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

25 Years Ago — Feb. 26, 1992

Fires destroyed three homes on Elmwood Beach Road, Gun Lake, and killed Willard Lawrence, retired president of the Felpausch Food Stores of Hastings. The homes of Dan DuPon and Dr. Dr. Thomas Payne also were destroyed. Authorities declared arson as the cause and fears were rampant in the wake of a series of fires in that area over the last couple of years.

The Wayland Township Planning Commission recommended rezoning of a 29-acre parcel that formerly was used by Bradley Meat packing to make way for building apartments.

The Dorr Township Planning Commission was working on revisions to the sign ordinance. Chairman Bob Wagner said more control over billboard regulations was needed.

Dr. David C. Tattan, Allegan County Medical Director, wrote a letter to the editor expressing support for a higher tax on cigarettes, maintaining that the general population should not have to subsidize the dangerous results of smoking.

Margie Chesebro and Kevin Goodwin took place in the state debate tournament, tackling the issue of what to do with homeless people. Coach Denise Kling said the two are “the best debaters I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach.”

Lisa Franck won a 13-inch television in a drawing at Wayland High School among students with excellent attendance.

Martin won the Class C-D district wrestling tournament. Though Tim Dimock was the only individual district champion, at 189 pounds, Lloyd Foster (125) and Buzz Hunderman (103) both were runners-up and eight Clipper matmen advanced to the regionals.

Bob Sikkema (189) was district champion for Wayland and Todd Meconis (145) was second.

Martin tried to clamp down on Hopkins high scorer Kelly Reynolds, but teammate Zack Wilson stepped up to score 36 points and lead the Vikings to a 64-46 victory in a neighborhood hoops contest. Hopkins now is 7-9 overall and the Clippers are 4-13.

Hopkins High School senior John Schut was awarded a Michigan State University College of Agriculture DNR Distinguished Scholarship.

Arthur John (A.J.) Predum, a 1972 Wayland High School graduate, earned his bachelor of nursing degree with distinction at Ferris State University.

Former Wayland High School basketball standout Kris Thurston was named player of the week for Tri-State University for her performances in the St. Francis Tournament.

50 Years Ago — Feb. 22, 1967

A Wayland Union Schools Advisory Committee, with 23 citizens, has been selected to help the district get the word out about the March 27 millage request. Don Dandrow was named chairman of the committee.

State Rep. James Farnsworth of Plainwell has introduced a bill in Lansing calling for all public schools to be in session for 11 months out of the year instead on nine, with staggered breaks and vacations.

Editor-Publisher Irv Helmey told readers the Globe has been beset by mechanical problems with retirement of Glen Mitchell, causing him to take over the duties of typesetting. He did report receiving part-time help from former intertype machine operator Evelyn Borgic, who was on loan from her work at Kessler’s.

Hopkins High School home economics teacher Nancy Haley gave a presentation to the Hopkins PTA about Brazil, where she spent a couple of years as a Peace Corps volunteer.

The next travelogue sponsored by the Wayland Rotary Club will be shown at Wayland High School March 2 with the topic “This Is Egypt.”

The Wayland varsity basketball team lost to Kalamazoo Christian and Grandville Christian to fall to 2-11 overall. The Wildcats will end the regular season at Caledonia and then play Allegan in the first round of the Class B district tournament at Otsego. Hopkins also will play there in the Class C division and will face Bloomingdale.

Mrs. Joseph Gannon, 82, former Wayland Globe correspondent from Hopkins, died at the home of Mrs. John Wicks.

Natalie Wood was starring in “Penelope” this week at the Wayland Theatre.

Harding’s Market produce manager Dorothy Chrisman says “The mark of a fine market is fresh produce, and we at Harding’s Frienly Market are proud of the high quality produce we sell.”

Peter Howard has opened his new barbershop at the Burnips Corners. He is open every day but Sunday and Wednesday.

The Wayland Garden Club, meeting at the Henika Library, has re-elected Mrs. Schuyler Bowers as president.

The Buckinghams’ “Kind of a Drag’ remained at No. 1 after stopping the seven-week streak of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.”

75 Years Ago — Feb. 27, 1942

Eldon Milheim, serving in the U.S. Navy, has been assigned to work on the fire-ravaged French liner Normandie. Milheim, after his service in the war, returned to Wayland and was a patrolman for many years for the Wayland Police Department with the nickname “Shorty.”

Harvey Zeerip and son Tom, the latter home from studies at the University of Michigan, registered for military service together.

The local American Legion Auxiliary has joined in a nation-wide patriotic window display contest with decorations placed on the Ben Franklin store downtown.

Union services at the United Methodist Church will feature a sermon, “God’s Singapore,” by Walter Ellis and a presentation by Legionnaire Harry Sutton.

Erma Virginia Elliston, 21, died at her parents’ home in Moline, where the family had lived for the past 17 years.

Brothers Walter and Morris Sergel, both Martin Township farmers, were two of four people killed in a car accident just north of Plainwell. They were passengers in a car that left the road in a fog and struck a tree.

Russell G. East, Pennsylvania Railroad Agricultural Agent from Richmond, Ind., will be guest speaker of the second annual dairy banquet at the Wayland High School cafeteria.

Wayland High School students plan to make a service flag bearing stars with the names of former WHS students now serving in the military.

Russell Hanlon’s team overtook that of Eddie Wobma to claim the title of collecting the most waste paper for the war effort. Wayland students were treated to a sliding party and weiner roast at Edwards Hill.

Mrs. Sarah Pratt, 59, longtime pianist for the Shelbyville United Methodist Church, died in Orlando, Fla.

Russell Birchard, son of Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Birchard of Bradley, wrote a letter to the Globe from Guatemala, where he has been serving as a missionary.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

• Gene Tierney, Bruce Cabot and George Sanders in “Sundown.”
• Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland and Fay Bainter in “Babes on Broadway.”
• Rosalind Russell, Walter Pigeon and Edward Arnold in “Design for Scandal.”
• Zasu Pitts and Slim Summerville in “Miss Polly.”

100 Years Ago — Feb. 23, 1917

The Helvetia Co. has announced another raise in prices paid to area farmers for milk, from $1.85 to $2.20 per hundred pounds. Roy Ring, Hopkins Township dairy farmer, reported he received $135 for his four cows.

Six candidates have filed for highway commissioner in the March 10 township caucus and three candidates, Byron Sweetland, Guert Fales and William H. Jackson, will compete for treasurer.

The village GOP offer caucus candidates Harry D. Allgeo for president, Amos Mauchmar clerk, George Wilson treasurer, Frank Chamberlain assessor, Clayton Mabey, Clarence Ryno and William Bohn for trustees.

The Bradley Women’s league entertained the Wayland Ladies Library Club at the Grange Hall. Members of the two organizations were taken on imaginary aeroplane flights to Egypt to visit the Pyramids.

For the past two weeks, 95 percent of fifth grade students have been averaging 100 in arithmetic and spelling.

Andrew Anderson, who was born in Sweden and had his first marriage there, died at the age of 80 at his home in Shelbyville, where he had lived since 1895.

Many local people were reported to be visiting the auto show in Grand Rapids this week, including Wilson H. Mosher, proprietor of Mosher’s North Main Street Garage, who was looking after sales of Maxwell and Studebaker pleasure and commercial cars.

A school social will be held at Sproat School in Leighton Township. The program will be two farces — “Not a Man in the House” and “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” Refreshments will be served and admission is 15 cents.

The Ladies Aid Society is proposing a chicken dinner at the home of Mrs. S.R. Williamson, Gun Lake. A quilt will be auctioned, with the names of the quilters ranging in ages from 67 to 90.

“Grandpa Schindler is quite ill, being out of his head and quite violent part of the time.”

PHOTO: Does anyone know what local church was being constructed here nearly 60 years ago?