(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — Feb. 26, 2001
Mary Iciek penned a letter to the editor expressing her pleasure in hearing the Wayland High School student body en masse applauding longtime retired teacher Claude Smith for being the first to win the Alumnus of the Year.
Paul Beuschel Jr. of Leighton Township wrote a letter saying he has been saddened by the rift between the Township Board and fire department. He said he hopes some kind of agreement can be reached on the future of dismissed Fire Chief Paul Baker.
Carl N. Swartz penned a letter supporting prospects for a casino, using as examples the Michigan communities of Watersmeet and Sault St. Marie.
Nancy Belka and Michelle Watson of Dorr wrote a letter insisting the naysayers about a potential casino are in the minority and they worry “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
Sissy Packer of Hopkins suggested in a letter that opponents of the casino are an embarrassment in their contentions made at public meetings.
Dale Sall of Allegan insisted that approving a casino in this area will bring all of society’s evils to the community.
The Pearl Street drain near Shelbyville has been been identified as a major headache in Wayland and Martin Townships because it has been flooding and costing taxayers a lot of money. Drain Commissioner Lynn Fleming said repairs to the drain would increase residents’ tax bills by $600 each.
The Leighton Township Board is formally asking the Allegan County Road Commission to install flashing red lights at the intersections of 142nd Avenue and Division and 142nd and Kalamazoo Avenue.’
Martin Village President Gary Brinkhuis said the village will delay its request for increased support for water locally so as not to compete with the school system, which will seek a mileage increase.
The Hopkins Village Caucus has produced only one new candidate for the spring elections, Lisa Dykstra, who will succeed Dennis Norman, who is stepping down.
The Hastings and Wayland posts of the Michigan State Police welcome five new troopers in all, Michael Behrendt, Barry Schrader, Phillip McNabnay, Ryan Maki and Scott Ernstes.
Former Wayland Union Schools food service director Mike Hagerty has been hired by the Allegan County Intermediate School District as director of finance.
Though seeded second and suffering an opening match loss, the Wayland High School volleyball team managed to capture the O-K Gold Conference championship for then second year in a row.
The Martin wrestling team, fresh from winning the Southwest Athletic Conference title, added the district and regional titles to their resume. The Clippers will wrestle defending state champion Whittemore Prescott in the team state quarterfinals at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
The Hopkins volleyball team fell just short of taking the O-K Silver Conference crown with a tight loss to Comstock Park.
Matt Hills, Josh Wing and Jack Klunder led a balanced attack for the Hopkins basketball squad that jumped back into the O-K Silver Conference title chase with two important victories.
Despite 21 points from Jamie Brown and 13 apiece from Kurt Rizley and Ryan Farmer, Wayland’s basketball team lost to South Christian and sank to fifth place in the O-K Gold.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 24, 1976
The new Wayland Area Ambulance Service Corporation is poised to take over the public service soon with a 10-member board of directors. The cooperative group is seeking licensure from the state.
The Hopkins Ladies Literary Club is entering its scrapbook in a contest sponsored by Sears Roebuck General Federation of Women’s Clubs. The group is working together on an effort to improve the community.
The Wayland Board of Education has agreed to a project to install insulation to lower costs for fuel and electricity.
Mrs. Bernetta, 32, of Middleville was found dead at her brother’s home in Dorr. Cause of death was a self-inflicted stabbing.
A public hearing on telephone rates in the Hopkins area was postponed because the grass-roots group also plans to file a complaint with the General Telephone Co. besides Michigan Bell.
Daniel Olefin and Robert Beck were selected to run for village president at the Hopkins Village Caucus, succeeding Cleo Todd, who is retiring.
The Alflen Brothers farm implement business and the new business Itco will have an open house and grand opening Friday and Saturday in Wayland.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. James Thomas wrote another column asking voters to approve a 6.8-mill renewal to guarantee maximum state aid.
Hopkins Supt. Charles Pelham also published a column asking for support March 8 for an eight-mill renewal and an extra two mills to keep up with added costs, particularly girls’ athletics.
Mrs. Ronald Frank will be guest speaker to the next Tree Tracers Genealogy Society meeting Feb. 27 at Henika Library. James Levandoski presented information about tracing a family tree to the Allegan County Historical Society.
Ed Mankin, regional engineer for the Champion Spark Plug Co., gave a presentation about well-tuned engines to 90 students in the Wayland High School auto mechanics class.
Linda Stora rolled the second highest individual game at Airport Lanes with an actual 266 and a 536 series.
Martin, at 2-16, will open the Class D basketball district tournament against Gobles (5-13).
Hopkins suffered through a 1-7 record in the A-O Conference and its last game was a 97-68 blowout loss to Covert. One bright spot was Tom Pawloski’s 27 points and 12 rebounds.
Wayland wrestler John Kaur will take his 28-6 record into the Class B state tournament by finishing fourth in the regionals.
The Hopkins volleyball team has won five of its first six matches, the most recent wins over Hamilton and Middleville.
The Wayland Christian Reformed Church is sending clothing and supplies for people in Guatemala, the site of a recent earthquake.
Rachel Hanson won a gold award at the FFA regionals for greenhand speech, as did the demonstration team of Stave Gratz, Tom Green and Phil Devrou.
Burrell Stein, owner of Wayland Carpet & Linoleum, was elected treasurer of the Michigan Floor Covering Association.
Rhythm Heritage took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with the “Theme from SWAT.”
75 Years Ago — March 2, 1951
Kenneth Peck, 21, living in an apartment on East Superior Street, was seriously injured in a traffic crash near the intersection of Main and Plum Streets. Authorities said his car skidded on loose gravel and crashed into a large tree and power pole.
The Wayland High School band will join the Delton, Plainwell and Richland bands in a four-school festival under the baton of Western Michigan University Prof. Leonard Beretta.
Isla Peffley played several tangos and congas for guests at the recent Ladies Library Club meeting, which featured a Mexican theme.
Richard Hudson was recognized for having the highest grades in the Wayland High School Class of 1951, being valedictorian. Phyllis Pepper was second in the category, or salutatorian.
Howard C. Morrell, known to the Wayland community, district manager of the National Biscuit Co. died Feb. 26, of a heart ailment.
Longtime Dorr Township resident and farmer Fred Reinhart, died at the home of his daughter. He was 83.
R.D. Standish, who bought the Bee Hive restaurant, has closed the eatery to tear out a partition.
Wayland sent eight high school musicians, Jack Warner, Bob Niemchick, Tommy Lindgren, Floyd Jackson, Jim Hoeksema, Eddy Dickinson, Dale Jones III and Frank Suhusky to the state solo and ensemble festival in Ann Arbor.
Mrs. Ernest Strong and Mrs. Ernest Martin gave the Wayland Extension Club a demonstration on how to make pasties, the Upper Peninsula favorite.
The 20-voice group, the Choralaires, was scheduled to give a music presentation March 13 at the Hopkins Community Church.
The father and son banquet in Leighton Township boasted of 135 in attendance.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Linda Darnell and Joseph Cotton in “Two Flags West.”
- Larry Parks and Barbara Hale in “Emergency Wedding.”
- Susan Hayward and William Lundigan in “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 26, 1926
Wayland merchant of 20 years Arthur Beall, partner in the firm Beall Brothers, died at his home on West Superior Street after an illness of about 48 hours. His cause of death was believed to be a gallstone attack.
G.V. Fales, Allegan County Schools Commissioner, and superintendents of a number of schools in the county, have been cooperating on a milk program. County Extension Agent Miss Amanda Hill is coordinating the campaign.
The Wayland Township Caucus will be held March 13 in the Village Hall.Earl Ryno already has announced he is a candidate for treasurer, as have Fern Woodward. John Stockdale, Frank L. Morris and H.W. Curie.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: George O’Brien and Billie Dove in “The Fighting Heart.” Evelyn Brent in “Smooth as Satin.”
“Grandma” Lovina F. Ames Smith, who came to Leighton Township with her husband, Ethan Smith, in 1866, died Feb. 12 at age 77.
District Supt. Rev. Blewfield was to be the guest preacher at the Wayland and Corning Methodist churches.
The Ladies Library Club celebrated its 33rd anniversary at its Feb. 23 meeting at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Several members presented a sketch, “How the Story Grew.”
Dr. Ira Slater underwent an operation at Battle Creek Sanitarium on an abcess that appeared on his right ear.
Mrs. H.W. Shattuck of Milwaukee, a charter member of the Ladies Library Club, returned to Wayland this week to attend the anniversary celebration of the LLC.
Leighton Township pioneer Fred Schrader died at his Caledonia home after a long illness. He was 88.
The sermon for this Sunday’s service at the Church of Christ is “Jesus Teaches Respect for the Law.” Citizens were urged to come to the church to “Keep the cobwebs from forming in your brain.”
