(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 17, 1994
Carousel Services Inc. has submitted a request to the Martin Township Board to recommend its quest for the township’s only liquor license so alcohol can be served on the grounds of the Martin Motor Sports Park. Attorney Craig Rolfe has recommended the township delay any action until a rezoning request has been approved.
Yankee Springs Township voters will be asked to renew a half mill for fire protection with Thornapple Township Emergency Services besides a quarter mill increase and to renew a half mill for roads.
Two candidates, terry Sturgis and Harold Edgerton, have expressed interest in the Martin Township supervisor’s post in the wake of the resignation of Bert Schipper. The board is expected to decide on an appointment at its Sept. 7 meeting.
The Salem Township Board has approved establishing a special assessment drainage district to handle flooding from the Berens Drain.
A group of Wayland Township residents is calling for the closure of the boat ramp at the Allegan County Gun Lake Park because of overcrowding.
Two homes in Watland and one each in Leighton, Dorr, Martin and Monterey townships are included among the 17 sites targeted for remodeling and refurbishing projects in a special student Jobs Partnership Training Act. Instructing the students is Willie Nieuwenhuis, building and trades teacher for the Allegan County Intermediate School District.
Miss Michigan 1993 Staey Heisler and Dean Michaels are topping the bill for entertainment at the Miss Wayland Dahlia pageant at the Wayland High School auditorium. Also entertaining will be Last year’s Miss Wayland Christi Leep, and former Miss Allegan County Debra Hopkins. Eight contestants will vie for the crown.
“Green Giants” Jeremy Ballard, Jerry Dutcher, John Fearnow, Ron Schilling and Andy Davis are the ringleaders of a huge offensive line that will be counted on heavily this fall by coach Ed Lark and the Wayland varsity football team, which is coming off four consecutive 5-4 seasons.
Coach Rex Weaver and his Hopkins football team will launch its first season as a member of the newly created O-K Silver Conference.
Matt Miller is beginning his first season at the helm of Martin High School football, succeeding Pete Schermerhorn, who left to take the head varsity job at Portage Northern.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 13, 1969
The Allegan County Intermediate School District and Wayland, Hopkins and Martin schools are taking a serious look of establishing a common special education classroom. Funding for each student with special needs has been pegged at $3,750.
Herbert Baum has been appointed vice president of national sales for the Kessler’s Undies and Woolies firm. He will operate out of the office headquarters in New York.
Candidates for the Miss Wayland pageant Saturday afternoon at the high school “girls’ gym” are Barb Fisher, Ann Bender, Pam Brocker, Lynn Freeman and Cindy Weber.
The Hopkins Board of Education has ratified employment contracts with teachers and bus drivers, but four faculty positions remain unfilled.
The Wayland Board of Education has decided to put up for bids the old Hooker School, which was abandoned two years prior when it was merged into the Wayland system.
Marlou In’tVeid is a foreign exchange student from the Netherlands, spending the academic year with the Jerome LaValley family.
Wayland Lions Club President Winfield Adams has announced there will be a dedication of the picnic shelter at the City Park Aug. 19.
Local businessman Charles Andringa was surprised with the special gift of the American flag that flew over the nation’s capitol busiling on July 20, 1969, the day Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. His son, Robert, secured the flag as an aide to Congressman Albert Quie of Maryland.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce had a special dinner honoring Wayland’s first-ever City Manager Blain Bacon, who is leaving to take over the same job at Lowell.
Pvt. 1st Class Joe McGraw of Bradley has been assigned to serve in Thailand.
Dennis Blackman of Hopkins is serving aboard the USS Coral Sea, now beginning its fifth tour of duty in Vietnam.
Assigned to serve in Vietnam recently were David Lodenstein, James Keyzer, Gary Tolhurst and David Krotz.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “The Sound of Music,” with the warning, “See it now, because it’s going into a four-year retirement starting Sept. 1, 1969.”
Larry Cline and his 3-year-old dog Dolly won the Coon Dog competition in Burton, Ohio.
Charlie Frost, iun his weekly sports column, noted he ran into Tobin Rote, Detroit Lions quarterback who subbed for Bobby Layne 12 years ago in the NFL championship victory, 59-14 over Cleveland.
75 Years Ago — Aug. 18, 1944
Two weekend chicken dinners are on the menu. One for Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Gun Lake, and St. Therese in Wayland on Aug. 27 and the other on Sept. 3 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hilliards. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher indicated he would attend both.
A very welcome rain arrived to help save local corn crops from ruin, but too late to salvage some dried up beyond repair.
Mrs. Nina Adams received injuries to her chest and knee when the car she was driving collided with that of R. E. Burney of Goshen, Ind. About a half mile west of Wayland.
Sgt. Ed Kaminski, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kaminski, was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received in battle in Italy. The soldier, who was tank commander in North Africa and Anzio, declared, “Tis but a mere scratch.”
Mrs. Bessie B. Baker and Jo Delp have just returned from taking a summer course at the University of Mexico and have penned a feature story for the Globe outlining their experiences.
Relative of prisoners of war are invited to join others at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan for a special support group under the auspices of the Red Cross.
Prominent Leighton Township farmer Ernest L. Koehler died at his home at age 64. He had farmed in this area for 36 years after coming from Van Wert, Ohio.
Lt. Irving Hunsberger, formerly of Wayland, a Thunderbolt pilot in the Air Force, has been listed as missing in action since July 19 in France.
Mrs. L. R. Finkbeiner suffered a fractured wrist and facial cuts when the car she was riding collided with another at the red light in Martin. The Finkbeiners were on their way to pick up their son, Richard L. “Ty” Finkbeiner, who was starting a 17-day furlough from Laredo, Texas, where he serves as chief instructor for aircraft power turrets.
The annual Southwest Michigan Jersey Parish Show will be held Aug. 18 in the village park, including cattle judging.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers in “Song of Nevada.”
- Preston Foster and Victor McLaglan in “Roger Tuohy, Gangster.”
- George Murphy, Lena Horne, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson and Glora DeHaven in “Broadway Rhythm.”
- Frederic March in “The Adventures of Mark Twain.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 15, 1919
Allegan County Ag Agent Alfred Bentall said he expected 16 townships, 125 cars and about 600 people to attend the annual Farm Burea picnic at Gun Lake and he expressed hopes that the organization would have as many 2,000 member soon.
Middleville is planning a Harvest Festival Aug. 20 and 21, including acrobats, the Allen Family, fancy skating, a trick bicycle, merry-go-round, Ferris whell and band concerts.
The Middleville Sun reported on a traffic crash in which four young people narrowly escaped death due entirely to carelessness. The report added, “It’s almost impossible to describe the condition of the car.”
Nora Morehouse has left her job at Camp Custer in Battle Creek to take a job with the Wayland State Bank.
Fred Wallace has installed a power machine to make cement blocks at the building that formerly housed the creamery.
Cornelius DeJongh, 59, of Burnips, died at his home where he had been a partner in business with his brother.
The Allegan County Agricultural Society has announced an officer will distribute Victory Buttons to all servicemen, who also will be presented with complimentary tickets to the county fair as tokens of appreciation for their service.
Miss Vida Congdon of Bradley was surprised with a fishing dinner and party and ex-county treasurer A.B. Congdon was surprised with a special dinner and party that featured roasted corn.
The Ferris Wheel Girls, with one man and 10 women, will be featured entertainment at the Allegan County Fair. Other acts include Rock of Ages, the Golarmo Sisters’ high flying demonstrations, Ole Barnfield and his Tin Lizzie, Nathan Daniels, biloled as the tallest and leanest man in the world, and stunts by Glen Austin.