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

25 Years Ago — Sept. 29, 1993

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has begun the second stage of cleanup of the former Sunrise Landfill in Wayland Township. Only about one-third of the toxic waste barrels have been removed from the property.

Developer Tony Bouma is seeking preliminary plat approval from the Dorr Township Planning Commission for his proposed Sandy Ridge Estates at 141st Street and 21st Street. He wants to build 30 lots on 80 acres.

Oct. 8 is the new closing date for sale of the former Kessler building on South Main Street. The buyer is TSI, an electronics firm in Grand Rapids.

Editor Nila Aamoth, in this week’s “Soapbox,” suggested the decision about what to do with the Moline Public Library be left to the people at the ballot box.

Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfield was the keynote speaker at the annual Allegan County United Way campaign kickoff.

The Wayland City Council received no fewer than 14 bids for its most recent plans for water improvement projects.

The Wayland Adult Education program was marking its 20th anniversary and Director David VanEerden and Coordinator Joan Medendorp reported that 562 people had earned displomas.

The Burger King restaurant opened its doors at the corner of Clark and West Superior Streets.

John and Rosetta Bancino of Bradley were the focus of Scott Sullivan’s feature piece on their trip with another couple from Cedar Springs to Mackinac Bridge using only a covered wagon.

The Hopkins girs’ basketball team, now 1-7 overall, made a fierce late run against Allendale, but fell short 43-40, with Kathy Hoffmaster scoring 12 points and gathering 12 rebounds.

Martin girls improved to 5-3 overall with a couple of “ugly” victories. Amy Reed had 10 points in one win and she and Tracy Smith had 10 apiece in the other.

Chris Holben pumped in 23 points in a 75-30 cakewalk over Cedar Springs and the Wildcats edged Kenowa Hills 44-43 to take over first place in the O-K Gold. Freshman Angie Farmer had 16 points against Kenowa.

Mike Merren, fresh from a school record-breaking nine, fired a 36 to earn medalist honors at the most recent O-K Gold Conference jamboree.

Three backs, Fred Clemenshaw, Bryan Chiarmonte and Grant Kern, all rushed for at least 100 yards in Hopkins’ 44-6 romp over Portland.

Martin lost 22-14 to state-ranked Gobles.

Wayland moved into a tie for first place in the O-K Gold with a 31-14 victory over Kenowa Hills. Shane Towne rushed for 202 yards.

50 Years Ago — Sept. 25, 1968

Rollo G. Mosher, in his “Observations Here and There” column, wrote a personal and nostalgic piece about old friend Dorothy Arguilla, farmer and cook extraordinaire in northern Michigan.

The Wayland Lions Club honored Dr. C.A. Dickinson for his 33 years of service in the community. State Rep. James Farnsworth presented him with a plaque.

A front page photo showed Felix Pankratz, Ted Green and Bill Johnson all holding a huge 30-pound watermelon grown by Pet Milk associate Kris Kuper.

Ellis Wykstra of Martin has been named co-chairman of the Allegan County GOP Victory Campaign.

Robert D. Beaver, a Hopkins High School graduate, was sworn in as a new trooper for the Michigan State Police in East Lansing.

Most recent State Aid Payments are $110,210 to Wayland schools, $60,900 to Martin and $58,170 to Hopkins.

John A. Bishop, who started the Bishop & Sons vegetable truck farming business in 1921, died at Pipp Hospital at age 86.
Wayland City Manager Blaine Bacon was scheduled speaker for the fall kickoff meeting for the Ladies Library Club.

Corporal Donal Mellon and Trooper Harold Keena demonstrated the new-fangled breathalyzer machine to members of the Wayland Rotary Club.

Wayland High School’s football still has never been beaten by Hamilton, but the Wildcats had to settle for a 6-6 tie. Rich Tolan scored the touchdown. Coach Lyle Berry said, “Good efforts also were turned in by Terry Henderson, Jerry LaValley, Mike Chrisman and Bruce Schwartz.”

Hopkins defeated Martin 12-6, as Mike Adamczyk ran in a TD from 4 yards out and tossed a 28-yard scoring strike to Krause.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “The Party,” a Blake Edwards film starring Peter Sellers.

Students from Mrs. Wayne Ritz’s art class visited the Globe office to learn more about graphics arts.

Willard Benedict penned a letter to the editor insisting the City Council provide more answers to questions about the proposed sanitary sewer before the Nov. 5 election.

The Beatles were still on top of the music charts with “Hey Jude.”

75 Years Ago — Oct. 1, 1943

Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrore in his weekly column, “Local sales in the Third War Loan Bond Drive are not going along so briskly… Martin, Plainwell, Allegan and Otsego already have exceeded their quotas, but Wayland is trailing far behind in their drive to raise money for the boys fighting under Uncle Sam’s banner.”

The local Anerican Legion has volunteered to look after an effort to assemble names so that none are missing from a memorial for all members of all branches of service. It has been estimated that as many as 300 names could be included.

Herb Auto Sales has installed a new machine, Bean Wheel Aligner and Wheel Balancer, that is purported to give cars and trucks more mileage.

Middleville and Wayland played to a scoreless tie in the rain. The Wildcats now have a 0-0-2 overall record record, including a 6-6 tie with Caledonia.

Pvt. Bill Schuh, stationed in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and Tom Bartell, seeking to enter Gunnery School, both sent letters home from the service.

Miss Lucille Gardner of Bradley was elected secretary-treasurer of the Allegan County Home Extension Council.

“A great many friends and parents are sending the Globe to soldiers overseas for Christmas presents. Next to a letter from home. most boys enjoy getting the home news each week ahead of anything else.”

Betty Grable in “Coney Island.”

The Ladies Library Club will begin its 51st year with a fall kickoff meeting at the home of new President Neva Singer. The roll call is to answer the question, “My summer’s contribution to peace.”

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

  • Laurel & Hardy and Vivian Blaine in “Jitterbug.”
  • Richard Arlen and Jean Parker in “Alaska Highway.”
  • Betty Grable, George Montgomery and Cesar Romero in “Coney Island.”
  • Jinx Falkenburg in “She Has What It Takes.”
  • “ A Scream in the Dark.”

100 years Ago — Sept. 27, 1918

Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Oct. 5-7, will be the dates of the Fourth Liberty Loans Bond Sale at Wayland Village Hall, sponsored by the Wayland Township War Preparedness Board. Every volunteer will receive a Liberty Bond pin.

“Cinderella and the Magic Slipper” will be presented at Frank’s Opera House Oct. 7.

The Red Cross Society’s bazaar and fair will be held on South Main Street Oct. 11 and 12.

Capt. J.A.H. MacLean of the 100th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, will be featured guest in a special patriotic rally at Frank’s Opera House Wednesday evening Oct. 2. The Wayland band will furnish music a one-reel government war film will be presented.

Anna Knockles, born in Pennsylvania in 1851, who came to Bradley in 1855, died at the home of her brother, John Knowles, for who she had kept house since the death of her husband, Amos Lane, in 1895.

Mrs. Fay C. Wing has been ill for some time, but was taken to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where a diagnosis was made for her to have an operation.

“For the Freedom of the World: Why the Huns Must Be Beaten,” will be shown at Frank’s opera House the weekend of Oct. 3 and 4.

Ollie Edgell and his wife brought home the remains of their second of twin sons for burial in Ohio Cormers Cemetery. The infants had died four weeks apart.

“A.M. Young has started picking the largest and finest crop of apples ever raised in this part of Allegan County.” He expects 600 bushels and about $1,200 inn revenue.

School was closed at Shelbyville last Wednesday so students could go to the Allegan County Fair.

“WANTED: High school boy from the country wishes a place to work for his board in or near town.”

 

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