(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 22, 1992
Patricia Birkholz of Fennville, Saugatuck Township Treasurer, has been appointed Allegan County Treasurer, succeeding the late Fred Edgerton. The other two candidates for the post were Undersheriff Larry Ladenburger and Lou Thierwechter, owner of Allegan Airways, Inc.
All events will go on as scheduled at the 13th annual Gun Lake Winterfest, except the Torch Light Parade because of lack of ice on Gun Lake. The “Raucus Caucus” to select the Gun Lake Mayor will get things under way Jan. 21.
Allegan County Prosecutor Andrew Marks wrote a letter to the editor suggesting Wayland area citizens to make a $50 donation to help the Henika Library get through its financial crisis. He noted the federal government will give each a $14 return as a result of a deduction.
Kenneth DeKeokKeok, 27, was killed in a collision between two snowmobiles east of 4th Street along 125th Avenue in Wayland Township.
The City of Wayland and the Wayland Community Education program will offer a five-part series of seminars on local government and what it does. The classes are the brainchild of city employee Barbara VanDuren.
The Wayland City Council voted 4-1 to permit Ray Hinkle to place an apartment in back of the building that formerly was the location of the Cookn Family Jewelry store on West Superior Street.
Wayland High School varsity volleyball coach Dennis Anguilm earned his 405th career victory during the annual Wildcat Invitational. His team finished third.
Terry Chlebana, Dave Estefan, Troy Tarnutzer and Bjorn Olson combined efforts to break the school record in the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:38.71.
The Wayland varsity basketball team still is seeking its first win of the season after losing to Hudsonville, but coach Jim Orlowski said he’s optimistic about chances of breaking the futility string at home Friday night against Cedar Springs.
Hopkins’ Kelly Reynolds set the school record for individual scoring in a single game by netting 44 points, including six triples, in a victory over Freedom Baptist. The Vikings have two victories this season, Martin has one and Wayland none.
The Wayland High School varsity wrestling team won the Delton Invitational, its second tourney championship of the season. Individual champions were Scott Kelch (140 pounds) and Bob Sikkema (189).
50 Years Ago — Jan. 18, 1967
The Globe published a front page feature story about Joe Harnish of Dorr, who retired not long ago to take up his passion of collecting antiques.
The Rev. Cliff Kipfmiller, only 45, died at Bronson Hospital after a lingering illness. He had been pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Hopkins and St. Peter’s in Dorr.
Voters will be asked to approve a four-mill, three-year renewal for Wayland school operations in a March 27 election.
The City of Wayland is being divided into two voting precincts, for 506 residents who live north of Superior Street and for 420 south of it.
Mrs. Arnold Wilde and Mrs. Julius Andringa have been hired as teacher aides at Steeby Elementary.
The Allegan County Democratic and Republican parties have announced the call of county conventions, Jan. 31 for the GOP and Feb. 9 for the Dems. Both sessions will be held at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
Ronald H. Soppe, a serviceman in Vietnam, sent the Wayland 4-H Clovers a thank you letter for the goodies the group sent him and his good friend, Gary Truax of Dorr.
Unbeaten Hamilton defeated Wayland 50-41 on the hardcourt, lowering the Wildcats’ season record to 1-6. Lee Pankratz scored 16 points, Rick Blok ad had 10 and Mel Spencer eight.
Member of the Wayland High School Girls’ Athletic Association gathered at Stafford’s Restaurant Kalamazoo for a banquet and presented advisor Patricia McKee with a corsage. The group earlier in the month won four of five volleyball contests against Maple Valley.
Dean Martin and Joey Bishop were starring in “Texas Across the River” at the Wayland Theatre.
Cindy Miedema was elected president of the Wayland 4-H Clovers Club and Judy Post vice president.
Jim Panyrek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Panyrek of Gun Lake, has arrived for duty in Vietnam. He is a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School.
75 Years Ago — Jan. 23, 1942
Wayland Livestock Sales reported having its largest sale ever, with more than 800 animals going through the sale ring. One cow brought more than $100 and a bull was sold for $203.
Former Wayland businessman George A. Carner said he recently returned from a trip to England and Ireland, where there was much jubilation in both countries about the entry of the United States against Japan and Germany.
Dr. Alter has predicted that man’s first visit to the moon will take place “some time within the next 100 years” if not sooner.
Edward Russell has resigned after serving 14 years as water commissioner for the village. “He had a very unpleasant job at times,” wrote Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, “yet he kept his records in excellent condition.” Elmer Kugelard will fill in to look after the water department in the interim.
The All-Games part at Wayland High School raked in about $31, which will go toward reducing Wayland’s bill for the Red Cross ward fund, which totals $350.
Chester Brevitz, well liked proprietor of the local Ben Franklin store, has been drafted into the U.S. Army and will report this month to Fort Custer in Battle Creek. His sister will be minding the store in his absence.
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Green plan to move to Battle Creek after spending 13 years in this town. Mr. Green has landed a job with the defense plant at Clark Equipment in Battle Creek.
Wayland, Caledonia, Hopkins and Byron Center will be the teams that will compete for the trophy in the Barkenall League basketball tournament.
Now playing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jane Withers and Jane Darwell in “Snall Town Deb.”
- Guy Kibbe and Emma Dunn in “Scattergood Meets Broadway.”
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in “Keep ‘Em Flying.”
- William Wright and Margaret Tallichet in “The Devil Pays Off.”
- Carole Landis and George Montgomery in “Cadet Girl.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 19, 1917
There will be a social in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is 15 cents and oysters will be on the menu.
Miss Cora Simpen, a nurse Florence Nightengale Hospital in Fuchow, China, will be guest speaker at a Wayland High School program.
Howard Schad and his mules will takes Wayland High School sophomores on a nine-mile sleigh ride excursion to Corinth.
A Dr. Plant of Lansing visited the schools and was reported to have said, “Young folks trying to become something and at the same time smoke, dissipate or neglect their health are to be compared to men who run a race with rubber boots on.”
Former Wayland man Bert Everhart, a longtime employee of the Judson Grocer Co. and a livery, died at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids.
The Wayland Fire Department was summoned to the East Superior Street home of Charles T. Haywood, where smoke bellowed from the top of the structure as a result of a pile of rags somehow igniting.
Wayland Township now is without the services of a constable or deputy sheriff because those elected last spring failed to qualify. “Thus it is said there is but little need for an officer, as the people are all of a class of law abiding citizens.”
D.G. Clack of Dorr was selected president for one year of the Patrons Mutual Fire Insurance in the wake of the death of Grandville Miner. The company reported a year-end fund balance of $117.
Mrs. Pierson read a paper to the Ladies Library Club about the founder and origins of kindergarten.
Mrs. George Renaud entertained 11 members and four guests of the Bradley Thimble Club by playing several selections from her Victrola.
There will be a masquerade ball Jan. 26 in Yeoman Hall in Bradley with music by Halloran’s Orchestra.