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

25 Years Ago — Sept. 8, 1993

Students in Vernon Becker’s industrial arts class in the shop on Pearl Street, circa 1970.

Thomas Miller of Watson Township was fined $600 in Allegan County Circuit Court and ordered to remove tires on his property near Big Lake. He had been accused of ignoring previous cleanup orders.

Estimates for a new, scaled-down library building in Moline have been pegged at $150,000, not including demolition of the old building.

Waco Sales owner Gary Swainston has indicated a huge increase in sales of firearms in the wake of President Bill Clinton’s promise to shepherd the Brady Bill. Police Chief Dan Miller also has reported an increase in issuance of gun permits.

Pat Staley wrote a feature about members of the 4-H Clover Club’s preparations for the Allegan County Fair with leader Florence Miedema. Jan Westendorp wrote a similar piece about Martin area 4-H organizations.

Mary Jones, representing the Allegan County recycling program, gave a presentation to members of the Watson Township Board in attempt to get Watson to join 19 other municipalities that contribute to the service.

Dr. Dan F. Kreuzer, who had a medical practice on North Main Street in Wayland, has been charged by the state attorney general with filing false Medicaid claims.

State Senator William VanRegenmorter spoke to members of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce and State Rep. Bob Bender of Middleville was guest speaker at the Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce gathering.

Lee and Mary Swainston of Hopkins have purchased longtime local business Moored Farm Supply.

Bryan Chiaramonte rushed for 162 yards and QB Tim Hibma tossed a surprise almost TD pass covering 53 yards to highlight Hopkins’ 36-8 season-opening victory over Kelloggsville.

Wayland lost its season opener to Plainwell, 14-8, with four interceptions and two botched punt attempts blamed for the result.

A sports headline 25 years ago that wouldn’t be permitted today: “Clippers scalp Indians.”

Sebastian Blanco scored the Wayland boys’ soccer program’s first-ever goal in a 3-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Central junior varsity.

Tracey Smith dropped in 19 points as Martin defeated neighborhood rival Hopkins in girls’ basketball.

Angie Farmer scored 10 points in her varsity basketball debut, but the Lady Wildcats were drubbed 57-34 by Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

The Wayland boys’ varsity golf team finished third in the Yankee Wayville Tournament, with Mike Merren carding an 18-hole score of 79.

The Wayland girls’ tennis team, led by Biana Pratt and Gina Garza, blanked Kelloggsville 7-0.

50 Years Ago — Sept. 4, 1968

Wayland schools opened for the new academic year without a master employment contract between the Wayland Education Association and Wayland Board of Education. The teachers will work under the terms of the old pact until agreement is reached, but officials said prospects for a strike are very real.

Among the first-year teachers at Wayland schools this fall are Andrew R. Tokarchick, Richard Akers and Dale Armintrout.

Charles Henika of Petoskey dropped in at the Globe office after attending the dedication of the library, named after his uncle, who was the donor of the land and building in 1899. Congressman Ed Hutchinson also was a special guest at the dedication, which kicked off the centennial celebration.

Globe photographer Bernadette Nicolai was in attendance at the Centennial Belles dinner and fashion ball to take pictures.

Bonnie Johnson Miller penned a letter to the editor praising the community spirit demonstrated in the centennial and challenged local residents to continue that spirit year-round.

Albert Marks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Marks, has returned from an evangelical tour of Mexico, which was highlighted by students actually living with Mexicans in their homes.

Veterinarian C. L. Nelson of Long Beach, Calif., was taken ill at the Wayland residence of his brother and later died at Blodgett Hospital.

School officials and local police are promising to prosecute motorists who do not stop for school buses that are unloading children.

Pat Markoski, son of Mr. and Mrs. Con Markoski, hauled in a 30-inch, six-pound pike from the Rabbit River near his family’s home in Hilliards.

Bob Hennip penned a pre-season forecast for the Hopkins varsity football team.

Miss Mary Lou Eylander was vocal soloist at the wedding of Patricia Stoddard and Eugene Brefke at the Wayland Calvary Church. All three are Wayland High School graduates.

Don Clack will talk about his experiences this summer at the Wolverine Boys State in a presentation to members of the Wayland Grange.

The Royal Guardsmen, who had a big No. 1 hit with “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” two years earlier, were the headliners for entertainment at the upcoming Allegan County Fair.

The Beatles spent their third week on top of the nation’s musical charts with “Hey Jude.”

75 Years Ago — Sept. 8, 1943

Wayland’s quota for War Loan Bonds has been set for $122,700 this next year. The figures for Moline are $59,600, for Hopkins $67,200 and Martin $95,600.

The Globe published three front page photos of local servicemen — Jerrod P. Chrisman and Jimmy Devlin for earning their flying wins and of Bud Malmstone for his promotion from first lieutenant to captain.

Wayland State Bank officials announced they have eliminated the 50-cent fee for accounts of less than $50, but a maintenance fee of 35 cents per month remains.

A record crowd of more than 1,100 people took part in the annual Hilliards chicken dinner, a remarkable feat during wartime.

Buttercup Dairy has been sold by J.R. Willis after six years to Stanley Mroczkowski.

Seaman Jack Smith, who has been stationed in Iceland, was home on 30-day furlough visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Smith.

Poland native Thomas A. Grabiniski, died at his home here after a lingering illness. He was 70.

John Paska Machine Products, formerly of Grand Rapids, has moved to Wayland to locate at the former business of A.D. Hughes.

The company manufactures 16-inch hydraulic shapers, surface grinders and military machines used in the current war effort.

The Allegan County fair Sept. 14-18 will include an entertainment lineup provided by WLS Radio Chicago, including Patsy Montana, a barn dance, the Swinging Cowgirls Gessner’s war-trained Doberman pinschers and a white horse troupe from Nebraska.

Fred Hilbert, whom Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher describes as having the volume and harmony necessary, has been teaching members of the Wayland Rotary how to sing “The Army Air Corps” theme song with gusto.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

  • Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in “Boots and Saddles.”
  • Joan Davis and Jinx Falkenburg in “Two Senritas from Chicago.”
  • Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan in “edge of Darkness.”
  • John Loder, Eleanor Parker and Bruce Lester in “Mysterious Doctor.”
  • Robert Page and Walter Catlett in “Cowboy in Manhatten.”

100 Years Ago — Sept. 6, 1918

Registrations for all servicemen ages 18 to 45 will be conducted Sept. 12. Registrars are Frank Chamberlain, L.D. Chapple Harry Allgeo and Hiram Hudson of Wayland; Charles Ellis, Charles Mapes and Willard Purchase of Leighton; Amos Thompson, R.J. Barrio, George Clouse, Walter Posey and Milo Gray of Dorr, and Claude Hoffmaster, Marion Keenan and Fred Krug of Hopkins.

Included in the registrations in Wayland will be a patriotic celebration featuring music by the local Girls’ Glee Club.

State Senator R.G. Davis of Lawton penned a letter to the editor thanking local residents for electoral support and pledged to “do nothing but what will be acted to the general good.”

This year’s theme for the Allegan County Fair Sept. 24-27 will be “To Win the War, That’s All!”

S.M. Ellison, “an old resident of Wayland,” died at his home after a long illness.

A bounteous dinner was served to 73 in attendance at the Frank Reunion at the home of Bird Frank in Dorr Township.

The Red Cross dance in the Birney House in Dorr will be held Saturday evening.

The Class of 1916 held a reunion at the Bradley home of Genevieve Allen with 13 in attendance, a figure hampered by the war.

Wayland High School is planning to have a better football season this fall, despite troubles with numbers because of the war. On the schedule are Plainwell, Otsego, Allegan, Fennville, Grand Haven and Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

Custer Sherwood was elected president of the WHS senior class.

Herman Lewis, son of Leighton pioneers Mr. and Mrs. E.K. and Harriett Lewis, died at age 63. “He has suffered a great deal, but bore it well with great patience and Christian fortitude.”

“The teachers seem to be more in league with the school this year than ever before, as in showing their interest in school problems.”

“WANTED: At the Wilbur home in Kalamazoo, a girl or woman for dining room work, also an attendant.”

 

 

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