(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 3, 1993
TSI has withdrawn its offer to purchase the former Kessler’s building on South Main Street in Wayland because it recently lost a lawsuit by Texas Instruments for patent infringement. The Allegan County Economic Development Corp., the City of Wayland and the Alliance now must weigh options.
Globe Editor Nila Aamonth, in the wake of the news about Kessler’s, suggested they “might do well to put an honest price on the rapidly deteriorating building… or it might consider handing the deed over to the City of Wayland.”
The Yankee Springs Awareness Committee reluctantly agreed to a $100 settlement with the Yankee Springs Township Board in its suit alleging a lack of opportunity for proper public review of a decision.
Members of the Wayland and Middleville teams gathered at midfield for the start of their ballgame and raised their helmets in unison to honor Caledonia player Vito Lombardo, who was killed in a traffic accident the previous Saturday. The Wildcats won 40-6 and both teams finished their seasons with 5-4 records overall.
Barbara Chachulski wrote a letter to the editor in support of Schools of Choice, saying, “Parents will be able to keep their vouchers for private schools to hire their own teachers and start charter schools.”
The Wayland City Council has agreed to contract with Sam DeFazio and Praxis to use predators rather than chemicals to eradicate pesky gypsy moths.
New speed restrictions and noise rules may be implemented next spring at Lake 16, not far from Martin.
Hopkins students Toni Newell Gerah Richmond and Susie Hennip have returned from attendance at conferences sponsored by state and national student council organizations.
The Wayland High School boys’ soccer team completed its first season with a 6-4 overall record.
Jason Young and Kristin Wilcox both qualified for the state Division 2 cross-country as a result of performances at regionals.
The Martin girls’ basketball team, sporting a 9-2 league record, has eyes on the prize of winning the SAC crown for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. Sophomore Kristin Fraaza scored a career-high 20 points in a victory over Decatur.
The Lady Wildcats now are 13-4overall and 9-2 in the O-K Gold Conference after wins over Kenowa Hills and Forest Hills Northern. Anna Rybicki led the offense in both triumphs.
Hopkins defeated Martin 46-3 in the regular season finale. The Vikings, 8-1, will travel to Newaygo for the first round of the Class CC playoffs. Martin, 7-2, will take on Marcellus in Class DD.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 30, 1968
Editor-Publish Irvin P. Helmey, in his “Helmey at the Helm” editorial, noted he attended a campaign visit from Richard Nixon in Grand Rapids. He commented, “Mr. Nixon did indeed epitomize a comeback champion in history Wednesday night and his forthright philosophy of government won my vote.”
Gov. George Romney echoed the sentiments, comparing Nixon’s political comeback to the Detroit Tigers overcoming the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. “Mr. Tiger,” Al Kaline, earned a standing ovation for his appearance.
Former Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher also commented on the upcoming general election Nov. 5 in his “Observations Here and There” column.
The Court of Appeals has ruled that the Allegan County Board of Supervisors’ plan to reorganize into a Board of Commissioners with 21 districts is unconstitutional.
Alexel Koneke, a German foreign exchange student, is staying the academic year with the Lee Miller family in Wayland.
Supt. James Thomas was scheduled to speak at a luncheon of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce to outline the local school district’s overcrowding problems. The school board already plans to use portable classrooms to handle the overload.
The Wayland, Martin, Dorr and Green Lake fire departments plan to have a marching campaign on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy drive.
Robert Miller, 16, lost the use of his eye in a hunting accident with two brothers, Patrick and Danny.
The stellar running of back John Barr and blocking of lineman Randy Rairigh highlighted Wayland’s first grid victory of the season, 13-12, over Byron Center. However, it was a pass from Jim Ritsema to Jerry LaValley that provided the one-point margin of victory.
The headline “Hopkins scalps Indians” reported the Vikings’ 9-0 win over Saugatuck. Mike Adamczyk scored the game’s only TD and Chad Hildebrand booted the extra point. Hopkins now owns a 3-3 league record.
The Chuck Kuhtic Orchestra will perform at the annual Deer Hunters Ball Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hilliards. Admission is $5 per couple.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Paper Lion,” starring Alan Alda as George Plimpton and members of the Detroit Lions football team, including Alex Karras.
Turkey and potato will be provided at a Thanksgiving potluck for the Wayland Grange. The discussion topic will be “Relief for the farmer, whose income is dwindling.”
Rex Greenwalt called parents Fred and Effie in Wayland from Vietnam, where is is serving with his German Shepherd, Hubert.
Sgt. John Bauman of Dorr is serving in Vietnam as a maintenance and control tech.
The Beatles still held on to the No. 1 slot with “Hey Jude,” but their long reign was about to come to an end.
75 Years Ago — Nov. 5, 1943
Fred Stokoe, 79, a Middleville businessman well known to Wayland area resident, died.
The Wayland memorial to servicemen serving in the war overseas “is now an established thing” and the only challenge is to make sure all local boys’ names are included.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reminded readers to send their Christmas gifts to boys fighting overseas soon.
Wayland Garden Club members are planning a Thanksgiving Victory Dinner at the home of Mrs. Imo Hudson on East Superior Street.
Elton R. Smith was elected master and Hazen Hooker overseer at last month’s meeting of the Leighton Grange.
Lyda Archer was elected president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Anna Smith was chosen first vice president and Jessie Sebright second vice president.
The local American Legion will present an Armistice Day program for the Wayland PTA. Speaker will be the Rev. John Miles.
Girls in the home economics program were special guests of the Wayland chapter of the FFA “Bull’s Eye Busters” dinner. George Goodspeed was condemned to wach the dishes and Bernie McBride, home on leave from the service, gave a talk about his experiences at boot camp.
Wayland lost 6-0 to Middleville, and even worse, star running back Dick Hooker was lost for the rest of the season with a leg injury.
Hopkins seventh-graders enjoyed their special Halloween party under the leadership of sponsor Mrs. Naurine McKinnon.
Pfc. Jack Perry from North Africa and Cpl. Hilbert Dannenberg from England both wrote letters home from serving overseas.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnette in “Silver Spurs.”
- Simone Simon and Dennis O’Keefe in Tahiti Honey.”
- Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly and Rags Ragland in “Dubarry was a Lady.”
- Rosalind Russell and Fred MacMurray in “Flight for Freedom.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 1, 1918
The Exchange Bank of Martin was robbed in broad daylight by two unmasked armed robbers, who took $2,520 and left in an automobile. Posing as cattle buyers, they told Bank President Thomas H. Shepherd and assistant cashier Lee Clarke, “It’s not cattle we want, but your money. Cough up the money.” Their trail ran cold for authorities as far north as Six Lakes.
E.C. Forman from Michigan Agricultural College conducted poultry demonstrations at Dorr and Leighton townships, among others in Allegan County, souresy of the Allegan County Farm Bureau.
Howard Calkins wrote home from France, describing the food as “all the punk bread we wanted, two different kinds of meats, once cucumber pickle and cheese.” He predicted, “If Uncle Sam keeps on. We will be living in Napoleon’s palace in a few days.”
Mrs. And Mrs. Ben Oeffman of Bradley welcomed the birth of a baby girl on Thursday, but she died on Saturday.
The Wayland football team continues to practice as best it can during a one-week school shutdown. Its next game Nov. 2 against Allegan was postponed because of the flu epidemic. Next game is to be against Sparta Nov. 9.
George Johnson of the Aviation Corps has left for Garden City and will fly to Europe to join the fight after that.
J.B. Stockdale and his wife have opened their Kandy Kitchen on South Main “at a more commodious business.”
A nation-wide campaign to raise more funds for the soldiers overseas is planned to take place Nov. 11-18, with the goal of raising $85,000 “to take care of Allegan County’s wounded and furnish our boys with such recreational and entertainment as possible to provide at the front.”
Clarence A. Pullen, 22, engaged locally in the barbering trade, died at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Dell Allen.
Harriet M. Corning, 67, died at her Leighton Township home. She was a longtime member of the Order of Eastern Star and a lifetime resident of the county.