25 Years Ago — Nov. 18, 1996
(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now historical library in downtown Dorr)
A reward is being offered for the apprehension of vandals who celebrated too much after a Hopkins High School football playoff victory.
Allegan County Administrator Joanne Jones is retiring from her position after serving for eight years. She was the first Allegan County executive chose.
Wayland High School students Joe Kles, Chris Penning and Harry Lodenstein have proposed a memorial for the recently removed granite sign in front of the school to make way for an electric sign.
Because bids from local firms were deemed too high, Martin Village officials have decided to go outside to for hiring for sewer improvements, Integrity Enterprises of Martin.
In the battle between champions in the O-K Silver and Southwest Athletic Conference, Hopkins got a second-half surge led by Alissa Johnston and Melanie Heslinga and captured a 45-30 victory over Martin. The Lady Vikings now are 16-3 overall.
Susan E. Barker wrote a letter to the editor expressing opposition of new voting booths with curtains at the polls, decreasing privacy.
Stacie Stachowicz penned a letter criticizing auxiliary police for threatening football fans with removal from the game if they stand blocking the view of others.
Emily Crouch wrote a letter accusing the Globe of covering Wayland football too much, but undefeated Hopkins not enough.
A group of about 50 local citizens is forming to lobby the Wayland Union School District against privatization of services. Chairwoman is Mary Martin of Moline.
Community activist Roz Nicholson has announced the termination of the Hopkins Area Teen Scene at Porter Hall in the village because the one-year lease is expiring and there’s not enough money to pay the bills.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team is on a roll, winning its last seven games consecutively. Angie Farmer nailed five three-pointers in a big win over Caledonia.
Michelle Langerak of Dorr, and her mother, Ada, approached the Wayland Board of Education about her mistakenly being omitted from the school yearbook and listings of the top 10 students.
Plans for building a new Yankee Springs Township fire station on Payne Lake Road proceed apace, with Mark Englerth as contractor.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 17, 1971
Michigan State Police Troopers John Kool and James Cody have received citations for saving the life of an area woman threatened by her armed intoxicated husband and Trooper Donald Wiersma was cited for saving the life of a woman with rescue breathing after a traffic accident.
A Globe front page photo showed an artist’s conception of a Wayland sanitary sewer treatment facility flanked by local dignitaries, including Mayor Phil Reno, Councilman Max Barnes and City Manager John Hefner. TYhey all took part in a dedication certemony.
David Blok of Moline has been chosen Allegan County Democratic Party chairman, succeeding Mike Dittlinger, resigned because of the press of business.
Lenn Schafer and Ronald McDonald, both 16 years old of Dorr, both suffered severe injuries in a car-train accident on 142nd Avenue. They both were taken to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Mrs. Mary Weber of Dorr was appointed to the Allegan County Board of Canvassers as a Democrat. She is joined by fellow Democrat Mrs. Helen Rau and Republicans Mrs. Helen Jane Helmey of Wayland and Mrs. Marvin Hutchinson of Fennville.
The City of Wayland plans to conduct a survey before making a decision about closing the landfill on the south end of town. Officials said they hope to find ways for residents to get rid of the refuse before closing.
Frank Lindgren caught a 10-pound, 36-inch pike at Pickeral Lake on a rowboat and using a minnow.
About 25 members appeared at the second meeting of the newly-organized Mothers Club for the Wayland Union School System. Mrs. Larry Krick was elected president.
The Wayland varsity football finished its season with a 3-6 record overall, losing its last six games in a row. The ‘Cats lost 38-20, despite QB Gib Goodwin hitting nine of 11 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone. Senior Jim Hendrixson scored two touchowns.
The Wayland girls’ athletic program has been expanded to include basketball, volleyball, softball and track.
The fun and recreation adult men’s basketball program will get under way at the Wayland High School boys’ gym on Wednesday nights.
Isaac Hayes took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top 100 songs with “Theme from Shaft.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 22, 1945
Wayland’s brand new air field had its first customer when plan from Kalamazoo landed and refueled at Charles Ryno & Son’s gas station.
Ten WHS graduates are enrolled at Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, including Donna Jean Blue, Edith Dean, Delores Pawloski, Robert Schwartz, Norma Harrington, Ruth Perry and veterans Gordon Cole, Kenneth Pratt, Anthony Trubiroha and Jerrold Chrisman.
The American Legion and Auxiliary will have a joint potluck Thanksgiving dinner at the Legion Hall Nov. 26, with turkey and potato furnished.
The Variety Club of Detroit honored Naman Frank of Wayland with a plaque for being a pioneer in the theater business.
WHS student Joan McElwee read her speech class essay to members of Ladies Library Club. She plans to enter it in a contest on radio script writing.
The Peg-A-Ways and Anti-Can’t clubs will have a harvest dinner at the Congregational Church to raise money for a new parsonage.
Nine local veterans are enrolled in a special vocational agricultural education program at the high shop room under the GI Bill.
Mrs. Elsie May Gardner, 71, died. She was the mother of 10 children and came to Wayland as a child to live with her grandmother.
The Hopkins Blue Devils basketball will play Kalamazoo Christian. In the previous year, Jim Hazen scored on a last-minute shot to beat the Celery City boys 40-38.
The Hopkins girls, meanwhile, are preparing to defend their Barkenall Conference championship.
Mr. and Mrs. John Rawlinson are leaving for New York City, from where they will fly to West Africa, where he is supervisor for the Firestone Co. rubber plantation.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in “The Plainsman.”
• Roy Rogers. Gabby Hayes and Dale Evans and in “My Pal Trigger.”
• Carmen Miranda, Phil Silvers and Edgar Buchanan in “If I’m Lucky.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 18, 1921
The children in third and fourth grades at Wayland School were putting on an Armistice Day program.
Mr. Harger of Lansing came to the Bradley and Wayland Congregational Churches to discuss a pastor.
Dr. I.L. Slater, local health officer, is working out a plan with the County Nurse to establish a child welfare program.
Methodist Church Ladies Aid Society President Ella Brog is moving to Grand Rapids, so the new president, Mrs. D.G. Clack, is taking over.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: “What’s Your Husband Doing?” with Doris May and Douglas McLean, and “Virtuous Wives” with Aita Stewart.
Miss Eliza Boyle, age 59, died at her home in the village. Her only relative is her sister, Miss Anna Boyle.
Cornelius Cloostra called at the home of his neighbor and left some pumpkins, cabbages and a large squash.
J.C. Yeakey presented a resolution of dissolution for the Wayland Light & Power Co. It was adopted by shareholders.
Stockholders in the F.D Travis Co. met in Plainwell to discuss financial difficulties. It was agreed to turn over the affairs to a five-person credit committee and the local store will be closed for a couple of days to take inventory.
Twenty-seven members of the Willing Workers class of the Methodist Church met at the country home of Mrs. Aaron Peterson northeast of town for a potluck.
Charles Burger has been receiving treatment in Portland, Ore., for a spinal injury he sustained during the war, but his condition is apparently worsening.
Many rural residents say they’re afraid to come to town because of the new traffic ordinances that cost them $1 apiece. A petition is circulating, insisting, “You can’t make a city out of a country town.”
Wayland Farm Bureau had a large display ad promoting Union Carbide’s gas producing substance.
