25 Years Ago — March 3, 1993
Reporter Pat Staley wrote an analysis piece on the progress of Allegan County’s recycling program, maintaining that it’s had its problems but is reducing waste and pollution.
The Wayland Township Board has pulled the dance license for the Apple Core Lounge because of continued reported troubles. Owner Al Baker told the board the move might cause the entertainment center to go bankrupt.
Bev Warren of Martin wrote a letter to the editor mocking the school board’s fears about a “Literature of the Supernatural” course at the high school, insisting the devil made her do it (write the letter).
Pat Kelsey wrote a letter protesting Watson Township having to pay for a fire barn in Hopkins that it doesn’t own.
Wayland resident Jaye Bartlett was the focus of a feature story about her children’s book, which is the inspiration for an upcoming television show, “Land of I.”
Little Caesar’s Pizza opened its takeout eatery on West Superior St., and manager Phil Minch says it will create 24 jobs in the community.
Jose Soria has purchased Wayland TV Sales & Service on South Main Street from the retiring Jack Dewey and noted he is an electronics technician who repairs TVs, microwaves, stereos, VCRs and video game machines.
Barbara Van Duren has been elevated to the position of assistant city manager, succeeding Helen Alflen, who has retired.
The Martin volleyball team ended its regular season with a 15-7 record and a loss to Schoolcraft, as coach Kelli Morris let all team members play.
The Wayland boys’ basketball team absorbed its 10th straight defeat and now is 5-14 overall, despite Ken Stewart’s career-high 23 points in a 65-58 loss to South Christian.
Hopkins claimed its third win on the hardcourt by taking out Kelloggsville. Ryan Schwartz had 20 points.
Albion College linebacker Kris Knobloch, a Hopkins High School graduate, was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year for the 1992 season.
A flu-weakened Martin basketball team lost twice in the week and its record slipped to 11-7 overall. Chris Rantz scored in double figures in both contests.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 28, 1968
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey expressed his dismay over Wayland’s first-ever labor strike, against Kessler’s Undies & Woolies. “Spokesmen for for both the company and union are in agreement on one point, at least, that is is a truly sad an unfortunate situation,” he wrote in a front page editorial. He maintained that the strike divided not just workers and company officials, but also people in the community. Noting that the union was approved not long with Amalgamated Clothing Workers by just three votes, he said almost half of the workers wanted to return to work, but the plant had to be shut down.
Spec.-4 Dennis Jay Lulofs, a 1965 graduate of Wayland High School, was killed in action Feb. 17 in Vietnam while serving as a gunner in a helicopter. WHS students observed a moment of silence in his honor Friday, Feb. 23.
State Rep. James Farnsworth of Plainwell introduced a bill that would offer incentives to public schools to have schools in session on a year-round basis.
The Wayland Youth Center will have its annual corporation meeting March 4 at the United Methodist Church.
The Wayland City Council has granted a dance license to R.V. Hurst to establish a teen dance center downtown, open Friday and Saturday evenings.
Local author and historian Mrs. Ruby Smith’s first in a series of columns about the history of Wayland focused on father and son Isaac and George W. Barnes, who bought a tract of land near the Rabbit River to establish a sawmill in 1836. Today the property is the site of the Hill Cemetery. They built a log house and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jackson were the first occupants, but only for four months, as Mr. Jackson lobbied to get out because of loneliness and homesickness.
The Globe published a front page story about the woodworking talents of Kenneth Frue, who built a 16-foot-high bird house for martins only.
Wayland Schools Supt. James Thomas spoke to the local Lions Club, explaining the reasons why the Board of Education is asking for a 14-mill one year increase in tax levy in the April 1 special election.
Wayland’s basketball team lost 69-62 to Calvin Christian. Coach Jon Walcott had high praise for recent efforts by Rick Middleton, who has scored 54 points and collected 57 rebounds in the last three games.
Advisor Pat McKee, Mrs. Haven Tarnutzer and Girls’ Athletoc Association members Mary Ann Glusic, Lesley Wakeman, MaryLou Worfel, Kay Graham and Jocelyn Sager attended a GAA Leadership Day.
Terry Yonkers scored 31 points and Don Walker 23, but Hopkins lost 76-71 to Lawrence.
Hopkins FFA members Mike Ignatoski, Roger Lambert and Allen Brenner (Demonstration Team) and Public Speaker Ron Miller placed first in the district leadership contests.
Now showing at at the Wayland Theatre: “Cool Hand Luke” with Paul Newman.
Paul Muriat’s “Love Is Blue” spent another week atop the nation’s tunes.
75 Years Ago — March 5, 1943
The localn Red Cross drive has commenced. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote, “Here is one campaign that can tolerate no slackers.”
The war effort tin can pickup will begin soon. Housewives are directed to leave their properly prepared tin cans in proper containers at the curb.
Two huge Army salvage trucks moved through town carrying parts from a plane that crashed at the airport in Grand Rapids.
Plans are beginning to take shape for the 1943 Community Victory Garden. Mosher wrote, “The food shortage is going to be much more serious than any of us realize,” particularly in the cities.
Mrs. Irene Yeakey, formerly of Wayland, married Larry North in December in Atlanta, Ga., where the couple operates a health food store.
The Rev. John Miles has been chosen pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, succeeding the Rev. Robert Geiger, who has left to become an Army chaplain. Miles is a graduate of Barry County Kellogg High School and Taylor University (Ind.).
John H. Jensen, 36, suffered a fatal heart attack while working at the Standard Oil Co. service station. Co-worker R. J. Nicolai summoned Dr. C.A. Dickinson, but it was too late. His wife, a teacher in the local schools, arrived at the scene and fainted at the shock of seeing her husband deceased.
Betty Francisco of Green Lake married Ensign James T. Ledden of Kalamazoo in Palo Alto, Calif., where he serves as a military instructor. She is a graduate of Wayland High School and Western Normal College and taught at Fennville for two years.
Letters were published from servicemen Cpl. Ed Kaminski, Pfc. Murlin Gurney and Buck Private Jack Perry.
The Catholic Ladies Society plans a social party at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at the Hilliards Parish Hall.
The Moline chapter of the Rebekahs had a dedication ceremony and potluck to honor America’s military serving overseas.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- The Andrews Sisters and Dan Dailey Jr. in “Give Out Sisters.”
- Milton Berle and Mary Beth Hughes in “Over My Dead Body.”
- Claudette Colbert, Joel McRea, Rudy Vallee and Mary Astor in “Palm Beach Story.”
- Monty Woolley and Ida Lupino in “Life Begins at 8:30.”
100 Years Ago — March 1, 1918
Wayland’s first-ever Auto Show and Dollar Days will be held in the village March 14, 15 and 16.
February’s Star Students are Theodore Wintz, Dorothy Santas, Genevieve Shoger, Faith Bostwick and Leila Tooker.
The Agriculture Department at the high school is sending out a questionnaire asking farmers who live in Wayland District No. 2 about relevant issues, such as food supply in time of war.
Three students have been absent from the classroom in the last week because of the mumps.
Receipts from the Washington Party at the Yeakey House came to almost $40, according to the high school home economics classes.
Miss Haines, a teacher at Wayland school, has been ill and her classes have been canceled.
Many out of town students have secured living quarters in the village this winter. The young people who live in rural areas must drive vehicles in the cold to get to and from school.
Inez Rose of Moline wed the Rev. Clayton Zous of Benton Harbor and the two will live in the community where he is pastor for a United Brethren Church.
Mrs. May Schrickel died of tuberculosis at her farm home in the southeast part of Wayland. She was 44.
Inez Sias is substitute teaching for G.V. Fales at Bradley School so he can complete work on collecting taxes.
Francis Hooker is home on leave from duties at the Naval Rife Range at Camp Logan in Illinois.
Frank’s Opera House will be host for the Wayland High School senior play, “The Confidential Clerk.”
Garry T. Page, 74, a Civil War veteran, died at his home in Wayland. He moved to Leighton Township in 1885 and came to Wayland 15 years afterward.
A Women’s Committee organization meeting is planned for March 5 at the Henika Library.