25 Years Ago — Sept. 23, 1992
The Wayland Township Planning Commission voted against recommending granting a special use permit to developer Cellar Door to build an amphiteater on 129th Avenue at U.S.-131.
The Dorr Township Planning Commission turned down a rezoning request for a subdivision on 140th Avenue because the road is not paved and therefore couldn’t handle the increase in traffic.
The Hopkins School District next week will ask voters to approve a $10 million bond for the second time this year. The proposal is for a new high school and renovations for Sycamore Elementary.
The proposal generated more than a few letters to the editor, both for and against. Lawrence Lenhart insisted, “Everyone has had to tighten their belt, the school should be no exception. Echoing the sentiments was Michael Schwartz of Dorr. Pro-bond letters were published from Anita Kerber, Doug and Mary Hills and Anne Hodge. Clare Kipen bemoaned voters’ apathy, noting only 50% of registered voters showed up at the polls in the March 25 election.
The jury trial began in Barry County Circuit Court for Stephen Lawrence, accused of murdering his father, Felpauch Food Stores President Willard Lawrence, 74 in a fatal fire at his Gun Lake residence.
Mona Ayers’ St. Jude Bikeathon fund-raiser was recognized for the raising the most money per capita in Michigan. The Hopkins event collected $6,365.
An armed robbery occurred at Elaine’s Country Store on 10th Street in Wayland Township. The suspect took off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The City Council received complaints about too much large truck traffic along Superior Street, with some residents claiming all are going too fast.
Michael Chesebro, 48, pleased no contest in Allegan County Circuit Court to second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 13 years age. He awaits his sentencing.
Hopkins rushed for more than 400 yards and crushed Saugatuck 57-8. Caledonia unleashed an offensive attack in a 57-29 victory over Wayland and Martin took advantage of Lawton dressing only 11 players in a 38-15 rout.
After losing their first two contests, the Martin girls have rebounded to win four straight. Wayland has been playing sloppy basketball, but has improved to 3-2 and Hopkins now is 4-2.
Chard Stein fired an 80 for 18 holes and Hopkins improved its team score by 40 strokes from a year ago in the Allegan Invitational. The Vikings finished fifth.
The Martin High School marching band and Director Fred Bogdan took first in Class D in the Wolverine World Wide band competition in Rockford.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 20, 1967
Mayor Phil Reno told about 200 people at a special public forum on the bond proposal for sanitary sewer that it will be a dirty and expensive project, but necessary.
Editor-Publsher Irv Helmey wrote an editorial asserting, “Upwards of 200 conscientious took an evening out of their busy schedules to gain first-hand information about the costs, financing and implementation of the city improvement program. Questions were direct and received answers… When you vote Oct. 16, you will be voting for a program that if defeated will cost you more five or 10 years from now.” Helmey said if Wayland doesn’t do, the State of Michigan will do it for them.
The Globe published another front page feature about the travels and experiences of Wayland High School foreign exchange students over the summer. This time it was Bobbie LaValley, who visited the Netherlands and France, and Russell Middleton, who was in Germany.
The City of Wayland voted to accept the low bid for a new department of public works truck from Storey Ford.
Members of the local Cub Scouts pack were planning to take part in a gun safety rifle shoot at the high school girls’ gym.
Local VFW Auxiliary members have launched a program to send Christmas packages to servicemen in Vietnam.
Clayton Jackson, a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School, made the dean’s list at Ferris State College, where he is a sophomore student in technical and applied arts.
The Wayland High School football team lost its season opener to Plainwell, 18-7. John Baar scored the Wildcats’ only TD on a one-yard plunge and Curt Sebright kicked the extra point.
John Truskowski of Dorr limited out on coho salmon while fishing near Manistee.
The Grand Rapids District of the Women’s Society of Christians Committee met at the Gun lake home of Grayce Delp. They were served authentic Chinese dinners by the Benedictine Sisters of Peking.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “C’mon, Let’s Live a Little.”
The Southwest District Convention of Christian Churches will meet at the Wayland Church of Christ. Topic for discussion will “The Future of Toun and Country Churches.”
The Pioneer Girls at Wayland Calvary Church will start their new season. Guides for the Colonists are Miss Cheryl Crane and Mrs. Alan Baugh. Guide for the Explorers is Mrs. Merle Pefley.
Bruce Culver of Martin and William Hildebrand of Shelbyville showed off their champions steers at the Allegan County Fair.
Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” still topped the nation’s music charts.
75 Years Ago — Sept. 25, 1942
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher waxed eloquent about the history of the Globe while noting it was first published by his father this date in 1884. “During this period of nearly six decades, the newspaper has been owned and published by the same family (except for a 15-month period).” Rollo took over from his father, George, after George’s death in 1919.
Mosher also announced he was getting put of the business of dairy farming and was selling his jersey herd of 40 animals he had owned for more than 15 years.
District No. 29 of the Rebekah Lodge met in Moline and welcomed members from Wayland, Martin, Fennville, Holland, Douglas, Otsego and Glenn.
Mrs. Phil Reno is starting up home nursing classes again.
Ivan D. Smith, Sib Rumery, Rollo Mosher, Jakes Haveman and Guert Fales attended the Allegan County Republican Party Convention and all but Fales were elected delegates.
The Church of Christ is planning an evangelical series with guest minister James Irby of Sparta, Harold Dietiker will be in charge of the hymn singing. The services will be every Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Midlred Smith was elected president of the Legion Auxiliary and Beth Mosher first vice present.
Senior Kenneth Pratt and junior William McElwee were the candidates for election of student council president at Wayland High School.
Rain has reduced attendance numbers at the Allegan County Fair this year.
The Wayland Catholic Ladies are planning a card party at the Legion Hall. Games of pinochle, bridge and pedro will be played. Refreshments will be served. Admission is 25 cents.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jean Parker and John Arthur in “Hi, Neighbor.”
- Regis Toomey and Adele Longmire in “Bullet Scars.”
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in “Pardon My Sarong.”
- Buck Jones and Tim McCoy in “Riders of the West.”
- The Andrews Sisters and Harry James in “Private Buckaroo.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 21, 1917
John McKay, 36, a Pere Marquette section hand, was found dead next to the railroad tracks two miles north of Wayland. Authorities said he had taken his own life by slitting his throat. They found a note in his pocket addressed to his brother explaining that he had been suffering declining health and missed his wife, Ada. His brother said McKay at one time was the private secretary of the governor of Mississippi, but “John Barleycorn was too much for him.”
The top attractions at the Allegan County Fair were Fink’s Comedy Mules and “Okura Jap Wonders.” Also on the bill was Fischer’s Exposition Orchestra.
The Yeakey-Goshorn auto dealership in Otsego is getting a new addition for its showroom.
The Wayland school day has been lengthened by 15 minutes to 3:45, with eight class periods at the high school.
Two WHS 1917 graduates are making their mark Tessie Smith is teaching at a rural elementary north of Wayland and Janette Bouwman has enrolled at Western State Normal.
The Wildcat football team will open Sept. 22 at Fennville, then come home the following week to take on Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Avis Huttleston is president of the WHS senior class and Howard Calkins, captain of the football team, is vice president.
C.L. Crane of Kalamazoo came to the high school for the weekly chapel program to talk about the war.
Ray McIntyre, a local blacksmith, was home on seven-day furlough. He is serving on the U.S.S. Prometheus.
Frank McIntyre, serving in Indianapolis Barracks Aviation Corps, sent a poem to the Globe, “The Devil Resigns His Job.”
Next Sunday’s feature film at Frank’s Opera House will be “The Circus of Life,” starring childhood actess Zoe Ray.
The Rev. J. M. Jensen is the new pastor of the Wayland Methodist Episcopal Church, succeeding the Rev. W. W. May, who has been reassigned to Burr Oak.
Thirteen violators were apprehended along “Dixie Highway” from Bradley to Wayland for speeding or not using their dimmed lights. They all were levied fines.
