(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 16, 1997
The Village of Martin has a new road in East Allegan Street, but its pavement already is crumbling and village officials are seeking advice from the state about what to do.
The old Nowakowski barn in Hopkins Township caught fire, but is origins are unknown. Mr. and Mrs. Greg Burd, owners, had moved to Battle Creek and used it as a storage facility.
Wayland city residents are being asked in a survey for their opinions about local use of land and services. Prominently mentioned was something for teens to do to stay out of trouble.
Wayland Union Schools have received no less than 14 applications for the position of transportation supervisor, succeeding the retiring Dave VanEerden.
Truck City has been granted the right to sell trucks at its location in Wayland Township, but not fabricate them.
Residents along 133rd Avenue at the line between Wayland City and Wayland Township are seeking to have the road designated as a Natural Beauty Road, just like M-179/Chief Noonday Road.
Art Smith, the cartoonist for the Globe’s weekly “DoodAds” feature has decided to hang up his drawing pen.
Robert Miller of Salem Township penned a letter to the editor opposing the hire of an Allegan County Sheriff’s deputy specifically for Salem, Dorr and Leighton townships.
Phyllis Stein wrote a letter calling attention to the deterioration of a young tree inside the Wayland City Park, “stripped of its bark and left bare to the elements.”
Former teacher Jon Carroll upended incumbent State Alflen in the school board election for Wayland. Incumbents Joanne Knight and Darwin Evers won in Martin and newcomer Anita Kerber ousted incumbent Evonna Beard.
The Dorr Township Library Board again will ask local voters for a millage to build a new facility on 18th Street north of the downtown.
The Leighton Township Board tabled a request by Dan and Rhonda VanDyke to build a 10-acre lake with a single-family home on a 40-acre parcel between 140th and 141st Avenues.
The Wayland softball team lost 5-1 to Comstock at Ovid-Elsie in the regional semifinals to finish with an overall record of 31-6.
Local builder and businessman Elvin Wabeke died at age 79.
Bonnie Miller, senior vice president at United Bank, was named Michigan Women in Business Advocate of the Year.
A Family Dollar store is moving into the Hillcrest Mall to the east of downtown Dorr.
The Archer-Hampel Kubiak Funeral Home will open another branch on 18th Street near the American Legion Hall in Dorr.
50 Years Ago — June 14, 1972
Dr. David Jones, a 1955 graduate of Wayland High School and son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jones of Dorr, is a resident physician at General Hospital in Ventura, Calif., overseeing a testing program for victims of sickle cell anemia.
Wayland High School graduate Tom Latondress took Editor Irv Helmey to task for his criticism of Miranda Rights in his editorial about the shooting of Gov. George Wallace, Democratic Party candidate for president in the Michigan primary.
Jill Smith wrote a letter to the editor about the rude behavior of residents toward young people circulating petitions door-to-door on behalf of Senator George McGovern for president.
Beginning June 6, the Globe and its advertising vehicle, will be mailed Tuesdays. Helmey wrote, “It is plain that in the ‘70s, our business community is being confronted with new and sometimes bewildering different operating conditions. We believe our retail advertisers will re-double their efforts to retain business locally and offer special inducements to bring back are buyers who have been lured by big city stores.”
Mrs. Albert Haveman was selected senior queen for the Moline Centennial celebration and Linda Ratering was chosen junior queen.
Michigan State Police, under the leadership of Lt. Harold Ernst, were able to locate 6-year-old Michael Bush, who was lost somewhere in the area of Second Street and 140th Avenue. He was found safe under a tree in a swampy area.
A new band shell for the community band was unveiled at the City Park to enable the junior high and senior high groups to perform in concert.
The belfry at the St. Stanislaus Church in Hopkins Township has been removed because the aging structure has deteriorated. A 15-foot cross will replace it.
Recent WHS grads A.J. Predum and Scott Doublestein sang several numbers for the Wayland High School class reunion as “The Both of Us.”
Wayland High School faculty member Linden Anderson has been named supervisor of the summer Neighborhood Youth Corps job program.
Sammy Davis Jr. and “The Candy Man” repeated at No. 1 on the nation’s music charts, taken from the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
75 Years Ago — June 20, 1947
Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his “Observations” column, “One of the big things that make farm life different now than formerly is the advent of electricity the farm. Now, practically every farm home has running water, electricity, lights and all the other conveniences that go along with the high line juice. Bottled gas also has made its appearance.”
Representatives from the Congregational, United Methodist and Church of Christ denominations are working together this summer for Vacation Bible School and attendance Tuesday reached 180, the largest ever.
Neil Morris announced that he is returning to Wayland to open a new modernized barber shop in town.
Bill Vahue and Buzz Stuch of Allegan have purchased Peffley’s Soda Bar and Grill in downtown Wayland. The new name of the shop succeeding Peffley’s will be decided by a contest with a $25 first prize.
Eugene Jackson, 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jackson, was killed by a flying baseball bat that slipped from the hands of another sandlot player. The Wayland sixth-grader was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he died.
J.A. Anderson Motor Sales is the newest authorized dealer of Ford automobiles in town. Mr. Anderson will open the sales and service shop on North Main Saturday.
Mrs. Nellie Dendel gave a presentation to the Wayland Garden Club on “Little Known Vegetables,” featuring broccoli, Chinese cabbage and an Asian variety of soybeans.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• David Bruce and Cleatus Caldwell in “Suzie Steps Out.”
• Morgan Conway and Ann Jeffreys in “Dick Tracy vs. Cueball.”
• Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, Anne Revere in “The Shocking Miss Pilgrim.”
• Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, Maureen O’Hara and Walter Slezak in “Sinbad the Sailor.”
100 Years Ago — June 16, 1922
The Corning Epworth League has announced a social gathering in the basement parlors and a special invitation has been made to the Wayland League.
The WHS freshman class gave a farewell party to Alto Boughner at her home. Her superintendent father is moving to Ypsilanti for further schooling next year.
University of Michigan accreditation inspectors have announced continuation of diploma relations for another year for the Wayland school system. Stipulations are that better building facilities be secured and $100 be spent on a library.
“Peck’s Bad Boy,” starring Jackie Coogan, will be shown at the Regent Theatre downtown Thursday and Friday. Also showing will be Zane Grey’s “The Mysterious Rider” and Thomas H. Ince’s “Lying Lips.”
The Regent has installed a new ventilation system to enable changing the air every five minutes.
Members of the Northeast Hopkins Community Club pleaded guilty to consuming eight gallons of ice cream at their last meeting.
The assessed valuation of the village is $860,000, making the total for taxes $15,000.
A picture was published of the undefeated Wayland High School basketball team of Iva Gilbert, Dorothy Luce, coach Helen Emery, Myrtle Brocker, Hazel Borman, Margaret Hanlon, Ina Gilbert and Adella Rowlison. They were Allegan County champions.
James W. DeYoung, former a city letter carrier in Grand Rapids, and Sheman Clark have mutually exchanged positions. Mr. DeYoung has purchased the VanArsdale Farm and will be the new carrier for Route No. 1.
Opening square and round dances will be held Saturday, June 17, at Streeter’s Landing, Gun Lake, with caller Ray West and Story’s Orchestra.