25 Years Ago — May 26, 1993
The Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission turned down a rezoning request from Al Conklin, who wanted to build a 40-unit housing development off Chief Noonday Road behind the old Note dance hall. The commission, which received petitions with 119 signatures opposing, said there wasn’t enough assurance of buffers.
The Dorr Township Planning Commission approved rezonings from agricultural to rural estates for two parcels, one at 142nd Avenue and 14th Street and another on 138th near 22nds Street to better conform to the master plan.
The Dorr Planning Commission also approved the final site plan for a Citgo gas station on 142nd Avenue just west of the U.S.-131 expressway.
The Globe received plenty of input about the state-wide Proposal A that would raised the sales tax from 4 to 6% and lower property taxes while providing more money for public schools. Weighing in the positive side were Dorr Elementary Principal Jack Wallington, Wland Board of Education President Rick Cain, local business owner Marcia Halloran and Wayland Supt. Bob Brenner. Supporting, but less enthusiastically, were Dorr Township Clerk Dick Dutkiewicz and Wayland City Manager Pete Stull. Flatly opposed was Al;legan County Equalization Director Tom Simmons, who said the scheme would throw property assessments out of whack.
Ken Powers graduated from Wayland High School via adult education, 44 years after he dropped out of school. He said it was weird to ask his grandson, Bryant, who also was graduating, for help with algebra.
Henika District Library held a dedication of a historical marker on site, with a nod to the impressive record of longevity of its directors, starting with Fanny Hoyt in 1916, Dorothy Peterson in 1948, Barb Crofoot DeYoung in 1974 and current Director Lynn Mandaville.
The Wayland baseball team gained a share of the O-K Gold championship with a 4-1 victory over Forest Hills Northern. Winning pitcher Chris Vlietstra stole home for the go-ahead run and Mike Lilly drove in the other three runs with two timely singles. The Wildcats finished the regular season with a record of 23-4.
Rhonda Doubblestein of Martin qualified for the state meet in the 800- and 160-meter runs and thrower Melissa Young did the same in the shot put and discus.
Matt Barghan was O-K Gold champion in the shot and discus and then qualified for state in both events. Teammate Jason McCarren qualified in the 800.
The Wayland girls’ soccer team, with 10 of its 19 members freshmen, finished its first-ever season with a 2-6-2 record. Ninth-graders Gina Garza, Stephanie Taylor and Nicole Shaffer were team leaders.
The Wayland girls’ track team had to settle for an O-K Gold Conference co-championship after a bad day at the league meet. The Lady Wildcats had been undefeated in dual meets all season. Heidi Moreau, Jamie Bronsink and the 1600-meter relay team of Marcy Brown, Bianca Pratt, Ann Iciek and Angie Christenson emerged as league champions. Heather Postma was second in the 800-meter run with a school record time of 2:22.9.
50 Years Ago — May 22, 1968
John McGoff, chairman of the Board of Control for Northern Michigan University and president of Panax, was given the key to the city as part of Mayor Exchange Day. Mayor Phil Reno and wife were visiting Marquette on the same day in perhaps the first exchange ever between a city and a college.
Five-year-old Rick Zanostra was killed while walking along a road near Green Lake. He was struck by a passing car.
James S. Ainsworth has joined the Allegan law firm of Greig & Ainsworth and was named by County Prosecutor George Greig as chief assistant prosecutor.
Mrs. Paul Brocker accepted a special award on behalf of her late husband at a special banquet at the VFW. New Chief Hugh DeWeerd made the presentation.
Thousands of young turkeys were destroyed in a barn fire at the Leighton Township farm of Rex Willson.
General Motors has donated an engine to Frank Bastion’s auto mechanics class at Wayland High School.
Supt. James Thomas, in his latest column explaining the upcoming 6.8-mill increase request, noted the Wayland school’s PTA has been defunct now for the past two years, which hinders the effort to get the word out about the schools.
James Chrusciel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cruschiel of Wayland, has graduated from St. Bonaventure Prep School in Wisconsin.
Dennis Ward, a 1964 graduate of Wayland High School, is home on furlough after completing his first tour of duly in Vietnam.
The Centennial Belles group, with a nod to the 100th anniversary of Wayland, has been formed with 29 members. Ringleaders are Mrs. Kenneth DeWeerd, Mrs. Byron Blue and Mrs. Gene Bruinsma.
The Hopkins baseball team was plagued by errors in the last week of the season and the Vikings had to settle for a second-place tie with Bloomingdale in the Al-Van League. They were 15-5 on the season overall.
The Wayland tennis squad finished its season with a 3-3 Expressway League record and 5-8-1 overall. No. singles Robert Ayers was undefeated in his matches.
About 200 people attended the Mother-Daughter banquet with the them “Yesterday’s Dreams.” Joining the event were retiring Miss Wayland Roxie Greenawalt and new local Queen Mary Torrey.
Randy Bala of Wayland of one of 40 Michigan 4-H boys who were invited to a Michigan Milk Producers Association overnight event in Detroit that included taking in a Detroit Tigers’ ballgame.
The Rev. Stanley Velt has announced his resignation as pastor of Moline Baptist Church to accept a call from Berean Baptist in Utica.
Archie Bell and the Drells repeated atop the nation’s list of tunes with “Tighten Up.”
75 Years Ago — May 28, 1943
Beatrice Rairigh and Ruth Perry were scheduled to to present the valedictory address at the Wyalnd High School Class of 1943 commencement. Music was to be provided by Carol Ellinger, Ethelyn Mauchmar and Richard Jager. Kenneth Pratt was the give the President’s Address.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said predictions are of even greater food shortages ahead, but there will be no rationing of clothing for civilians. He added, “Gas will be scarcer than hen’s teeth… when the European invasion begins. Fathers are due to be drafted by August.”
Helen Hilbert, a WAVE in the U.S. Navy and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.D. Hilbert, was on furlough and visiting her parents in Wayland.
All local ex-servicemen are invited to join the Memorial Day celebration May 30 at Elmwood Cemetery, a procession led by the high school band. However, because of wartime restrictions, there will be no shots volleyed over the graves of soldiers this year. Speaker will be Prof. Arthur Second of the University of Michigan.
Clarence Calkins was elected president of the local chapter of the American Legion and Rollo G. Mosher was named historian.
The local Rod and Gun Club plans a potluck supper and is invited members, their wives and anyone interested.
Letters from servicemen this week included Edward Kaminski in North Africa and Steve Kamyszek at Camp Stewart in Georgia.
The educational seniors’ boat trip to Chicago is planned for Friday.
The frozen food locker installed by Jack Gurney in downtown Wayland now is operational.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Lum and Abner in “Two Weeks to Live.”
- Bobby Samarzich, Conrad Bingen and Mary Lou Harrington in “The Boy from Stalingrad.”
- Jon Hall, Maria Montez and Sabu in “Arabian Nights.”
- Harold Peary and Jane Darwell in “The Great Gildersleeve.”
- Richard Greene and Carla Lehman in “Flying Fortress.”
100 Years Ago — May 24, 1918
Corporal Olney Howard Jerome penned a letter from “Somwhere in England” to his mother saying the U.S. is settling into the war effort in Europe. He confided that he was “getting so lonesome sitting here writing to you that tears are coming to my eyes, so it’s time to stop writing.”
Robert Barnhart and his player piano furnished the music for the social hop the juniors put together for seniors.
At the annual school awards assembly, Ruth Calkins was recognized as captain of the girls’ basketball team, Ivan Baker of the baseball team and Howard Calkins for football. Beatrice Brog was honored for being champion in current events.
“Sixty-five pupils of out high school have bought Thrift stamps. That leaves but a few slackers.”
Five students in the fifth grade and four in the sixth have missed a lot of school lately because of the mumps.
Miss Vda Congdon of the Allegan County Drain Commission’s office has published a lit of 85 boys who will be taken from Allegan to Fort Custer in Battle Creek to begin military training.
About 100 people from all over the county visited the Church of Christ for the Ladies Library Club convention, with the Women’s History Club of Allegan in charge. Mrs. Arthur Deuel was elected president of the group countywide.
Ladies of the Helping Aid in Leighton Township had a sock social for the benefit of the Red Cross and raised $34.50.
Roy Converse, formerly of Leighton Township, was apprehended in Muskegon for failing to uphold his duties in the draft and his excuse that he needed to meet the dependent needs of his family.
Teacher Miss Haines and the eighth-graders at Wayland will have a graduation ceremony at Frank’s Opera House.
Repair and cleaning of the village water works reservoir is slated for next Tuesday, so water service will be shut down temporarily.
The Wayland unit of the Women’s Defense League will meet at the libraty to hear a presentation about child welfare.
The annual baccalaureate service will be offered Sunday evening, May 26, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Fay C. Wing giving the address.