(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 8, 1994
The Henika Library has received a $25,000 Michigan Equity Grant from the Department of Commerce to help with plans for renovating the interior of the nearly 100-year-old structure. The library will have a pay a $15,000 match.
The Dorr Township Board has approved rezoning the old dump site on 140th Avenue to accommodate plans for a low-density residential development with 68 lots. Developers are Jim Zoulek and Pitch & Co.
The Dorr board also received results of a survey noting that one-third of residents prefer Dorr Township to have just one library within its borders rather then another facility in Moline.
Kelli Zalewski Biesbrock gave the student address at the 20th annual Wayland High School adult graduation commencement. State Senator William VanRegenmorter was guest speaker.
Scott Sullivan, in the weekly Soapbox, opined, “Instruction in morals, values and matters of spirituality are vital in children’s upbringing, but the place for it is in the churches, the homes or private schools… the mission of public schools is to teach them how to think, not what to think.”
Janice Iciek, in a letter to the editor, maintained, “We don’t have to settle for split sessions” if another school bond issue if defeated this fall at Hopkins.
Patricia Kelsey, in a letter, indicated rumors have it that proponents of the amphitheater that failed in Bradley and Dorr may be targeting Watson Township and she asked for advice.
In the are4a’s upcoming annual school board elections, candidates included Roger Evans, Gary Davidson and Barb Keyzer in Martin; Dawn Buist, Lois Dixson, Paula Sebright and Patricia Kelsey in Hopkins, and Michael Browand, Roxie Muczynski and Colleen Zoll in Wayland.
Martin avenged an earlier season defeat with Hopkins 12-8 in softball, but the Clippers lost in the district tournament to Climax-Scotts to finish with a 15-9 overall record.
Ryan Rewa drilled a two-run homer for Hopkins, but the Vikings’ baseball squad lost 7-2 to Allendale in districts.
Dinyel Bailey tossed a four-hitter at Otsego in the district opener, but the Lady Wildcats lost to Hamilton in the finals.
Wayland sophomore Heather Postma cleared five feet in the high jump and ran a 2:22.4 in the 800-meter run to set the school record and she was third in the open 400 at the state meet.
Wayland’s baseball season came to an end in the districts in a 6-5 loss to Otsego. Mike Lilly and Mike Lapekes made the O-K Gold Conference all-star team.
50 Years Ago — June 6, 1969
Mrs. Hugh DeWeerd is an incumbent running unopposed for a two-year seat on the Wayland Board of Education, filling out the term left vacant by the resignation of Mrs. Don Durfee. Bob Hendrixson and incumbent Dr. Gerald VanderVoord will vie for the other seat, a four-year term.
Wayland voters also will be asked to approve millages for purchase of real estate and site sinking fund and to raise board members’ salaries to $400 apiece annually.
A delay in the collection of Allegan County taxes may force the City of Wayland to borrow up to $31,000 to pay the bills.
Wayland High School alumni are gearing up for their 63rd annual reunion at the high school cafeteria.
Junior high English and speech teacher Mrs. Forrest McKinnon and third grade teacher Mrs. Walter SebrIght are retiring at Hopkins after a combination of 62 years served.
Wayland High School graduate Russell Tobolic has earned his degree in engineering from Tri-State College in Angola, Ind.
Mrs. Anthony Geib and Myron Knight will challenge incumbents Ray Brenner and Harry Morrell for Martin school board seats and John Howard and Bob Beck will do the same against Carl Johnson in Hopkins.
Hopkins High School graduated 75 seniors at commencement. Class members collectively sang the class song, “Born Free.”
Mrs. Jack Rewa wrote a letter to the editor exhorting Dorr community members to volunteer and get involved in the 100th anniversary celebration of the township this summer.
Spec.-5 Gary Truax of Shelbyville received an Army Commendation medal for meritorious service in Vietnam.
Word was received of the death in LaPorte, Ind., of the Rev. Carl Moellman, former pastor at St. Peter’s in Hopkins.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: James Stewart, Dean Martin, George Kennedy and Raquel Welch in “Bondolero!”
Wayland jeweler Jack Cook was elected president of the Michigan Square Dance Leaders Association. Cook also is president of the Wayland Rotary Club.
Wayland freshman Jim Hendrixson emerged as No. 1 singles champion in the Expressway League tennis meet.
Sophomore Walt Blue owns the Wayland school record for low score for nine holes of golf with a 39 and for 18 holes with an 85, according to coach Lyle Berry.
Outstanding GAA awards for the academic year went to Kathy Lapekes, Sharon Doxey, Deb Watkins, Cheryl Brower and JoAnn Perry.
75 Years Ago — June 9, 1944
Members of the Wayland Rod & Gun Club are having a lot of fun lately spearing carp and gar pike in Gun Lake with the permission granted by the State Conservation Commission.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Malmstone have decided to sell their dry cleaning business to their son, Thane and daughter-in-law from Chicago after being in business here for 18 years. Miss Marian Malmstone will continue to work in the shop.
Pfc. Jay Smith received his Gunnery Wings after attending a Gunnery School in Las Vegas, Nevada. A 1941 Wayland High School graduate, he will be assigned to a B-17 Bomber.
Dorothy Fleser of the WAVES in Washington D.C., was home briefly on furlough with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fleser of Moline.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lutostanski have sold their meat market to to Mack Short, who has been operator of the Standard Oil truck.
Donald Christensen graduated from Wayland High School and immediately afterward entered an Army College Training Reserve Course in Madison, Wisc.
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bailey have sold their Pines Lunch business to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wyatt of Detroit. They had been in business locally for seven years.
Margery Sebright and Richard Hooker were co-valedictorians for the Wayland High School Class of 1944, which included 44 graduates at commencement.
“D-Day (June 6) was not a day of jubilation over the long expected invasion by the Allies in Europe. Many were even tearful in their anxiety over loved one.”
The Wayland High School reunion yielded the election of Howard Clark as president of the Alumni Association, Carol Ellinger as vice president and Phil Reno as secretary-treasurer. About 100 filled the high school cafeteria.
Staff Sgt. Raymond Bellgraph has been promoted at Air Force Command in England.
Eldon Millheim of Wayland now is stationed in Bremerton, Wash., after taking specialized military courses.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Don Ameche and Frances Dee in Happy Land.”
- Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “Dancing Masters.”
- Michael O’Shea and Susan Hayward in “Jack London.”
- Margaret O’Brien, James Craig and Marsha Hunt in “Lost Angel.”
100 Years Ago — June 6, 1919
The Globe’s front page was dominated by two tragic events: the death of Editor-Publisher George A. Mosher, who was founder of the Globe 35 years earlier, and an explosion at the Hopkins Creamery that killed four employees.
Mosher was reported to have died at age 62 a couple of days after complaining of acute indigestion. Drs. Hanlon and Bryson were summoned to his house on June 2 but could not save him. He leaves his wife, Sarah, daughter Mrs. G.V. Fales of St. Louis and son Rollo, who is stationed overseas in France.
Globe staff reported, “We are endeavoring to do the best we can under the circumstances. Trusting the subscribers will consider this, we will try to improve conditions until Rollo Mosher returns from overseas. Any local news items that could be handed in will be greatly appreciated.”
In the same week, on Tuesday, The boiler engine at Hopkins Creamery exploded, killing Walter Hazen, Meno Kraft, George Hoerner and LaVerne Seeley, who was plant manager. The cause of the fatal blast still hasn’t yet been determined.
A debate on the issue “Resolved: Butter is Preferable to Substitutes at the Dinner Table,” is planned for the June 14 meeting of the Wayland Grange.
Mabelle Lenz was wed at her parents’ Wayland home to Charles S. Miller. “The marriage was the culmination of a romance which began while the bride was attending the University of Michigan, from which Mr. Miller will receive his doctor’s degree this month.”
Civil War veteran Robert E. Pryor, who came to Barry County at age 7 and had lived at Green Lake since 1903, died at the Soldiers’ Home in Grand Rapids. He was 70.
Horace Nelson Hall, who lived near Bradley for 65 years, died in Grand Rapids at age 75.
COVER PHOTO: The Toonerville Trolley eatery was on old U.S.-131 about a mile north of the village. Forerunner of the Northway Grill? (Photo courtesy of Marie Whittemore)
