(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years ago — Jan. 5, 1994
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners denies a request from a group of Native Americans in Bradley to designate 128th Avenue as a natural beauty road, whoch they said would help protect their Indian Mission and cemetery.
Dorr Township led the way in number of new building permits issues in 1993. Professional Code Inspections asserted that business and residential growth continues apace in northeast Allegan County.
Seven cattle died in a barn fire in Leighton Township in a structure owned by cattle broker Lynn Zandbergen on 12th Street.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about Rose Wilkerson, who was following in the footsteps of her father as a wood sculpture.
Jack and Lois Peters have converted an old former gas station into a coffee shop, “Mic’s,” at 102 Maple Street.
Wayland model and actor Kim Hough, now known as Kim Gregory, most recently appeared in a Madonna musical video and appeared in James Earl Jones’ TV movie “Hallaleujah.”
Hopkins this season already has won more games than in the previous season after pushing its record overall to 3-2 with a 63-55 triumph over Muskegon Catholic Central. Freshman Tim Kisner nailed nine of 11 free throw attempts and finished with 18 points.
The Wayland High School volleyball team won two of three matches, defeating East Grand Rapids and Hastings, but losing to Grand Haven. Anna Rybicki came up with 10 serving aces. The team now is 5-3-3 overall for the campaign.
Wayland High School graduate Bob Sikkema earned a varsity letter in football at Hope College as a sophomore.
High school seniors scoring perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the second marking period were Dawn Brinks, Kathy Kwaitkowski, Holly Norman, Jason Pavlak, Tina Scobey and Julie Steffes of Hopkins; Don Berzley, Kelly Germain and Chad McNees at Martin, and Heath Alflen, Justin Berg, Chrissy Carpenter, Chris Holben and Racheal Smith of Wayland.
Wayne Steeby, who served as Leighton Township Supervisor and assessor for 37 years, died at Springbrook Manor. He was 78.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 1, 1969
Trooper Dallas M. Forystek of Flint has been assigned to the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police.
Steve Fifelski was appointed Dorr Township Supervisor, succeeding Clem Rewa, who was elected to a seat on the newly-formed Allegan County Board of Commissioners.
David L. Simpson of Hopkins was commissioned as a second lieutenant at commencement ceremonies at Western Michigan University.
The Wayland Board of Education has decided to exercise its option to purchase a 40-acre parcel just west of the U.S.-131 expressway on 135th Avenue. The land, purchased for $27,000 from Rufus VanNoord,is believed to be sought for building a new school.
The Wayland High School basketball team improved its season record to 3-2 with a convincing 61-41 victory over Jenison. It was a big night for 6-8 junior center Don Klein, who scored a career-high 19 points and gathered 20 rebounds. Jerry LaValley added 15 points and Randy Rairigh 14.
Pvt. James C. Rewa of Dorr has been assigned to serve in Vietnam as a military policeman.
Master Sgt. Max L. French is now serving with aerospace defense command in Korea.
The Wayland Wranglers 4-H Club will have a meeting at the home of Lynn Douglas to discuss the right and wrong ways to care for horses.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: James Mason, Geraldine Chaplain and Bobby Darin in “Cop-Out,” also known as “Stranger in the House.”
Reporter Art Thede wrote an account of the Leighton Farm Bureau’s holiday gift exchange at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Willson. Members had a lively discussion on the growth of costs for welfare n America and he noted, “Everyone went home in snow-covered cars.”
Lee Pankratz is spending holiday time with his parents in Wayland. He is a freshman at Olivet College and is a member of the basketball team.
Former Wayland High School foreign exchange student Riecki Jansen of the Netherlands sent a Christmas holiday letter to the Globe wishing his Class of ’68 friends well.
75 Years Ago — Jan. 7, 1944
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in his “Observations Here and There” column, noted that as many as 75 young people at the same time have taken advantage of the cold weather to use the ice skating rink at the Village Park.
Merle Pefley’s sweet shoppe has been closed for the last 10 days for renovations. Mosher wrote, “The fellow who have been in the habit meeting there in the forenoon for their morning cup of coffee have been fretting and stewing until Merle gets back on the job.”
Over at Green Lake the ice has been so thick that anglers have been able to drive their cars to their favorite fishing holes. Three large pike were taken south of Hopkins, with one of them weighing in at 20 pounds.
There is no truth to the rumor that Carroll Radtke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Radtke of Wayland, was killed in action while serving in the Pacific.
Ed Kaminski, son of Mr. and Joseph Kaminski, was promoted from corporal to sergeant while deployed in Italy.
Weekly benefit parties, under the auspices of St. Therese Church, are being held at the former Bennett Furniture Store downtown.
Charles C. McClintock, born in 1862 on a farm in Bradley, died at age 81. He had been a Village Council member and a director of the board for Wayland State Bank.
Gordon Weick, 36, was found dead in his bed by his mother, who had returned him to his bed during the night because he had fallen. Weick, who suffered an illness for a long time, had lived with his parents here after living on a farm in Hopkins Township.
Herbert W. Curie of Shelbyville died. He had been a telegrapher for many years for the Grand Rapids Indiana Railroad.
A meeting is planned at the Wayland High School Ag Room for all farm workers who earned exemptions from Selective Service in 1943.
The Wayland chapter of the Future Farmers of America has announced it has collected more than 21,000 pounds of waste paper for the war effort.
Lt. Jean Calkins, a U.S. Army nurse, has been home on leave for the holiday season.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake as Blondie and Dagwood in “Footlight Glamour.”
- William Boyd as Hoppalong Cassidy, Andy Clyde and Jimmy Rogers in “False Colors.”
- Betty Grable, Robert Young and Adolph Menjou in “Sweet Rosie O’Grady.”
- Humphrey Bogart, Bruce Bennett, J. Caroll Naish and Lloyd Bridges in “Sahara.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 3, 1919
“The flu is abating.”
Pvt. Paul Wing wrote a letter from France to his father, the Rev. Fay C. Wing, noting, “I am fat as a pig, weigh 162 pounds, and you know I’m perfectly well. I could not exist with all the terrible diseases I have come into contact with.”
Fred Selkirk wrote a letter home from Le Havre, France.
A watch meeting and religious service was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Royal Oakes Club Director Mrs. A.M. Pollitt presented a program and Rev. Wallis gave an illustrated lecture.
An Allegan County poultry school and exhibit is scheduled for Feb. 11-14, according to County Ag Agent Alfred Benthall.
Allegan County cities, townships and villages have combined to contribute $93,277 to the Patriotic League drive.
Lt. Clinton Frank, a Wayland High School graduate, will present a sermon, “Making the World Safe for Democracy,” Sunday evening at the Wayland Methodist Church.
Editor-Publisher George Mosher reported that “a large number of smart khaki and sailor blue uniforms” were apparent in a New Year’s Eve party celebrating the return of many of the troops after serving overseas. The musical entertainment was provided by the Winslows of Grand Rapids.
Mary Burkhardt, Margaret Hanlon, Thela Smith, Ruth Calkins, Mary Ryno and Mrs. Allie Watkins were winners of merchandise in the Wing Furniture Store contest that ended Dec. 21.
Beall Bros. is taking annual inventory and reporting the most recently concluded holiday season was its best ever.
The first Wayland High School play of 1919, “The Hoodoo,” will be directed next month by Miss Caroline Montgomery.
I am researching some family history and have found a family connection with a John Moore from Hopkins, Allegan County, MI. From a letter sent on December 1921 back to his cousin James Hill (my relative) in Northern Ireland he writes his son James fought in France in WW1 and in 1921 was then working on the Street Cars of Detroit. Any information would be gratefully received. Many thanks.
With best wishes.
Dr. Ivan Hill