(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — Feb. 19, 2001
With the headline “Season’s Greetings,” the Globe chronicled the flooding of the Thornapple and Rabbit rivers as a sort of “Rite of Spring.”
The letters about prospects for a casino continue to pour in. Mary Rolfe suggested that the quiet rural atmosphere of Dorr is desirable to maintain and she didn’t want to “gamble” on something different.
Paul H. Smith penned a letter exposing the heartbreak of gambling addiction.
Sandy Sloan of Dorr wrote a piece about her displeasure with the lies and misconceptions about the casino controversies.
Mary Martin challenged Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk to welcome fired fire chief Paul Baker back to the department.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote in her Soapbox that deer populations have been exploding of late and farmers have been victims of the animals’ penchant for destroying fields and crops.
The newly formed Dorr Township Parks Committee is envisioning an ambitious plan to have two local parks, one just west of the community along 142nd Avenue.
Wyoming Asphalt Paving has been ordered to wait until a gravel mining decision is handed down by the Michigan Court of Appeals for a project near Big Lake in Watson Township.
The area in the northeast section of the city has been identified as the last residential area in Wayland. The LaVerne Lettinga family is inquiring about development and avoiding wetland problems on land near the high school.
Paws with a Cause, buoyed by the recent donation of $500,000, has paid off its mortgage for its location north of Moline, but now officials have indicated the organization needs canines to train.
Several citizens showed up at a Hopkins Township Board meeting to check out discussion about casino prospects, but Supervisor Mark Evans said he has not received any communications from the Gun Lake Tribe.
Robert Brandon, longtime superintendent and current Village Council member, was the very first local citizens chosen for the Martin Public Schools Hall of Fame.
A man armed with a shotgun robbed the Monterey Center general store of an undetermined amount of money. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.
Republican State Rep. Wayne Kuipers of Holland has introduced a bill to forbid any more casino gaming contracts in an effort to head off the Gun Lake Tribe’s efforts to establish such a facility near the corridor of the U.S.-131 expressway. The tribe, meanwhile, is considering putting the land in question into a federal trust.
Four Kalamazoo County juvenile teens have been apprehended for breaking and entering incidents in Hopkins, Dorr, Wayland Salem townships.
Eight Wayland High School students, Nick Ruland, Eric VanDuren, Cole Lutz, Mike Paterson, Katie Rose, Lindsay DeWeerd, Trisha Sevigny and Lisa Burgess have earned $1600 in scholarships from Davenport University for their work in the local Business and Professionals of America chapter from Wayland High School.
The Martin High School wrestling team captured the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference title undisputed and now turns its focus to the Division 4 district tourney.
The Hopkins High School basketball team still has hopes of winning the O-K Silver Conference crown with a 6-3 league record, but must get past leader Kelloggsville.
Wayland volleyball coach Dennis Anguilm recorded his 700th career win in a victory over Grand Rapids Catholic Central, the last match of a quad. Jessica Merchant and Renee Dumond paced the Wildcats’ attack.
Hopkins, coached by Terrie Merren, was looking forward to a volleyball showdown with Comstock Park for the O-K Silver title.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 17, 1976
A request to rezone the site of the Wayland Post Office at East Superior and Forrest Streets, has been submitted to the City Council. Currently zoned residential, the location has been deemed as too small to handle the growing postal activities. The U.S. Postal Service is seeking bids to build at a new site.
Carol McAllister, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Homer McAllister of Shelbyville, has returned to the Wayland area after serving as a teacher in Guatemala City. That country has undergone the horrors of earthquakes and she acknowledged it was an experience she’ll never forget.
Work continues on a special Hopkins Heritage play in honor of the approaching Bicentennial celebration. Mrs. William Sleeman and Mrs. Ed Hitt have been serving as playwrights for the production.
Ray Roy Richards, 44, of Payne Lake, was arrested and charged with killing his wife, Constance Dorothy Richards, 41. He was lodged in the Barry County Jail.
The Globe published a photo of three-and-a-half-year-old Jenny Dangremond washing dishes after the most recent Sunday Rotary Club breakfast.
Arthur Miller, vice president of the Wayland State Bank, has been re-elected to the Allegan General Hospital Board of Trustees.
A malfunction of a woodburning stove in the garage at the home owned by Grant Heydenberk and occupied by Leonard Northrup, caused a fire that destroyed a car and motorcycle.
A string quartet from the Interlochen Arts Academy will present a special musical program March 1 at Hopkins High School, at the request of band director Jim Hallberg.
Wayland Superintendent James Thomas published a “Your Schools Operation” column explaining the need for approving a 6.8-mill renewal in the special election March 8.
Held over for a second week at the Sun Theatre in Plainwell was “Jaws.”
The Wayland Community Choir is rehearsing for its production of “The Atonement” April 11 at the Wayland High School auditorium.
Becky Ann Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ainar Ellis of Dorr has been named Betty Crocker Family Leader of Tomorrow at Wayland High School.
The Hopkins High School volleyball team, coached by Peg Arnsman, scored two dual match victories during the week.
Jack Mosley of Dorr and Rick Nelson, formerly of Wayland, won championships in their weight divisions in the Golden Gloves boxing tournament in Grand Rapids.
Six owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Meeks, Mr. and Mrs. David Paul and Mr. and Mrs. Bud Goodspeed have purchased the Airport Diner (formerly known as the Northway Grill) from Mr. and Mrs. Andy Brand of Bradley.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 23, 1951
Leighton Township farmer John Hooker narrowly escaped death when a large pile of sawdust collapsed and buried him at the Wayland sawmill. Cousin Kenneth Hooker and others successfully dug him out of the frozen predicament.
Russell Rugaber was the head of just one ticket (Republican) on the spring ballot after the Village Caucus. Harry Elenbass was chosen clerk and Elizabeth Clark treasurer. Only 40 people showed at the caucus.
St. Stanislaus students were preparing to present piano recitals Feb. 28 at the school.
Two local restaurants, the Bee Hive and Ruby’s Restaurant, have been sold to new owners.
Andrew Smith, who lived in Hopkins Township just west of Wayland and was an electrical salesman, died at his home in Cleveland. He was 84.
Leila Jackson, daughter of Charles E. Jackson, was one of 17 presenters at the Albion College drama “Let’s Look at Prejudice.”
A benefit dance at the Dixie raised more than $300 for the March of Dimes campaign against polio.
Elaine Ring, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ring, hopes to return to school next week after being confined for several months to her home with whooping cough.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Bill Williams and Gloria Henry in “Rookie Fireman.”
- “David Harding Counterspy.”
- Errol Flynn, Dean Stockwell and Paul Lukas in “Kim.”
- David Brian, John Agar and Frank Lovejoy in “Breakthrough.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 19, 1926
A train wreck near Shelbyville derailed the last six cars of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Quick action by a flagman averted an even worse situation. There were no injuries.
Gladwin Tracy of Grandville was killed when he suffered a broken neck in a traffic crash between Martin and Shelbyville. His vehicle overturned on a rut in the road.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Jacqueline Logan in “Wages for Wives.” Evelyn Brent in “Drusilla with a Million.”
Wayland Schools’ debate team captured its third victory of the year with a 2-to-1 decision over Comstock.
The Wayland High School junior play “Welcome Home Jimmy” will be performed Feb. 25 and 26. Mable Overholt, Pauline Mason, Shirley Carner and Ellis Bazzett are taking on the key roles.
Miss Alida Vos underwent an appendectomy at Holland Hospital and remains in critical condition.
Miss Hill, the county demonstration agent, gave an interesting and instructive presentation to the Local Leaders Class.
The Wayland Grange will have a discussion on the question whether you’d rather have a radio or an automobile. What educational values have come from the radio?
The Washington anniversary will be celebrated by the Leighton Community Club at the Corning Church Feb. 24. Dinner at noon will be followed by a program.
Nickand Peter VanTuinen confessed to stealing chickens valued at $103.06 and have been sentenced to serve two years at Ionia prison.
