(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 27, 1997
The Hopkins Board of Education has denied People of Promise (POP), a church group’s access to the Hopkins Elementary school gym because of a policy forbidding use of public facilities for religious instruction.
Wayland senior Zeke Fletcher set a school record for low 18-hole golf score of 69, which tied him for the individual state championship, but he lost in the playoff.
Martin school bus driver Barb Orr won her appeal for unpaid vacation time.
Pine Street Elementary withdrew its Halloween dress-up contest, prompting a protest from students and parents. School Principal David Britten explained that it takes too long for students to get in and out of costume.
The Wayland School Boosters’ unique fund-raiser for a weekend getaway was won by a Byron Center man, Al Burgess.
The Hopkins girls’ cross-country team captured the O-K Silver Conference title for the second year in a row, edging Kelloggsville.
Mike Spee, an inmate at the Allegan County Jail, wrote a letter to editor warning about poor treatment of those incarcerated.
Anita Kerber, president of the Hopkins Organization of Parents and Educators (HOPE), penned a letter extolling the virtues of fund-raising efforts in the community in the wake of recent criticism.
Davenport University student Karolyn Beggs wrote a letter to the editor expressing wonder about the reason for the existence of homeless people.
Kurt Glupker and Wendy Schrock were elected homecoming king and queen at Hopkins.
Wayland Standard gas station owner Tom Damveld was granted approval by the City Council to build a pole barn-style storage building.
Wayland City Police expect to press charges after receiving a report of embezzlement at the Clark gas station on South Main Street.
‘Wayne Haveman, 31, of Moline, was electrocuted in an accident in Byron Center while he and his brother were working at a home in Byron Center.
Neal and Marion Cook have offered to sell the historic Bowens Mills site to Barry County for $295,000. The County Board indicated it doesn’t have the money.
Brooks Beverage Co. has negotiated an agreement with Hopkins Public Schools to include its logo on the scoreboard and provide soda pop for students.
Nicki Merchant, Jessica Merchant, Kara Potter and Casey Scully led Wayland to a huge victory over Hudsonville Unity Christian. The Wildcats are 10-0 in the O-K Gold Conference standings.
Wayland football team lost 28-26 in overtime to Kenowa Hills, Martin was shut out 30-0 by Gobles and Hopkins blanked Wyoming Lee 41-0.
Melanie Heslinga and Alissa Johnston continue to lead the Hopkins girls’ basketball team, which is undefeated in O-K Silver Conference action at 7-0 and 13-2 overall.
Wayland High School graduate A.J. Predum, a nurse at a Grand Rapids veterans’ home, has an unusual large collections of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 24, 1972
John G. Yeakey and Mayor Marshall Towne have been appointed to the board of directors at Wayland State Bank.
The Wayland Board of Education has agreed to purchase a little more than two acres of land next to Dorr Elementary for $2,500 from Floyd Fifelski for playground space.
Wayland Board of Education learned that the school district saw an increase of 52 students, bringing the total to 2,446.
Helen Jane Helmey wrote a column outlining the offices and candidates that will appear on the Nov. 7 general election ballot, including the hopefuls for University of Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne State Board of Directors.
The Martin High School marching band, under the direction of Fred Bogdan and leadership of Drum Major Doug Pierce, warned a Division 1 rating and the MHSBOA festival.
Wayland High School seniors Bob Grafford and Wayne Thomas took part in the Michigan High School Forensics Student Congress.
The Wayland varsity football team lost 16-14 to Hamilton. Gib Goodwin tossed a TD pass and ran for another score.
Hopkins defeated Saugatuck 24-6 to remain unbeaten in the A-O Conference and 5-1 overall.
The Wayland cross-country team came in fifth in the O-K Blue Conference and ended the season with a dual meet victory over Byron Center. Russ McCarren and Bob Frost paced the Wildcat harriers.
Hopkins completed its best-ever cross-country season with an 8-2 record, led by Mike Krcatovich, Dan Isenhoff, Norm and John Pigeon and Jim Childs.
Sue Merchant of Hopkins was elected to a regional office of the Future Homemakers of America.
The Allegan County chapter of the Michigan Retired Teachers Association is observing the group’s 25th anniversary.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 31, 1947
Former residents Ed Hoyt and C.A. Clark stopped in at the Globe office and then took a nostalgic drive around Gun Lake and then dined with cousins Fannie Hoyt and Mrs. Bessie Baker.
Former resident Forrest Van Volkenburgh, whom Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher credited with making the first telephone in Wayland, connecting the Globe office with the Mosher residence on Maple Street.
Local poultrymen were scheduled to meet with Howard Zindel of Michigan State College and poultry disease specialist C.W. Hardin at the Wayland High School ag room.
The Rev. Sabtio, a native of the Philippines, was scheduled to speak at the Leighton Brethren Church.
William H. Reinhart, who lived in Allegan County for 75 years as a farmer near Hilliards and later a baker, died at age 88.
The annual Rotary-sponsored Halloween Party will be held along West Superior Street Friday evening, Oct. 31. Hopkins High School will have a party, sponsored by the Student Council.
Organizer Howard Clack said a big parade is included.
Robert Cook, 8, son of Mr. and Mrs. Irving Cook of Shelbyville, was injured when the foundation of a home his parents were building caved in at the southwest portion of the village. He is recovering at St. Mary’s Hospital.
The women of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Gun Lake, are having a Masquerade Festival Saturday evening, Nov. 1. Junior Kuhtic’s Orchestra will provide the music.
Local chapters of the Future Homemakers of America were observing National NHA Week with the theme ‘Building Today for Tomorrow.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Jane Withers and Robert Lowery in “Danger Street.”
• The “Hoosier Hot Shots” in “Smoky River Serenade.”
• Pat O’Brien, Walter Slezak and Anne Jeffries in “Riff-Raff.”
• Betty Grable, Dan Dailey and Connie Marshall in “Mother Wore Tights.”
100 Years Ago —Oct. 27, 1922
Superintendent and Mrs. G.V. Fales entertained the Wayland school teachers with a potluck dinner. The evening was spent looking at old photos of former teachers and pupils of bygone days.
Student John Jordan returned from an Ann Arbor hospital and was remembered by a basket of fruit from fellow sophomores.
Fifth- and sixth-graders are grateful to seventh-graders who purchased a basketball from pencil sales.
Children in the primary rooms have been making witches in the spirit of Halloween.
Miss Muriel Dundas, County Home Demonstration Agent, presented a program to the Ladies Library Club on the benefits of school lunch programs.
Minerva Sessions, who came to Wayland in 1857 as a child, died at her home shortly after a fall. She was 74.
Miss Avelyn Allen was obliged to come home from Western Normal because of a foot infection.
A general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7, for U.S. Senator, Congress, Governor and three state propositions.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Harry Carey in “The Fox,” billed as the biggest western drama the screen has ever known. Also showing will be Anita Stewart in “Sowing the Wind.”
George S. Carner has just installed a new radio reciving unit known as a two-step outfit.
Roscoe Rider, working in Indiana, was thrown from a railroad caboose, fracturing his shoulder and breaking his nose.
About 150 people attended the Republican banquet and rally Wednesday night at Yeakey’s Hall. Golon C. Cambell, former speaker of the Michigan House, was guest speaker.
Helen Cook, 20, died unexpectedly at the home of her mother, Mrs. Rose Cook.
John Henry Chrisman, 70, who was left motherless when just a few days old, died. He came to Dorr Township with his father when he was 11 years old.
Lydia Carner died at her home in Wayland. She was 79.