(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Sept. 22, 1997
The Hopkins Board of Education denied a transfer request from a sixth-grader who complained about the cafeteria’s “jail food” and sought a move to Hudsonville.
With there being considerable fears about E. Coli bacteria, area apple producers are hesitant to begin customary processing for cider.
Allegan County parks and rec officials are juggling traffic issues around Gun Lake Park and the boat launch off 124th Avenue.
Officials for Martin Village have announced they will withhold payment to the contractor if it fails to perform paving on East Allegan Street before the snow flies.
Wayland Township resident Dan Welsh is asking the Township Board to enforce a burning ordinance, suggesting the Selkirk Lake area is being ignored.
Bowens Mills owner Marian Cook Frye says she’s stepping down and the “It’s Cider Time” falls festivals may have to be discontinued.
Deb Edwards wrote a letter to the editor protesting the behavior of some Rocket Football coaches, insisting they’re supposed to be role models for young boys.
Lee Murray of Hopkins wrote a letter praising the gas tax cut spearheaded by Gov. John Engler.
Wayland Township Clerk Beverly Taylor wrote a letter that opined, “the board of education and the superintendent had better start paying closer attention to how they spend taxpayers’ money… the money may be stopped because taxpayers may start saying no.”
Mayor David Miller and City Manager Barb VanDuren told State Rep. Patty Birkholz they were disappointed in the state contribution of $8,000 because the city wasn’t able to apply the money were needs were greatest.
The Wayland McDonald’s was planning an eighth birthday party with puppet shows, a fund-raiser for the Then & Now Society and a plaque honoring Jim Levandoski, 99-cent hotcakes and a Ronald McDonald magic show.
Hopkins spotted Beal City a 6-0 score to take a come from behind win, 24-6. Kurt Glupker picked up 156 yards rushing and had 11 tackles on defense. Meanwhile Wayland lost 38-13 to South Christian and Martin was edged 30-26 by Marcellus.
Senior Casey Scully and sophomore Nicki Merchant led Wayland girls to a win at Cedar Springs, hiking the ‘Cats’ league record to 3-0.
Nate Adamczyk, Aaron Predum and Zeke Fletcher led the Wayland golf team to a 7-3 dual match record overall and contention for the O-K Gold title.
“Jacob’s Field” was dedicated in Hopkins to honor a boy who was killed a year ago in a traffic accident.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 19, 1972
Patricia Cooke of Dorr has returned from the Philippine Islands, where she was an American ambassador for the Youth of Understanding program.
The Wayland Police Department has experienced two resignations, leaving only Chief Scott Norman and officer Eldon Millheim on the force. Leaving the local force were Ralph Efner, who said he had issues with local city government, and Dee Fankhauser.
The Wayland Area Blood Program has been awarded a Gold Star for collection excellence in its region, which includes 42 chapters. Mrs. Edward Nickels is chair of the local effort.
Bruce Strohpaul, son of former airport manager Earl Strohpaul, was killed in a traffic crash on 84th Street in Byron Township.
A traffic crash east of Shelbyville hospitalized Mrs. David Wehrwein of Hopkins and Paul Engle of Shelbyville. Both were taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Seventy-six people are enrolled this fall in adult education classes at Wayland, including 25 for government alone.
Theodore Howard of Hopkins High School has been announced as a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition.
The Farm House Restaurant in downtown Wayland was offering a Sunday smorgasbord dinner for $2.75.
Ribbon winners at the Allegan County Fair were Hopkins FFA members Arlyn Coffey, Scott Miller, Brian Pelham, Tom Miller, Mark Watson and Max Guy.
Future Homemakers of America members from Hopkins Annette Zerfas, Sue Marshall, Kim Childs, Val Funk, Julie Miller, Bev Kloska and Mona Stankey were in Detoit for the Michigan State Fair, where they cared for children of visitors who toured the fairgrounds.
Vicky Davis, 10, of Martin, showed the grand champion steer, which was fed by Wolverine Feeds, according to company president Kermit Pike.
Dan McGuire tossed a seven-yard TD pass to Paul Henderson, but Martin lost its season opener, 14-6 to Saranac.
Hopkins had an impressive debut for new coach Jim Newell, beating Byron Center 32-12. Mike Pavlak scored two touchdowns, Pete Arnsman added another, as did quarterback John Roon and receiver Louis Stein.
Quarterback Gib Goodwin connected on seven of nine passes for 202 yards and a touchdown and Rick Arnold scored on an 8-yard run, but Wayland squandered an early lead and tied Muskegon Oakridge 12-12.
Mac Davis took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “Don’t Get Hooked On Me.”
75 Years Ago — Sept. 26, 1997
Frederick Hilbert and Julius Andringa have returned from their Canadian fishing trip trip, in which they caught their limit of brook trout. They served the tasty fish to members of the Ox Roast Committee at Harold Weaver’s cottage at Gun Lake.
The Parade of Barbershop Quartets is scheduled in Allegan Thursday, Oct. 2.
The Wayland varsity football team lost its season opener 13-0 to Comstock. The Wildcats’ second game will be against Middleville.
Kenneth Smith, 12, was lodged in Crispe Hospital, Plainwell, after suffering injuries caused by being struck by a car while he was riding his bicycle. He suffered the same fate four months earlier and he is recovering from injuries to his leg.
Mrs. Dan Knobloch, who was born in Hopkins in 1887 died in Wayland Sept. 19.
Fern Williamson was elected presideNnt of Wayland American Legion Auxiliary.
A horse pulling contest will be held Oct. 2 at the Moline Recreational Field.
Mrs. Sarah Mosher, mother of Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, celebrated her 89th birthday Sept. 22.
The Hopkins Guitar Club, with 20 members, entertained a meeting at the Blackman school house.
Bids are being let for tearing down the old bakery building and removing it from West Superior Street.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Anne Baxter, William Holden Sonny Tufts and William Bendix in “Blaze of Noon.”
• Russell Hayden and Inez Cooper in “’Neath Canadian Skies.”
• Gene Kelly and Marie McDonald in “Living in a Big Way.”
• Cary Grant and Myrna Loy in “The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 19, 1922
Again, there are no issues at Then & Now. But here’s Sept. 17, 1885:
Miss Ella Doty of Leighton started for Marshall last Tuesday to teach this academic year.
Mrs. LeGrand, mother of W. W. Pierce, died Saturday and was buries Sunday. She lived out her allotted time, reaching the grand old age of 87 years.
L.H. Lamoreaux of Otesgo has been in the area lately showing farmers “The Vindicator,” which he says in the best fanning mill around.
A few of Salem’s girls have gone to Wayland to attend school.
It is rumored that F. Broughman and Jim Briggs both are dead from the effects of drinking poisonous water.
The Village Board, at a school meeting, voted to have a brick school house built next spring in Salem.
Mrs. F.E. Cole now is receovered from her recent sickness and will be giving lessons for the paino and organ.
The G, R and I railroad will give out cheap rates for the annual trip to northern Michigan from Oct. 6 to Oct. 14.
“The Globe made a grave and ridiculous mistake last week when it said an 8-pound baby girl had made her appearance at the home of Lee Corkins. It was no such thing, although it was so reported to us.”
A Wayland merchant recently went to collect some slow and long-running accounts. The man with the long standing account at the grocery store saw the merchant coming and rather than face the creditor in an honest and upright manner, he crawled under a bed to wait until he heard the buggy rattle off the down the road. “He was worse than a thief.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Hooker, 80, who led a pioneer life in Leighton Township, died of a paralytic stroke. He was born in 1805.
COVER PHOTO: The Hopkins Fire Department in 1951. The department has been publishing historical material on Facebook, highlighting personnel, facilities and equipment from days gone by.
