(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 2, 2001
Wayland Chamber of Commerce Director Ann Kilmartin has announced support for a county-wide program of growing vegetables for the needy at the Allegan Vo-Tech Center.
Phyllis Drozd, president of the Allegan County Intermediate School District Board, has received the Michigan Association of School Boards President’s Award, the highest honor it bestows.
Kay T. Rose of Moline wrote a letter to the editor praising Dorr Township’s efforts on behalf of a couple of parks as alternatives to a casino.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs Gun Lake presented fine arts scholarships to Beth Forbes of Middleville, Angela Liedeke of Delton and Heather VandenBos of Wayland Union schools.
Twenty Wayland Union Middle School students earned more than a few awards at the Science Olympiad competition in East Lansing. Head coach is Michelle Foster.
Wayland High School teacher Jeff Salisbury and principal Jack Deming were selected as principal and advisor of the year by the Michigan Association of Student Councils. Senior Lisa Burgess, Student Council president, nominated them.
The U.S. Interior Department has announced there will be no casino in this area unless the Gun Lake Tribe can put together a compact agreement.
Anthony Michael Moore of Wayland is still at large after he fled the scene of a traffic crash at 92nd Street and Eastern Avenue in Kent County.
The Globe published a feature about the activities of the Allegan County Pleasure Riders of Watson Township, which is sponsoring a rideathon for the 27th year.
Little Cats Running Club advisor David Britten told the Globe about the interesting performances of Pine Street Elementary student Jessica Armstrong in long distance races.
Andrea Moma returns this spring to the Wayland girls’ soccer team as the school record setting goal scorer.
The Wayland softball team expects not to rebuild, but instead reload in its quest for another conference crown, especially with the return of the “near-lethal” skilled Jessica Merchant. The ‘Cats and coach Cheri Ritz graduated Kara Potter, Nicole Merchant, Angel Merren and Lenna Tompkins.
50 Years Ago — March 30, 1976
Pastors Rich Koster of United Church of Wayland and Leo Bennett of United Methodist Church are spearheading the Heifer Project to help victims of an earthquake in Guatemala.
State Police at the Wayland post are investigating a burglary at Stamm Equipment in which an estimated $13,000 was stolen, but they have apprehended four juveniles in the theft of two motorcycles at Earhart Engineering inn Wayland.
Employees at Pet Incorporated have approved 57-37 a new contract with the company, prompting Plant Manager Ted Green to make optimistic comments about prospects for new product development.
Vince Peckens, 17, of Martin, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with intent to commit murder after he allegedly stabbed an Otsego woman and buried her before leaving the scene. The woman survived the attack and fingered Peckens, a student-athlete at Martin High School.
Because of state budget cutbacks, the Wayland, Hopkins and Martin school districts are laying off teachers, all of whom are eligible too apply for reinstatement.
Hopkins activist Mimi Moulenbelt wrote a letter to the editor seeking donations to the effort to expand the community’s toll-free telephone access area.
Diane Smith and Mrs. Felix Pankratz wrote a letter critical of the Wayulamdf Board of Education’s decision to cut back on reading services.
“One Who Knows” penned a letter critical of the city’s arrangement with Consumers Power for street light repairs and services.
Cletus Heibel thanked the Globe for printing the proceedings of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners, saying, “This gives those of us who cannot attend a chance to know what is going on.”
Hopkins High School students will present “Spring Fever,” a variety show April 9 and 10.
Wayland High School graduate Craig Suhusky will join fellow members of the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra in the April 11 performance of the “Concerto Concert.”
Ogres David Young and James Wasserman attended a folklore gathering in Grand Rapids, declaring it to be “a leisure class extravaganza.”
Jim Longstreet was the recipient of the coveted Louis Japinga Award.
Winners in the ping pong tourney, sponsored by Wayland Community Education and Recreation, were announced: Tim Smith, Caroline Reurink, Pete Jansma and Evan Siefert, Colleen and Mike Ellinger, Joyce Lohrberg, Mike Getty, Jim Tinsler and Ken Kool, Jim Lohrberg, and Joyce Lohrberg and Lois Mauchmar.
Area townships were getting ready to have their annual meetings in which they set their budgets.
The Globe published a photo of Walter Calkins high up on the flag pole he was painting at the Fire Barn in Wayland.
Johnny Taylor took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s most popular tunes with “Disco Lady.”
75 Years Ago — April 6, 1951
The Gun Lake Drain and Dam project was the main topic of discussion at the Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting. Also discussed was the problem of speedboats on the lake, led by Sheriff Leon Doster, who said not much can done about the noise and inconveniences.
Winning elections for township supervisor were Harold Fox, Wayland; Clem Rewa, Dorr, Frank Strandt, Watson, and Francis Brower, Hopkins.
The Wayland High School band sent Jack Warner, high school cornet; Robert Niemchick, junior high cornet, Thomas Lindgren, snare drum, to the state solo and ensemble festival in Ann Arbor. It was the first year Wayland has taken part in the annual festival.
A 4-H program at the Corning School will include free movies, along with 4-H demonstrations.
Roland Knowlton had the misfortune to lose his left hand in an accident while shredding corn. The Allegan Health Center reported his condition as “fair.”
The Eastern Bradley Extension Club members heard a presentation from Miss Mary Bullis, Extension agent, on “Living Together in the Family.”
Wayland Village President Russ Rugaber gave a public presentation explaining local taxation to readers of the Globe.
Sandra Rose Pigeon, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Edmund Pigeon, died at age 6 months. Services were held at the Indian Mission.
Russell Hanlon Jr. of Wayland will tour with the Albion College choir and will be part of a radio broadcast over station WJR in Detroit.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Wayne Morris and Preston Foster in “The Tougher They Come.”
- Allan “Rocky” Lane in “Salt Lake Raiders.”
- Jane Wyman, Van Johnson and Howard Keel in “Three Guys Named Mike.”
- Judy Holliday and William Holden in “Born Yesterday.”
100 Years Ago— April 2, 1926
Highway Commissioner Frank Rogers said Gov. Groesbeck and the state administrative board are considering road projects, including filling gaps between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo on M-13.
Though only one slate of officers appears on the spring election ballot, there are several areas of interest for taxpayers — the purchase of Stockdale law offices, the fate of the home demonstration agent and the county nurse.
The building owned and occupied by Dr. Ira Slater, formerly known as the Doll House Restaurant, soon will be the location for a dry cleaning establishment. Dr. Slater is moving to a new site on West Superior.
The local boxing tournament under the auspices of the American Legion will take place April 8 and 9 at Streeter’s Opera House, Allegan.
The illustrated lecture, “Civilian Patriots of the American Revolution” will be given by members of the James Fenton Lodge.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Jack Holt, Noah Beery, Ernest Torrence and Lois Wilson in “North of 36.” Harry Langdon in “Pickling Peaches.” Jack London’s “White Fang.” Albert Vaughn, Al Cooke and Kit Guard in “The Adventures of Mazie.”
Mrs. Albert Wiggins will begin teaching next Monday at the Hooker School. Mrs. Harold Steeby has resigned.
Miss Amanda Hall, Allegan County Demonstration Agent, will have a class at the home of Mrs. Oliver Francisco, Green Lake. A dinner also is planned.
The young people of the Methodist Episcopal Church will present a pageant, “Easter Testimony.”
Miss Dorothy These has given up her work at the Klunder’s Store and will take a position at the Battle Creek Sanitarium.
The young people of the local Grange have formed a band and have been practicing.
Albert Briggs died at John Robinson Hospital. His funeral will be at Holadfay’s Funeral Parlor in Wayne.
Henika Library Director Fannie Hoyt reported, “We succeeded in getting six books, which cost us a total of 18 cents.”
A $15 reward is being offered for information provided about the person or persons who stole a spare tire from L.F Smith’s Chevrolet coach at the Methodist Church.
The Ladies Library Club held a discussion at a civic meeting about ways in which the village might be improved and become a more beautiful place.
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Dias, who spent the last six months in Miami, Fla., returned to Wayland. “They made the trip by automobile in just eight days.”
Prof. Reed of Michigan State College says the population of cows in our state is several thousand short of the normal amount. F.D. Cutler has a 4-year-old grade Guernsey doing her bit to increase the number of good cows in this state.
