(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 24, 1993
Highway A-42, aka 129th Avenue in Allegan County may get some extensive work done this year if the State Legislature passes a Heritage Road bill to provide more funding. The Allegan County Road Commission this year already plans improvements at the hill east of Bradley at a cost of $30,000.
The Hopkins Fire Department continues to struggle with a budget that includes rising costs for labor and operations and expenses associated with the completion of a new fire barn that houses a police cruiser and ambulance. Financial assistance is being sought from Watson and Monterey townships.
Barbara Chachulski penned a letter to the editor defending her daughter, Christine Schwartz, who is the target of a recall election in June. She insisted Schwartz won the election fair and square. The Rev. John Miles agreed with her, saying that Schwartz’s insistence of Godly values in schools may be the necessary tonic for public schools.
Vicky Niemchick wrote a letter opposing Wayland schools’ use of a “Kid Call” system for discipline, suggesting something else be implemented.
Boyce Miller of Gun Lake wrote a letter criticizing Gov. John Engler as being more interested in cutting property taxes than in enacting real school funding reform.
State Rep. Paul Hillegonds, guest speaker at the Allegan County Lincoln Day dinner at Wayland High School, ruffled a few feathers when he suggested Hopkins school explore consolidation in the wake of a series of millage failures.
The City of Wayland, along with Rockford, Coopersville, Hudsonville and Cedar Springs, are in negotiations with the C-Tec Cable company for a new long-term cable television contract.
Many Michigan schools, including Wayland, may be in danger of losing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in the elementaries because of state funding cutbacks. Wayland recently lost instructor Karla Christianson of the Wayland post of Michigan State Police, who has been promoted to sergeant and is night shift supervisor.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about storyteller Jennifer Strauss Invinskas, who has appeared at many area libraries to demonstrate her craft.
Howard Cowles of Gun Lake won a Ford Aerostar van and a Honda motorbike as a contestant on “The Price Is Right” with host Bob Barker.
Area police are seeking the whereabouts of Leighton Township man Randol John Sjoerdsma, who has been missing since March 21.
50 Years Ago — March 20, 1968
Wayland High School seniors Kay Graham and Barbara Keeney and junior Kris Mellon were recognized for earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the fourth marking period.
The Wayland City Council voted to authorize a plan submitted by engineers Williams & Works of Grand Rapids to provide for sewer drainage.
Steeby Elementary teacher Doyle Disbrow is the instructor for a modern math course evenings at Wayland High School, with an average of 26 students, many of them adults.
A TORCH Communications Club has been established to deal with emergencies associated with inclement weather. The group, made up of two-way radio users, holds meetings at the home of John Jones of Hopkins.
Mrs. Leone Schad, wide of longtime Pet Milk associate Howard Schad, died at age 66 in Venice, Fla. The Schads had left Wayland for their summer residence in Hudson.
Mrs. Ruby Smith, in her latest installment of local history columns, wrote about the very first township meeting in what was then known as Chambers Corners. George Barnes was elected supervisor, Luther Martin clerk, Oziel Rounds treasurer, and Nelson Chambers and Joseph Heydenberk directors of the poor.
Robert Swartout was named chairman of this year’s local Red Cross drive.
The final Wayland Rotary Club travelogue for the 1967-68 season will be a look at England “London to Land’s End” at the Wayland High School girls’ gym.
The local American Legion Post No. 266 will offer a free dinner for ex-servicemen at the post March 26. Harold Willard will make a presentation on veterans’ benefits.
Members of the Amalgamated Works of America and Kessler’s Undies and Woolies negotiating teams are reporting progress in their talks for a new contract. The union has been on strike for more than a month against Wayland’s largest employer, with more than 300 employees.
Leo Comrie of Wayland has been appointed for the upcoming spring convention for the Allegan County Republican Party.
The Wayland Theatre was promoting the arrival of the popular film “The Sound of Music,” starring Julie Andrews, from April 13-21.
Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” repeated atop the nation’s top music selections.
75 Years Ago — March 26, 1943
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported that he chatted with a worker at the Ypsilanti Willow Run
bomber plant who said the wages are good, but expenses are so high in the area that works quit soon after being hired.
Realtor Reuben Hoover has reported that farms are selling briskly, and he has moved three locall in the last week. He said he sold the farms of Ray Clack and Frank Noffsinger and another for about $125 an acre.
“Now with all the food rationing, the farmer seems to be sitting in the saddle once more,” explained Rollo Mosher.
Otis Vreeland and Mrs. Nina Clemons will present a violin and piano selection and Keith Bowman will oversee a farm quiz at the next meeting of the Leighton Grange.
The Globe wrote a positive review of the Wayland High School junior play, “Professor, How Could You?” It was directed by Horace Bennett.
Frances Herrinton was elected president of the Anti-Can’t Club of the Congregational Church, Ethel Carpenter was elected first vice president and Jo Kinney second VP.
Members of the Wayland chapter of the FFA are “Scrapping to Scrap the Axis” in their drive for scrap metal and steel to benefit mills and the shipping industry.
Bernice Jansen of Orangeville was guest speaker at the Rotary Club’s last meeting, telling of her experiences living in Japan until 1939 and later being on the Athenia ship that was torpedoed by a German submarine while returning from Europe. She survived with injuries.
Mr. and Mrs. George Laker have reported they finally have heard from their son, Mitchell, who has arrived safely overseas while serving with the U.S. Marines.
Fire of unknown origin destroyed a farm house owned by Gus Granner and occupied by the Elmer Brenner family.
Dick Selkirk has completed his basic training and was promoted to private first class at Technical Engineering School, St. Louis.
Cadet Richard Overmire has been enrolled in officers training at Fort Lee. Va., and plans to be a stock and records clerk.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jack Benny and Priscilla Lane in “Meanest Man in the World.”
• Constance Bennett and Broderick Crawford in “Sin Town.” - Ginger Rogers and Cary Grant in “Once Upon a Honeymoon.”
- Marlene Deitrich, Randolph Scott and John Wayne in “Pittsburgh.”
100 Years Ago — March 21, 1918
100 Years Ago — March 21, 1918
Maria Corning a lifelong resident of Leighton Township born here in 1853, died at the age of 64.
Wayland auto dealers and local businessmen reported that the first-ever auto show March 14-16 at yeakey Auto Co. was a huge success. Editor-Publisher George Mosher said, “What was probably the largest crowd that’s ever come to Wayland on a similar errand through the streets of this village last Saturday when the merchants of this town held their third annual Dollar Day.”
Mosher also penned, “The boys of Allegan County, as well as those in cities, are putting forth extra effort to finish their schooling early in the spring so they’ll be ready when the call comes (for military service).
As a result of an Act of Congress, everyone is required to set their clocks ahead by one hour by 2 a.m. Sunday, March 31. Mosher wrote, “The farmers usually follow sun time, no matter what city folks do, and the change will make no material difference.”
The Allegan County YMCA Convention will be held in Hopkins March 28-29. Supt. Drake is enrolling officer for Wayland Township. Military drills are being led by L. Mason and Miss Ross is giving the girls a good workout in basketball.
Wayland High School debate class is taking up the question of whether the city has better sanitary conditions than the country.
The fire alarm bell was sounded for the residence of Ray Tooker, where there was a fire on the roof. It was extinguished quickly and no village apparatus had to be used.
The film “Tangled Hearts” will be shown Sunday, March 24, at Frank’s Opera House.
Jerome Zaiser has resigned his post at the Interurban station, effective April 1.
- J. Longstreet, from Stop 69 along the Interurban, has taken up selling sheep and unleaded two carloads in the village in just 10 days.
Local merchant Peter J. Longstreet narrowly escaped death in a vehicle accident when his car left the road and rolled over in a ditch. “Fat” Damoth fetched him out of the ditch and took him to the office of Dr. Hanlon. He suffered many bruises and cuts and lost nearly all of his teeth.
In area causes, Charles Ellis was elected supervisor, Charles Mapes clerk and Robert Smith treasurer in Leighton Township and Frank Chamberlain supervisor, L.D. Chapple clerk and Guert Fales trasurer in Wayland Township.
Hepsie Eldred died at her home in Bradley, where she had lived for the past 71 years, having moved here at age 9.
