(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 1, 1994
Cellar Door Production has withdrawn its plans to build an entertainment amphitheater near the corner of U.S.-131 expressway at the Dorr exit on 142nd Avenue. A spokesperson explained, “Because of the public outcry, my client couldn’t pursue it.”
Pat Staley wrote a Memorial Day feature about William Hooker, who served on Normandy Beach on D-Day 50 years ago June 6, 1944, and won a host of medals. Hooker had served on the Wayland City Planning Commission and City Council since then.
The top academic scholars for the Hopkins High School Class of 1994 are Julie Steffes, Kathy Kwiatowski, Tonya Spears, salutatorian Chad Stein, valedictorian Jason Pavlak, Holly Norman and Susan Hennip.
R & S Properties is petitioning the Leighton Township Board for a tavern license to serve beer and wine at the former Stamm Equipment building, now to be used for a banquet and reception hall just off the expressway. Owners are John and Betty Stamm and D.J. and Lois Rottier.
Wayland High School held its first outdoor graduation ceremony since moving to the current facility in 1974.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about retired teacher Winona Calkins nabbing a balloon sent from a Wisconsin preschool and then began corresponding with the kids and teachers.
Martin won its last three baseball games to finish at 5-16 overall, as Orion DeSmit tossed a four-hitter and Jessie Goodrich unloaded a bases-loaded double.
Hopkins captured the River Valley Conference baseball championship with a doubleheader sweep over GR Baptist. Jerry Funk, Jeff Reynolds and Ryan Rewa delivered the big offensive blows for the Vikings, who finished league play with a 10-2 record.
Catcher Kristin Fraaza, infielder Tracey Smith and outfielder Amanda Greene were named to the all-SAC first team in softball. Martin was runner-up in league standings.
Shelly Werkema was the ringleader of a “murderers’ row” of Viking softball hitters with better than a .600 average. Batting better than .400 were Cheri Belka, Marci Van Strein and Karen Schwartz. The Lady Vikings are 19-6 overall and 10-2 in league play.
Wayland sophomore Heather Postma now own the school record in the 400-, 800- and 1600-meter races. Matt Barghahn owns the school record in both the shot put and discus.
Margie Reurink and Brooke Warner both scored a goal in the Wildcats’ inaugural season ending 2-0 soccer victory over Hastings. Kathy Olney and Lisa Cookingham shared shutout honors in goal.
50 Years Ago — May 28, 1969
Dorr Belles Mrs. Paul Heintzelman, Mrs. Dick Dutkiewicz and Mrs. Donald Davis were shown in a front-page photo promoting the upcoming Dorr Centennial celebration.
Rick Morse has been hired to teach science and English at Wayland Junior High School.
Wayland Board of Education members are considering the possibility of putting a bond issue for a new high school on a September special election ballot.
Ozzie Parks, a 1954 graduate of Wayland High School, has been hired as principal at Shelby High School. He most recently has been athletic director and principal at Climax-Scotts High School.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce has adopted a new policy that emphasizes the good of the community rather than promotion of the individual.
Mis Margaret Franklin of Wayland has received notification from the White House of a commendation for her sister, Ann Franklin, who died the previous November. She served as an Army nurse during World War I. She is buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Hopkins Township.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Glenn Ford in the Walt Disney production of “Smith!”
The Wayland post of the Michigan State Police reminds citizens that a special permit is needed for any fireworks displays this summer.
Sally Post of Dorr was selected as winner of the John Phillip Sousa Award for musical excellence at South Christian High School.
Harold Keena, recent winner of the Michigan State Police Trooper of the Year award, has decided to donate his $500 prize to the athletic fund at St. Therese School for equipment and uniforms.
Greg Dandrow won the 100- and 200-yard dash championships at the Expressway Conference track meet and he, Larry Patterson, Rich Worfel and Lynn Spicer hooked up to win the 880 relay. The Wildcats finished second in the competition to Middleville.
Hopkins completed its baseball season with a 16-6 overall record and was 8-4 in the All-Van Conference, but Martin pounded the Vikings in the season finale 13-6 behind lusty hitting by Steve Goodrich and Rick Williams.
Martin girls won a five-team gymnastics competition at Western Michigan University. Vonnie Tein led the scoring and was well supported Gail Shook, Sue Stafford, Terri Ransbottom, Renae VanderPloeg, Debbie Oetman and Joy Conley.
Wayland High School graduate Jim Kaur finished second in both the high and intermediate hurdles in a triangular meet for Tri-State College of Angola, Ind.
Janice Brenner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Brenner of Shelbyville, has won a special 4-H scholarship to Michigan State University.
75 Years Ago — June 2, 1944
Dr. Milton McGorrill of Grand Rapids gave the Memorial Day address at Elmwood Cemetery, What Mean Ye By These Stones,” and Miss Margery Sebright closed the ceremony by playing “Taps.”
John Hupp, village street commissioner, has been painting new parking spaces on West Superior Street, changing from angle to parallel parking. Many citizens have asked for the change to better accommodate traffic on livestock sales days.
A funeral took place in Minneapolis for C. K. Ordway, husband of the former Natalie Tanutzer. They has been in Wayland earlier this month to visit with Pfc. Haven Tarnutzer on leave from military service.
Leo Noah has sold his half interest in his hotel and barber shop and will report to the U.S. Navy in Detroit.
Murray Houseman of rural Wayland has received his pilot’s wings in the U.S. Army.
Tech Sgt. Ted Niemchick is making maps for the U.S. Army Engineers’ Topographical Unit in North Africa.
Blesch (Bud) Malmstone, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Malmstone of Wayland, has been promoted yet again, this time from captain to major as an expert pilot in the Southwest Pacific Theater of the war.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher published a slew of letters from servicemen serving overseas in this week’s edition. Letters printed were by Walter Ellis Jr., Dick Lutostanski, Phil Rice, Jack Perry and Stanley Nagurski.
Mrs. Vern VerSteeg has been elected president and Mrs. Naurine McKinnon vice president at the last meeting of the season for the Ladies Library Club.
Army nurse Lt. Jean Calkins was home on 12-day furlough and is heading back for duty in Camp White, Ore.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Joan David, Jean Frazee, John Hubbard in “Beautiful, But Broke.”
- William “Hoppalong Cassidy” Boyd in “Texas Masquerade.”
- Kay Francis, Martha Raye, Carol Landis, Mitzi Mayfair and Phil Silvers in “Four Jills in a Jeep.”
- PrestonFoster, Lloyd Nolan and William Bendix in “Guadacanal Diary.”
100 Years Ago — May 30, 1919
An elevator meeting will be held at the Wayland Grange Hall at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 5, for the purpose of establishing a cooperative elevator. “Mr. Farmer: Knock off the shackles of hard labor one hour early on this date and attend, as it will be in your interest to do so.”
A Resolution of Respect was published by the local Rebekah organization for the late Amy Carner.
Little Jenifer has the good fortune of having two mothers, one Mrs. Bertha Smith of Chicage and the other Mrs. Syra Pierce of Middleville, the latter being the biological mother. The two women have worked out an arrangement out of court to share duties in caring for the child.
Mr. and Mrs. George Truax had a dual celebration, one their 50th wedding and anniversary and the other marking the same number of years living at their Hopkins Township farm.
G.V. Fales, recovering from appendicitis in a hospital in Grand Rapids, is scheduled to preside over festivities in the annual Lewis-Corning Reunion at Green Lake June 19.
The Gun Lake Stars bested the Leighton Stars in a special baseball game 20-6 with Otto Sperlik picking up the victory on the mound.
Welcome Home Entertainment will have a dinner and dance for returning soldiers from the Great War at the Corning Methodist Episcopal Church, with Newsboys Band providing the music.
Wayland will join other county schools at the Allegan County field day Friday, June 6.
Prof. Webster Pearce, chairman of the math department at Central Michigan Normal, will give the commencement address for Wayland High School.
Robert E. Pryor, who had lived in Leighton Township since 1903, died at the Grand Rapids Soldiers’ home at the age of 70.
The cemetery sexton is keeping vigil nights on the lookout for thieves who have been stealing flowers from graves.
Margaret Beall presented a recitation and Pauline Smith and Margaret Hanlon gave piano recitals at the local gathering of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, which welcomed seven new members.
Western Knitting Mills of Middleville is advertising job openings for girls, offering room and board and $3.50 a week for light industrial work.
Michigan Gov. Sleeper has appointed a director for Allegan County to procure records of service for boys and men who served in the Great War. They are urged to go to the home of H.D. Allgeo to fill out forms for submission.
