(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — March 19, 2001
The Globe published a front page ancient photo of Cozzen’s Market, Wayland’s oldest grocery, at the corner of North Main and West Superior, later to become Gurney’s IGA. Lately, it has been a location for restaurants.
The prospects of a casino again was the most discussed topic of letters to the editor, some of which insisted opponents of bringing such a facility to this area are in the minority.
Susan Barker, on behalf of the Wayland Garden Club, expressed dismay that the City of Wayland is considering removal of the huge pine tree at the downtown mini-park in plans for a facelift of the landmark.
Chad Pride, 26, of Wayland, was hospitalized with injuries he and his 4-year-old son, Brier, suffered in a traffic crash. He said he fell asleep at the wheel and crash his vehicle against a tree.
Tim Heffner of the local State Farm Insurance Agency, received recognition from the parent company for being one of the top agents in terms of sales and service.
Wayland and Yankee Springs townships are having discussions about repairing and repaving Patterson Road near Chief Noonday Road, but it isn’t likely it will be soon. Martin Township is included in the talks as well.
Gun Lake Band of Potawatomis Chairman D.K. Sprague has asked the Gun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to publicly support the tribe’s plans for a casino.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. Tom Tarnutzer said there’s no need to panic, but the local system is faced with trimming $250,000 to handle an anticipated budget shortfall.
Marcos Collision/Car Star plans to move into the current building at the corner of Railroad and Maple Streets after the City Planning Commission recommended rezoning of the site from general business to light industrial.
The Allegan County Parks Commission is creating a master plan for the Bysterveld Park in Dorr Township on the southeast corner of 14th Street and 142nd Avenue.
A Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant of slightly more than $200,000 is earmarked for Gun Lake Park. Updated playground equipment and new picnic tables and grills are promised.
Annual permits and fees for camp sites at Yankee Springs Recreation Park will be increased from $14 to $19.
The Wayland and Hopkins boys’ basketball teams both captured district championships. Wayland beat Lakewood in the district finals, but bowed to Coopersville in the regionals, despite 32 points from Jamie Brown. Hopkins advanced to the regional finals after victories over Grand Rapids Baptist, Fennville and Leslie.
Travis Brenner capped his Martin school record for career victories by winning the state championship at 130 pounds.
Wayland junior Gabe Grevenstuk broke Todd Tarnutzer’s school record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.9 seconds.
Mike Augustine and Amy Seidel have purchased the former Rosita’s Restaurant with plans to turn it into a fine dining eatery at the corner of North Main and West Superior streets.
50 Years Ago — March 16, 1976
The Wayland City Council, after hearing many public complaints, turned down a request from Gerald Cooke and Mrs. Grace Welsh Raaf for a zoning change to accommodate a new post office at the corner of Forrest and Maple Streets.
Lynne Freeman, former Miss Wayland, has announced that Wayland High School will be host for the Michigan Baton Twirling Pageant March 20. Freeman is pageant director.
Michael Fitzpatrick, director of special education for the Allegan Intermediate School District, told the Wayland Board of Education there is a shortage of school social workers, causing the local school system to go without one this academic year.
City Manager Carl Fockler acknowledged that Wayland is named in a complaint of violation of Comprehensive Educational Training Act when firing an employee in December 1974.
Patricia Rowley, Wayland High School counselor, wrote a letter to the editor praising band director Steve Working, noting Wayland’s bands have earned superior ratings and the director has endured many controversial public decisions.
Dr. Robert E. Brown, professor of history at Michigan State University, had his column on the Bicentennial and revolution and constitution published in the Globe.
Dorr Township Library Director Mrs. Lois Hendriksma invites everyone to a special Bicentennial program featuring a drama about Molly Pitcher.
Not one member of the Wayland basketball team was included on this year’s O-K Blue Conference all-star team, not even an honorable mention.
Hastings defeated Wayland in the volleyball regional tournament. The Wildcats, coached by Patricia Rowley and led by Cheri Ritz, Jeri Heth and Sandy Getty, finished with a 4-2 record in league play.
Joe Kwiatkowski of Dorr finished second in the Michigan Championship Tractor Pull in Pontiac.
Jack Mosley of Dorr earned the state title at 178 pounds at the state Golden Gloves boxing tournament.
Wayland High School graduate Dan Hall, who played football as a defensive lineman for Indiana State University, was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
David T. Young bowled with the Ogres team and Capt. Ed Matusak in the Grand Rapids City Bowling Tournament.
Wayland High School graduate Fred Clack earned a letter as a member of the Adrian College wrestling team.
Henika Library Director Barb Crofoot has announced that films now are available for checkout at the library free of charge.
William Monroe II, son of Michigan State Police Commander Bill Monroe of Wayland, is a member of the touring Blue Lake Fine Arts Youth Symphony as a trombonist.
Robert Krull is director of the Hopkins Heritage play, which is nearing completion of preparations.
Roger Blain, Beulah Blain and Florence Miedema were presented with service awards by the Michigan 4-H Ledermete program.
Morris Ehle, who operated a sheet metal and roofing business here for 25 years and former postmaster, died of a brief illness. He was 83.
Earl Satterlee, who owned and operated Hopkins Hardware, died at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. He was 85.
Both the Martin and Wayland High School bands earned superior ratings this past weekend at the Michigan High School Board and Orchestra Association festivals.
Former sexton of Poplar Hill and Maplewood cemeteries Elton Weaver died at Allegan General Hospital at the age of 75.
75 Years Ago — March 23, 1951
Mrs. Emma Hooker, who lived in this area for 65 years and was a member of the Leighton Community Grange, died at the home of her son, Hazen. She was 89.
A promoter of parking meters, Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher noted that Otsego has installed them and Plainwell is seriously considering it.
Miss Lenora Sykes will leave Wayland soon to continue graduate studies at Garret Biblical Institute on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Ill.
Pfc. Frank Nauseida has been flown to Percy Jones Hospital after being wounded and captured by the Chinese in Korea. He hopes to be home by Easter.
Ben Gigowski of Hopkins Township died in St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids at the age of 61.
Ralph Lynn, 16, of Burnips was fatally injured in a collision of his motorbike with a car. He died at the Allegan Health Center.
Richard Muter of Big Rapids has been announced as the new manager of the local Kroger grocery, succeeding Edgar Otto, who has left for a position in the Detroit area.
The Dorr fire department extinguished a blaze caused by an oil heater that exploded at the home of William DeJongh.
Mrs. Josephine Dean died at her home in Shelbyville at age 69. She was a charter member and past worthy matron of the Bradley chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.
Darwin Hooker of Hooker School and David Anderson and Dolores Maichele of Corning were winners in the rural spelling bee.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Rod Cameron in “Stage to Tucson.”
- Betty Grable and Dan Dailey in “Call Me Mister.”
- Bing Crosby in “Mr. Music.”
100 Years Ago — March 19, 1926
More than 350 Republicans of Wayland Township cast votes in the caucus at the Village Hall. Carl Warner was nominated for supervisor, Samuel Smith clerk and John Stockdale treasurer. The annual election will be April 5.
The Wayland Ladies Library Club band concert has been postponed until April 6 because of a misunderstanding. The Guert Fales Quartette from Allegan will provide assistance in the event.
The milk campaign was held this week in Leighton Township schools. District No. 10 was given a demonstration on the value of milk by a Mr. Addy.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Thomas Meighan in “The Alaskan.” Maurice Flynn in “The No-Gun Man.”
Mrs. Rhoda White of Moline has improved somewhat after suffering a stroke.
The large farm house of Clayton Jackson was destroyed by fire when the roof ignited by a spark from the chimney. The furniture in the upstairs was a total loss.
A party of Wayland men accompanied the Yeakey Auto Co. in a trip to Detroit to view the exhibit of Ford Auto Dealers.
A community pedro party was held at the Yeoman Hall in Bradley. Simon Fox won first prize and Wanda Kibby took the “booby prize.”
Willis Parmalee was nominated for supervisor, William Nicolai clerk and Elmer Sebright treasurer at the Hopkins Republican caucus.
Joseph Bartz was nominated for supervisor at the Dorr Democratic caucus, Fred Weaver clerk and A. Snyder treasurer. On the Republican side it was R. Williamson supervisor, L. Miedema clerk and William Graczyk treasurer.
H.J. Ross, one of the old settlers of Michigan, will turn 75 years old at his West Gun Lake home. His wife is a resident of the Cutlerville sanitarium.
The Christian Endeavor Society of the Congregational church will present a two-act play, “The New Minister Arrives.” Admission is 15 and 25 cents.
Mrs. Anna Knowlton, an old resident, died at the Soldiers’ Home in Grand Rapids, where she had gone to pass the winter.
The Oscar Briggs Post No. 89 of Allegan will sponsor a boxing tournament sanctioned by the Michigan Association of AAU, with approval of the Michigan State Boxing Commission.
Anna Dishing, who came to Shelbyville in 1855 from Ohio, died March 11 at age 81,
Henika Library Director Miss Fanny Hoyt presented a program on Michigan to members of the Ladies Library Club. Members joined in singing “Michigan, My Michigan.”
Mrs. Sylvia Reynolds has returned from Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where she received treatment for a hemorrhage in her forehead. She will recuperate at home, accompanied by her sister.
