25 Years Ago — Oct. 27, 1993
The Wayland community was saddened by the news of the death Oct. 19 of Katheryn L. Brenner, a 1993 graduate and honor student at Wayland High School. The daughter of Wayland Superintendent Robert and Sandy Brenner, she had battled cystic fibrosis all of her brief life and she underwent a double lung transplant in 1991. A special teaching award bearing her name was established.
Allegan County Commissioner Lou Thierwechter will be able to take a job as grant writer for the Allegan County Promotional Alliance after a ruling by the Michigan Attorney General.
Anthony Wayne Bekkering, 9, a third-grader at Dorr Elementary, was killed in a traffic accident in Byron Township after participating in a hayride.
There was considerable smoke and water damage in a fire at the Hopkins home of Phil Bennett.
Ruth Raad of Dorr, in a letter to the editor took issue with Globe sports reporter Scott Sullivan’s references to South Christian as “Flying Dutchmen,” “leaks in the dike” and “being in dutch.”
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox, took on the issue of partial nudity on TV with the premiere of “NY PD Blue.” She opined, “Why is it that the frontal view of a healthy and well-formed naked body is obscene while it is socially acceptable to see graphic depictions of brains, blood and viscera blown out of that same body with a sub-machine gun?”
Wayland Township is considering an ordinance prohibiting obscene video games.
Federal Judge Robert Holmes Bell has ruled railroads rights of way have been abandoned and likely can’t be restored in a blow to plans for rails-to-trails recreational projects.
Martin’s student enrollment numbers decreased from 878 to 860, but the numbers at Hopkins increased by 70 to 1,368.
Pat Staley wrote a feature about local police forces including local Chiefs Dan Miller in Wayland, Ed Wedge in Hopkins and Cora Goff of Martin.
Al Moran rushed for 125 yards to go over 1,000 yards for the season and Martin defeated Lawrence 21-6 and appears to be headed for the playoffs.
In a battle of gridiron heavyweights, Olivet defeated Hopkins 23-20 in double overtime. It was the Vikings’ first loss of the season.
Wayland defeated Coopersville 30-7 to finish with a 4-3 record in the O-Gold Conference. Shane Towne rushed for 150 yards and the ‘Cats had 320 yards on the ground overall. Mike Selzer and Matt Barghan both had eight tackles.
After losing two straight, Wayland girls bounced back to beat Cedar Springs and lift their overall record to 11-4. Christine Holben scored 21 points and point guard Tamara Moushegian dished out 10 assists.
Tracey Smith dropped in 28 points and Martin improved to 8-1 in the SAC with an easy win over Lawton.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 23, 1968
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey wrote about state-wide proposals again, this time offering his support for state funding being set aside for recreational lands and for helping local municipalities with costs for sewage disposal systems.
Joan Jansen wrote a letter in opposition to third party candidate George C. Wallace, who has been insisting he’s only telling voters what they want to hear. She maintained a good doctor won’t just tell a patient just what he wants to hear.
There was a spate of traffic accidents in the area, all involved survived in separate incidents, including John McCarthy, Shirley Ernst, John Cook, James Schmidt, Christine Wisniewski, Bonnie Chestnut, Verne Berghorst, Donald Dunkle and Robert Graczyk.
Wayland Township and the City of Wayland have come to an agreement on city residents’ use of Elmwood Cemetery.
Hopkins High School seniors Linda Reynolds (1966), Karen McEwen (1967) and Vicki McEwen (1968) now have won three consective Editorial of the Year awards from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Dorr Township voters will be asked to approve a three-mill increase for five years for building and improving local roads in the Nov. 5 general election.
Patrick Rewa of Dorr and Roger Selvig of Hopkins have been nominated for service with the U.S. Navy in Annapolis, Md., by Congressman Ed Hutchinson.
Postmaster Richard L. Finkbeiner has announced the deadline is approaching for local residents to mail Christmas packages to servicemen in Vietnam.
Robert Brower will present “Canadian Sketches” in the next Rotary-sponsored travelogue at the Wayland Theatre Thursday evening. Admission is $1.
The Wayland’s varsity football team’s record fell to 0-5-1 with a loss to Middleville.
Wayland High School graduate Phil Regan was named Fireman of the Year for the second time in the last three years for being the best relief pitcher in the National League.
The seventh annual 700 Tournament will be held Nov. 9 and 16 at Airport Lanes.
The Wayland chapter of the Girls Athletic Association gathered at the Orchard Hills Golf Course for lessons from Larry Watkins. They stayed for a potluck afterward.
Dr. H.E. Schneitter was to make a presentation to the Hopkins PTA on “From Parent to Child About Sex.”
Rosalind Russell and Stella Stevens were starring in “Where Nuns Go, Trouble Follows” at the Wayland Theatre.
David McCall of Hopkins has been awarded a Purple Heart in Vietnam and has been promoted to Specialist 4.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 29, 1943
The War Chest drive starts with a breakfast at Peffley’s in downtown Wayland and workers will be assigned for every block in the village. Chairman is Frank Malmstone.
Harvey Zeerip affirms the rumors of fewer toys being available for the upcoming holiday season, perhaps as few as half of last year’s total. “Perhaps Santa should do his Christmas shopping a little early this year.”
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in his weekly “Observations” column, delivered his opposition to a federal sales tax, but acknowledged he has come around on the state sales tax increase. However, he wrote, “The reason I favor the income tax is is because it levies according to the ability to pay.”
Steve Kaczanowski of Dorr will provide the music for the Halloween party at the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, Gun Lake.
Bob Arbanas, Don Christensen, Hines and Bill McElwee scored touchdowns and Wayland defeated Caledonia 24-0. Middleville will be the next opponent Friday night at Sandburr Stadium. The homecoming queen will be crowned by Student Council President Dick Hooker.
Corp. Frank Baweja has earned a promotion to sergeant at Fort Custer, where he is a cook.
Melvin Brower, age 2, died of a brief illness at his home in Dorr.
The Wayland High School senior play, “All Thru the Night” will be presented at the school auditorium.
“World Community Day” will be marked Nov. 11 at the United Methodist Church.
The Peg Aways and members of the Anti-Can’t Society are combining efforts for a fall bazaar and supper.
Harry Stebbins was elected president and Lewis Stoffel vice president of the Farmers Club.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry, Smiley Burnett and Gabby Hayes in “In Old Monterey.”
- Margaret Lockwood and Hugh Sinclair in “Alibi.”
- Mickey Rooney, Frank Morgan and Marsha Hunt in “The Human Comedy.”
- Lana Turner and Robert Young in “Slightly Dangerous.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 25, 1918
Frank McOmber, chairman of the Allegan County Board of Supervisors, in cooperation with Gov. Albert Sleeper’s proclamation, is urging people in collunities not to gather in public places because of the influenza epidemic. He is asking all communities to shut down all meetings, churches and schools for a 10-day period to slow or halt the spread of the virus. Also recommended is citizens to get a serum treatment.
The Village Council agreed and asked all churches and schools to close for 10 days and businesses be open only until 6:30 p.m.
Editor-Publisher George Mosher remarked, “It seems rather quiet with all the public places closed.”
George E. Ryno has resigned his post as night watchman and marshal for the village.
William Brinkert has left for Fisher to work at the Pieric Acid plant.
Mrs. Buist died at her home on the Shireville Farm while all 10 of her children and other family members are unable to deal with arrangements because they are sick with the flu.
The Wayland High School football team had an easy time drubbing outmanned Martin 41-0. “One blemish on the game was the poor officiating (the referee was named)… The local team took the game as too much of a joke.” Wayland now has scored 119 points for the season to the opponents’ 34 and will take on Allegan next month for the county championship. This Saturday’s game against Otsego, however, has been postponed because of the flu.
W.B. Hooker has erected a “War Window” downtown that includes pictures of local boys serving in the military.
Dr. Ira Slater has earned praise and recognition for his work in treating workers at the Pieric Acid plant.
Frank McIntyre is recovering from a very serious, almost fatal bout with the flu at Ft. Custer in Battle Creek.
The Wayland Grange plans to meet Nov. 2 if enough members are well enough to attend after the influenza epidemic.
NOTICE: From Sam Parker — “The person borrowing my wheelbarrow and other things must return them at once.”