25 Years Ago — Feb. 16, 1994
Anna P. Smith, wife of Ivan D. Smith and mother of Jay L. Smith, died at age 90. She was a member of the family that owned one of Wayland’s oldest businesses, Smith Lumber & Coal.
Pastor LaVerne Lussenden said the 150-year-old Bradley Church of Christ on 129th Avenue was a total loss as a result of a fire. The Wayland, Martin, Moline and Hopkins fire departments responded quickly, but couldn’t save the historic building. Wayland Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd said the fire started from an incineration toilet.
The Ebersole Environmental Education and Conference Center has been closed temporarily because of a virus believed to have been brought in by an ill child.
The Wayland VFW post was fined $600 on two counts of selling alcohol illegally to non-members. It was the fifth time since 1959 the local organization has been sanctioned.
Scott Sullivan, in this week’s “Soapbox” feature, opined, “I’ve grown convinced that camel wrestling is more civilized than county commission” after that group debated what do about the proposed sale of the Kessler building on South Main Street in Wayland. The County Board also witnessed a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth over the new finance director’s housing accommodations.
Hopkins Township is grappling with road issues and is likely to spend $31,865 for its share of work to be done on 133rd Avenue near 22nd Street.
The Wayland Board of Education is preparing for a bond issue to build a new middle school for 750 students in seventh and eighth grades. Board President Rick Cain explained that the Wayland district is one of the fastest growing in population in the state, causing overcrowding problems.
Wayland students will have to go to school for an additional week this coming summer because of too many snow days.
Recent heavy snowfall caused the collapse of a roof over the barn at the Jim Brenner farm in Martin Township. Twelve cattle were rescued.
Father and son Drs. Bard and Scott Bloom of Hastings brought their optometrist practice to North Main Street in Wayland.
First-year senior Chris Davisson came from behind to pin his Bangor opponent at 189 pounds and heavyweight Al Moran pinned his foe to help Martin come from behind and win the dual meet 39-33.
Hopkins lost to Tri-Unity and GR Baptist, but bested Freedom Baptist behind 26 points by Rich Dame. The Vikings are now 7-7 overall.
Martin lost its hardcourt showdown with Gobles, 48-40, and now owns an overall record of 8-5 and 6-3 in the SAC.
Ben Fifelski, at 171 pounds, won the Tri-League championship in his division for Hopkins.
Todd Tarnutzer broke the Wayland school record by swimming the 50-yard freestyle in 23.26 seconds.
The Wayland varsity basketball team ended a six-game O-K Gold skid with victories over Kenowa Hills and Coopersville. Daryl Prins came up with late game steals and free throws to spark the comeback win over Coopersville.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 12, 1969
Dr. Clyde Dickinson, who practiced medicine in Wayland for 33 years and was county medical examiner, died of a heart attack. He was 66.
Wayne VanDuine, a 1965 graduate of Wayland High School, is a senior accounting major at Central Michigan University, where he has consistently been on the dean’s list. He is married to the former Sherry Aubil and they have son, all living on campus.
The Wayland Board of Education adopted a resolution opposing state aid for non-public schools. Board President Wally Wakeman, responding to a plea from Rev. Fr. Albert Radowski of St. Therese Church and School, said Wayland schools will do everything they can to help and cooperate with their Catholic neighbors.
Army Spec-4 Dennis Kennedy, 20, of Hopkins, has been wounded for the fourth time during his tour of duty in Vietnam. He is recuperating in a hospital in Japan and will be sent home afterward.
Robert Swartout, Vincent DeJong and David Blok all have been appointed to Democratic Party positions in the Fourth Congressional District.
Eugene Knobloch penned the latest “Our Teachers Speak” column about social studies education. He wrote, “It’s no longer fashionable to be patriotic, but highly fashionable to be critical… Patriotism is treated with contempt.”
The author of the previous week’s “Our Teachers Speak” column was identified as Gerald Nelson.
Quiz Bowl winners Lesley Wakeman, Shona Middleton, Don Borgic and Joanne Grzesak were pictured with advisor Fred Comer and their trophy for winning the WZZM-TV competition.
Incumbents Bill Conwell, Marshall Towne and Don Shafer were expected to be joined by newcomer David Low in the race for City Council seats in April.
The city’s new tractor-trailer was pictured with local implement dealer Vern Alflen and driver Forrest Frank. It will be used for snow removal and on water mains and sewers.
Jim Ritsema scored 17 points and Don Klein 13, as Wayland scored a big victory over Middleville.The Green and White boys now are 5-6 overall and 3-2 in the Expressway Conference. Caledonia is all alone at the top.
The Wayland Girls Athletic Association was host to Lawrence for games of basketball and volleyball and both squads enjoyed a potluck and fellowship afterward.
Don Krause pumped in 27 points and gathered 19 rebounds in the Hopkins 63-48 victory over Lawton. Chad Hildebrand added a dozen points and the Vikings improved to 5-5 overall.
Ken Merren, Ron Straub, Brian Martin and Mike Nardin recorded pins and Wayland wrestlers defeated Caledonia, but they lost 38-5 to Otsego. The only Wildcat to win his match was Brent Irwin.
Mrs. Helen Buskirk of Shelbyville showed slides of her trip to Central America to members of the Hopkins Ladies Literary Club.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: James Coburn, James Mason and Susannah York in “Duffy.”
Sly & the Family Stone unseated “Crimson and Clover as the No. 1 song in the land with “Everyday People.”
75 Years Ago — Feb. 18, 1944
Melvin Johnson, 28, of Bradley, whom authorities characterized as smooth on the dance floor but an amateur thief, was arrested for stealing two ladies’ purses and a total of $98 during a dance in Grand Rapids.
“The Grace Temple Choir of 20 colored young people from Allegan, will give a sacred concert Sunday evening at the Congregational Church.” They will perform sacred music, light anthems and gospel songs.
Sts. Cyril & Methodius will have a cake walk and pre-Lenten dance Sunday evening.
Allegan County Agent Motley will present a film, “Sons of the Soil” to members of Leighton Community Grange.
The war bond quota of $100,000 for Wayland and vicinity has nearly been reached with $95,500 reported raised.
The Uncle’s Quartette of the Children’s Bible Hour will visit the Wayland United Methodist Church Sunday morning.
Pvt. Lester Brenner, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brenner of Hopkins, was killed in action while serving in Italy. His widow, the former Mercedes Warner, is living in Allegan.
“Foxes are getting to be quite common in these parts,” writes Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher. “John Carver recently caught one in a trap he set in a tile.”
Julia Ann Somers, whose travels in life included a farm in Hopkins and 24 years on a farm near Wayland, died.
Pvt. Haven Tarnutzer has qualified to be an expert bomber mechanic at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi Miss.
The assets of Wayland State Bank have surpassed one million dollars for the first time in its history.
Cpl. Frank Tichvon graduated with honors at the Evinrude Motors training in Milwaukee and has remained for extra time as instructor and foreman for new students.
100 Years Ago — Feb. 14, 1919
The cast of 22 students from Wayland High School have been asked to do an encore performance of “The Hoodoo” Feb. 21. Tickets are on sale, but “from all indications, it will be impossible to accommodate all those who wish to attend.”
Supt. Fred Boughner gave an address on “The Life of Lincoln,” including humorous anecdotes, and Mrs. E.J. Steeby’s students presented a play and Miss Montgomery led the assembly in singing patriotic songs.
Prof. J.C. Hoekje of Kalamazoo will speak at the community forum Monday, Feb. 17, at the high school.
Mrs. Anna Miller, mother of sexton William Miller, regarded as one of the pioneers of Wayland, died at age 88. She had lived here for 50 years, since 1869.
Avery Gillett, another longtime local resident, died at the Shelbyville home of his son, Avery. He was 84.
Mrs. Ida Chamberlain presented a program on Michigan history to members of the Ladies Library Club.
The Brotherhood of the American Yeomen in Bradley has adopted “a splendid class of new members, the mark being put on their new regalia outfits.”
The Republican Party caucus for the Village of Wayland is planned for Feb. 17 at Village Hall.
George Brooks caught 10 black bass, one of more than four pounds. Herbert Rees and guest Burr Thompson caught eight bass and 15 perch.
“A miscellaneous shower was give Saturday in honor of Miss Genevieve Allen, whose marriage to William W. Hooker takes place at an early date.”
“There ought to be a big crowd in town Saturday with the auction sale on the street, pay day for the condensery and big special sales at our merchants’ stores.”
Two classified ads — “Wanted: Married man by the month for farm work” — E.E. Clark & Son. “Wanted: Single man on farm by the year.” — Claude Orr, Hopkins.