(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Sept. 29, 1997
Undefeated Wayland running star Jason Moore is smashing the high school’s five-kilometer records in his latest outings.
Ground was broken for the Hopkins High School building next to the old structure, which will become the middle school. Hopkins grad and teacher Lois Fein sang “When You Wish Upon a Star” at the ground breaking and school board David Williams accompanied her on the mandolin.
Allegan County Sheriff David Haverdink is proposing alternative sentencing program for non-violent offenders to perform public service duties.
Virginia Weaver penned a letter to the editor expressing dismay about the negative commentary on a new Dorr Township Library, concluding “Let’s invest in our children.”
Don and Rose Marcott, who live on Kalamazoo Avenue near 135th Avenue, have their battle with the Allegan County Road Commission to save their huge, 200-year-old tree and are warning others about the possibility for them as well.
Ken and Nan Olney have been selected as Wayland High School Athletic Boosters of the Year.
The annual Fourth Friday school population counts show preliminary figures of Wayland with 3,227 students, Hopkins 1,319 and Martin 818.
The 31-member Martin High School marching band captured first place in the 15th annual Wolverine Worldwide Marching Contest at Rockford and Sarah Zuidema was chosen best field commander.
Chris Miller, 13, and Terry Gillhespy, 15, won blue ribbons at the Michigan State 4-H Show at Michigan State University.
Casey Scully scored 24 points and came up with 12 rebounds and eight steals as Wayland defeated Sparta to hike their O-K Gold Conference basketball record to 5-0.
The Wildcat football team lost four fumbles in a 12-6 loss to Sparta, Hopkins rolled 42-0 over Saugatuck and Martin lost 28-18 to Fennville.
Hopkins girls scored two easy victories on the hardcourt, as Melanie Heslinga led the way again.
Wayland tied a school team golf record with a 167, as Aaron Predum had a 39, Zeke Fletcher 41, Jason Cooper 42 and Nate Adamczyk 45.
50 Years Ago— Sept. 26, 1972
Former Wayland Pet Incorporated employee Dale Rankin, now a manager of Pet in Missouri and Illinois, died at his home in Springfield, Ill.
Mrs. Frank Amborski demonstrated the do’s and don’ts of flower arranging to members of the Hopkins Literary Club.
Randy Wilson of Dorr has announced the local Rangers Patrol, with 50 members, has been awarded official recognition to help handle nuisance, injured and dead animal.
A public hearing on the 1972-73 Wayland Union Schools budget will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in the school board room.
The Hopkins varsity football team shut out Fennville 20-0 to go 2-0. A highlight was another TD pass from QB John Roon to Louis Stein.
The Hopkins Mothers Study Group will hear from High School Principal James Danhoff and Miss Fuller, elementary principal, about the Title I and work study programs.
New coach Jon Jensen insists the Wayland cross-country runners are showing encouraging improvement despite sporting a losing record.
The Wayland golf team, coached by Jon Wolcott, has a 5-2 dual match record, led by Evan Siefert and Doug Baker.
Steve Adamczyk shot an 18-hole score of 88 as Hopkins finished fourth in the Saugatuck Invitational.
Mrs. Larry Medendorp was selected treasurer of the State Police Wives Club, succeeding Mrs. Vance Hoskins.
The Allegan County Family Planning Clinic will have a meeting at the Allegan County Health department Oct. 2. Husands are invited as well.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 3, 1947
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his “Observations Here and There” column, “It is possible that the Wayland business streets may have parking meters installed along the curbs… As it is now, a good share of the desirable parking spots are by all-day parkers who work in the stores and shops, leaving little space for farmers and people who come to town to shop.”
Earl Gotberg, nationally known ventriloquist, and Oscar, will be special entertainment at the Community Fair, along with the high school orchestra and a guitar band led by Edwin Nicolai and Luther Rice of Hopkins.
Charles B. Smith, 72, formerly of Moline, was accidently drowned on Robinson Lake west of White Cloud while fishing. He formerly had been operator of the mill in Moline. His passing is believed to have been the result of a heart attack.
Miss Lenora Sykes, music teacher at Wayland schools and a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, will be guest speaker at the first meeting of the new season for the Ladies Library Club. Mildred Smith is the president of the LLC.
Former Allegan County Sheriff Fred Miller, who was well known in Hopkins, died at his home at age 66.
A Helping Hand Shower is planned for the Ken Smith family, which has experienced three tragedies — the death of the husband and serious car accident injuries to two sons.
John Konecny has announced the opening of a tailor shop at his home at 615 S. Main St.
Wayland Dahlia Gardens published a “men wanted” ad to help dig dahlias for three weeks at “good wages.”
The Dixie Ballroom ran an ad promoting a four-hour show Oct. 23 featuring pianist-composer Duke Ellington.
Wayne Martin intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown to enable Wayland to tie Middleville 6-6. The team will play Galesburg next.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Lynne Roberts in “That’s My Gal.”
• Allan Lane as Red Ryder and Bobby Blake in “Santa Fe Uprising.”
• Ray Milland, Teresa Wright and Sir Cedric Hardwicke in “The Imperfect Lady.”
• June Haver, Mark Stevens and Martha Stewart in “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 29, 1922
Once again, there was no issue in the archives. So here is Oct. 7, 1886:
“Squirrels, partridges and ducks are reported to be plentiful this fall.”
John A. Turner and wife started yesterday for a three-day trip through western Barry County.
A grandchild of Elijah Adams of Bradley died Friday of diphtheria. A number of cases are being reported.
Dr. Fox of Hopkins lost a son to blood poisoning.
C.J. Snell, who has run the house in Bradley, has accepted a post on the C & W M road, and the hotel will be run by Ezra Whitney.
At the Village Council meeting, the marshal was instructed to repair the crosswalks where they are out of repair.
Retail druggist L.D. Chapple has reported Dr. King’s new discovery, electric bitters, has been selling well, as well as Burklen’s Arnica Salve.
The Wayland base ball club will play Prairieville and then Hopkins in the village.
A gold toothpick has been found. Owner may pick it up by calling on this office and showing proof of property and paying for the notice.
Hon. C.W. Watkins of Grand Rapids will address the people of this place and vicinity on the political issues of the day, from a Republican standpoint, of course.