(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 25, 1997
Developer Bob Wagner agreed to combine two lots into one in a subdivision project that cleared the way for a 50-home addition to the Sunnyview Estates.
Motorist Barb Miedema of Caledonia barely escaped injury in a crash on Patterson Road near 146th Avenue, where a truck ran off the road.
Wayland special education student Brandon VanDrunen, 13, took first place at the Michigan Super Kids’ Soapbox Derby championships Aug. 6 in Saginaw.
Girls’ basketball seasons are starting for Wayland, Hopkins and Martin high schools. Wayland actually isn’t rebuilding, despite losing four-year starter and all-stater Angie Farmer. Hopkins and Martin prospects are very optimistic.
Barry County Administrator Michael Brown is promising a two-county (including Allegan) coordinated effort next spring to combat the gypsy moth infestation problem. But the question is whether to spray or not to spray.
The Hopkins Board of Education agreed to allow two students from Hudsonville to remain with their home district though their family is moving to Hopkins.
Hopkins senior Jeff Nylaan finished fourth at 125 pounds in an international wrestling meet in Amsterdam.
A special basketball game raised $720 to help Dallas Kerber reopen his CD Quik Mart, which was severely damaged by flooding from the storm of June 20 and 21..
50 Years Ago — Aug. 22, 1972
Scott Norman has been selected as new police chief for the City of Wayland, succeeding the retiring Forrest Reichenbach. A graduate of Hopkins High School, he had served on the force since January.
A banquet was held at the VFW to honor Reichenbach, with nearly 200 in attendance. Featured entertainment was men dressed as ladies, including burly State Police Trooper Howard Lee doing a rendition of “Tip Toe Through the Tulips.”
“Miss Manure, the Biodegradable Queen” will make another appearance this year in the popular Allegan County Fair Parade next month.
The Party Store has opened at the former West Supertior Street location of Town and Country Fashions under the ownership of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Craner.
A record number of premiums were paid to entrants at the annual Wayland Community Fair.
The Allegan County Board Commissioners and Road Commission is warning citizens to remove political signs from roadways in a timely manner after the primary election, under penalty of law.
Dennis McBride, a 1969 graduate of Wayland High School, has been promoted to Army Specialist-Five at Ft. Hood, Texas.
A Globe photo showed Streets Supt. Dick Baxter and employee David Torres repairing a leak of a water main on West Superior Street,
Recent Wayland High School graduate A.J. Predum has left for Florida, where he will join a religious singing group called Family Reunion.
City Manager Raymond France informed the City Council that Wayland will get an average of 91 cents per capita in state revenue sharing in 1972.
A legal notice was published to inform Wayland Union School District parents that high school students will commence classes at 7 a.m. and junior high students at 12:20 p.m. in the second year of the split session structure.
Local veterinarian Dr. Kenneth DeWeerd has reported the birth of a calf with a rare misplaced heart ailment at the area farm of Orvil Miller, who will display it at the Allegan County Fair.
Wayland High School senior Conrad Mauchmar tossed a one-hit shutout for the Holland team in the Connie Mack World Series at Farmington, N.M.
The Wayland Ecology Committee has changed its name to the Wayland Environmental Crisis Committee and Mrs. James Kotrba has replaced Dennis Boggs as chair.
Looking Glass ended Gilbert O’Sullivan’s six-week streak of No. 1 music entries with “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).”
75 Years Ago — Aug. 29, 1947
Though the federal government years ago spent a lot of money (half a million dollars) on roads for the Yankee Springs Recreation Area, but conditions have deteriorated. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher suggested the state get on the job and handle the issue.
Leighton is clinging to a half-game lead over Dorr in the Wayland Softball League standings.
Bill Schuh has launched the Sporting Goods and Men’s Furnishing Shop on West Superior Street. “The store building is outstanding in appearance.”
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kamyszek have been notified that the body of their son, Stephen, will remain at the Philippines near New Guinea, near where he was killed in the Pacific Theatre of the war.
The Wayland Jamboree will be held over three days, Sept. 4, 5 and 6, culminating with an ox roast, announced chairman J.R. Rugaber. Johnny Vandenbach of WKZO radio will be a guest.
“Red” Calkins has emerged as the new champion of the Wayland Golf Tournament, defeating Chet Brevitz in the final round.
Pianist James Sherrill of Nashville, Tenn., is being brought to Wayland by the Ladies Library Club for a concert.
The 96th annual Allegan County Fair will take place Sept. 8-14, featuring a music revue over five nights. Also included will be harness racing, team pulling, auto races, Jimmy Lynch’s Death Dodgers and modern rest rooms.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Jack Haley and Virginia Mayo in “Vacation in Reno.”
• Paul Campbell and Gloria Henry in “Sport of Kings.”
• Maureen O’Hara, John Payne and Edmund Gwen in “Miracle on 34th Street.”
• Loretta Young, Joseph Cotton and Ethel Barrymore in “The Farmer’s Daughter.”
The Dixie Ballroom was advertising for cooks, waitresses, counter girls, counter boys and second cook for work Friday and Saturday evenings.
100 Years Ago — Aug. 25, 1922
The Wayland Cow Testing Association held its first picnic at Streeter’s Resort. About 50 enjoyed dinner and then had a business meeting. Afterward, there was a potato race for boys and girls. Mrs. Hilda Riney won the ball throwing contest with a toss of 108 feet.
The local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star published a resolution of respect for the late Iola Briggs.
The Chautauqua management has offered local churches tent space for services next Sunday with a special speaker engaged.
The Allegan County Fair will be held next week. Featured will be a high-wire act, a trained animal circus, flying trapeze troupe, Fischer’s Augmented Exposition Orchestra, horse racing, the world’s tallest man and midway attractions.
Estelle Rutgers Reid is perhaps the first woman ever to be a candidate for Allegan County of Register of Deeds.
Popular clown Hughie Fitzpatrick will be one of the attractions of the Chautauqua event in Wayland.
The Regent Theatre will be closed until next Wednesday, reopening to the special feature, “The Branded Woman,” starring Norma Talmadge.
Jerry Rumery has returned home from Chattanooga, Tenn., where he has been a patient for six months at the sanitarium.
The series of Chautauqua programs has been attracting as many as 1,200 in the tents during evenings.
State Senator Herbert Baker will be guest speaker at the annual Farmers Picnic at Streeter’s Resort.