(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 15, 1996
Sidewalk improvements in the Village of Hopkins promise to provide better walking conditions for local residents and visitors.
Calling efforts to stop development and water and sewer services penny wise and pound foolish, Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox entry, wrote, “If you think all that needs to be done (to stop progress) is put up a ‘not welcome’ sign at your township’s boundaries… our quaint, rural environment cannot be preserved through isolationism.”
Gerda Pitcher of Hopkins Township wrote a letter to the editor congratulating the committee handling the Dorr 4th of July Demolition Derby for ensuring a safe and fun activity.
Don Dandrow of Moline penned a letter roundly criticizing the results of a $500,000 drain project between Moline and Green Lake.
First Lt. Michael Olsen, commander of the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, reported there were 20 traffic deaths during the recently concluded Fourth of July holiday. He added that 17 of the fatalities involved motorists who had easy access to seat belts, but only five were wearing them.
Linda Smith wrote a feature story with photo about Don and Gwen Amborski, who have been missionaries to Zambia since 1987.
This edition of the Globe included a large number of stories and photos of events and developments in Caledonia, Middleville and Barry County in its efforts to expand its coverage area.
Daniel Kelsey wrote a feature story with photos about the Martin school driver’s training program and instructor Ron Merrill. It was reported that 86 youngsters were granted temporary learners’ permits this summer.
Dion Kerber, 26, a Hopkins High School graduate, died at his home in Hopkins. A third-place finisher in the state-wide Building Trades competition, he has been foreman at Herbert Construction.
50 Years Ago — July 14, 1971
The Wallace Electric Co. of Wyoming was awarded the contract from the Wayland Board of Education to install new lighting at the football field at a cost of $20,437.
Don Lapham was elected president of the Wayland school board, Dorothy DeWeerd was elected secretary and Verne Lettinga treasurer.
Local businessman Jack Cook told school board members that the local square dance group’s events at school facilities raised $100, which he asked to be donated to the band program.
Among the new teacher hires at Wayland this year are two Wayland High School graduates, Janine Hampel, kindergarten, and Tom Tarnutzer, ninth grade social studies and college English.
Dr. Harry D. Niemczyk, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Niemczyk of Hilliards and a Hopkins High School graduate, has earned a promotion to professor of entomology at Ohio State University.
Ted Willis, a 1937 graduate of Wayland High School, was in town visiting Ivan Smith and he promoted his paintings, his new-found hobby.
Michigan State Police troopers are looking for a motorist who ran over Jerry Gordon Ryan, 33, of Battle Creek, whose body was found on the side of the road near the Martin exit of U.S.-131.
Merle and Isla Pefley are moving their Town and Country Fashions business from West Superior to the Peffley Building on South Main Street.
A white male about 5-foot 3-inches tall suspected of wearing a long hair blonde wig is being sought by authorities for robbing $16,000 from the Clarksville branch of the Wayland State Bank.
Kenneth Moulenbelt announced to the Martin Board of Education his resignation as high school principal.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. James Thomas was elected president of the Wayland Rotary and Mel Watkins was chosen vice president.
State Senator Harry DeMaso of Battle Creek was to be guest speaker at the annual Allegan County Republican Party chicken barbecue at the Allegan County fairgrounds.
The Globe will sponsor its 10th annual tennis tournament at the City Park tennis courts. Defending champions are Alan Kupres, L.V. Frank, Jim Hendrixson, John Griffith, Robert Ayers and Cay Velderman.
75 Years Ago — July 19, 1946
The right hand corner at the top of the front page of the Globe’s masthead carries the declaration, “The trading center of a prosperous farming community, the ‘Cow Town of Michigan’.”
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in his weekly “Observations” column, wrote about the disappointment that the village fell short of getting the necessary votes for increasing the tax limitation to 16 mills. He wrote, “In the late ‘20s, when there was plenty of money in the average family pocketbook, taxpayers would come to the polls and vote favorably for almost any proposition…”
He later added, “If our local governments would make public in advance of an election to raise more money, a few details of where the goes, perhaps there might be a few more who might vote for the increase.”
It should be noted that the proposal failed because it did not capture a two-third majority.
Bette L. Clack, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Clack, has been selected to the All-State High School Chorus at Interlochen later this summer.
Bernadette Opperman of Hopkins, 14, driver, and passenger Verla Pulse, 18, both suffered head and facial injuries in a traffic crash with wagon trailer of a tractor.
The local Methodist Church had a reception and musical program Sunday for new pastor, the Rev. Ralph Dean.
Three couples in the Towne family, the Marshall Townes, the Hazen Townes and the Charles Townes, took in a doubleheader over the weekend between the Grand Rapids Chicks and Muskegon Lassies. Mrs. Hazen Towne is a friend of the Chicks’ second baseman.
The Otsego Falls Paper Mills published a large help wanted advertisement seeking general laborers and paper machine operators because it is expanding.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- John Wayne in “Dakota.”
- Gail Russell, Diana Lynn, Brian Donlevy and William Demarest in “Our Hearts Were Growing Up.”
- Maureen O’Hara, Dick Haynes and Harry James in “Do You Love Me?”
100 Years Ago — July 15, 1921
A special presentation Sunday at the Regent Theatre downtown will be “The River’s End,” starring Lewis Stone. The story is about one white man using Ju-Jitsu to defeat a band of Chinese opium den criminals.
Miss Hazel Hunsberger of Leighton Township was the Allegan County Farm Bureau champion in in garment making and will enter the state-wide competition.
Fred Hilbert took the men’s affirmative side of a debate on “Who Guides the Ship?” at the latest meeting of the Northeast Hopkins Community Club. Mrs. Byron Ring took the women’s side in the discussion.
The adult Bible classes of the Corning and Wayland Methodist churches enjoyed a weenie roast at Green Lake.
The Congregational Church Sunshine Class enjoyed an outing and picnic supper at Nelson’s Woods.
The Red Path Chautauqua will return this year from Aug. 13-18, Featured programs will be Charles Zeublin on “Wiser Than Solomon,” Ada Ward on “You Americans” and Chester Milton Stanford on “Failures of the Misfits.”
Paul Hilaski, age 3, was killed in a tragic farm accident at his home in Hilliards when his father‘s mowing machine ran over him.
Longtime farmer and Masonic and Knights Templar official Eugene Sigler, 69, died. He was the father of Ernest and Ivo Sigler.
The Hopkins Booster publication has come of the Globe presses, promising to provide the community with positive news and promotions. Sponsor is the Hopkins Commercial Club.
Wayland Township voters overwhelmingly approved a franchise agreement with Miller & Wolfe to build power lines.
The local Community Club is leading discussions on building a new school facility and consolidating neighboring districts. A petition with 25% of the residents is needed to take the question to the ballot.
Farmers near the Robbins School House, Gun Lake, experienced serious crop damage as a result of rain and hail storms.
Frank Chamberlain, L.P. Reno and C.C. Fowler were elected to seats on the Wayland Board of Education, succeeding the retiring Fanny Hoyt, Fay C. Wing and A.J. Bowen.
