(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 19, 1996
The first half-mile stretch of a safe pathway for children in Dorr was the focus of a ribbon cutting ceremony at the downtown corners. It was all done in memory of Nichole Ringeisen, who lost her life while riding her bicycle there not long before.
Three grass fires at the Brenner mobile home park in Hopkins Township this spring have aroused the suspicions of officials who now believe they were the result of children playing with matches or other flammable substances.
Assistant City Manager Barbara VanDuren is regarded as the odds-on favorite to succeed retiring City Manager Harmon “Pete” Stull.
Gun Lake water ski enthusiasts are planning two courses on the sport, but opponents say they fear the results will be more blood in the water.
The reconstruction and paving of North Main Street in Wayland has begun and local officials have said they hope to have the project completed before the time the snow flies.
Three generations of Eagle Scouts were honored in a ceremony at the United Methodist Church, They were represented by David Tubergen Sr., David Tubergen Jr. and Gerald Tubergen.
Wayland High School drama teacher Don Mackey wrote a letter praising Globe writer Pat Staley, “who so eloquently mixes professionalism with a kind and caring approach.”
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about the Tang Quang Buddhist Temple in Bradley.
Wayland Township Supervisor Don Black has announced he will withdraw from the race for Seventh District Allegan County Commissioner, but County Clerk Joyce Watts questioned whether he had done so in time to have his name removed from the GOP August primary ballot. Black enthusiastically endorsed Paul Sebright of Hopkins for the post.
Construction is proceeding apace at the site of the new Wayland Middle School and plans are for it to be open to students, staff and teacher in November. It will be the seventh school building in the district.
Richie Guerrant and Kristin Fraaza of Martin will take part in the Class C-D all-star basketball game in Flint.
The Sandy Pines Campground Administrative Building in Salem Township was destroyed by fire.
The 90th annual Wayland High School class reunion was held at the high school cafeteria. Special guests included Jerry Pattok of Hastings, president of the Class of 1955, and Jack Fox, who unveiled the plaque that will be placed in front of the Phil Regan baseball field named in honor of the ’55 grad who pitched and managed in the Major Leagues.
50 Years Ago — June 16, 1971
Mayor Phil Reno and other local officials took part in a ceremony sponsored by the Wayland Lions Club, which raised more than $1,200 to purchase children’s playground equipment at the City Park.
Four cows were electrocuted in a lightning storm at the Orville Henningson farm in Bradley.
Wayland High School students Jim Graham and Pete Calkins have been selected to participate in the American Legion’s annual Boys’ State Conference at Michigan State University.
Baker Elementary Principal Martha Japinga and Supt. James Thomas presented the Board of Education with information about just how badly the state’s free text book program for student failed. They noted that too many books given free to students were returned in unusable condition.
Donald Lapham and Arthur Hooker won election to seats in a crowded field for Wayland Board of Education. Ronald Bockheim, Mrs. Willis Miller and Cleon Duryea were elected in Hopkins and James Lapham unseated incumbent Willard Evers in Martin. All three districts saw ballot proposals approved, with Wayland and Hopkins asking for site sinking fund money.
The wife of Wayland businessman Lewis Winks, owner of a bulk oil firm, died at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Stanley Coughlin, 57, owner of Stan’s Tavern in Dorr, died at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was a World War II veteran and a member of the Wayland VFW, Knights of Columbus and Dorr Businessmen’s and Recreation Associations.
Mrs. Ruth LaRoche wrote a letter to the editor to answer a concern about no Dorr School picnic from an unsigned mother. She said thos who care should attend the twice annual Dorr Parents Club meetings.
Bruce Brandon of Martin has been promoted to Army Specialist 5 while serving as a personnel actions clerk in Vietnam.
Catcher Tom Wilcox crushed a game-winning homer and southpaw Joe Koperski held Marshall at bay in a 2-1 victory in the Class B regional semifinals. Late in the day sophomore Gib Goodwin threw his second straight tourney shutout in a win over Sturgis, which featured sophomore Conrad Mauchmar successfully stealing home. The Wildcats will face Detroit Lutheran West in the state semifinals at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.
Wayland won the all-sports trophy for overall athletic excellence in the O-K Blue Conference.
Carole King took over the No. 1 spot for the nation’s tunes with “It’s Too Late,” for the first of five consecutive weeks.
75 Years Ago — June 21, 1946
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher had just returned from a fishing trip with comrades Frederick Hilbert, Julius Andringa and Naman Frank in northern Ontario. “We caught lots of trout,” he reported, “more than we could possibly eat.” He added that the men returned those fish not eaten to the waters from where they came.
Mosher also indicated in his “Observations” column that meat, butter and canned fruit all are being rationed in Canada, with Tuesdays and Fridays set aside as meatless days.
A lightning strike destroyed the barn of Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Dewey west of Wayland, but no livestock or tools were damaged.
Dorr and the Wayland VFW were tied for first place in the summer recreation softball standings overseen by coach Walter Gillett.
The Wayland VFW Post No. 7581 officially was instituted in a special ceremony that included state dignitaries at the high school gym and auditorium.
Staff Sgt. William Manning has been discharged from the Army in Germany and he expects to be stateside before the summer concludes.
The Republican primary elections showed Kim Sigler of Hastings as the nominee for governor. Edward Hutchinson won the primary race for state representative, Claire Hoffman for congressman and Chester Ray for Allegan County Prosecutor.
Mrs. Julia Modrzejewski, a native of Poland, died at her Wayland-area farm. She was 79.
Forrest “Fist” Dever, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dever of Wayland, has been raising eyebrows on the boxing circuit. He most recently knocked out Marry Ferro of Detroit in the third round.
St. Therese is adding another mass to its Sunday schedule, now having them at 8 a.m., 9:30 and 11.
The Monterey Fairview School reunion attracted about 50 people, with Don Weick as president.
Bob Hope will appear in person in Grand Rapids for a Hollywood Laff Show June 25 at the new Bigelow Stadium.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Faye Emerson and Zachary Scott in “Danger Signal.”
- Richard Crane and Faye Marlowe in “Johnny Comes Flying Home.”
- Joan Leslie Robert Hutton in “To Young to Know.”
- Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, William Powell, Judy Garland in “Ziegfield Follies.”
100 Years Ago — June 17, 1921
Special Children’s Day celebrations were being planned for Sunday at the Congregational and Methodist churches. Included were the Procession of the Branches, Procession of the Flowers, a pantomime, recitations and a playlet. Faith and Clara Dell were scheduled to sing a duet, “God Is Love,” at the Methodist church.
Roy Smith was set to give a presentation, “Education Necessary in Cooperation” to members of the Wayland Grange. Mr. and Mrs. William Mauchmar were to lead a charade.
Orville Vonley Schwartz died at only age 12, but his cause of death was not disclosed.
A Threher’s Picnic is planned at Streeter’s Landing, Gun Lake.
“Quite a number from this vicinity attended the ball game at Hills Lake Sunday. The score was 21-15 in favor of Leighton.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown:
- Charles Ray in “The Egg Crate Wallop.”
- J.W. Kerrigan in The House of Whispers.”
- Owen Moore in “The Poor Simp.”
The Yeakey Auto Co. has installed a new five-gallon pump at the station after the old pump was banged up by an errant car.
A report on the Wayland High School alumni banquet indicated “quite a number” attended, but near the end of the story, “it is hoped it (the banquet) will bring out a better crowd” next year.
Mrs. H.D. Allgeo was hostess for a chicken pie dinner for ten Senior Camp Fire Girls.
Carl Gustafson returned to stay with his parents over the summer from Columbia, S.C. He was accompanied by Stanley Eggert of Vicksburg, who also teaches there.
The Morrill Family reunion was attended by about 50 people Sunday at the West Gun Lake home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Morrill.
