(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 20, 1993
A developer’s plans to build a 2,500-foot boardwalk through a wetland to connect to a 50-foot pier at Robbins Bay, Gun Lake, does not appear to be getting much traction with the Yankee Springs Township Board.
A group of Martin Township residents, led by Ferris Moored Jr. and Terry Sturgis made complaints to the Township Board that the newly-approved gravel mining operation owned by Ray Brenner has been violating terms of its agreement.
Developer Al Conklin’s plans to build 40 homes behind The Note off M-179 were rejected by the Yankee Springs Township Board.
The Bradley Indian Mission plans to have a fall harvest dinner Oct. 23, which will include Indian corn soup, and fry bread.
Linda Hutchings, in the weekly Soapbox, said the most recent voters’ rejection of the Hopkins school bond issue, “The battle’s over. Nobody won, least of all the students in the Hopkins schools.”
Jerrie L. Fiala, in a letter responding to Hopkins Elementary Principal Mary Howard, “The work world is downsizing. That means businesses are firing portions of the work force, asking remaining members of the workers to do more for less money… Educators have been exempt from this situation.”
Sam DeFazio of Praxis gave a presentation to the Wayland Council about the growing problem of gypsy moths.
Mabel Doorhag, 72, of Martin, was killed in a traffic crash when her car ran into a produce truck in Orangeville Township.
The Globe held a contest to determine the best mothers in law. Nominees included Bessie Novosel, Margie Calkins, Nina McLaughlin, Norma Brenner, Vivian Far-Hayes, Ruth Cook, Lucille Coon, Josie Cook, Julia Mae Tandy, Sandy Stearns, Ruth Beuschel, Delores Schneider, Amelia Gillett, Ruth Smith, Carol Jean Smith, Frances Pitcher and Thelma Gummo.
The Hopkins Business Association was established, with 29 members and Rick Mack elected president.
The Hopkins football team improved its season record to 7-0 overall with a 33-8 pasting of Battle Creek St. Phillip and Rex Weaver’s Vikings are preparing for a showdown against Olivet.
The Martin girls slipped to 6-1 in the SAC after a loss to Marcellus with 23% shooting.
The Wayland girls’ 10-game winning streak came to an end with a loss to unbeaten Coopersville. The Lady Wildcats are now 10-3 overall.
Martin’s football team now is 5-2 after a 48-18 victory over Bloomingdale.
Wayland’s football team lost its homecoming game 28-16 to Hudsonville. QB Joe Jandernoa passed for 125 yards with 14 completions.
Coach Loren VanPortfleet’s first year Wildcat soccer team finished runner-up in the Hudsonville tournament.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 16, 1968
The Wayland Board of Education and Wayland Education Association ratified a new employment contract.
Russell Tobolic, a Wayland High School graduate, has been named one of the top campus leaders at Tri-State College in Angola, Ind.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, in his editorial titled “Helmey at the Helm,” expressed disapproval with two of the state-wide ballot proposals, one to permit state legislators to remain on the job while seeking a different office and the other a graduated income tax.
The Michigan Legislature is imposing a higher weight tax on vehicles and a one-cent per gallon increase in a tax on gasoline to help fund road improvements.
Wayland school officials have reported that 42 percent of the members of the Class of 1968 are attending college.
The first-ever warning signs about ice on bridges on all state roads are being installed.
Members of the Wayland Board of Education are discussing the possibility of installing two-way radios on all buses in the interests of safety.
Cheryl Crane has been named cheerleading advisor and Dick Akers junior varsity basketball coach at Waykand High School.
Mrs. Forest Birchfield of Plainwell, representing the Child Guidance Clinic of Kalamazoo, gave a presentation on mental health to members of the Wayland Rotary.
The Wayland varsity football team lost 27-7 to Caledonia and its season record slipped to 0-4-1.
Dorothy DeWeerd was elected president of the Wayland Athletic Boosters and Dick Worfel was chosen vice president.
Hopkins lost 12-0 to Gobles, yielding 136 passing yards. Mike Adamczyk and Roger Selvig both came up with nine tackles defensively.
Robert Mitchum was starring in “Anzio” at the Wayland Theatre.
Local jeweler Jack Cook was elected first vice president of the Michigan Square Dance Leaders Association.
A dialogue, “Look Back on Tomorrow,” was presented to members of the Congregational Church by the Rev. James Smith and Michigan State faculty member Doug Parrish, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Smith.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 22, 1943
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in hiw weekly “Observations” column, “There are many who are disgusted with the way the government is setting low ceilings on farm prices. They claim farmers are not being paid adequately… They way federal officials have bungled the feed situation is enough to make any farmer want to have an auction sale.”
The Hopkins Ladies Library Club welcomed members of the Wayland club to a joint meeting.
The Red Cross is asking for a large goup of workers to show up for making surgical dressings in order to meet Wayland’s quota for the war effort.
Haven Tarnutzer has begun airplane mechanical training at Kessler Field’s B-24 Liberator bomber school.
James Carpenter, who recently was reported to be a prisoner of war in Tokyo, wrote a letter home to his parents saying his health is improving and he is working every day for pay.
Local pickup for tin cans for salvage will be conducted Oct. 26. Residents are asked to have the material clean and smashed and set on curbs in containers.
Kelloggsville defeated Wayland 27-6. Wayland scored on its opening possession, marching 50 yards methodically, but was held scoreless the rest of the way.
Sts. Cyril & Methodius is having a Halloween cakewalk and dance Oct. 31, a Sunday.
The Class in the Corner of the Methodist Church had its annual reunion with 50 in attendance.
Neva Singer presided over her first Waykland Ladies Library Club meeting at her home with 39 present.
Reports on local rationing included gasoline, fuel oil, sugar, shoes, meats and fats, and processed foods.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Donald O’Connor and Gloria Jean in “Mister Big.”
- Barton MacLane in “A Gentle Gangster.”
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in “Hit the Ice.”
- Robert Paige and Grace McDonald in “Get Going.”
- J. Edgar Hoover in “Next of Kin.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 18, 1918
It appeared that Wayland and the nation was being rocked by epidemics of influenza. Rollo G. Mosher, son of Editor-Publisher George Mosher, said that Camp Holabird in Maryland had its quarantine lifted and the crisis seemed to be waning. However, in Wayland, schools were closed for a week, along with all places used for public gatherings. The Red Cross dance for Oct. 25 was canceled. Adjutant General Bersey announced suspension of exams of future service members for a week.
Dick Heydenberk, John Delos Thompson and Charles Towne all wrote letters home as doughboys serving in France. Heydenberk wrote, “There seems to be pretty good prospects of another year of real war, but that’s not long, as we can see victory with a pair of field glasses.” (The war ended about three weeks later).
Mrs. R. L. Hamilton wrote that she made it to Atlanta on a road trip in 10 days, despite a “gasless Sunday.”
Mrs. C. H. Ward suffered a sprained shoulder in an unusual accident that occurred while she was swatting flies at her home.
The Wayland High School football team lost to the Grand Rapids Central Reserves 28-6, as fullback Jones scored the only touchdown. The reporter said, “Wayland was outweighed by 10 pounds to the man and put up good scrap.” Next game will be at 3 p.m. next Saturday at Ryno Field against Martin.
The recent Red Cross Fair raised the tidy sum of $240 for the war effort.
A headlined story reported that Swiss cheese now is made in the United States.
Another story insisted that guinea pigs are good for food and valuable in research science in testing to help save the lives of soldiers.
The picture from the Cowbell Carnival was awhile ago. Great memory and I’m still making music. Thanks George Snider.