(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 27, 1994
Bob Larr, Jr. was appointed to the Hopkins Board of Education seat vacated by the resignation of Bill Schoonveld. Larr had served on the board for eight years previous. Other applicants were Brent Sebright, Pat Kelsey, Lois Dixon, Anita Kerber and Nadine Shields.
Robert Tilson, 27, of Shelbyville, has been charged with manslaughter and operating a boat under the influence of alcohol in connection with the July 4 death of 14-year-old Kalen Reahm at Gun Lake.
The Dorr Township Board has joined a legal action against the Michigan Department of Labor in an effort to allow all building inspections to be done by a private firm, in this case, Professional Code Inspections.
Susan Sebright, Kathie Stein, Library Director Alice Hazen and Library Board President Mary Howard all wrote letters to the editor in response to Hopkins Township Supervisor Kevin Cronin’s letter the week before opposing the local library millage proposal in the Aug. 2 primary election. Ms. Howard opined that Cronin, “is deliberately trying to fuel the fires of taxpayer discontent by stating only the amount that will be generated over a 10-year period (by the millage).”
Henika District Library Director Lynn Mandaville added her support for the neighboring library’s millage request with her letter.
Marilyn Hess wrote a feature story about Dorr area teens Katie Kiefer and Tim Hibma, who have been directing the Dorr Recreation summer program children ages 4 to 12.
Pat Staley wrote a feature about Otto and Evonne Beard and their fruit farm business southwest of Dorr, focusing on blueberries.
Hopkins FFA members Jake Schut and Anne Hanley attended a leadership conference in Washington D.C.
Connie Swartout, 54, a Wayland High School graduate, former city treasurer, twice president of the Ladies Library Club and wife of former City Councilman Robert Swartout, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
50 Years Ago — July 23, 1969
The Globe published impromptu street interviews with five citizens in the wake of the moon landing July 20. The interviewees were Mrs. Claude Smith, Connie Blake, Mrs. Clarence Simpson, Jerry Bonga and Shirley Striegle.
The Wayland City Council is indicating it may reapply for a state “Clean Water” money after voters statewide passed a proposal for it the previous November. The money was withdrawn by the state last year after a sewer bond proposal was defeated at the polls.
A group of representatives of the City of Plainwell was to set up camp at the parking lot just south of City Hall to promote the city’s Aug. 12-16 centennial celebration.
Jack Rewa of the Dorr Recreation League reported that the organization has received the gift of a building from Paul Despres of Dorr Raceway.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederic James have been hospitalized at St. Mary’s for injuries they sustained in a traffic accident on 129th Avenue east of Bradley.
Two couples, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Elenbaas and Mr. Mrs. Oliver Francisco, are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries.
Allegan County Cooperative Extension Service home economist Mrs. Shirley Hamman has announced the start of the Young Homemaker of the Year contest The competition is open to all young women under age 35. Top prize is $50.
Wayland High School graduate Douglas Parish, a graduate assistant who teaches German at Michigan State University, will present the guest sermon this Sunday the Wayland Congregational Church. Huse Johnson is scheduled to present the vocal solo music selection.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: David Niven in “The Impossible Years.” Cost is i90 cents for adults and 50 cents for children under 12.
The annual Allegan County Democratic Party barbecue is planned for noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Dorr Township Park.
Mike Osentoski and Brian Hurst combined efforts on a six-inning Little League no-hit pitching performance for the LaValley Rumery Agency.
The 10th annual Moline Softball Tournament will be held next week Monday through Friday for between 60 and 70 teams. Scorekeeper is Mike Browand.
Cindy Miedema sent the Globe a letter and picture from 4-H camp up north.
Zager and Evans continued at No. 1 on the music charts with “In the Year 2525,” which come deemed appropriate in light of the moon landing.
75 Years Ago — July 28, 1944
Ernest Ring caught a 23-inch walleye in Gun Lake, which also yielded a massive eight-pound muskie for Dr. Alton Humphrey, now of Adrian.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kamyszek received a belated letter written by their son, Cpl. Steven Kamyszek, to cousin Roman in 1943 not long before he was declared missing in action overseas. He was later declared killed in action.
Topic of discussion at the next meeting of the Wayland Grange: “Can a well-educated woman find interest in a farm home?”
Donald J. Gurney was given a posthumous Purple Heart certificate, mailed to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Gurney. He was killed overseas on Nov. 9, 1943.
Robert Kelsey of Martin has won a $25 war bond from the Standard Oil Co. for his two years of leadership for a local 4-H livestock club.
Anna Short gave a presentation, including bird calls, of 17 species of local birds, to members of the Wayland Garden Club.
LOST: No. 3 ration books owned by Evelyn Eugene and Wanda Mroczkowski, and Margaret Thiede of Bradlet. Mrs. Robert Genteman reported the loss of a No. 4 book, John Dado of Bradley books 3 and 4, and Abe Buist, book No. 1.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Ruth Terry, George Byron, Paul Harvey in “Jamboree.”
- Jerome Cowan, Faye Emerson, Gene Lockhart in “Find the Blackmailer.”
• Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Michele Morgan in “Passage to Marseille.” - Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan in “Shine on Harvest Moon.”
100 Years Ago — July 25, 1919
Wrigley’s ad: “5 cents a package before the war, five cents a package during the war, five cents a package now. The flavor lasts, so does the price.”
Wayland Schools Supt. Floyd Boughner wrote a front page piece about the growing crisis of rural and farm people leaving for the cities for work. He said a Mr. Atwell will come to the school for a special program on a proposal to have Wayland become an agricultural school, which would include consolidation. Students who live at least a mile away would be bused in. The state would pay $600 a year and $200 for transportation.
Supt. Boughner was reported earlier in the week as visiting Kalamazoo to seek out prospective teachers, as three vacancies on staff remain.
The Allegan County Farm Bureau picnic will take place at the Allegan Fairgrounds with Dr. Mumford, leader of county agents in the state, as guest speaker.
A young man who said he was George Davison of Grand Rapids was arrested in Wayland when he tried to trade a horse for a motorcycle. There was doubt he owned the horse. Deputy Sheriff D.A. Stockdale made the arrest.
Harry Holewinski was arrested by Deputy Stockdale for stealing a car after he tried to get the vehicle repaired at the Yeakey Auto Garage.
An estimated 126 people enjoyed a dinner in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church after a joint meeting of the Pomona Grange and Grange No. 37. Ex-Senator Hughes spoke about current state legislation.
Miss Ruby Calkins has spent her summer away from teaching at Pontiac Schools by touring the Great Lakes.
- A. Hardy has bought the Prindle Building and Bowe blacksmith shop, owned by Fannie Hoyt and Jay McCaslin, and plans to turn it into a bungalow.
The Gun Lake Stars edged Leighton 10-9 with Emil Kotrba the winning pitcher.
Wayland Township residents are advised to cut down and remove all brush in the right of way on highways by Sept. 1.
COVER PHOTO: (From left) Margaret-Truax-Powers, Wandra-Truax-Shafer, Geraldine-Truax-Wright.