(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 years Ago — Feb. 12, 1992
The Dorr Township Board voted to retain its recycling surcharge and announced it may ask Allegan County to refund its collections not spent in 1991.
A wood burning stove malfunction was blamed for a fire that destroyed a metal pole building on 9th Street in Leighton Township, owned by Terry Senneker. The Leighton, Dorr and Wayland fire departments responded quickly, but the flames were well involved as they arrived.
Don Black of Shelbyville wrote a letter to the editor praising the condition of 10th Street from Shelbyville to Wayland because of the addition of shoulders, which is a big help to joggers and bicyclers.
Bill Nelson was introduced as the new manager of the Allegan County Road Commission, succeeding the retiring Fred Neils.
David Chrysler, 32, of Wayland, was convicted in Allegan County Circuit Court of criminal sexual conduct with two boys, ages 11 and 8, in a domestic situation.
Daniel V. King, 29, was killed in a traffic crash on 6th Street north of 135th Avenue after he car left the road and struck a tree.
Republican Congressman Paul B. Henry spoke at a town meeting in Dorr Township, acknowledging one of the biggest problems being faced now is health care and the system, he said needs a radical overhaul. He examined a couple of options, one in which employers are required to offer health care to employees and another, like Canada, a single-payer system.
Three troopers with the Michigan State Police, Wayland post, Norm Lorhoff, James Paul and Marco Jones, were named in a lawsuit filed by attorneys from the estate of Dennis Roxbury, who was killed in a standoff in Hopkins. The attorneys asserted it was a case of police using lethal means without justification.
Robert Hess of Lansing has been announced as the new director of Wayland Area Emergency Services, succeeding Robert Farrell, who left to take a post with the Saginaw emergency services.
Jaime Pitcher, 14, rolled a 266 game as part of the youth bowling program at Airport Lanes.
The Martin wrestling team captured the Tri-League championship, placing six champions in the conference meet, including Tim Dimock (189), Lloyd Foster (125), Buzz Hunderman (103) Matt Salady (145) and Jason Stewart (152).
Wayland’s varsity boys’ basketball team fell to 0-14 with a 65-61 loss to Caledonia. Martin edged Lawton 75-69 in triple overtime to improve to 4-9 and Hopkins turned in a respectable game against No. 2-ranked Allendale, 73-52 and is now 4-8.
Dr. Richard M. Church, formerly of Hopkins, has earned a Surgeon General’s Medallion for his work in pharmacy for the U.S. Public Health Service.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 8, 1967
Private First Class Dennis Noble was selected to receive a blue dress uniform awarded by Leathernecks Magazine to the outstanding Marines recruit. He also was promoted to private first class.
The Wayland Theatre this week is showing the epic film “The Agony and the Estacy,” starring Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison, telling the story of the conflict between Michelangelo and Pope Julius.
The Wayland Board of Education set March 27 as the date for a special election on the three-year renewal of a four-mill levy for school operations and a one-mill levy to establish building site and sinking fund.
Lenore Romney, wife of Gov. George Romney, was to be guest speaker at the Feb. 15 Republican Lincoln Day dinner at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
Tom Towne, 13, has been building a collection of unusual moths for five years, according to a front-page feature story.
The Henika Library Board has voted to proceed with the building addition project despite the State Library Board’s decision not to support it with state funding. Library officials said recent pledges in their fund drive came very close to meeting the $24,000 goal. They will not seek bids until the goal has been met.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, in his “Turned Up Here and There” column, recalled the first major snowstorm when he took over his first newspaper in Leslie, between Jackson and Lansing, in the early 1950s. He remembered the local restaurant and two taverns were open all night to accommodate stranded motorists. What prompted his remarks was the huge winter snowstorm that rocked Wayland Feb. 1.
The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team’s record fell to 2-8 with a 67-44 loss to Maple Valley. Rick Middleton scored 10 points for the ‘Cats.
Allegan County 4-Her Raylene Lober of Martin, now a student at Ferris State College, was selected to take part in the Poultry Fact-Finding Conference in Kansas City.
David G. Hayes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gay Hayes of Dorr, was to have his pastor installation service at Moline Baptist Church. He is a graduate of Wayland High School and the Pillsbury Bible College in Minnesota.
The Rev. Fred Dunbar continued to pen his weekly column “The Pastor’s View.” He is pastor of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 13, 1942
Rotarian friends of Chet Brevitz, manager of the local Ben Franklin store downtown, are putting together a massive valentine with messages and signatures from members. Brevitz is stationed with the U.S. Army in Texas.
Wayland and just about everywhere else adjusted Sunday evening to “War Time” by setting clocks one hour ahead.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in hs “Observations Here and There” column, “A lot of boys have gone and are going from Wayland and vicinity to join Uncle Sam’s armed forces. Some of them may be killed because folks right here at home talk too much.”
The Stockdale Busy Builders of the Church of Christ Disciples are planning a penny supper Feb. 13 at the American Legion Hall.
The United Methodist Church vocal quartet of Alice Mae Sutton, Dorothy and Minerva Finkbeiner, and Ruby Smith, with piano accompanist Pauline Bowman, took top honors in the Reo Motor Company contest during Farmers Week at Michigan State College.
Mrs. Maude Frue, a native of Watson Township and Wayland resident for the past 17 years, died at her home. She was very active in the Anti-Cant Club, Congregational Church, Ladies Library Club and Wayland Garden Club.
Phil Reno was change of the special Rotary urban-rural program in which members were asked to bring as guests local farmers for the luncheon.
Wayland High School’s basketball team will play at Martin Friday and will be on the home court next Tuesday against Caledonia and Friday against Hudsonville.
Ethel Overmire of Wayland will graduate with a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan College.
A couple of Wayland representatives at a Republican Party program in Grand Rapids, featuring Senator Arthur Vandenberg, reported the party is seeking a larger number of people financially supporting the party rather than fewer donors with larger amounts.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Edward G. Robinson, Edward Arnold, Laraine Day and Marsha Hunt in “Unholy Partners.”
- Myrna Loy and William Powell in “The Shadow of the Thin Man.”
- Nelson Eddy and Rise Stevens in “The Chocolate Soldier.”
100 Years Ago— Feb. 9, 1917
The Globe had a front page feature on Abraham Lincoln in honor of his birthday 108 years previous. A story inside the edition insisted any stories about problems between the 16th president and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, were without truth.
The Allegan County Farmers Institute will be held Feb. 9 and 10 in Dorr with lectures by C.R. Gaskill of Hastings, Roland Morill of Benton Harbor, celery specialist Ezra Levin, Allegan County Ag Agent Alfred Bentall and Mrs. S.H. Noeker of Cassopolis.
Lovina Ash, 78, who had lived at a Wayland farm since moving here in 1883, died at her home.
A farmhouse owned by Peter Taylor and occupied by the Frank Stone family, including six children, was destroyed by fire. The building and contents were a total loss at West Gun Lake.
Joseph Graczyk has purchased the farm of August Worful of Dorr.
“The snowdrifts surely remind us of the good old-fashioned winters. Yes, and the thermometer, too.”
A State School Inspector from the University of Michigan made several critical observations about Wayland School. He said it needs more room, single seats installation and appropriation of the grammar room for the high school.
After purchase of an organ by the grammar school from the local Order of the Eastern Star, school officials report the grammar school now has four oragans and one piano on site.
Aging attorney W.W. Warner of Allegan was guest speaker at chapel. He talked about patriotism and his experiences serving during the Civil War. He indicated his love for the U.S. flag and said he would risk his life for it.
PHOTO: The original Congregational Church on West Superior Street. Today it is home to DeWeerd’s Plumbing and heating.
This is truly a wonderful series of articles that takes a great amount of time to write and research. Thanks to the author for great writing.