(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 13, 1997
Dorr Township firefighter Billy Fifelski was pictured on the Globe’s front page reading “Clifford the Firehouse Dog”to Dorr Elementary children for the annual observance of Fire Prevention Week.
Wayland Township brothers Russell and Richard Middleton are proposing to close a road to a neighbor’s home on 7th Street south of Gregorville Road.
A Leighton Township couple, James and Janice Verwys, say they’re shocked by a couple of attacks on their mailbox.
Robert Grooters Development Co., a large-scale developer is asking for a zoning change in Watson Township, near the corner of 117th Avenue and M-222 to make way for three warehouse-style factories.
Caledonia captured the beloved Cowbell trophy in the football rivalry with Wayland, but the Lady Wildcats turned the tables on the Scots on the basketball court, as Kara Potter scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Wayland golf squad captured a share of the O-K old Conference championship by taking first place in the league tournament. Zeke Fletcher shot a 79 and Nat Adamczyk an 81.
Leighton Township Fire Chief Paul Baker has asked the Township Board for an independent assessor, but his request was turned down.
Casey Scully and Jason Lahiff were chosen homecoming queen and king for Wayland High School.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has identified corn silage leaking into the Rabbit River from a farm in Dorr Township.
Rex Pomranka is seeking to opt out of the PA 116 Right to Farm Act and make way for a gravel pit on Fourth Street.
The Michigan DEQ has determined that the Cuddy Drain running between Allegan and Barry counties has contamination that is “agricultural in nature.”
Martin blanked Bloomingdale 45-0 and Hopkins shut out Allendale 52-0 on the gridiron.
Clipper ladies now are tied for the SAC lead with Decatur after two big wins, led by Jennifer and Stacy Hildebrand.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 10, 1972
Included on the ballot in the November general election is a state-wide proposal to change Daylight Savings Time to the last Sunday in April from the last Sunday in October. Another proposition is for legalization of abortion.
Thaddeus (Ted) Bilski, 55, a mail carrier in Hopkins, died of a heart attack at his home.
Arthur J. Koloseik, father of Wayland schools’ finance officer Lorraine Koloseik, died of an aneurysm at Pipp Community Hospital.
Mrs. Fred Oldebeken of Wayland died of Hodgkins Disease. She was only 35.
Patrick Nelson has been hired by the Wayland Board of Education to replace the late Harry Multer as ninth grade science teacher.
The Wayland Mothers Club will have a special meeting Oct. 19 to hear presentations by reading consultants Mrs. Roseboom and Mrs. Buist.
The Wayland High School golf team captured the O-K Blue Conference championship, breaking Caledonia’s streak of league titles. Doug Baker and Evan Siefert both carded an 80, Rick Vestal had an 86 and Alan Steines a 92. The coach is Doyle Disbrow.
State-ranked Middleville had to come from behind to defeat upset-minded Wayland 28-20.
Pete Arnsman scored the winning TD and Hopkins remained unbeaten in four starts by stopping Ravenna, but co-captain Mike Pavlak was injured and lost for the season.
High School Principal James Danhoff and Elementary Principal Maurine Fuller spoke to members of the Hopkins Mothers Study Club about work study and Title I programs.
Michael Jackson, in his first solo effort, captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with his rendition of the horror movie “Ben.”
75 Years Ago — Oct. 17, 1947
The Conservation Department conducted a growth of young fish study at Gun Lake. Blue gills led in numbers of fish found, with calico bass second.
The Globe heralded the coming appearance of Duke Ellington at the Dixie, noting the land leader-composer-arranger has won many awards and accolades.
Miss Lenora Sykes spoke to members of the Ladies Library Club anout symphonic music. She and “String Family” members Mildred Konecny, Kathryn Sebright and Edna Moore performed a string quartet piece. “German Band” members Otmar Johnson, John Buskirk, Jack Warner and Bill Mauchmar also performed.
Leighton Township native and Wayland High School graduate Mrs. Alberta Goodemoot died at her home in Lake Odessa. The longtime editor of the Lake Odessa Wave, she was active in her community.
German native Fannie Vandenberg, who came to the United States in 1905, died at her home in Hopkins. She was 63.
Wayland FFA President Edmund Eepanik and member Jim Stigers were chosen to represent the local group at the FFA Convention in Chicago.
All ex-servicemen are invited to join the American Legion Tuesday evening meeting, including a short presentation by Marshall Towne.
The Wayland High School football team shut out Galesburg 19-0. Duane Doublestein, John Bruinsma and quarterback Koster scored the touchdowns.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Joan Bennett, Charles Bickford and Robert Ryan in “The Woman on the Beach.”
• William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy and Andy Clyde in “Dangerous Venture.”
• Ray Milland, Teresa Wright and Brian Donlevy in “The Trouble with Women.”
• Robert Young, Robert Ryan, Gloria Graham and Robert Mitchum in “Crossfire.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 13, 1922
The Wayland girls’ basketball team’s game with Martin has been postponed because of weather and an outbreak of diphtheria in Martin.
The sophomore class party again was held at the Morgenstern woods with two bonfires and a variety of games.
Local boys Lawrence Towne, Alton Crofoot, Ivan Baker and Wayne Yeakey were involved in a wild incident that proved that alcohol and gasoline don’t mix, and they wound up in a hospital with traffic crash injuries. The lads apparently had secured some moonshine from a man in Dorr.
Harold Weaver was elected president at Wayland High School, Walter Robson treasurer and James Halloran secretary.
Every Odd Fellow who has a machine is urged to drive it to Grand Rapids to attend the ceremony for first degrees.
Five little girls sang “The Birds’ Nest” to members of the Ladies Library Club and “Whipporwill.” Helen Koehler did a recitation on conservation.
Morris R. Ehle was advertising installation of Ford car heaters for $1.50.
Church and school activities have slowed considerably in Moline because of an outbreak of whooping cough.
Howard Moore of Moline escaped serious injury when a car approaching from behind crashed into a tree while he was turning left into his driveway.
Allegan County residents are being asked to refrain from trapping muskrats because they may soon become extinct.
Dr. Ira Slater took water samples in downtown Wayland and tested them. One pump on Main Street was found to contain badly contaminated water.
