Bygone Days: A look at the history of NE Allegan County

25 Years Ago — Dec. 9, 1992

The contentious race between Democrat Mark Krulac and Republican Rex Pomranka for Wayland Township trustee has gotten even more contentious. Krulac won the November general election race 503 to 502, but a recount requested by Pomranka resulted in a 503-503 tie. Krulac questioned the recount and resulting draw for the office.

Hopkins Township Board has voted to rescind the $25 surcharge for each household for recycling, insisting it can handle the program within its own budget.

Julianne Baughman of Gun Lake, a 1982 graduate of Wayland High School, has added her name to the growing list of defenders of embattled Hopkins Board of Education Trustee Christine Schwartz. Baughman was critical of public schools for moving away from Christian principles.

The new Wayland Township Board now is being tasked with trying to come up with a solution to resolving a partial payment issue with the Allegan County Road Commission.

After two false starts, it appears now that plans will move forward in 1993 for constructing and paving the U.S.-131 expressway between Shelbyville and Wayland. Exits for 124th Avenue and 129th Avenue will be closed during the project.

A state grant for $225,000 will enable Wayland schools to proceed with an extension of the academic year by 15 days for those who want it.

A feature story was written by Pat Staley on a mentoring program at Hopkins schools. Mentors help gifted students with personal instruction they cannot get in the regular curriculum.

Wayland High School junior Carla Behrens has been selected to portray Wendy in a Fox-17 TV commercial for the restaurant chain.

Plans are under way for the 12th annual Gun lake Winterfest celebration, this year boasting of an appearance by Bozo at the children’s tent.

New reporter Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about the Hopkins Café and proprietor Rick Mack and staff.

The winter sports season is just starting and previews of area high school teams were published. Of particular note was a story about Wayland’s varsity basketball team and coach Jim Orlowski determined to improve greatly after ist disastrous 0-21 campaign a year ago.

50 Years Ago — Dec. 6, 1967

Beth Stuart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stuart, has been named the winner of the annual Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizenship Award.

The Wayland High School bands and choirs, under the direction of Lorna Clyma, Steve Working and John Avery, are preparing to present their annual holiday season concerts.

A non-profit corporation has been established with seven members as the Wayland Centennial Celebration Committee. The members are Joe LaValley, Phillip Reno, William Mauchmar, Wade Greenawalt, Gilbert Ross, Dale Ward and Richard Canen.

Four students, seniors Karen McEwen, Eileen Morris and Mary Foley, and junior Linda Reynolds were recognized as earning all-As for the first marking period at Hopkins High School.

Carolyn and Marcia Christman, ages 16 and 13, sustained severe lacerations in a car accident at the east edge of the city when Carlyn’s slipped on an icy road.

Fred C. Krug, 86, suffered fatal injuries in a fall down basement stairs at the home of his daughter in Hopkinsburg.

Frederic Hilbert was honored by the local Masonic Lodge for 60 consecutive years of membership.

A one percent collection fee is confusing Wayland citizens filing taxes in the city.

Members of a freshman English class taught by Gene Washchuk toured the Globe offices to complete their four-week course in journalism.

Hopkins defeated Wayland 70-58 in the season basketball opener. Lee Pankratz scored 25 points for the Wildcats and Terry Yonkers 28 for the Vikings. Former Wayland coach and teacher Dave Nelson is the coach at Hopkins.

Martin was edged 67-64 by Lawton in its season hoops opener. John Anderson and Steve Goodrich both had 14 points for the Clippers and Ron Kraai added 13.

Wayland launched its first-ever wrestling season under coach Eugene Knobloch, with 40 boys trying out for the squad. Maple Valley is the only school in the Expressway Conference that has had a program before this year. Caledonia also is in its first season.

The Wayland Girls Athletic Association (GAA) nipped the “W Club” boys 18-17 in a special fund-raising basketball game play under the girls’ rules, referees on the take and requirements the boys had to carry purses at all times while playing.

Sgt. Steve Clack, a 1965 graduate of Wayland High School, is serving in DaNang, Vietnam, as a motion picture lab specialist.

The Monkees made it two weeks in a row atop the nation’s top tunes with “Daydream Believer.”

75 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 1942

The Globe published three more letters from servicemen writing from overseas, including Jack Smith in the Navy in Iceland, Gordon Cole in New Zealand and Lt. Col. Leon Schuh in Egypt. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher praised Schuh for sending a letter “written in plain English” and acknowledging that all those serving in the military are homesick, but are determined to win the wars.

With bananas on the “hard to get list, the youngbloods are taking up pie a la mode instead of the old standard favorite banana splits.

Doan’s Lake south of town on Route 131 again is the last of the area lakes to be frozen over.

Mosher opined that with gas rationing now in full force, residents may see and hear more evidence of the railroads, horses and cutters.

The Felix Pattock homestead just north of Hilliards suffered serious damage in a barn fire that destroyed 16 head of dairy cattle, hay and two horses.

Mrs. Lucy Brabon, who came to Martin from New York at the age of 6, died at age 81. She had lived in Wayland for more than 40 years, was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church, a graduate of Wayland High School and Valparaiso (Ind.), a school teacher and member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

The Wayland Congregational Church is getting considerable attendance at the weekly Sunday evening Hymn Sings.

Marshall Towne, 22, a recent Wayland High School graduate, has graduated from Cook’s and Baker’s School at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has earned the rank of third class petty officer. His plans are to serve the troops.

Roscoe French Jr.

Roscoe French of Leighton Township is home on furlough after a harrowing series of experiences in North Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. French was rescued from a raft in the Atlantic Ocean after nine days afloat. He and his mates had been torpedoed and later attacked by gunfire while boarding landing boats. Rollo Mosher noted he probably had some terrific tales to tell, but he cannot yet.

Pricess Watassa of Lansing visited the United Methodist Church in Wayland and the Indian Mission on behalf of the Tuberculosis Association.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

  • Zasu Pitts and Roger Pryer in “So’s Your Aunt Emma.”
  • Craig Stevens and Faye Emerson in “Secret Enemies.”
  • Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth and Ginger Rogers in “Tales of Manhattan.”
  • Lynn Robert and Raymond Walburn in “The Man in the Trunk.”
  • Ronald Berry and Jean Parker in “The Traitor Within.”

100 years Ago — Dec. 7, 1917

Editor-Publisher George Mosher heaped high praise on the scholarship of 13-year-old high school freshman Dorothy Santas, and fellow Wayland High School students Margaret Beall, Lila Tooker and Theodore Wintz.

The outdoor portion of the new indoor toilets for Wayland schools is now complete and the indorr project will be completed over the upcoming holiday break.

The German I class is studying the comedy, “Der Prosetz” (“The Lawsuit”).

Wayland has completed 384 of 392 food pledges. Martin had 170 of 240, Hopkins 239 of 372 qnd Dorr 129 of 332.

Allegan County Ag Agent Alfred Bentall spoke to members of the Farmers Progressive Club of Dorr and Ezra Levin made a presentation to area muck farmers.

It was reported that a total of 2,954 men were called t register for the World War draft from Allegan County and 1,720 were called for examinations. Of that number, 1,203 were accepted into military service. The Globe published the names of nine men to failed to show for their exams, but none were from Wayland, Hopkins or Martin.

Hinkle Brothers entertained the Allegan County Blacksmith Association at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Hinkle.

William Chase traveled to Eaton Rapids to meet with a physician who had successfully treated someone with cancer in hopes of a favorable outcome.

Claude Whitcomb, formerly of Wayland, has received a lieutenant’s commission and now is serving in France.

Someone broke into a Dell Morduff’s house near the pickle factory and stole about $60 worth of furs he had trapped in area streams. Investigation of suspicious footprints in the snow were tracked, but the trail eventually went cold.

The Helvetia Milk Condensary reported a milestone in receiving more than 100,000 pounds of milk in one day for the first time ever.

Paul Hickey will present “France: Past and Present” at Frank’s Opera House.

 

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