25 Years Ago — March 10, 1993
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has denied Sam Bravata of Gun Lake permits to develop two properties. Project opponent Paul Rose said, “There’s not many wetlands left on Gun Lake. We have to put an end to it (development) sometime before we lose all wildlife habitat.”
Watson Township has decided against paying the $3,252 requested by Hopkins Township for the new fire barn in the Village of Hopkins, offering $1,200 instead. Hopkins Township Supervisor Kevin Cronin suggested Watson officials seek a millage.
Scott Sullivan, in Soapbox commentary, opined on school tax reform issues, “Where are our legislators, besides giving themselves raises? We ought to be tired of the tax reform debate. We should be wary of rhetoric… We should be screaming for action.”
Denise Bruinsma penned a letter to the editor praising the Wayland school system for earning a two-year grant for extending the academic year.
John H. Peters penned a letter calling for finding and executing the terrorists in the wake of the World Trade Center bombing. He maintained imprisonment was too lax giving, giving them a life that was an improvement over their existences in foreign lands.
Paula Sebright wrote a letter backing Wayland Township pulling the liquor license for the Apple Core Lounge, noting her son, Clay, was killed by an underage drunken driver.
Scott Sullivan wrote a lengthy feature about the growing drug problems in West Michigan, focusing on use of alcohol and illegal drugs in the workplace. He noted there is a movement by businesses to do drug screening of employees.
Ray Stafford is asking Dorr Township for a rezoning to accommodate moving his rental business to a three-acre site now zoned low-density residential.
The Wayland Board of Education voted 4-3 to implement a smoke-free policy on all school grounds. Dorothy DeWeerd, Roxie Mucyznski and Lynn Mandaville dissented, fearing consequences for the alternative education program.
Karla Christianson, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer at Wayland schools, has been promoted to sergeant at the Michigan State Police post in Wayland and will begin duties as midnight supervisor.
The Hopkins basketball season ended with a 3-17 and the Vikings were winless in the River Valley Conference.
Wayland’s basketball season ended at 5-15, with the ‘Cats losing their last 11 in a row.
Martin, despite two consecutive double-double performances by freshman Richie Guerrant, concluded its season with two losses and its season record was 11-10.
The Wayland Board of Education gave the green light to starting a girls’ soccer team on a club basis with Loren Van Portfleet as coach and Carlos Melara and Sergio Camarello as assistants.
Heath Alflen and Doug Cutler sported impressive performances and averages for the youth bowling as members of the league champions, coached by Ben Bouwman.
50 Years Ago — March 6, 1968
The Amalgamated Clothing Workers’ strike against Wayland’s largest employer, Kessler’s Undies and Woolies, entered its third week. Union representatives said the work force of about 300 is asking for 55-cent-an-hour raises across the board, company funded health insurance, three weeks paid vacations, a Christmas bonus and paid holidays.
Karen McEwen has been announced as valedictorian and Keith Newell salutatorian for the Hopkins High School Class of 1968. McEwen plans to attend the University of Michigan and Newell Western Michigan University.
Allegan County Prosecutor Ervin Andrews, 59, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head after being found in a garage in the back of his home in Allegan.
Major Robert Lapham of Marshall, a native of Moline, was killed in action in a plane crash in Vietnam.
The Allegan County chapter of the National Farmers Organization listened to an address by NFO field representative E.J. Schaap, who talked about ways for farmers to bargain for better ag prices.
More than 400 residents have returned surveys sent out by Wayland Union Schools about ways to improve the system. A special election April 1 will ask for a 14-mill increase for one year.
Wallace Lafferty of the Rogers Company, consultants, will speak to members of the local Centennial Committee Thursday at Wayland High School.
Wayland Fire Chief Paul “Pat” Brocker, only 55, died of cancer at his home. He also was owner of Brocker Plumbing & Heating.
Ruby Smith, in her second column about the history of Wayland, told the story of Nelson Chambers, who built a house near what is now South Main Street and Cedar Street in 1837.
George S. Moore, 47, was killed while standing next to his disabled vehicle in Wyoming. A passing motorist struck him on Clyde Park Avenue.
Wayland Mayor Exchange program this year will be a long-distance affair with the community of South Range, just south of Houghton in the Upper Peninsula.
Ron Straub and Jerry Merren secured pins and the Wayland wrestling team successfully concluded its first-ever wrestling season with a 4-4-1 dual meet record by defeating Fennville 34-13.
Top scorers and rebounders Rick Middleton and Lee Pankratz fouled out and Wayland’s basketball team down the stretch in a 72-61 loss to Hamilton. Coach Jon Walcott’s Wildcats are preparing for the district tournament at Plainwell.
The Amalgamated Clothing Workers are sponsoring the showing of the film “The Inheritance” Wednesday evening at the Wayland Theatre.
Terry Yonkers finished a school record breaking season with 398 points scored and 329 rebounds for Hopkins and Don Walker recorded the highest shooting percentage for a season at 55.6 percent.
“Love Is Blue” by Paul Muriat and His Orchestra captured its fifth consecutive No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes.
75 Years Ago — March 12, 1943
The Rev. Robert Geiger, former pastor of the Wayland United Methodist Church, penned a letter to the editor, telling of his experiences in Cambridge, Mass., where he is undergoing trainsing to be a chaplain overseas for the war.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher remarked that response to plans for a Victory Garden in Wayland have been somewhat less than enthusiastic. He editorialized, “Either folks just do not realize how serious the pending food problems are, they have gardens of their own, or they’re doing a lot of wishful thinking that the government will relent in its restrictions. Or that the war will end soon and suddenly.”
The Rotary Club’s annual Urban-Rural meeting has been postponed to make way for a presentation by a speaker who not long ago spent a lot of time in Japan.
The Hopkins Co-op Creamery has announced its best-ever profits in the year 1942. The cooperative president is R. D. Brower.
Though he was very public about his wish to step down. Rollo G. Mosher was elected by a vote of 131 to 67 in the village caucus to continue as Wayland’s president.
The American Legion will observe its 24th anniversary with a potluck supper at the hall.
Jack Henderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Henderson, has been promoted to first lieutenant while serving as a field artillery inspector in Tennessee.
Pines Lunch, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bailey, has opened for business after being closed last fall.
Grand Rapids City Police Chief Frank O’Malley will be guest speaker at the next meeting of the Leighton Grange.
Tom Bartell has become the third son in the Gurney family to enlist in the Marines. He joins Donald and Murlin Gurney.
Burke Sheldon, 75, died at his farm home south of Wayland, where he has lived and worked for the last 30 years.
More than 125 area horses were treated for bot disease by members of the Wayland High School chapter of the FFA. The young farmers’ group also reported on a project to raise chickens to avoid adverse impact of food rationing on the school lunch program.
Shelbyville native Birney C. Snell died at the Allegan Health Center. He was 67.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Lee Powell, Herman Brix and Eleanor Stewart in “Fighting Devil Dogs.”
- Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan in “George Washington Slept Here.”
- Damian O’Flynn and Helen Parrish in “X Marks the Spot.”
- The East Side Kids in “Smart Alecks.”
- Lucille Gleason and Marie Wilson in “She’s in the Army.”
100 Years Ago — March 8, 1918
Wayland’s first-ever automobile show will be held March 14, 15 and 16. Local dealers will show off the latest cars, tractors and accessories in the big grage at Yeaker Auto Co. Dollar Day also is planned for Saturday, March 16.
The Allegan County Farm Bureau borrowed from a pledge by Kimball’s Dairy Farm by publishing the statement: “I will not kill or permit to be killed a productive dairy cow or her promising female offspring.”
The domestic science classes at Wayland High School are finishing their garments projects.
Leila Ehle and Lawrence Towne wrote perfect papers this week for the civics exams.
Local businessman and inventor Leon B. Schuh was promoting his “Never in the Dark” auto lamps that keep one burning when the other burns out, on sale for $14.95.
Milo Hurd had the misfortune of losing the sight of his left eye when it was struck by a spark piece of wood.
Sixteen young people formed the “Bohemian Club” at the home of Mrs. H.D. Allgeo. The group announced its purpose was “to uplift, educate and amuse.” President was Miss Tessa Smith, vice president Cleo Fox and secretary-treasurer Miss Mabel Towne.
Field Day activities in Allegan County have been cut back for this spring because of the war effort and need for young boys to work on the farms. Otsego has abandoned them altogether for this year.
The Halloran Orchestra will provide the music for the March 15 dance party at Yeoman Hall, Bradley.
Lois Margaret Crofoot, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Crofoot, died at her home. She has suffered an illness since birth and was reported to be improving, but slipped into unconsciousness and died.
Garry T. Page, 75, a Civil War veteran, died at his home in Wayland. He had come to Leighton Township in 1885.
A boy leaders’ conference was to be held in Martin March 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. with the purpose of conservation of boy power.
