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

25 Years Ago — March 17, 1993

Gov. John Engler presses the flesh at Pine Street Elementary while out politicking for office.

Some Martin Township residents are mulling over the possibility of recall or referendum in the wake of news the Township Planning Commission and Board are considering approval of a request from Ray Brenner to have his industrial zoned property be used for gravel mining. Leading the charge are Terry Sturgis and Ferris Moored.

The Hopkins Township Board is considering long-range drainage improvements for the Rabbit River and Miller and Bear Creeks because of recent problems with flooding where the three waterways converge aboyt a mile north of the village.

Petitions with 260 signatures seeking the recall of Hopkins Board of Education member Christine Schwartz have been filed with the Allegan County Clerk’s office. The minimum required for an election in June is 211. Schwartz is under fire for her obstructionist votes and campaign to “bring God back into public schools.”

A 16-year-old male Hopkins High School student has been apprehended in connection with a false bomb threat phoned in, the first at the school in 15 years.

Rick Harmsen was re-elected village president at Hopkins in a very light turnout of 117 voters.

Shannon Dunklee of Gun Lake and two other young people, from Delton and Hickory Corners, have been charged with breaking and entering Landman’s Marina and taking about $2,000 worth of tools.

Globe staffer Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about the Apple Core Lounge of Shelbyville, which has been under fire lately for alcohol violations and the pulling of its dance permit.

Marilyn Hess wrote a feature story about Steve and Nancey DeWeerd, who are actively seeking to adopt a child.

Kevin J. VanderStel, 21, was killed in a two-vehicle traffic crash east of Shelbyville, caused by icy road conditions.

Middleville Thornapple Kellogg’s star 6-5 center Jeff Roodvoets was held in check in the early going, but he still scored 19 points and dominated the boards in a 48-42 district tournament victory over Wayland, ending the ‘Cats season with a 5-16 record and 12 consecutive defeats.

Austin Arms concluded his wrestling season for Wayland in the state tournament with a 28-8 record, grappling in the 189-pound weight division.

Hopkins concluded a difficult season with its best basketball, defeating Byron Center 53-51 in overtime in the districts, but then losing 48-43 to Gobles. The Vikings went 4-18 on the season.

St. Stanislaus School had ann unusual St. Patrick’s Day treat in a visit by St. Patrick impersonator, Grand Rapids attorney Jeff Portko.

50 Years Ago — March 13, 1968

Thomas Pavlak of Hopkins penned a letter to the editor insisting on positive effects of farmers using collective bargaining through the National Farmers Organization (NFO). “Where else on earth can people buy food of the highest quality and in abundant quantity than in the U.S.?” he asked.

Earl J. Hill, administrative assistant with Consumers Power Co., was to talk to the Wayland Rotary Club annual Urban-Rural dinner about “Winning Your Way with People.”

Edward J. Guider of Hopkins has been promoted to lieutenant colonel as a math instructor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Dr. G.A. VandeVoord, Wallace Wakeman, Don Lapham and Keith McBride have been appointed by Wayland Board of Education President Frank Langley to the Negotiations Committee. Teachers who will meet with them include Vincent DeJong, Fred Comer, Mrs. Louis Miedema and Donal Mellon.

A front page Globe photo showed Fred Green, chairman of the Wayland Area Centennial Committee, selling 200 shares of “centennial stock” to Dale Ward at $1 apiece.

Negotiations have resumed for representatives from Kessler’s Undies and Woolies and the Amalgamated Workers of America after a strike was called Feb. 22.

Only 62 voters went to the polls for the Hopkins Village election, at which Cleo Todd was elected president, Mrs. Ronald Jones clerk, Ronald Jones assessor and Richard Weick trustee.

Trooper Charles Harral, 25, of the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, was killed in a traffic crash on U.S.-131 near Muskegon. Ironically, he was a passenger in a two-vehicle crash the week before on U.S.-131 that killed two people.

Mrs. Ruby Smith’s history column told the story of how Mrs. Nelson Chambers helped save the life of her husband when she carried a torch and came upon him in the woods, scaring away wolves who wanted to attack him because he had taken a hog for a meal.

Doyle Disbrow has been approved by the school board as junior varsity baseball coach at Wayland.

Wayland lost its district tournament game to Gull Lake, 59-56, in overtime. Lee Pankratz was top scorer for the season, but Rick Middleton was tops in field goal percentage, rebounding and second in scoring. Randy Rairigh was second in rebounds and Bob Ayers led free throw shooting.

The Wayland Girls Athletic Association lost 20-18 to Caledonia in a basketball game announced by Candi Hayes, officiated by Sharon Doxey and Gail Wilcox and coached by Bev Johnson.

Fireman apprentice David Selzer has returned from Vietnam to Norfolk, Va., aboard the U.S. Demato, Navy destroyer.

Pvt. James Pegg of Martin is a light duty vehicle driver in Vietnam.

Otis Redding took over the top spot on the nation’s music charts with “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay.”

75 Years Ago — March 19, 1943

The Wayland High School basketball team upset Otego in the Class D regional tournament at Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo. The next game, against Portage, will be broadcast on WKZO radio by Harry Carey.

Mrs. Clark Gardner is recovering from a major operation at Allegan Health Center. She is staying at the home of her father, Burke Sheldon, who died earlier this month.

Miss Fannie Hoyt and Mrs. and Mrs. Mack Short attended attended the Paul Revere Victory Garden lecture in Grand Rapids by Harry O’Brian, titled, “Diary of a Plain Dirt Gardener.”

There is still a huge need for workers for the Red Cross in work on surgical dressings for the war effort.

Jake Haveman was nominated for Leighton Township supervisor, Lydia Frey for clerk and Harry Nevins for treasurer in the caucus. The Wayland Township caucus produced Harold D. Fox supervisor, Frederick Hilbert clerk and Simon Fox treasurer.

The former Miss Merele Walker of Wayland, now Mrs. Glenn DeLong, died at age 53 at her home in Kokomo, Ind.

Bud Malmstone of Wayland has been awarded a distinguished flying cross with 14 other pilots after successfully completing a mission to New Guinea.

Seaman First Class James E. Carpenter of Wayland has been taken prisoner by the Japanese. He attended Wayland High School and played football.

Tressie Dobson gave the study book lessons “Peace” and Uprooted People” at the recent Esther Circle meeting at the Wayland United Methodist Church.

Hazen Towne, stationed at Santa Anita, Calif., suffered injuries during drills when the soldier in front of him failed to negotiate a wall climb and fell on top of him.

Pvt. Wilmer Timmer is an airplane mechanics student at Kessler Field (Miss.) and will try to keep the B-24s flying against the Axis Powers in the war.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

  • “We Are the Marines,” a war documentary.
  • Lloyd Nolan in “Time to Kill.”
  • Ellen Drew and Richard Denning in “Ice Capades Revue.”
  • gene Tierney, George Montgomery and Lynn Bari in “China Girl.”

100 Years Ago — March 15, 1918

This edition of the Wayland Globe somehow was bereft of any customary local new items.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Monteith of Martin were among those who accompanied Allegan County Farm Bureau ag agent Alfred Benthal to the Farmers Week convention at Michigan State Agricutural College in East Lansing.

WANTED: “By married man, work on farm by the year.”

WANTED: “Work on farm by young married Hollander.”

Among the Dollar Day bargains, all for a dollar, of course, for sale at Beall Brothers March 16 were Jap Rose Soap, 10 bars; five yards Corset Cover Emroidery; Ladies’ Black Petticoats; Girls’ Gingham Dresses; 25 rolls of Bob White Toilet paper.

“We must send 100 million bushels of wheat to meet the needs of our allies overseas in the nect four months.”

On the front page of the Globe, this announcement for the Auto Show Show and Dollar Day: “Wayland merchants always set the pace with no camouflage about it.”

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