(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 8, 2001
Many area residents continue to debate the pros and cons of prospects for a casino under the Gun Lake Tribe of Potawatomis. Commenters included Phoebe Hall of Hopkins, Deb Masselink of Gun Lake and Jim Schreur of Dorr.
Editor Nila Aamoth took on the issue of carrying concealed guns privately and wrote in her Soapbox entry, “How many locals are packing heat? A better question might be why?”
The Gun Lake Water and Sewer Authority has announced the extension of sanitary sewer services to Fawn Lake Road.
A public forum on Gun Lake Tribe casino prospects welcomed Bill McMaster of Oakland County, who suggested a Michigan Economic Development conspiracy, but many local residents insist it isn’t so. He identified Labelle Management of Mt. Pleasant as an investor.
Monterey Township has joined the Wayland Area Emergency Services Board (WAEMS), according to Supervisor Chris Reinart.
A Caledonia teen, Kara Hanford, 15, gave birth to a son after the car in which she was riding was struck by a train near 10th Street and 142nd Avenue. The child was born through caesarian procedure in a hospital and was listed in serious condition.
Area firefighters are asking residents to clear snow in front of fire hydrants.
The Green Lake Area Sewer Authority has been given a deadline of next year for making changes in compliance of new regulations by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Pine Street Elementary’s Thinking Cap quiz bowl team placed 16th out 91 entries (sixth grade) and seventh (fifth grade) out of 102.
The Burnips Holstein Kirsten beat massive odds by giving birth to triplets at the farm of Cindy and Boyd Berens.
Division 4 Martin shocked five Division 2 opponents by taking first place in the Wayland Wrestling Invitational.
The Wayland volleyball team had a record of 2-3-1 in the Officials’ tournament.
Hopkins basketball team lost 80-79 to Covert in double overtime at the Huntington Christmas Classic.
Pat VanOtterloo, 64, of Moline, died Jan. 3. She was employed for 18 years by Diesel Technology.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 6, 1976
Gerald Omness, head varsity football coach for Wayland since 1970, has announced his resignation. Also resigning were assistant coach Spriggs TeRoller and freshman coach Tom Tarnutzer. Omness compiled a record of 26-26, his finest season at 7-2 in 1973.
The Wayland Board of Education has voted to seek a renewal of 6.8 mills in a special election March 8.
Dr. Edmund Rieder, son of Mrs. Albert Rieder of Wayland, has been appointed to a post as consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Baker Elementary Principal Eugene Greer has started a two-year term on the board of the Michigan Association of Elementary School Principals, Region #9, serving Allegan, Kent, Barry and Montcalm counties.
Deborah McBride was announced as the recipient of the annual Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award at Hopkins High School.
The U.S. Postal Department is accepting bids on a project to expand the post office on East Superior Street. Postmaster Richard L. Finkbeiner and Supt. Of Postal Operations Arthur Aubil have been asking for more room for postal operations for some time.
Mimi Moulenbelt sent a letter to the Globe praising the coverage of David Young for the Hopkins girls’ basketball team that finished runner-up in the state tournament. She said too many sports reporters are condescending when writing about girls’ sports.
This month’s travelogue, sponsored by the Wayland Lions Club, will focus on Australia at the Wayland High School auditorium.
The Hopkins VFW Auxiliary presented a heroism citation to Brent Sebright, who saved the life of a fellow employee on the job.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris Schuh of Wayland celebrated their 65th anniversary and noted they have lived at their home on Main Street since 1911.
District Gov. Christopher Williams will be present during the charter meeting of the Dorr Lions Club.
A gymnastics club has been formed in Wayland, headed by physical education teacher Mrs. Reyne Miller.
The Wayland varsity basketball team suffered its seventh consecutive defeat, 72-48, at the hands of O-K Blue Conference rival Hamilton.
Ron Schafer scored 21 points and Tom Pawloski gathered 17 rebounds as Hopkins thrashed Gobles to even its season record at 4-4.
The Wayland High School swim club had a scrimmage against the Grand Rapids Creston junior varsity.
Robert VandenBerg scored 30 points and collected 12 rebounds, but Martin lost 61-50 to Bloomingdale.
Sports Editor David Young wrote in his column that Comstock Park’s dynasty in wrestling apparently is being halted and wondered if 6-0 Wayland could sneak in.
Winning bowling trophies were Wayland High School women Nancy Stark, Monica Trubiroha, Denise Northrup, Terri Smith and Gail Niemchick.
The Globe published a feature story about Wayland High School graduate Don Borgic who was making big money working on the Alaska pipeline project.
Glenn H. Archer, longtime owner of the Archer-Hampel Funeral Home, died at his home in Wayland. He was 79.
Dennis Reno has purchased the Reno Agency insurance and tax accounting firm from his father, Phillip Reno, Wayland’s first mayor. Dennis Reno was reappointed chairman of the Planning Commission and Linden Anderson was chosen vice president.
Lee Dale “Pete” Arnsman has been spearhading an effort to establishing an ice skating rink in Hopkins.
Wayland Union schools has reported the theft of about $100, a tape deck and speakers over the holiday break.
C.W. McCall was taking advantage of the citizens band radio craze with his spoken word entry in the top 40, “Convoy.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 12, 1951
The Airport Drive-in restaurant has opened just north of Wayland and it is managed by Glenn Zumbrink.
About 35 members of the Southwest Michigan Jersey Breeders met with Pet Milk officials and Rotary members to discuss the importance of dairy farming.
Mrs. Elizabeth Eldridge died at Crispe Hospital in Plainwell. She had moved here from Fruitport seven years ago. She was 65.
A Christmas potluck luncheon was enjoyed over the holiday season by Kessler’s. Employees.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said he’s gotten a lot of feedback after editorializing about using “Christmas” instead of “Xmas.”
Mrs. H.A. Washburn, who had lived in Moline for 56 years, died in Grand Rapids. She was 91.
After being closed for several months, the Doll House Inn has reopened by Mr. and Mrs. John MacTavish after their recovery from a recent traffic crash. Mr. MacTavish’s father has been hired as chef.
Grace Jackson has been chosen chairwoman of the Leighton Center Extension Club.
The annual meeting of the Leighton Telephone Co. is being postponed indefinitely.
Mrs. George Irish underwent a major operation at Allegan Health Center, but has been reported since to be recovering nicely. She had been ill for several weeks.
Russell Hanlon Jr. has received his undergraduate degree at Albion College and has been accepted at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Yvonne DeCarlo, Dan Duryea and Jeffrey Lynn in “Black Bart.”
- Jerry Colonna and Vera Vague in “Music in Moonlight.”
- Jane Powell and Ricardo Montalban in “Two Weeks with Love.”
- Joan Crawford, Wendel Corey and Lucille Watson in “Harriet Craig.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 9, 1926
Several local stores downtown have decided to continue the recent trend of not being open Wednesday nights because of the poor condition of area roads. The businesses, however, plan to be open Saturday nights. Roads throughout the area, particularly between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo have been impassable because of snow accumulations.
The Ladies Library Club honored the birthday of Joan of Arc, France’s unlikely heroine of war more than 500 years ago with a presentation on her life. Pauline Smith performed a couple of musical piano pieces, one French and the other written by Chopin.
Divorces in Allegan County have increased by 5 percent over the last decade, with 70 such decrees reported.
The number of automobiles traveling Allegan County roads has almost doubled since 1920.
The number of people attending services at the Methodist Episcopal Church has been very high, despite the poor condition of roads.
Mr. and Mrs. Amherst Dickison are observing their 60th wedding anniversary.
Beaver Springs is the herd prefix name reserved by the Holstein Fresian Association of America for exclusive use by the William P. Vreeland & Son of Moline.
Dr. I.L. Slater and Mrs. Ira Gilispie oversaw the installation of officers for the International Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. The new Noble Grand officer is Harvey Fillingham.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Mary Philbin in “The Gayety Girl.” Matt Moore and Patsy Ruth Miller in “Fools in the Dark.”
An oyster supper will be held at the home Mr. and David Kremble Jan. 9. All Helping Aid members are urged to attend.
The Community Club meeting at the Corning Church was well attended, considering the condition of the roads.
Miss Fanny Hoyt, library director, reports that there are at least 5 million illiterates in the United States, according the U.S. Census.
A Resolution of Respect was published for longtime Mason Herbert Blowers, who died Dec. 29, 1925.
Olive Franks was taken ill suddenly last Thursday and will be unable to attend school indefinitely.
The Dorr Farmers Club met Dec. 27 at the home of r. and Mrs. Oscar Douglas for a potluck and oyster stew dinner.
The Wayland High School debate team will take on Zeeland Thursday, Jan. 14.
The high school choir plans to present folk songs at the Regent Theatre downtown Friday night.
Mike Noon, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau, will be guest speaker at the Allegan County Farm Bureau annual meeting.
