(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — Dec. 25, 2000
Blaine Koops, who defeated incumbent David Haverdink in the 2000 primary election for Allegan County Sheriff, has announced his undersheriff will be Terry Fisk, who is completing his doctorate in criminal justice and was director of criminal justice training at Grand Valley State University.
Globe staff writer Scott Sullivan took a light-hearted approach in his Soapbox to the controversy about a casino coming to Dorr. Editor Nila Aamoth published a Season’s Greetings-style Soapbox as well.
Danielle Kenyon of Dorr wrote a letter to the editor noting the bad behavior of parents and attendees at the Christmas concert at Moline Elementary, noting it was so bad she stopped videotaping it.
Anita Modreske, a member of the Wayland City Council, was promoted to vice president/general manager at United Bank.
The Allegan County Board of Canvassers confirmed the election of Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk over challenger Spencer Moore.
The Dorrr Township Planning Commission rejected a proposal to rezone 13.84 acres on 18th Street north of 143rd Avenue and approved rezoning for a plan for 142nd Avenue near 16th Street for establishing a Pro Line Construction business.
City Manager Mike Jager said there are plans in 2001 to widen East Superior Street from the main downtown four corners to the city limits.
The Globe published a photo of an overturned vehicle on 142nd Avenue near 16th Street as a result of slippery roads. It was reported that 60 inches of snow already have fallen this season.
The Martin Board of Education will have a special meeting to discuss having a bond issue for renovations, expansion and improvements of facilities. Voters turned down a bond request earlier in the year.
Wyoming Asphalt and the Watson Township Board plan to appeal Circuit Judge George Corsiglia’s decision against a gravel mining operation in which a special use permit was granted along 13th Street north of M-222.
New Sheriff Blaine Koops ruled that Lt. Rick Cain of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department was not authorized to take a trip to Soaring Eagle Casino and therefore will not receive overtime compensation. Can and several Dorr Township officials made the trip to gain information in the wake of the prospects of a casino in Dorr.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. Tom Tarnutzer said he doesn’t have problems with the state creating a web site for public and charter schools in Michigan. The web site is scheduled to be launched next March.
A special anti-casino presentation by tax crusader Bill McMaster of Oakland County was hindered severely by a snowstorm and it had to be rescheduled.
The Hopkins eighth grade class had a school dance and voted to donate the proceeds to help those less fortunate for Christmas.
The Hopkins basketball team jumped out to a 2-0 record in the O-K Silver Conference with wins over Wyoming Lee and Comstock Park. The Vikings will take part in a holiday tournament at Fennville.
Wayland has joined Byron Center to form a co-op hockey team, coached by Todd Myers and Curt DeVries.
Martin’s wrestling team absorbed its first loss of the season, 33-32 to Dowagiac, at an invitational, but defeated Kalamazoo Loy Norris and Holland West Ottawa.
Jesse B. Frank, who was co-owner and co-operator of the Wayland Theatre with his brother Nathan until selling it in 1955, died. Also a local piano teacher, he was 101 years old.
50 Years Ago + Dec. 30, 1975
Wayland City Manager Carl Fockler was given a special gag gift from Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey for having his picture in the newspaper most often during 1975.
David T. Young wrote a comprehensive year in review for 1975 for the Wayland area. Featured were instances of incumbents returned to office in elections, the city winning state and federal grants for housing and the ambulance service, formation of a Bicentennial Commission, David Low stepping down as Planning Commission chairman, succeeded by Dennis Reno, the one-day teachers’ strike, the retirement of Mrs. Henry Peterson as director of the Henika Library, passage of a millage request, the dedication of the new football field and the huge successes of the first year of the Wayland Community Education and Recreation program.
As expected, the Globe was chock full of correspondents reporting on Christmas gatherings activities in the area.
David T. Young, Ed Matusak and Mike Baldiga were big winners in the holiday rolloff at Clique Lanes.
The Maple City Seed Pods and Mena Inn are preparing for a championship battle in the Ogre Hockey League. Manager Matusak said he is wondering a Wayland farm team, the Woosyes, for league play.
David T. Young also wrote a Year in Review for sports, particularly noting the rise of girls’ sports. The Hopkins girls’ basketball team, coached by Ellen Penhorwwod, captured the runner-up trophy in the Class C state tournament. Sharon Nelson’s softball team won the O-K Blue Conference title. The Viking football won the league title and finished with a school best 7-1-1 record.
The Wildcat wrestling team is off to a 5-0 dual meet starting record and it was runner-up in the Jenison Tournament.
The Staple Singers took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with the suggestive “Let’s Do It Again.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 29, 1950
Mrs. Therese Uhlir, a native of Czechoslovakia and resident of Wayland for 26 years, died at Little Company Mary Hospital in Chicago at age 67.
Bertha Edgell, a native of Hopkins, died at the home of her son, Donald, in Bradley. She was 67.
Byron White, at 92, was honored as the oldest member of the Men’s Class at the Church of Christ. He had just observed his 92nd birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Elenbaas attended the first Christmas party given for DeKalb Corn Dealers of Southern Michigan, which included a crowd of about 200.
A brass quartet, made up of Wayland Schools’ eighth-graders, performed Christmas music for the Ladies Library Club.
T.T. Gorden has resigned as a teacher at Dorr School has resigned due to ill health. He is succeeded by Mrs. David Pett, who will take over Jan. 2.
The Dixie Ballroom south of Wayland, will have a special dance New Year’s Eve, featuring the Vikings Versatile Dance Ball.
Gordon Cole has received his master’s degree in geography from the University of Chicago. He will soon be employed as a technical analyst by the Department of Defense.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- James Lydon and Gloria Winters in “Hot Rod.”
- Monte Hale and Paul. Hurst in “The Missourians.”
- Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr and Richard Carlson in “King Solomon’s Mines.”
- Bette Davis, George Sanders, Anne Baxter and Celeste Holm in “All About Eve.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 25, 1925
The Wayland Grange meeting featured a roll call answered by what magazine members would like to have a subscription to if they were given $10.
A meeting of county school officers will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the First Baptist Church in Allegan.
Mrs. Howard Moore has been reported as critically ill with influenza.
Charles Van Lew had the misfortune of having his house three miles north of Moline burn to the ground. One huge problem was the lack of availibilty of water in the frozen weather. The cause was a defective chimney.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Love and Glory.” Richard Tallmadge in “Americans manners.”
Mrs. H.N. Baker and Mrs. Charles Yeakey will leave soon for warmer climate and will have an informal tea before they go.
Hooker School children presented an interesting Christmas program at the school. The students presented their teacher with a handsome teapot.
The Gospel Mission will open Sunday, Dec. 27. “Do the people of Wayland want to be mollycoddled to Hell or are they ready for salvation for their souls.” Walter Ellis, former pastor of the Church of Christ will supervise.
The Leighton Community Club will meet at the Corning Church Dec. 31 for a potluck supper and there will be a program consisting of music, readings, addresses and moving pictures. The Allegan County Agent will explain the eradication bovine tuberculosis.
The Methodist Episcopal Church will had a program by the children to a capacity crowd. Santa Claus made a visit and distributed gifts under the Christmas tree.
The leaders of several sewing classes in the vicinity met at the home of Mrs. Elsie Kibby and took in a lesson from the County Agent, Miss Hill.
