(From the archives of the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 27, 1992
Mary Ellen Mynatt DeYoung wrote a letter to the editor defending the history and tradition of the Moline Town Hall that Dorr Township officials were considering tearing down. She said, “The residents of Moline deserve consideration in the important decision you are making.”
Four candidates, Diane Butler, Michael Kelly, Roxie Muczynski and Diane Smith, were seeking three open seats in next month’s Wayland Board of Education election. Seven candidates were running for two seats in Hopkins, including Dawn Buist, Kim Fifelski, John Johnson, Dennis Kennedy, incumbent William Schoonveld, Larry Vollink and Christine Schwartz.
Steeby Elementary fifth-grade teacher Rick Thibault was one of 115 selected to attend a NASA-sponsored two-week workshop in Cleveland focusing on hands-on science activities experience.
Wayland Community Education will offer a KID CARE program for parents of children, with day care sites at Baker and Dorr elementaries. They will be open on school days from 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost will be based on ability to pay and on amount of time needed.
Martin’s Amanda Herbert and Cassie Merren emerged as Southwest Athletic Conference champions in the 400- and 200-meter runs, respectively. Merren turned in a school record time of 27.3 seconds i9n the 200 and she and discus thrower Melissa Young have qualified for the state competition in June. The Lady Clippers won the SAC meet.
Chris Vlietstra tossed a two-hit shutout for Wayland to defeat Plainwell 2-0 in a pre-district tournament encounter. The Wildcats now are 17-9 overall and have collected 136 stolen bases for the season.
The Martin baseball team won its pre-district “ugly” with a 12-11 decision over Marcellus and will head in the district tourney with a 16-4 record.
The Hopkins softball season, which started fast and then faded, ended with a 16-7 record and an 11-3 loss to Bangor in the pre-district.
Jenny Fearnow scatted seven hits and kept Plainwell scoreless in a 2-0 victory.
Trevor Sniezak set the Martin school record in the pole vault at 10-6.
Coach Mark Austin’s Hopkins baseball team scored a huge 5-3 win over Bangor in a pre-district to run its season record to 17-3. Zack Wilson pitched a gutty game for the Vikings.
The Allegan County Federated Women’s Club held its 78th annual meeting May 27 and heard a report by Joan Weick of Gun Lake and enjoyed musical selections offered by Lorna Clyma.
50 Years Ago — May 24, 1967
Allegan County Circuit Judge Chester Ray was scheduled to present the address at Memorial Day observances May 29 at Elmwood Cemetery.
Kessler’s Undies & Woolies President Bill Kessler Jr. and Vice President Robert Stiles traveled to Atlantic City for the annual meeting of the Underwear Institute and 48th Arts Exposition.
Dorr businessman Reinder Hoeksma is spearheading a petition drive to save high schools with fewer than 2,000 K-12 students in their districts. Three in Allegan County are at risk, Hopkins, Martin and Saugatuck.
The Globe published a front page photo and apology for omitting senior Mary Lou Eylander from membership in the National Honor Society for the Class of 1967.
A photo on the front page of the Globe showed Mayor Willard Koch of Clare being presented with the key to the city by Mayor Pro Tem Marshall Towne.
Carlson Co. of Otsego was the only bidder for work on the addition to the Henika Library, at a cost of $40,980. The Library Board will have a special meeting to attempt to decide what to do as a result.
Wayland High School graduate Annette Matecki has graduated from Borgess Hospital Nursing School and plans to join the staff there.
Russell Middleton, Bob Ayers, Bobbette LaValley and Steve Alflen plan to spend part of their summers overseas as part of the Youth For Understanding program.
Coach Spriggs TeRoller and the Wayland tennis team claimed the Expressway Conference championship with a 3-2 dual match victory over Hamilton.
Hopkins High School graduate Robert Iciek, a junior at Western Michigan University and reporter for the Western Herald, won a certificate from the Michigan Collegiate Press Association.
Tom Morris was All-Van Conference champion in the 880-yard run and Hopkins, coached by Bruce Moulenbelt, finished third in the league meet.
Mrs. Elbert Simpson was installed as president of the Hopkins PTA and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Krug were named vice presidents.
Kathy Jo Smith and Suzanne Arndt were selected as local delegates to the Future Teachers of America Washington Orientation Seminar, succeeding Norma Bredeweg and Kay Shafer.
Christer Persson, foreign exchange student at Wayland High School from Sweden, was guest speaker for the most recent meeting of the Allegan County Association of Retired Teachers.
The Rascals’ “Groovin” remained in the No. 1 slot atop the music charts in the nation.
75 Years Ago — May 29, 1942
Congressman Clare Hoffman was scheduled to be guest speaker at the May 30 Memorial Day service at Elmwood Cemetery. The Wayland Band was to perform several appropriate musical selections.
Bessie Iliff of Hopkins will be toastmaster and G.V. Fales will be in charge of music for the Wayland High School reunion. The two speakers will be Chester Ray of Allegan and Eunice Brake of River Rouge, Class of 1922.
Quick response and a change in wind direction limited the damage in a fire at on South Main Street at the Bush House.
Glenn Zumbrink, local chairman of the War Bond drive, received a letter of congratulations from the Allegan County unit for Wayland’s successful campaign, coming up with $21,255 going door-to-door.
The weekly downtown Wayland entertainment series Wednesday nights will begin June 3 this year. Sponsored by the Wayland Businessmen’s Association, they are intended “to enhance the advisability of getting better acquainted with home town stores.”
Richard Maurice Phelps wrote a letter to the editor outlining his experiences at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.
The Three Rivers Commercial daily newspaper published a story about Wayland High School business teacher Miss Dacie Haines.
Donald Rutgers presented the valedictory address and Vivian Puschel was salutatorian at the Hopkins High School commencement. Guest speaker was Prof. William Shrier, speech department chairman at Hope College.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore and Robert Young in “Navy Blue and Gold.”
- Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in “The Corsican Brothers.”
- Double feature — “Brooklyn Orchid” and “Canal Zone.”
100 Years Ago — May 25, 1917
The Wayland High School baseball team ended its season with a 10-7 victory over Plainwell.
Roy Jones of Wayland placed third in the hight jump at five feet, two inches, in the Western National Interscholastic Field Meet in Kalamazoo. Lellwyn Anway was second in both the 880- and 440-yard runs.
Clarence Summers was toastmaster for the annual Junior-Senior Banquet at Yeakey’s Hall, with about 50 students, teachers and friends in attendance.
Wyland established a Home Guard organization after the group’s first meeting earlier in the month at Frank’s Opera House. Leon Mason has been recommended as first lieutenant and commander of the Wayland unit, which includes 18 men.
Registration for all men between 21 and 30 years of age will be take place June 5. The Registration Board includes Frank Chamberlain, W.E. Briggs and L.D. Chapple.
Mrs. G.W. Pratt entertained members of the Willing helpers Club with tennis and music furnishing the amusement and there was a scrumptious luncheon served.
Miss Ora Cackles of Moline has been teaching school in the Upper Peninsula, but word has been received that she married a prosperous farmer in the UP.
FOUND: Horse blanket. Owner may have same by paying for this advertisement.
PHOTO: The Allegan County Infirmary (Courtesy of Tom Miller of Moline)
