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

25 Years Ago — April 14, 1993

The Allegan County Board of Commissioners is likely to approve an amended contract for recycling, dealing with the proposed $25 surcharge for users in municipalities.

The Yankee Springs “People Path” plans seem to have hit a dead end, but organizer Jenny Lamoreaux has vowed to keep the effort going.

State Rep. Paul Hillegonds penned a “Soapbox” editorial expressing strong support for the most recent bipartisan state-wide plan to raise the sales tax from 4% to 6%, cap property assessments, and guarantee public school districts at least $4,800 per pupil funding. “I strongly believe we cannot afford much longer the status quo,” he opined.

David Ferris of Hopkins said in a letter that he wants to support the Rabbit River, but is not convinced current plans for dredging are the answer.

Lawrence Lenhart will challenge incumbent Bonnie Beard for Hopkins Board of Education in June, at which time local voters will decide on recalling Christine Schwartz. On Martin, Janice Johnson, who serving out the remainder of a two-year term, will join Gary Davisson and Duane Knight in the race for a four-year term while Don Knight and Mike Pavlak will vie for Johnson’s old seat. Steve Alflen, Steve Dutkiwiecz and Colleen Zol will run to succeed the retiring Dorothy DeWeerd in Wayland.

St. Stanislaus School representative Steve Adamczyk asked the Wayland Board of Education for help with transportation for 15 students at the Catholic school.

Good news and bad news from the Sunrise Landfill in Wayland Township — less contamination on the site, but more drums found.

Norm Lohroff is retiring from the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police after serving more than 27 years. He recalled an arson arrest for the Ponderosa Bar in Hilliards and and catching an armed robber in Hooper as the highlights of his career.

Wayland native Rodger Freeman is taking over as supervisor of the O & A Electrical Cooperative in the wake of the retirement of Wayne Goodwin.

Steve Morren and Jack Sage, associated with Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt and Howlett firm, are opening a law office in the Hillcrest Mall in Dorr Township.

The Wayland softball team defeated Hopkins 11-3 and Hastings 8-5 to start the season.

Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about 26-year-old John Simsickas, who golfs at Hidden Valley and is a member of the Grand Rapids Pacers wheelchair basketball team.

The Wayland baseball team opened with victories over Hopkins and Hastings, edging the Vikings 2-1 on a walk-off single by Mike Wilson.

50 Years Ago — April 10, 1968

Mary Torrey was chosen Miss Wayland at the annual pageant, Bobbette LaValley was runner-up, Diane Cowles third. Anna Niemchick won the talent portion and Lucinda Lawrence was Miss Congeniality.

Frank Langley announced his resignation as president of the Wayland Board of Education because of health concerns told to him by his doctor.

Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey wrote a front-page editorial expressing support for the City Council’s plans for a special assessment district to handle drainage problems in the northeast section of the city. He insisted, “There is no question the problem exists, and there is no question the council has acted in good faith.”

Ted Green, chairman of the Wayland Centennial Committee, said he has been going door-to-door to sell membership certificates in the community and has sold about $3,000 worth of the $4,000 goal.

Kay Graham and Kathy Smith shared valedictory honors for the Wayland High School Class of 1968 and jack Konecny was named salutatorian.

High winds toppled a landmark aging pine tree in front of the Calvary Church on South Main Street and blew off the roof of Brinkert’s Barber Shop. It also presented challenges to the Wayland Fire Department, though it quickly extinguished a fire at the farm of Myron Wilde.

Mrs. Douglas Halloran said she is accepting applications for the June 14 Miss Dorr pageant.

A special program was put together at Wayland High School to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated April 4. Seventeen students walked out of school in protest, insisting other area school canceled classes because of the recent tragedy. Supt. James Thomas promised the students would be disciplined.

Gerrit Lulofs of Dorr was presented a special plaque memorializing his son, Dennis, a 1965 Wayland High School graduate who was killed in action in Vietnam Feb. 17.

The Hopkins varsity baseball team got the best of the alumni squad, overcoming Wendell Beard’s pitching. Dennis Jager, John Wilson and Dana McClung combined efforts on a three-hit shutout.

The Wayland High School junior play, “Pride and Prejudice” will feature Cindy Miller, Dan Snyder, Lesley Wakeman, Linda Feldwisch, Jerry LaValley, Don Borgic, Ed Bergeron, Steve Parks and Kathy McKibben.

The Hopkins High School junior play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” will feature Shelly Guy, Diane Niemczyk, Bob Hennip and Mike Adamczyk.

Bobby Goldsboro crafted his first No. 1 hit song, “Honey,” atop the nation’s top 40.

“The Sound of Music” was showing at the Wayland Theatre.

75 Years Ago — April 16, 1943

James E. Carpenter has been a prisoner of war in the Philippines for almost a year and Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher told readers “It would give him pleasure and comfort to receive letters from friends back home” via the Red Cross.

Bud Malmstone’s commanding officer wrote a glowing report about him when he was awarded his Distinguished Flying Coss for his performances as a pilot in New Guinea. Editor-Publisher Mosher published the letter.

Ellert Hendrixma earned his commission as second lieutenant at Ft. Benning, Ga.

Dr. Alexander Campbell will be guest speaker for the next meeting of the Wayland Mothers Club and the school music room.

The International Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs are coordinating Red Cross blood drive services in the area.

Vera Clark was elected secretary of the Wayland Garden Club, succeeding Arlie Laux, who resigned.

The Allegan County Red Cross has announced it has met its quota for producing surgical dressings.

Bish Smith wrote a letter to the editor from Hawaii, where he is enjoying a furlough from service in the Pacific. He wrote, “Had a swell trip and didn’t get sea sick.”

The Wayland Grange was planning a debate on the proposition, “All farmers should take part in soil conservation program.”

The documentary film “Hitler’s Children” was to be shown April 16, 17 and 18 at the Wayland Theatre. The film looks at life in Germany during the war and how young people are being educated.

The Wayland High School junior class has decided to proceed with plans for their banquet despite recent rationing regulations.

Jean Voyce has resigned her teaching position at the high school, but has not indicated future plans.

Now Showing at Wayland Theatre:

• Guy Kibbe in “Scattergood Survives a Murder.”
• The Ritz Brothers in “Behind the Eight Ball.”
• Diana Barrymore and Brian Donlevy in “Nightmare.”
• Leon Errol and Mary Healy in “Strictly in the Groove.”

100 Years Ago — April 12, 1918

Dick Heydenberk wrote a letter to the Globe from France, where he is serving for the U.S. Army in the war overseas. He wrote, “I guess you are as bad off for fuel as we are, as we don’t get any.”

Mr. Montieth gave a program at the Bradley Grange on best methods for eradicating weeds. Mrs. Montieth made a presentation on the value of greens in our diet and Mrs. Wolcott talked about how to make the Grange more attractive.

The YMCA County Older Boys Conference attracted 75 to Hopkins with host leader Prof. Vernon Woodruf. The lads played baseball and basketball and Mason Parmalee showed them around his dairy farm. Paul Wing of Wayland is president of the group.

The manual training boys were very busy all week putting together exhibits at the Wayland school.

Harold Weaver brought an eye to school for science classes to examine.

Faye Corning of Summit City has joined the eighth grade here, bring the number of the students in the class to eight.

There was no school the past week at Leighton No. 10 because teacher Miss Lentz has been ill.

Russell Hanlon is home this week for spring vacation from his advanced studies in Ann Arbor.

The local War Savings Society will meet tonight at 7:30 at the library. W. J. Landman of Grand Rapids and L.L. Thompson of Allegan will be guest speakers at the Liberty meeting at Frank’s Opera House.

Former Wayland boy Ray Somers now is a stenographer for Uncle Sam at Camp Dodge in Iowa.

John A. Damoth lost a valuable horse from his team because of an acute indigestion attack.

A second patriotic service will be held Sunday evening at the Wayland Methodist Episcopal Church. Representatives from the Red Cross will be on hand.

Jay L. Smith had a chance to visit his son, Ivan, and two other Wayland boys, Clarence Calkins and Roy Wiliamson at the U.S. Naval Rifle Range in Annapolis, Md.

Local businessman W. H. Schuh penned an open letter to the public calling for a protest against Wayland High School teaching the German language.