(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 10, 1993
Gayle McEnaney wrote a special exclusive story for the Globe about her experiences as a juror in Barry County Circuit Court for the trial of Candy Lawrence, wife of Steve Lawrence, who was accused of aiding her husband by attempting to cover up the arson and murder of Willard Lawrence at his Gun Lake home. She was acquitted.
The Dorr Township Board has decided to drop one of its three voting precincts and hold all elections at the Dorr Township complex at 142nd Avenue and 18th Street. Officials maintain the move will result in savings.
The proposed fire contract for Watson, Hopkins and Monterey townships is nearing completion and it will create the Hopkins Area Fire Association.
Rusty Dutkiewicz wrote a letter to the Globe taking issue with staff writer Scott Sullivan for making fun of a proposed ordinance for pornography.
The Dorr Township Board is considering overriding a recommendation by the Planning Commission to reject a request for rezoning for an 18-acre parcel behind the Dairy Ranch for four 16-unit apartment buildings.
A weekend of heavy rains has resulted in flooding problems in Watson Township, particularly at Miner Creek. Local official said they expect a lot of drain projects in the near future as a result.
The Gun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has announced it plans to bring back a Christmas lights contest and Holly Trolley rides around the area for the second year.
The Dorr Recreation Association has indicated it will include basketball in its lineup of winter activities.
The Hopkins varsity football team pummeled heavily-favored Newaygo 56-8 in the opening round of the Class CC post-season playoffs. The Vikings, now 9-1 overall, will meet undefeated Hartford in the second round.
Martin, however, lost to Marcellus 24-6 in the first round of the Class DD playoffs to end its season with a 6-4 record.
The Martin girls’ basketball is heading into the home stretch of the basketball season tied for first place with Fennville in the SAC, both with 10-3 league records.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 6, 1968
Richard Nixon, apparently elected president Nov. 5, carried Allegan County by a better than 2-to-1 margin, 14,460 to 7,120 over Democrat Hubert Humphrey. Also elected handily were Congressman Ed Hutchinson and State Rep. James Farnsworth, both Republicans.
The newly reapportioned Allegan County Board of Commissioners saw the GOP win all but two seats. The only two Dems to win were Harry Beach and Clem Rewa of Dorr. Republicans winning included Ralph Sytsma of Moline, Oscar Zimmerman, Nick Leep of Martin and Louis TerAvest.
Two teens, a juvenile and an 18-year-old have been apprehended by local police for vandalism at Steeby Elementary on Halloween night and have been ordered to make restitution.
Rotary District Gov. Robert Winkel of South Haven, who oversees 51 local clubs, visited the Wayland group.
Wayland Schools Supt. James Thomas told member of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce about overcrowded conditions at the high school, middle school and elementaries. He said some classes are held in the cafeteria, some in an all-purpose room and some even at the Wayland Theatre. He said the school board is studying having mobile classrooms added.
Bill Kessler, in a letter, explained why he hasn’t rented out the old Kessler Undies and Woolies building in town, saying, “I don’t know how I can, what with the city and/or township fathers lying in wait for some new industry so they can pounce on it for more taxes. Too many other communities are offering too much in tax concessions.”
Wayland High School students voted for Richard Nixon in mock elections. He polled 148 votes to Humhrey’s 130. However, at Hopkins, third party Independent George C. Wallace was the big winner. Wallace came in second to Nixon at the mock vote at Moline Christian.
The two proposals for bonding the installation of sanitary sewers in the City of Wayland lost 360-312 and 367-290.
The Wayland varsity football team lost 19-13 to Jenison and its overall season record sank to 1-6-1. Hopkins blanked Lawton 18-0, as TDs were scored by Mike Adamczyk, Chad Hildebrand and Dan Wamhoff. Lynn Newell and Rog Selvig both had an interception. Hopkins and Wayland will get together for the season finale next Friday.
Members of the Wayland Girls Athletic Association took in a stage performance of “South Pacific” at the Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Oscar winner “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” with Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier.
75 Years Ago — Nov. 12, 1943
The Wayland Garden Club has decided to make a donation to help with a sanctuary’s efforts near Marshall to take steps to save the Sandhill Crane, which is believed to be an endangered species.
The Wayland football team concluded its season with a 3-3-2 overall record, winning the finale 33-0 over Martin. It was the last game for seniors Arbanas, Hooker, Christensen, Schwartz, McElwee, Saddler, Brownell, Hines and Tanner. Arbanas was top scorer with 38 points on the season and McElwee tallied 24.
The topic of discussion at the Nov. 2 meeting of the Ladies Library Club was Russia in the second of a series of examinations of “Our Allies.” Ethel Christensen led the program. The next program Nov. 16 will focus on China.
Dean Green underwent major surgery at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids and is reported to be recuperating.
Mrs. Mack Short is taking part in a bird banding project after finding a dead robin in the back yard of Librarian Fannie Hoyt. She has just learned a band of hers has been found in Pennsylvania.
Ward Welch, home on furlough to see his father, Clyde, said on his train trip from Camp Livingston (La.), he saw an overload of servicemen, causing him to sit on his baggage. Editor-Publisher Rool G. Mosher commented, “It is better for civilians to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Barry County voters, in a special election, have gone “wet” by a 3-to-2 margin.
The local War Chest campaign has exceeded its goal under the leadership of Frank Malmstone.
Leo Bailey has closed up his Pines Lunch restaurant, leaving the Bee Hive as the only place in town where people can buy a meal.
Mosher noted, “Even the beer parlors are closed most of the time, due mostly to rationing of transportation.”
Kathlee Reider is serving as interim president of the Junior Garden Club, as Donald Noah has been very busy working in the local bakery of late.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- William Lundquist and Viginia Dale in “Headin’ for God’s Country.”
- Lupe Valez (“Mexican Spitfire”) and Eddie Albert in “Ladies Day.”
- Pat O’Brien and Randolph Scott in “Bombadier.”
- Bob Hope, Betty Hutton, Eve Arden and Zazu Pitts in “Let’s Face It.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 8, 1918
Republicans, as usual, dominated in elections, with a per-county vote average of 266 to the Democrats’ 78. Elected were Newberry to U.S. Senate, Hamilton to Congress, Davis to State Senator and Leland to State Representative. The women’s suffrage proposition for a constitutional amendment was approved by a vote of 186 to 159 and it passed statewide by about 25,000 votes.
The president of the Allegan County War Board heaped praise on Wayland, Martin and Leighton for exceeding goals for their fund-raising campaigns this fall.
Owen Henry Klingelsmith, not yet 2 years old, died of spinal meningitis. “Little Owen was ill but 24 hours and was unconscious all of that time.”
Infant Hubert Bush of Shelbyville died of influenza and was buried in the Indian Cemetery.
“We are still wondering if someone took pity on three young men wandering the streets looking for lodging Saturday night. Or did they take good advice and leave town?”
Ida Algeo was called to Kalamazoo to help care for her granddaughter, who was badly burned on Halloween.
Mrs. L.F. Wallbrecht resigned as exchange manager for Bell Telephone after 20 years. She was succeeded by Mrs. Frank Jennings of Grand Rapids. A new “Hello Shop” is being installed in the old Hawkins building.
F.D. Travis has purchased the farm equipment stock of Clarence Ryno and has opened an implement business at the old Weaver building opposite the Tourist’s Hotel. Mr. Ryno is retiring from the business.
Wayland High School graduate Harold Andrews has recovered from a serious bout with the flu and has begun training for the Aero Squadron in Arkansas.
“Everyone will be glad to learn” the quarantine because of influenza is being lifted locally. “Don’t be a hog and bite off more than you can chew.”
Frank’s Opera House has reopened and Saturday night there will be a showing of bluebird pictures.
“The Last Word from the Kaiser” said there are plans for a meeting with General Foch, with the possibility of signing an armistice to end the war.
Pre-Thanksgiving notice: “The U.S. Food Administration is opposed to any form of gambling that has for its object the winning of a fowl.”