(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 24, 1997
The owners of a Martin-area tire business, Gordon Lyons, Donna Lyons and SWR have been found liable for $3 million an environmental hazard, but there has been no word on plans for cleanup.
City of Wayland officials are dealing with growing pains, an increase in traffic and zoning issues. The city’s population has increased by 18 percent in less than 10 years.
Hopkins school and village officials have been cleared of charges of violating state election laws last Sept. 21. The charges were filed by former school board member Christine Schwartz.
Three members of the Hopkins FFA were recognized at the state convention.
Members of the Hopkins Board of Education were presented by architects Tower Pinkster with plans for a new high school next to the current structure.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox, lamented that polluters don’t pay too often in situations like the Martin tires landfill situation.
Christine Schwartz of Dorr, a former Hopkins Board of Education member, wrote a letter taking issue with the notion that teaching comprehensive sex education will result in less teen sexual activity.
Carol Miller and Mary Martin wrote letters taking to task Wayland Board of Education Trustee Roxie Muczynski on the issue of privatizing transportation services. Kathie Hoekwater penned, “As a parent I will never again assume that anyone in authority has my children’s and my community’s best interests at heart.”
Jackson’s Western Store, Wash Land, Little Caesar’s and Superior Video were burglarized in one week, as well as the Hilliards Corner Lounge.
Truck City’s request for a zoning change and tax abatement in Wayland Township appears to be generating much opposition.
Hopkins senior Tim Kisner was recognized for being a two-time all-state performer in basketball and football and putting together a school record 1,916 points in his four years on the varsity hoops squad.
The Globe was filled with spring sports previews for Martin, Wayland and Hopkins teams.
WHS students Kelly Herrema, Wes Brinks, Andrea Brenner and Alisha Homrich qualified for the national competition of the Business Professionals of America in Orlando, Fla.
Ellen M. Richardson of Shelbyville died at age 78. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Order of Eastern Star, and past guardian of Jobs Daughters.
50 Years Ago — March 22, 1972
A Wayland chapter of the Jaycees is being organized, with William Conwell III elected president Joe Kelly internal vice president, Mike Ellinger external vice president, Gerald Nelson secretary and John Davis treasurer.
The City of Wayland has asked Gov. William Milliken to declare a disaster after an ice storm wreaked havoc earlier this month.
Wayland High School junior Sue Burns earned a $25 U.S. Savings Bond for designing the official emblem of the Moline Centennial celebration June 15-17.
Gerald Laven, Paul Heckert, Kris Kohles, Tom Miklusicak, John Sandmeyer and Alan Steines earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the fourth marking period at Wayland High School.
The Wayland High School band, under the direction of Steven Working, received “outstanding” ratings at the band festival at Wyoming Rogers High School.
William Biesbrock earned high praise from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for chemically treating the Rabbit River to removed “trash fish” such as suckers, shiners and chubs to make way for planting more trout in the stream.
Queen Bakery and Restaurant was advertising heart soup specials for the Lenten season and Wayland’s new taste treat — tacos.
Students from Grant High School and Hopkins High School managed to pull off a sheep shearing demonstration at the Clifford Calkins farm despite losing electricity in an ice storm.
Wayland senior guard Jim Hendrixson was selected to the second unit of the O-K Blue all-conference basketball team.
Wayland defeated Martin and Plainwell in the first league volleyball tournament. Sheri Smith, Tammy Parfait and Marilyn Kuhtic were high scorers.
Columnist Charlie Frost, in Surveying the Sports Scene, declared the Philadelphia Phillies “the worst team in all of baseballdom.”
America and “A Horse with No Name” hit the No. 1 slot on the music charts. “Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.”
75 Years Ago — March 28, 1947
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher told readers the Globe staff was battling illness, snow storm and the flu in order to get this week’s edition published.
Bette Clack and Gene Weber took part in a concert at Coopersville in a performance of “The Old Rugged Cross.”
The Junior Class Play will be “The Adorable Age” at the high school auditorium, directed by Mrs. R.J. Steeby and featuring Edna Scheib singing several selections.
The Ag-Home Economics Family Night potluck was well attended despite inclement weather. It was reported the class included 82 women.
Retired farmer Minor Carpenter, who lived in Wayland for 80 years, died at age 84.
Bernard Bazzett was announced as valedictorian and Russell Hanlon salutatorian for the WHS Class of 1947.
S/Sgt. Thomas York is home on leave from Italy after 14 months overseas and plans to attend Michigan State College, majoring in commercial art.
Former Hopkins Township resident James Stehouwer died at age 39 in Grand Rapids.
The Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Dean and daughter Edith were hosts for an open house at the parsonage for the United Methodist Church.
Good Friday Union Services will be held April 4 at the Methodist Church with the message presented by Rev. Clarence Ellinger.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Gene Autry, Sterling Holloway and Gene’s horse Champion in “Sioux City Sue.”
• Belita, Barry Sullivan and Bonita Granville in “Suspense!”
• June Haver and John Payne in “Wake Up and Dream.”
100 Years Ago — March 24, 1922
A number of Wayland families spending their winters in Clearwater and Dunedin, Fla., celebrated the birthdays of Mrs. A.E. Weaver and Mrs. Seth Conrad.
The season’s last meeting of the Northeast Hopkins Community Club was strictly attended by ladies to furnish eats for the affair. “Our hats off to the ladies, they keep the world moving in the right direction.”
Louise Hanlon was elected president of the local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.
Entertaining at the last meeting of the Grange were a ladies quartette of Mesdames Roy Smith, William DeVree, James Leggett and Clayton Smith, and the men’s quartet of Roy Smith, William DeVree, William Tanner and Wilbert Crocker.
A representative from the State Board of Health gave a presentation on social problems of the day to the Ladies Library Club.
“The riding of tricycles and bicycles on sidewalks in the Village of Wayland is strictly against the law and violators will be punished,” according to Village Marshal John C. DeVitt.
The Odd Fellows will have an April Fool’s party April 1 and those attending are encouraged to “come acting as much like a fool as possible. Everybody will be fools.”
Louis McLoud and assistants have been busy the past week filling bad mud holes to keep Dixie Highway in passable condition.
New village officers were sworn in at the regular meeting of the Village Council. Appointed officers will be sworn in next month.
Frank Chamberlain has announced his candidacy for register of deeds for Allegan County.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Constance Talmadge in “The Love Expert.” Ethel Clayton in “Crooked Streets. On Wednesday the final episode of the series “Winners of the West” will be shown.