(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr):
25 Years Ago — Feb. 12, 2001
With signs of spring approaching, the Globe published a front page photo of Gordon Berkenpas of GreenDorr Greenhouses getting ready with plants inside the facilities.
Also published on the front page was the Polar Bear Dip celebration from Gun Lake Winterfest.
The latest controversy in the area is the firing of Leighton Township Fire Chief Paul Baker, which prompted many in the department to come to his defense. Writing letters to the Leighton Township Board and Supervisor Dar VanderArk were Jack Campbell Shawn Wise, Judy Miller and Dr. Roy Davis.
With the controversy in Dorr Township about prospects for a casino, the developers and Gun Lake Tribe now are suggesting a change in locations to Hopkins and Wayland townships. Rumors are flying about the Tribe purchasing the Ampro Seeds site on 129th Avenue.
David Carter, plant manager at the Dean Foods facility, has been chosen to join the board of directors at the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wayland City Manager Mike Jager was granted a 10 percent raise and a two-year contract. Cheri Lutz was appointed to a dual role as clerk and deputy city manager.
Yankee Springs and Wayland Township officials are being pressured by area residents to “fix the damn roads,” particularly on Patterson Road, which straddles the line between Barry and Allegan counties.
Floyd Modreske of Hopkins Township has been selected for the honor of Allegan County Dairy Herd Improvement agribusinessman of the year.
Otsego scored a mild 45-24 upset over Martin’s wrestling powerhouse, lowering the Clippers’ overall season dual meet record to 26-3.
The Wayland basketball team came up with an astonishing 82-44 demolishing of Byron Center. Jamie Brown pumped in 30 points. However, the ‘Cats fell the following Tuesday to Cedar Springs to let their O-K Gold Conference record slip to 6-3.
The Hopkins hoops team edged Wyoming Lee in a defensive struggle, but then lost the same kind of battle to Comstock Park. Matt Hills was the only Viking to score in double figures in the loss to Comstock Park.
Betty Lou Salisbury, an aunt to Jeff and Penny Salisbury of Wayland, died at Spectrum Health Center in Grand Rapids. She was 82. Her services were held inn Wayland.
John W. Smith, formerly of Wayland and a longtime employee of East Jordan Iron Works, a Wayland High School (1969) and Michigan Technological University graduate, died at the age of 49.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 10, 1976
Wayland High School wrestling coaches Paul; Wilson and Rick Tokarchick and grapplers Daren Irwin and Andy Warner were pictured on the front page with the O-K Blue Conference first place trophy after winning the league meet.
The Michigan Public Service has set a public hearing on a complaint by Hopkins Telephone Exchange Area customers for Feb. 25. Meanwhile, the commission has rejected Michigan Bell’s requests for a rate increase.
Reasons for some sewer permit denials were presented by the Michigan Health Department at a special meeting for Allegan County.
Rumor has it that Wayland will move from the O-K Blue Conference to the O-K White Division because of student population changes. Athletic Director Richard Akers told the Wayland Board of Education he could guarantee Wayland will remain in the Blue Division for at least the next two years.
No news has been received about Carol McAllister, a Martin High School graduate, who is teaching at a private school in Guatemala City. The country has been hit hard this past week by earthquakes.
Eunice Powers, president of the Wayland Bus Drivers Association, wrote a letter to the editor on behalf of the drivers praising the work being done by Transportation Supervisor Stan Jensen.
Measles vaccination permission slips were sent home to Waylands school district parents Jan. 26. The shots will be given Feb. 11.
The second annual Wayland community education and recreation ping pong tournament is scheduled to begin March 24.
The Wayland basketball team captured its third victory of the season, a mild 64-58 upset over Hudsonville. Marty Trubiroha grabbed 19 rebounds and scored 17 points and Rod Mauchmar scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds.
Hopkins registered an 88-66 victory over Saugatuck to grab its first league win of the season. The Vikings are 6-8 on the season overall.
The United Methodist Church planned to show a family-oriented film, “Time to Run,” Wednesday, Feb. 18.
The Wayland Schools Advisory Committee will have a meeting to discuss the March 8 special election millage renewal request.
Rachel Hansen of Hopkins was the winner of the District FFA Greenland speech contest, John Watson won public speaking and another gold was copped by the demonstration team of Tom Green, Steve Gratz and Phil DeVrou.
Longtime area farmer George Laker died at his home in Hopkins Township. He was 85.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 16, 1961
Lewis H. Pierce, 62, died of a heart attack he suffered while sitting in his car near the home of his son. He had been employed at the Circle 24 restaurant.
The Allegan County Humane Society is appealing to the public for more funding. Homes were found for 42 puppies and 17 cats during the year previous A total of six animal cruelty complaints were investigated.
Ben Kibosh was appointed local defense director by Wayland Village President Russell Rugaber.
The Village handled its first fire alarm of the season at the home of Archie Hendrickson, occupied by Mr. And Mrs. Harold Austin. Hot cooking fats ignited, causing flames in the kitchen.
Shirley Brog, 16, of Wayland High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Brog, won the Allegan County 4-H pie baking contest.
Fr. Albert Radawaki celebrated his 20th year of ordination as a priest. He has been pastor at St. Therese Church for eight years now.
Fred Leggett suffered minor injuries in an accident of his big oil transport rig while turning into the village dump on the south side of town.
Victor Fleser has announced that Moline Implement Co. will have its Community Day Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donald Francisco, formerly of Leighton Township, a Wayland High School graduate and employed by Dow Corning, was guest speaker at the most recent meeting of the Wayland Rotary Club.
Bert Stroud, a butter maker in the Hilliards Creamery many years ago, has died in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
The Rev. Chester Turner of Byron Center will be guest speaker and Bob Barber and the Men’s Quartet will provide music for the father and son banquet at Leighton Parish House.
Henika Library Director Mrs. Dorothy Peterson was elected president of the Wayland Garden Club.
Ward Arbanas of Wayland has earned his bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan College and has accepted a retail management position here. He plans to do graduate work at the University of Michigan.
Mrs. Ruby Schwander has sold her eatery, “Ruby’s” in the Afman building on North Main Street to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Elgin of Grand Rapids.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- “Lonely Heart Bandits.”
- Johnny Mack Brown in “West of Wyoming.”
- Marjorie Main, Ann Dvorak and James Whitmore in “Mrs. O’Malley and Mr. Malone.”
- Walt Disney presents “Beaver Valley.”
- Louis Hayward, Patricia Medina and George MacReady in “Fortune of Captain Blood.”
- 100 Years Ago — Feb. 12, 1926
- Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Nick and Peter Van Tuinen for stealing chickens at Moline and Wayland farms. There are hopes this will put an end to the rash of larcenies that have been occurring lately
Betty Jean Stockdale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stockdale, died at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo after suffering for 10 days from pneumonia.
In what was billed as the largest village Republican Caucus ever, A.E. Weaver was elected president. W.W. Hooker clerk, L.P. Reno treasurer and L. D. Chapple assessor. Trustees chosen were F.S. Cozzens, C.C. McClintock and A.J. Bowman. There were 125 people in attendance.
Mrs. J. Fred Baker presented a sketch on the life of Progressive Era reformer and author Ida Tarbell and her “Life of Lincoln” book to members of the Ladies Library Club.
Fred Whitney, former owner of a drug store in Wayland for 40 years, died of influenza in Plainwell.
James Troy is recovering in a Kalamazoo Hospital from surgery for goiter.
About 50 people gathered at the Grange Hall to discuss a bill in Congress to prohibit importation of labor from Mexico, “which was very much opposed.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Mady Bellamy, Paul Panzer, Zasu Pitts, Alec B. Francis and Leslie Fenton in “Thunder and Mountain.” Fred Thompson and Silver King in “The Wild Bull’s Lair.”
The last Wayland High School debate of the season will be Feb. 12 against Comstock. Once again, the topic will be child labor laws. Wayland has won six matches and lost six thus far.
The junior play rehearsals under Miss Schantz have begun. Performances will be held Feb. 25 and 26.
A new class in boxing has been organized by the boys in the high school in the interests of manly self defense instruction.
Grade school children will present “Memories of America” Feb. 18 and 19 at the Medodist Episcopal Church.
Robert William Lovell, a native of Wayland, only 3 years old, died Feb. 4.
Any idea why Leighton Fire Chief Paul Baker was fired?