(Taken from the archives of the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 9, 1994
More than 100 Watson Township residents were pleased with the Zoning Board of Appeals decision to deny Watson-Glen Ministries request to have a facility to house teen-age male sex offenders. The ZBA determined that “zoning does not call for such a risky use in a beautiful rural community.”
Patricia Kelsey, one of the leaders in the NIMBY (Not in my back yard) opposition, wrote a letter to the editor praising the decision, saying “I love America.”
The anonymous Plainwell firm that claims national recognition has made an offer of $50,000 for the former Kessler building on South Main in Wayland. But recent flooding has put a damper on progress in negotiations.
Pizza Ranch on South Main in downtown Wayland has announced it will not accept Wayland Middle School students after school hours without adult chaperones because of a rash of shoplifting and vandalism.
The Wayland City Council had a public hearing on C-Tec Cable Systems’ rates. Wayland is part of a consortium of 84 communites represented by the Grand Rapids legal firm of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt and Howlett negotiating with the cable TV provider.
Wayland City Council has approved a scaled down proposal from developers of condominiums from Hickory Drive to Plum Street on the east side of the city. Developers have agreed to 17 two-unit buildings instead 11 four-unit structures.
Marilyn Hess wrote a feature story about the steadily growing success of Kirk Scharphorn and his Professional Code Inspections service based in Dorr and Hastings.
The Dorr Epiphany Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, was scheduled to hold its first service locally at the Dorr Elementary School cafeteria this Sunday.
Weick’s Department Store, with roots from great uncle William Dendel, will close its doors in Hopkins downtown.
Sophomore Ben Knight rose to the occasion to score 27 points and lead Martin to victory over Saugatuck whil sophomore teammate Richie Guerrant was sidelines by injury. The Clippers, now 7-4 overall, were coming off a tough and close loss to Marcellus.
Wildcat football, basketball and track star Matt Barghan has signed a letter of intent to play football at Saginaw Valley. However, he was ejected from a basketball game against Caledonia after he and Craig Kowalczyk had a physical altercation and he had to site out the next game. The Wildcats lost both contests.
Hopkins’ season record fell to 6-5 with losses to Covenant Christian and Allendale. Freshman sensation Tim Kisner continues to lead the Vikings in scoring.
Tim Kopp, recovering from an injury, has forged an 8-0 record at 135 pounds for Wayland’s wrestling team. Mike Westfahl (152) lead the ‘Cats with 17 victories.
Art Thede, a longtime Leighton Township farmer and member of the Leighton Farm Bureau and Leighton United Methodist Church, died. He was 98.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 5, 1969
Western Michigan University reading consultant Joel Chappel will be guest presenter for a Wayland teachers’ workshop.
New Michigan Gov. William Milliken will be keynote speaker at the Allegan County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday night at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
The Globe admitted a typo error from the previous edition in a story about how much money the local school district was to get in the last state aid payment covering two months. The sum was supposed to be $114,000 rather than $144,000.
The Allegan County chapter of the American Independent Party was scheduled to have its convention Feb. 8 and Chairman James Clark has promised the AIP will have a full slate of candidates statewide in 1970.
Kermit Pike of Wolverine Feeds in Martin has been elected president of the Michigan Grain and Agri-Dealers Association.
Leland Buck of Hopkins has been elected president of the Allegan Health Center.
Earl L. Schuyler, a longtime Wayland resident who made a generous donation to the local Congregational Church, died in Glendale, Calif. He was 95.
William H. Grinage, 29, of Martin, died at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo of injuries he suffered in a car-train accident.
The City of Wayland intends to reinstate the Planning Commission and Mayor Phil Reno has appointed Councilmen Arnold Wilde and Marshall Towne to come up with a list of candidates to serve.
Salem Township Treasurer and former Dorr Postmaster Albert C. Smith, died at his home in Burnips. Smithj, 76, also had been a longtime schoolteacher.
“Kantuta in the Wake of Kon-Tiki” was the subject of the next Rotary travelogue Thursday evening at the Wayland Theatre. Narrators were to be Eduard and Nina Ingris, both from Czechoslavakia.
Lansing lobbyist Harmon Cropsey, representing the Friends of Michigan Schools, was to be principal speaker in a program in Allegan about the teaching of sex education.
The latest installment of the “Our Teachers Speak” column did not include the name of the author, but it insisted sex education teaching policies needed to be updated.
Two local servicemen are truck drivers in Vietnam, Terry J. Keyser of Martin and Jack E. Morren of Dorr.
Wayland won its first-ever wrestling tournament with 97 points, besting Caledonia and two other teams. Placing first for the Wildcats were Ron Straub (103 lbs.), Brian Martin (120), heavyweight Ron Nardin, Les Tap (112) and Steve McBride (138).
Don Krause scored 20 points and gathered 18 rebounds in Hopkins’ 63-53 win over Saugatuck, but lost badly to Martin, which was led by Ron Kraai with 13 points and Steve Goodrich with 12.
The Wayland varsity basketball team was scorched by Caledonia 81-40. Jim Ritsema was the only Wildcat to score in double figures, with 10 points.
Julie Andrews was starring in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the Wayland Theatre.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 11, 1944
The community was shocked and saddened by the tragic drowning deaths of Donald Averill, 9, and his sister Lois, 6, in Leighton Township. The children had been forbidden by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Averill, to go ice skating because of fears of thin ice. They went to the river to check the thickness for themselves and were on their way back home when the boy slipped on the bank and into the water, calling for his sister’s help.
The annual Wayland Village Caucus will take place March 13.
Village Marshal George Douglas was recovering from facial and rib injuries he suffered in a two-car accident on South Main Street in Wayland. The other vehicle was driven by Wilkie Bush.
Electrician’s Mate Third Class Eldon Millheim was home on leave from the U.S. Navy after serving 18 months in the Pacific Theatre. He has earned a Silver Star and a Bronze Star while engaging the enemy.
A Coleman pressure gasoline stove was the top prize among the items in the Legion Auxiliary’s sale Feb. 12 in the Apex Building.
The “Back the Attack” war bonds campaign has gathered only 53 percent of quota thus far, prompting Wayland State Bank to remain open for the Lincoln Day holiday to offer more sale opportunities.
Rabbi Jerome Folkman was to be the speaker at the Ladies Library Club’s 51st annual potluck and his topic was to be “The Four Freedoms.”
The Wayland High School varsity basketball team somehow pulled out a 25-23 victory over Byron Center without 6-4 center and top scorer Sutton, who suffered a season-ending injury. Wayland will be host for the annual Bar-Ken-All tournament and Hopkins is regarded as the team to beat.
Guy Kistler, an expert bait caster, is scheduled to make a presentation and demonstration at Wayland High School for the Wayland Rod & Gun Club.
Jack Perry wrote two letters to the Globe from Italy, referring to German adversaries as “old heinie.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Cecil Kellaway, Helen Walker and Mabel Paige in “The Good Fellows.”
- Dean Jagger, James Craig and Pamela Blake in “Omaha Trail.”
- Olivia DeHaviland and Robert Cummings in “Princess O’Rourke.”
- Patricia Morrison and John Carradine in “Hitler’s Madman.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 7, 1919
A Leighton Township pioneer couple, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Brog, were feted in a special 50th wedding anniversary party and dinner at their farm, now owned and operated by sons Fred and George. They were among the earliest settlers in Leighton. The occasion was closed by the singing of “In the Sweet Bye and Bye.”
Arthur Loyenoal wrote to the Globe from Germany, stating, “We have not been snubbed or treated as strangers by the people since we came into Germany.”
Fred Selkirk wrote from France, “Have been eating the candy and smoking all day… It rains here every day.”
“The Ladies Aid of the Congregational Church are surely hustlers. At their last meeting they tied and finished four comfortables besides serving dinner to 24.”
Mrs. Maud Tanner has resigned her teaching post in Lansing and she now is with her parents in Wayland.
Women in Michigan will have their first opportunity to vote in the April 7 general election.
The Wayland High School girls in the Class of 1919 are working on commencement clothing.
A reunion of students from the old Truax School was gathered at the farm of Mrs. Fred Hilbert. Lula Hilbert and Dr. Ira Slater celebrated birthdays at the same time.
Allegan County Home Demonstration Agent Bernice Woodworth took lunch with the girls of the Wayland High School Home Economics Class, telling them she is pleased with their work.
Elaborate arrangements are being made for the Valentine’s Party at the Yeakey Hall Feb. 13.
A.L. Sooy has relocated to Wayland from Kalamazoo to become a salesman with the Yeakey Auto Co.
Paul R. Wing, son of Rev. Faye C. Wing, has been promoted to postmaster and non-commissioned officer in the medical department for a hospital in France.
A.R. Newkirk has sold his billiards and cigar business downtown to Amos Mauchmar.