(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now historical library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 24, 1997
A special “Project Peace” program on using life skills is being implemented at Sycamore Elementary School in the Hopkins district.
Are school districts are reporting their students are scoring above average in the most recent test scores published by the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP).
Massive rainstorms have caused flooding in basements of residences. Hardest hit areas were Kalamazoo Avenue and Division between 139th and 142nd Avenues.
A McDonald’s drive-through restaurant is in the works in the Gun Lake area, adjacent to the gas station at the old Joe’s Grocery site near Patterson Road and Chief Noonday Road.
Editor Nila Aamoth suggested in her Soapbox that Proposal A for school funding has resulted in smaller crowds protesting their taxes at local board of review.
Wayland High School student Abby Schwartz penned a letter insisting that abstinence is best for sex education, but too many students won’t follow those rules and alternative information is necessary.
Robert McChymont wrote a letter saying he is disappointed in the Wayland Board of Education seems to be proceeding with privatization of transportation services despite petitions with 1,300 signatures urging otherwise.
Wayland Mayor David Miller predicted that the city will be the most populous in Allegan County by 2005 during a special futuring meeting sponsored by Wayland Township.
One City of Wayland electric walk/wait sign at the four corners downtown was damaged in a hit-and-run traffic crash.
Mary Reno, Eva Anderson and Robert Hausch were appointed to three-year terms on the Wayland City Planning Commission.
Hopkins escaped a gallant upset bid by Wyoming Lee 46-42, as all-stater Tim Kisner scored clutch points and came up with a steal late in the ballgame.
Led by senior Angie Farmer and freshmen Kara Potter and Nikki Merchant, Wayland finished undefeated in O-K Gold dual matches.
Jon Athearn and Jesse Simmons won individual district wrestling titles for Wayland.
The Wayland varsity basketball team welcomed back injured Jason Grevenstuk and got some hefty scoring from Walter Smith and Jason Hilaski to improve to 11-5 overall.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 23, 172
A public hearing on the City of Wayland’s request to annex a parcel in Leighton Township that is planned for the sanitary sewer lagoons. Expected to be on hand are members of the Michigan Boundary Commission.
Roger Mynatt and Dennis Nickels of Wayland, Emelda Andringa of Shelbyville, Karen Henningson of Bradley, Kathleen Misak of Hopkins and Ellis Wykstra of Martin have been named to the Allegan County Extenion New Horizons Program.
The Hopkins Elementary Schools Principal’s position will become a full-time job next fall after action by the Hopkins Board of Education earlier this month. Maureen Fuller currently holds that position.
The Allegan, Wayland and Middleville high school bands will take part in a special Tri-City B and Concert at the high school gym Saturday. Guest conductor will be Harold Geerdes of Calvin College.
Linden Anderson, a Wayland High School faculty member, has been named to a seat on the City Planning Commission, succeeding Walter Wenzel.
Joseph Parisi, executive director of the Michigan Townships Association, will be guest speaker at the annual Allegan County GOP Lincoln Day dinner March 11.
Robert Bosek penned a letter to the editor praising the letter written earlier in the month by WHS grads Cheryl Brower and Tom Latondress.
A Beef Cow-Calf meeting in Martin will be overseen by Allegan County Extension Agent Marvin Heft.
Senior Tim Baugh led a balanced attack as Wayland defeated a pesky Middleville basketball squad 74-71. Baugh scored 16 points, Gib Goodwin 15, Paul Heckert 14 and Jim Hendrixson 13. The Wildcats finished fifth in the O-K Blue Conference standings.
Kathy Worfel scored 29 points to lead the Wayland girls’ basketball team to a 59-47 victory over Hopkins. Sheri Smith added 11.
The Wayland Lions Club observed Valentines Day by being hosts to their ladies. The highlight of the dinner and program was a travelogue in Hawaii presented by Rev. and Mrs. Leo Bennett of the United Methodist Church.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 28, 1947
The Wayland High School basketball team will have its last regular season game Friday in the last game for seniors Roy Johnson, Francis Northrup, Bernard Bazzett and David Lowe. The team has been entered in the post-season tournament March 5-8 at Allegan, playing tourney favorite Paw Paw in the opener.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his column the opinion that downtown parking should be limited to two hours, especially with snow, to keep customer traffic moving and open up spaces.
The Wayland Garden Club officially designated the dahlia as the club’s flower at its meeting earlier this month at the home of Ethel Carpenter.
Martin Nagelkirk and wife Ann of Moline were killed when their car was struck by a train near Zeeland. Witnesses said their car did not stop as the train approached and sounded a warning.
The Wayland Adult Ag class will take a trip to Michigan State College in East Lansing March 8 for a series of farm cooperative programs.
John Van Heukelem has joined Andringa Appliance as a partner in selling Hot Point appliances.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Laux have sold their home and business at the corner of Elm and Church streets and are moving to Missouri. He had been owner of Wayne’s Radio Shop after leaving employment at Pet Milk.
The Allegan County Agricultural Council held a meeting and members heard a presentation from Dora Weaver on principles for arranging flowers.
Fred Burleson, who retired from broom making only three years prior, died at his home. He was 73.
The Hopkins girls’ basketball team won the league championship by defeating Martin 34-28. Brocker scored 18 for Hopkins and Haveman had 15 for Martin, regarded as the Angels’ stiffest competition. Clara Hall was held below double figures in scoring.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Monte Hale and Adrian Booth in “Man from Rainbow Valley.”
• Richard Dix and Leslie Brooks in “Secret of the Whistler.”
• George Raft, Lynn Bari and Virginia Huston in “Nocturne.”
• Marshall Thompson and George Tobias in “Gallant Bess.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 24, 1922
Pupils in Goldie Stockdale’s class enjoyed a Valentine’s Post Office and were pleasantly surprised when Mrs. Charles Ayers brought in two lovely Valentine cakes and sandwiches, served on paper plates.
The boys’ basketball team suffered a 60-14 loss to Lowell. Its next game will be against Galewood in Grand Rapids.
The Ladies Library Club celebrated the anniversary of forming their LLC on Feb. 22, 183 at the home of Mrs. L.F. Wallbrecht, with 30 members present. “Members have braved all sorts of weather to attend these anniversaries… The woman’s club is no longer the butt for ridicule, but recognized as a factor for the uplifting of humanity.”
State Farm Bureau President James Nicol gave the main address to the Corning Community Club, and it was reported that “there were no dull moments during his address.”
Agnes L. Robinson has announced her candidacy for treasurer of Wayland Township. She is a Republican.
Ray Brown succeeded in moving his Bates cottage across Green Lake. Three pairs of sleighs were placed under the building and two teams took it to its destination.
Clarence Karsten, 3, who suffered an accidental fall off a kiddie cart onto cement in Moline last May, died of his injuries last week.
Charles Gurney, a longtime resident of Hopkins, died at the home of Claud Orr. Burial was held at Ohio Corners.
Henry Buskirk is candidate for village president, Charles Burge for clerk and Morris Ehle for treasurer on the independent ticket, Republican ticket includes George W. Brower for president, Naman Frank for clerk and Leander Chapple for treasurer.
The Ward Laundry Service is opening for business, advertising “Family Washing Done at City Prices.”
“Paris Green,” starring Charles ray, will be the feature film at the Regent downtown, a story about an American doughboy overseas. Also showing is “Straight from the Shoulder” with Buck Jones.
What is believed to be Michigan’s oldest Bible is in possession of William H. Schuh. It was given to his grandfather after being printed in Philadelphia in 1782.
A sleet storm put Consumers Power lines out of business Tuesday night.
COVER PHOTO: Members of the United Methodist Church’s “Class in the Corner.”
