(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 12, 1993
Robert Beck presented the Hopkins Township Board and Supervisor Kevin Cronin with petitions bearing about 200 signatures opposing the Rabbit River restoration project prompted by flooding in the area.
Michigan State University archeologists have determined that bones found near a Gun Lake area home are of a Native American who lived in the late 18th or early 19th century. The Gun Lake Tribe of Potowatomis plans to bury the remains.
Burger King plans to open a restaurant the corner of West Superior and Clark streets at the site of the former truck parts storage facility.
Technical Systems Inc., which manufactures electronic hardware for military equipment, has purchased the former Kessler’s factory site on South Main Street. TSI was said to employ 170 people at its current facility on East Paris in Grand Rapids.
A thief stole cigarettes, candy and lottery tickets by breaking glass at the Hop-In gas station and convenience store, causing about $400 worth of damage.
Apple Core Lounge owner Al Baker has indicated he will reopen the facility as a teen lounge if negotiations with Wayland Township for a dance license are unsuccessful.
The Dorr Township Board has agreed to contract with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department for 12 hours a week of added police protection.
The Hopkins Area Fire Association (HAFA) has announced a tentative agreement has been reached on payments from Monterey and Watson townships for the new fire barn in the Village of Hopkins.
Scott Sullivan wrote a historical feature piece of Jack Gurney, who was in the grocery business for 54 years and owned Gurney’s IGA for many years in downtown Wayland. Gurney, who was described as a sort of “Col. Sanders look-alike,” died at age 92 in 1986.
Wayland Union Schools are reporting it has saved taxpayers a whopping $2.5 million in debt service costs with refinancing of its bond obligations.
The Martin softball team is enjoying an 8-4 season, but it most recently lost 12-2 to the streaking Hopkins squad that has won its last seven ballgames in a row. Sarah Arnsman fired a two-hitter for the Lady Vikings and Katie Kiefer drilled a single, double and a homer during the streak.
Matt Barghan broke Kevin Stone’s school record in the discus with an impressive heave of 149-2.
The Wayland High School girls’ track team is shooting for its fourth straight O-K Gold Conference championship. Perhaps the highlight of last week’s action was a record performance in 10:19 for the 3200-meter relay by Bianca Pratt, Heather Postma, Jessica Bettie and Ann Iciek.
MikeRewa and Bob Schwartz have been the heavy hitters for the Hopkins baseball team, which is now 6-3 on the season overall.
But the greatest success story is perhaps the Wayland baseball team, which is cruising to a 9-1 record in the O-K Gold and 17-3 overall. Jason Burchardt is hitting .553, Robert Moore .426 and Chris Vlietstra .387.
Dinyel Bailey fired a no-hitter for the Lady Wildcats’ softball team in the Zeeland Invitational, but they still have been slumping offensively with a consequent 5-18 overall record.
50 Years Ago — May 8, 1968
Wayland Supt. James Thomas wrote the first of a series of columns explaining the school district’s request for a 6.8-mill increase in the June 10 annual school election. He asserted the devaluation of the U.S. dollar and decrease in education funding are the biggest budget challenges.
The City of Wayland stands to record a first in the history of Mayor Exchange programs in Michigan. It will have this year’s exchange with a college — Northern Michigan University.
Former Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in his weekly “Observations Here and There” column, noted he is a member of the Centennial Committee and wrote about the need for local citizens to collect and produce historical photos.
Dr. Kenneth DeWeerd, local veterinarian and a member of the Brothers of the Brush organization, presented information to a group of local citizens on the proper way to grow and display facial hair for this summer’s centennial celebration.
Constance Saul, 19, of Wyoming, was killed in a traffic crash at Pegg’s Corners, 130th Avenue and 18th Street. Authorities said one huge factor was that a stop sign at the intersection had come down. Surviving the crash was a 16-year-old Hopkins student who had been preparing that day for the prom.
A front page photo showed the top academic students for the Wayaldn Class of 1968, including Kay Graham, Kathy Smith, Bonnie Genther, Sandy Potter, Tambry Purdum, Tim Tobolic and Barbara Keeney. Missing from the photo were Jack Konecny and George Towne. The Honors Convocation featured a speech from WHS graduate Doug Parris of Lansing, son of Claude and Virginia Smith, both Wayland teachers.
Hopkins Public Schools Supt. R.G. Anderson has announced there will be two public meetings, May 14 and 27, to provide information about the proposed five-mill increase on the June 10 annual school election ballot.
S & S Sales owner Bob Swainston has announced the sale of one-third of the business each to his son Fred and Larry Krick.
William Cochran, financial representative of the Michigan Office of Economic Expansion, told members of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce that though the Wayland Industrial Development Corp. has recently been dissolved, a similar organization should be planned.
The 23rd annual season for the Moline Softball Association is getting under way this week, with Class C and Class B teams doing battle.
The Hopkins baseball team, which has been on a serious roll, was halted by Martin in a 10-4 decision. John Anderson drilled three hits and Terry Andrews and Jerry Shoemaker had two apiece for the Clippers.
Bernard Cotton will be guest lecturer at the Wayland Congregational Church Sunday on the topic of “That Old-Time Religion.”
Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey” spent its fifth consecutive and last week as No. 1 among the nation’s top tunes.
75 Years Ago — May 12, 1943
The Wayland Rural Grange’s roll call at its most recent meeting was answering the question, “What am I doing to obtain new membership?” A topic of discussion was “Hints for busy haymakers.”
Rollo G. Mosher waxed eloquent in defense of young farm males who remained in the U.S. during the war because of the agriculture labor shortage: “To my way of thinking, it takes just as much intestinal fortitude for these farm boys who stay home and answer repeated questions why they are not in the service… They may have contributed their best licks toward winning the war by helping raise the necessary food.”
A music concert was planned at the Wayland High School auditorium, featuring a violin solo by the “Girl Fritz Kreisler,” Donna Jean Blue; members of the Girls Glee Club, and a coronet trio.
Lt. Fred Deardorff has been promoted to first lieutenant while serving with the fighter squadron in Panama.
Paul James Bush, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Silas Bush of Leighton Township, died at Fairmount Hospital in Kalamazoo after being a patient there for more than three months. Among survivors was his 8-year-old son.
Mrs. Rowland Cross of Peking was to be guest speaker at the Congregational Church about the Japanese invasion of China.
Lt. Blesch (Bud) Malmstone, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Malmstone, has won a second special award for his heroics in flight combat missions overseas.
The annual Junior-Senior Banquet is planned for May 19 at Wayland High School.
The Automobile Club of Michigan (AAA) has awarded Wayland Schools the traveling safety cup for the fourth consecutive year.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Alan Ladd and Helen Walker in “Lucky Jordan.”
- “At the Front,” a documentary film about the the war being conducted in North Africa.
- Mary Martin, Dick Powell, Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken in “Happy Go Lucky.”
- Robert Preston and Ellen Drew in “Night Plane from Chunking.”
- William Gargan and Margaret Lindsey in “No Place for a Lady.”
100 Years Ago — May 10, 1918
The old Saunders Hotel, about two miles north of the village on the old Plank Road stage line, has burned down. It most recently was owned by George Hoffman, who sold it to Fred Huff. Editor-Publisher George Mosher wrote, “This, we think, is the last of the along the famous route and can be remembered only by the some of the oldest residents.” Mosher added the line was conducted by Edward Saunders and during the 1860s in its heyday, the hotel was “where the gentler sex were wont to refresh themselves at the red pump, while the men took refreshments of a more glittering nature at the bar within.”
“Mildred Wing and Ruth Calkins were scheduled to sing a duet at the special baccalaureate ceremony for Wayland High School’s Class of 1918 at the Christian Church. Also featured were James Hallorann with a vocal solo, Cleo Fox with a trombone solo and a recitation by Margaret Beall.
Pvt. Howard Calkins wrote a letter to the Globe from “Camp Somewhere in France.” He stated that because of censorship rules enforced by his superiors, “There isn’t anything we are allowed to write about except that we are getting along fine or otherwise.”
Allie Watkins’ barn dance drew a good crowd and Clinton Bush was the winner of the prize drawing for a crocheted yoke.
- L. Hare of Ohio Corners has purchased the blacksmith shop of Elmer Knecht and has already commenced business at his farm.
Raymond Kiefer, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kiefer, was taken to John Robinson Hospital in Allegan with acute appendicitis.
Allegan County Agricultural Agent Alfred Bethall was guest speaker at the most recent meeting of the Wayland Grange. Roll call was answering to the question, “What has the U.S. accomplished in the war?”
A play for the benefit of the American Red Cross is planned at Frank’s Opera House May 26.
A movement continues to be under way to make Wayland the first incorporated village to be cerified as a 100% town in purchasing thrift stamps.
Frank’s Opera House will be the scene of the film, “The Slacker of America” May 16.