Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 26, 1996
Wayland City officials have given Wayland Township 30 days to accept the city’s proposed agreement on Elmwood Cemetery costs. The arrangement also affects the future of fire services for the township.
A “kids’ paper” asking children for pictures and promising winners of a contest a chance to watch a movie with the sponsor is being investigated as suspicious by Wayland City Police.
Gun Lake woman Marjorie Ilich has published her first children’s book, “Mutt Wutter’s Tale.”
The Globe did a feature story about Mary Sue Bazan of Martin, who is battling multiple sclerosis and is determined to live with it.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote in this week’s Soapbox that naysayers certainly have the right to continue voting against the Hopkins schools’ bond issue, but the district has an obligation to keep asking for what they think is necessary for quality education.
Letter writer Phyllis McBride penned the opinion, “A new school (for Hopkins) will not make a child smarter. The desire to learn has to come from the student.”
Lois Commons insisted it’s a myth that Hopkins High School is overcrowded, it has 58 students fewer than in 1976.
However, Dave and Deb Edwards, in support of the bond for a new high school, maintained that, “We are not the small farming community we once were.”
David Keith Farley, 25, of Moline and Louis Benedict Jackson, 25, of Shelbyville, have been arrested for the strong-armed robbery of two victims in the parking lot behind the Wayland Hotel.
Sports Editor Scott Sullivan devoted several pages to previewing fall sports other than football, which was published the week before. Interestingly, he wrote about the Wildcat girls’ cross-country team shooting for second place in the O-K Gold Conference behind perennial powerhouse Caledonia. As the Rockford cross coach said, “Nobody beats Caledonia.”
Longtime Hopkins boys’ basketball coach Mark Austin is taking over the reins of the Lady Vikings hoops team. He has two starters, Jackie Rybiski and Melanie Heslinga, returning from a 12-9 season in 1995.
The Then and Now Club of Moline has regrouped from the former Tree Tracers organization. Among the leaders are Jim Levandoski and Donna Benedict and they meet at the Moline Elementary School. President is Barbara Sprik.
Air Mobile Air Force Senior Airman Jennifer Swift, daughter of a Wayland couple, recently took part in the Air Mobility Command Rodeo in Washington State.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 25, 1971
Robert Golm, detective for the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, was one of 15 State Police officers cited for exceptional service in 1970.
The Moline Businessman’s Association and Moline Community Fair are co-sponsoring a Labor Day celebration, featuring a Cabaret revue Monday, Sept. 6.
The Wayland Board of Education voted to seek extension on the option for the Clyde Smith property on East Superior Street before the special bond election for a new high school Sept. 27.
Athletic Director Lyle Berry resigned to take a post as physical education teacher and coach at the Godwin Heights District. He had served as AD since 1969 and will be succeeded by Richard L. Akers.
Clayton Jackson II, a 1966 Wayland High School graduate, has been hired to teach auto mechanics, succeeding Frank Bastian.
Pet Milk Plant Manager Ted Green presented Edward Belka with a watch marking 25 years of service for the company.
Earning master’s degrees at Western Michigan University are Wayland area people Dale Armintrout, Carol Ritz, Margaret Freund, Wilbert Fleser, Linda Lynema and Betty Katje.
Robert C. Herp, 55, of Hilliards, died of a heart attack at St. Mary’s Hospital. A World War II veteran and member of the Dorr VFW, he had been a longtime employee of the Michigan Highway Department.
Elected to the Wayland Community Fair Board were Linden Steeby, Robert Jackson, Henry Blauuw, and Mrs. Flord Modreske. Longtime board member Elton Calkins retired after serving for 25 years..
Joseph and Terrance Kelly of the K and K Food Centers owned by Bill Kessler, have purchased the Queen Bakery on South Main from Lebanon native Zaid Assfy.
Former Wayland All-State basketball player Richard Hines has been promoted to district sales manager for General Electric in Charlotte, N.C.
William J. Conwell, a Wayland High School graduate, wrote in a letter to the editor that 18-year-olds will be eligible to vote in the upcoming school bond election and he urged them to do so.
Mr. and Mrs. Irvin P. Helmey, editors and publishers of the Wayland Globe, observed their silver wedding anniversary with a dinner party that included 85 guests.
Sister Mary Ruth was honored on her 25th anniversary of service to Catholic churches and schools. She taught at St. Therese In Wayland for five years and now is a principal in Bay City.
Wayland High School graduate Jon Gambee wrote a season preview about prospects for the Wildcat football team. He wrote that the team is mall, but quick, led by senior back Jim Hendrixson.
75 Years Ago — Aug. 30, 1945
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher penned an opinion piece about the government meddling and price regulations for meat, insisting a two-month respite from regulations has shown “we are better off to let the law of supply and demand regulate prices.”
Consumers Power workers are in town setting poles for a new primary circuit. One thing very noticeable is the dryness of the ground.
The Southwest Michigan Jersey Parish Show has concluded with announcement of prize winners, including Oscar Kaechele of Barry County, Howard Sprague of Ionia County, and Glen Sprague of Ionia County.
Longtime Wayland resident Mrs. Josephine Welch McCarthy died Aug. 22 at the Grand Rapids home of her daughter. She was born in 1856 in New York.
R.J. Steeby, Bessie Iliff, Dorothy Selkirk Robert Genteman, Marshall Towne, Elton Calkins, Harry Elenbaas, Rita Calkins and Robert Crofoot have been elected director of the newly-organized Wayland Community Fair Board, which intends to promote agriculture, horticulture, household arts, and mechanical arts and sciences.
Globe Knitting Works is getting ready to open its manufacturing business, specializing in children’s knit underwear. Vice President R.G. Davidson said company veteran Earl Brown will manage the plant.
Ivan Smith reported to Rollo Mosher that Wayland is well ahead of other communities in construction of new homes post-World War II.
There will be no school in Hopkins next Tuesday because of the Allegan County Fair.
There will be a Stanley Products Demonstration at the Sept. 5 meeting of the Anti-Can’t Club in the Congregational Church.
Harold Weaver attended the wedding reception of his cousin, Helen Jane Wernette of Detroit, who married Irvin P. Helmey of Grand Rapids.
The Allegan County Fair will feature thrill drivers, harness racing, a musical revue, a Society and Western Horse Show, Army Air Corps Caravan, calf scrambles, farmers’ horse race, and a huge midway.
The parsonage for the Methodist Church is under construction just north of the church and the basement is finished.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- The Marx Brothers in “A Night in Casablanca.”
- Charles Boyer, Jennifer Jones, Peter Lawford in “Cluny Brown.”
- Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison and Linda Darnell in Darryl F. Zanuck’s “Anna and the King of Siam.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 26, 1921
One of Wayland’s oldest and most respected citizens, Eli F. Clark, died at the Clark home on North Main Street Wednesday. Born in 1841 in Kirkland, Ohio, he was one of the pioneer residents of the town, coming here to live 65 years ago when it was just a wilderness. He had been president of the village and a trustee. Mr. Clark owned a sawmill and went into business with F.B. Henika.
The farm home of John Jackson was destroyed by fire, caused by an explosion of oil on the kitchen stove. The family managed to salvage a piano, which was taken to son Edward Jackson’s home and Gaius first played, “The Burning of Rome.”
Civil War veteran William Frue died Aug. 18 at the age of 78. He came to Hopkins after the war and his first two wives, Catherine Edgell and Susan Brewer died not long after they married.
An Anti-Saloon meeting of the temperance union has been scheduled for next Sunday evening at the Methodist Church.
One of the silos of Glen Ingham at Ohio Corners was blown down during a windstorm Friday evening.
The Dorr Township special election proposing consolidation of schools showed a defeat by 139 votes.
Lewis Miles Johnson, 64, described as “a good moral man and was always willing to help others… was a good friend and neighbor, died Aug. 21 at the home of his sister-in-law.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Charles Ray in “Red Hot Dollars,” Allan Dwan’s “A Splendid Hazard” and “East Lynne,” one of America’s oldest and most famous plays.
Cleo Fox has returned to Wayland after a stint with the Dunbar White Hussar Band on the Chautauqua circuit.