(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 20, 1997
Coach Mark Austin’s Hopkins girls captured two more victories, over Martin and Allendale, to lift their overall basketball season record to 12-2.
Hopkins firefighters are offering some general labor services to the township in exchange for financial help in purchasing a new Jaws of Life extrication tool.
Dorr Township officials are searching for a way to have pathways installed in the community to connect with subdivisions.
Globe Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox, editorialized against the all-too-common practice of schools having children peddle junk food and candy door-to-door for fund-raising.
Kathy Nyenhuis penned a letter to the editor praising the performances and school spirit efforts of the Wayland High School marching band and directors Michelle Stephenson and Steve Working.
Kathy Jo Lough, a member of the Wayland High School faculty, wrote a letter praising the work of freshmen Brittany Evans and Aurora Koch in the peer-to-peer mentoring program.
Rose Marcott penned a letter exhorting citizens to get behind funding efforts for Jaws of Life purchases.
Eric Fitzpatrick was elected king and Natalie Knight queen at Martin’s homecoming football game.
The Le-Do-Mo-Wa 4-H Club of Moline, Dorr and Wayland celebrated its first year of achievements, including awards at the Allegan County Fair.
Kal Schanz of Schanz Equipment on 12th Street is promising legal action against Hopkins Township after his rezoning request was rejected.
The Leighton Township Planning Commission approved the presence of up to three horses in residential areas.
Wayland senior Jason Moore was individual champion at the O-K Gold Conference cross-country meet with a time of 16:15 over the five-kilometer course.
On the gridiron, Martin defeated Lawton 28-6, Hopkins blasted Comstock Park 46-8, but Wayland lost 29-23 to Cedar Springs.
Longtime teacher Pauline Mason, a graduate of Wayland High School and native of Hopkins, died at age 88.
Local optometrist Dr. John White announced his retirement after 38 years of service to Wayland area eyes.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 17, 1972
Jim Smith and Cheryl Fisher were elected homecoming king and queen at the Wayland High School homecoming.
Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, well known world wide as author of “On Death and Dying,” was guest speaker at a seminar in Allegan.
Members of the Wayland Rotary Club were offering citizens rides to the polls for the upcoming general election.
Herman Kerber of Hopkins, born in Germany in 1882, died at Cunningham Nursing Home in Plainwell.
Jose Roman Blanco, Sr., patriarch of the Blanco Furniture family business in Shelbyville, died at age 83. He was a veteran of both world wars.
Wayland State Bank Cashier Ralph Mallett announced the bank will have an open house, including the giving away of a portable color TV set.
Yankee Springs Township has established a planning commission with members Robert Munger, Hubert Newell Jr., Kay Courtney, Wendell Tichvon, William Hendrickson and Frank Fiala.
The Municipal Finance Commission has announced approval of $795,000 in bonds for the construction of the Wayland High School pool.
The State Highway Commission has installed freeway exit signs for Wayland at U.S.-131, including the “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” warnings.
An anonymous concerned voter penned a letter to the editor maintaining everybody should vote because “The best way for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”
Mrs. Walter Steines was to present a lecture on “Bridging the Generation Gap” to members of the Wayland Extension Club.
Michigan State Police Trooper Kenneth Howell of the Wayland post was to present a program on drugs to the Hopkins Mothers Study Group.
The Wayland varsity football team blanked Wyoming Lee, 14-0.
Martin lost 20-18 in overtime to Fennville in what was believed to be the first time any high school grid team in this area has played an extra session under the new rules.
Hopkins absorbed its first defeat of the season at Portland, 31-12. The Vikings now are 4-1.
Hopkins defeated Wayland 22-35 in cross country at Douglas Walker Park in Byron Center.
Rock ’n roll legend Chuck Berry took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with the naughty “My Ding-A-Ling.”
75 Years Ago — Oct. 24, 1947
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher waxed eloquent about the colors sprouting from trees up north.
Petitions are being circulated in the community suggesting street lights be provided on the east and west sides of the school house on Pine and Pearl streets.
Organist Lee Roy Strong will present a concert at the Wayland United Methodist Church. Included will be selections by Bach, Haydn, Liszt, Chopin and Humperdink, and he will be accompanied by Gene Weber on flute and Mildred Smith on the piano. There is no admission, but a free-will offering will be taken.
Pioneer businessman Fitch Beach, who operated a local hardware store in years gone by, spoke to members of Wayland Rotary. He is best known now as founder of Beach Manufacturing in Lyons.
Grayce Delp’s registered Boxer Flaming Amber won a blue ribbon at the dog show at the Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids.
Regular gas prices inched up to 23 cents a gallon and ethyl was two cents higher.
A legal notice told citizens “Do not haul leaves and rubbish into the gutters, expecting the village truck to haul them away. You must take care of your own leaves and rubbish.”
Miss Ruth Perry of Wayland was one of the ladies in charge of the “coffee committee” for her sorority at the Western Michigan College homecoming.
The Rotary Club is sponsoring a Halloween Pow Wow Friday, Oct. 31, in downtown Wayland, with a parade, costume prizes and cider and doughnuts.
Mrs. Percy V. Atkinson of the Grand Rapids Better Film Council was to present a program to the Ladies Library Club on the quality of movies.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Phillip Terry and Jacqueline White in “Seven Keys to Baldpate.”
• Tim Holt in Zane Grey’s “Thunder Mountain.”
• Barbara Hale and Bill Williams in “A Likely Story.”
• Alan Ladd, Dorothy Lamour and Robert Preston in “Wild Harvest.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 20, 1922
The Michigan State Grange and the Farm Bureau have announced their support for a proposed state income tax, maintaining it would ease the heavy burden of taxes on real estate.
A Boys’ Glee Club is being organized at the high school, under the direction of Mr. Fales.
The boys’ baseball team lost to Freeport, 8-3.
Wayland High School seniors are planning a Halloween party at Yeakey’s Hall Friday evening, Oct. 27.
The primary classroom of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School have been enjoying balloon races.
Mrs. Carl (Lena) Woodward, only 20 years old, died at her parents’ home in Bradley. She was described as a “long and patient sufferer.”
Edna Furber’s story, “No Woman Knows,” will be shown Saturday and Sunday at the Regent Theatre. Also showing: Norma Talmadge in “Love or Hate.”
A Republican rally will be held Wednesday evening at Yeakey’s Hall. Joseph Hooper and William J. Smith of Battle Creek will be guest speakers.
The Allegan County Drain Commission will have a public hearing on the necessity of cleaning, deepening and straightening the Chapple Drain in Leighton Township.
