(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 10, 1994
Hopkins residents told the Village Council they are anxious and angry about lack of police protection after Police Chief Ed Wedge was sidelined by a broken ankle and officer Tom Hostetter has been working alone to handle the duties. Council decided to hire part-time officer Bill Holland.
The Martin Village Council adopted a resolution granting a tax abatement to Marshall Plastics Film Inc. to buy almost $600,000 worth of added equipment. The firm moved into the building formerly occupied by VerSluis Freezer and Cold Storage.
Dorr Township voters approved a renewal and override of the Headlee Amendment for roads, but a proposal for another mill was defeated 277 to 189. Meanwhile, Hopkins Township approved a half-mill proposal for 10 years for the library.
The Fontana Festival of the Arts in Shelbyville scheduled 13 chamber music concerts in addition to jazz concerts, bluegrass music and puppet theater presentations.
John H. Peters wrote a letter to the editor taking Major League baseball players to task for going on strike and turning their backs on fans.
The Watson Township Board plans to ask local voters again in November for a three-mill increase for roads after the proposal was defeated 56-37 in the Aug. 2 primary election
The dedication for the new Hopkins fire barn included a tribute to retiring Fire Chief Richard Weick, who served the department for 26 years.
Automotive Diagnostics of Plainwell is moving operations into the old Kessler building on South Main Street after buying it from the Allegan County Board of Commissions for $50,000.
Wayland’s “Nothin’ But Net” three-on-three basketball tournament attracted 77 foursomes, up from the previous year’s total of 65. Winners of the open division were team members Mike Hudson, Ed and Chuck Lark and Matt Bargahan.
Pam Urbanski of Wayland in lodged in fifth place in the standings for super pro racing at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton.
Former Wayland resident Peg Dangremond Wagenka recorded her first-ever hole-in-one on the par three 151-yard No. 6 at the Hidden Valley Golf Course.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 6, 1969
Mrs. Elizabeth Kukulies of Germany had a family reunion with her son, Alfred and daughter, Frieda Brueckner, in Shelbyville after not having seen them in 14 years.
A successful tax appeal in Lansing that included Wayland City Assessor Ernest Martin and Wayland Township Supervisor Clayton Jackson has prompted the City Council to reapply for a Michigan Clean Water bond award.
Hopkins Township voters rejected a two-mill increase request for roads by a 64-59 vote.
Mrs. Clarence Grinage of Martin, a longtime Wayland Globe rural correspondent, died at the age of 82 after several years of failing health.
Fr/ Jerome Winkelitis has taken over pastoral duties at St. Stanislaus Church in Dorr, coming from St. Rose of Lima in Hastings. He succeeds Peter Jakubowski, who had to retire because of ill health.
David Blok of Moline has appointed branch manager of the Secretary of State offices in Allegan.
Peter E. Michaels, owner of the Lakeview Tavern at Gun Lake, was drowned near Spring Lake after the boat he was fishing in capsized.
Wayland State Police Troopers James Belcher and George Schlogel have been promoted and transferred to Detroit and Flint, respectively.
Invitations are being advertised to area teen rock bands to get in on the third annual “Battle of the Bands” at the Allegan County Fair.
Booklets for the 24th annual Wayland Community Fair are being distributed throughout the area.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Where Eagles Dare,” starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood.
Members of the Wayland State Bank Little League team were able to take in a Chicago Cubs ballgame, thanks to tickers purchased by WHS grad Phil Regan, Cubs reliever. Arthur H. Johnson paid for the transportation.
Doug Goodwin and Randy Hines combined pitching efforts on a two-hit shutout in an 8-0 victory for the Wayland Little League All-Stars over Otsego.
A three-county Grange conference will be held Aug. 7 at the Leighton Grange.
“In the Year 2525,” by Sager and Evans continued to top the music charts nationwide.
75 Years Ago — Aug. 11, 1944
Colprovia of Grand Rapids has nearly completed the seal coating of village streets that are blacktopped.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said many communities are struggling with water issues because of recent dry and hot weather, but not Wayland.
Helen Elaine Zeerip, employed by the Wayland Globe and a journalism student at Michigan State University has announced she will marry fellow MSU student Frank Foster, now serving in the U.S. military in the Pacific.
John E. Rybiski, 24, was killed in a traffic crash just south of the village on 10th Street when his car left the road and struck a tree. His passenger, brother Walter Rybiski, escaped serious harm.
Rueben Holland of Bradley died at Butterworth Hospital after suffering an electrical shock on a pole and plummeting to the ground.
In a letter to the Globe from France, Pvt. Roman Stankey remarked that he had seen a lot of old men and young boys among the German prisoners of war.
Lt. James Delvin, son of Winnie Delvin, is attending a special school in Egypt. Her other son, Robert, is serving in the Marianas.
Clarence Losey has been promoted to sergeant while serving overseas.
The Ernie Young Revue will be featured entertainment in at this year’s Allegan County Fair. Dave Malcom will be master of ceremonies.
Jim Carpenter, son of Mrs. Clayton Smith and William Carpenter has written a letter home from Japan as a prisoner of war. He said he is working and being paid.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kamyszek have received a letter from an Army chaplain explaining the circumstances of their son, Steve’s, death. It was reported he died April 7 trying unsuccessfully to rescue a comrade who had slipped off a dangerous coral reef off the coast of New Guinea.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Richard Arlen and Mary Beth Hughes in “Timber Queen.”
- Jane Frazee and Frank Albertson in “Rosie the Riveter.”
- Walter Brennan, Lon McCallister and Jeanne Crain in “Home in Indiana.”
- William Powell, Hedy Lamarr and James Craig in “The Heavenly Body.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 8, 1919
Allegan County Ag Agent Alfred Benthall reported, “A good deal of smutty wheat is being reported. In some cases we have found sheaves of wheat with as much as 55 smut heads in them.”
Wayland native Gordon Hudson, 24, died at home of acute paralysis. He had been a cashier with the Detroit Beef Co. and a quartermaster for the service in Florida. He was the son of Mrs. Harry Raiche and had been president of the Wayland High School Class of 1913.
The Farmers’ Club picnic Aug. 13 will include a union orchestra, a ballgame, a 100-yard dash, a 50-yard dash, sack race, a boxing contest for boys under 14, a peanut race and volleyball. “The ladies are expected, as usual, to pack a basketful of good things (to eat).”
Apportionment of state support for primary schools was Wayland, 644 students, $4,958; Watson 357, $2,748; Monterey 316, $2,443; Martin 346, $2,613; Hopkins 548, $4,219, and Dorr 537, $4,134.
Emil Kotrba was the winning pitcher again for the Gun Lake ballclub that defeated Shelbyville 14-8. George Brooks has ordered new caps for the Gun Lake boys for their next game.
Old papers are for sale at the Globe offices.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, fresh from duty overseas, married Beth Richardson Aug. 6 at hear home near Hastings.
A joint meeting is planned for later this month for the Allegan County Pioneer Society and Allegan County Soldiers and Sailors Association. They have extended a cordial invitation to all returning servicemen from the World War.
The Odd Fellows picnic at Green lake saw Moline defeat Caledonia in a ballgame, the two communities compete in a tug of war, peanut and sack races, a wheelbarrow race and bobbing for apples.
Frank Hollister was fined $100 for beating a colt to death on his farm.
Sheriff Frank Hillman apprehended three gypsys, who appeared in court. Fortune teller Mary Miller was fined $60 for attempting to steal a client’s wallet and Ephraim and Costello Miller were fined $5 apiece with $8.95 in courts costs for driving an automobile without a license.
Albert Suholfski, 3, escapred serious injury from a binder he got too close to while his father was cutting oats east of the village.
The Hill Lake Gophers defeated the Leighton Greyhounds 16-12. The latter team was rattled by catcalls, horns and whistles by Gopher fans.