Xmas.”
The Wayland Garden Club noted that the yellow-bellied sapsucker is the bird of the month in December.
Christmas carols will be sung next Friday by the young people of Dorr Christian Reformed Church.
Local businessman Sam Towne, manager of the Wayland Lumber & Coal for the past four years, is moving his family to Alpena to work for Beser Manufacturing Co.
Harvey L. Wait, formerly of Wayland, died Saturday, Dec. 16, in Calgary, Canada.
A good number of people was reported at the Friendly Bible Class at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Thede.
Many of the news items submitted by rural correspondents this week reported on Christmas plans, gatherings and activities of local people.
Members of the Mothers Club of the Moline Agricultural School held their regular potluck and Christmas party at the Odd Fellows Hall.
The Rev. Fr. Albert Radowski presented ladies of the Altar Society with a memo-book with lessons from the Scriptures at the St. Therese Christmas Party.
Mrs. Rollo Mosher has been a frequent guest at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital to visit her sister, who suffered a broken pelvis from a fall on the ice.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Errol Flynn and Patrice Wymore in “Rocky Mountain.”
- Bomba, Johnny Sheffield and Sue England in “The Hidden City.”
- Allan “Rockey” Lane and his stallion Blackjack in “Code of the Silver Sage.”
- Tyrone Power and Micheline Prelle in “American Guerrilla in the Philippines.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 18, 1925
William Northrup was elected worshipful master of the James Fenton Lodge of the Masons.
The Wayland High School debate team defeated Martin 2-1 on the question of child labor laws being applied to the U.S. Constitution. The local team will debate next on Jan . 15, but the opponent and location have yet to be determined. The team incudes Clyde Fowler, Faith Dell and Carlton Birchard.
Mrs. Irene Yeakey gave a presentation on “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men” and provided a movie reel of the work of the Good Fellow Club.
Wayland High School staged a carnival with an attendance of about 200. An orchestra performed with Bill O’Harrow, Eli Frank and Rob Latourette and singers in vaudeville.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Jack Hoxie in “Flying Hoofs.” Fred Thompson in “The Devil Quemado.” Also planned: a special show with two comedies on Christmas Night.
Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Buege heard Billy Sunday at the Grand Rapids City Mission.
Mrs. Jerry Sargent entertained Alansen Tanner and Ben Chambers with a chicken pie dinner on her 75th birthday. The combined age of the four in attendance was 337 years.
Florence Slater appears to have gotten past her critical illness after a stay at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and she dropped in at the office of her father, Dr. Ira Slater.
The ladies of the local Order of Eastern Star are planning a holiday bazaar at the Masonic Hall because Miss Campbell has been reported sick, there is no music Tuesday at Wayland School.
