(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago— Nov. 24, 1997
Former Hopkins High School basketball star Tim Kisner will have to sit out his first year of college basketball and his parents, Dan and Kim, are asking Hopkins schools to examine his tuition. Kisner had lost his first year of scholarship eligibility at Central Michigan University.
A flyer is being distributed in the community, talking about future consideration for an auditorium at Wayland High School, but critics say it raises more questions than provides answers.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team is the only local team still standing in the post season. Coach Zack Moushegian’s Wildcats are gunning for their fourth straight district championship. Hopkins fell to Kalamazoo Christian and finished with a 17-4 record. Melanie Heslinga had 18 points and Alissa Johnson 14.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has changed its mind about closing down the Yankee Springs/Gun Lake campground over the winter.
A Hopkins family is asking for help in finding out who is dumping dead animals, particularly deer.
Editor Nila Aamoth took on columnist John Douglas of the Grand Rapids Press for his opinion piece against harvesting deer. She said she agrees with Douglas about saving endangered animals, but deer are not among them.
Carol Harwood of Wayland wrote a letter to the editor maintaining that too many compact discs (CDs) and radio stations that play offensive music and rap. She wrote, “My grandson is under age to smoke, drink or drive, but his mind can be molested with this trash.”
Townships in Allegan County are being encouraged by the State of Michigan to purchase flood insurance in the wake of a stormy year.
Thomas Duncan, 52, of Monterey Township, was found by emergency services personnel after he had been reported missing while hunting near Dumont Lake. He was reported to be in stable condition at Allegan General Hospital.
Martin schools will have two public input sessions while searching for a new superintendent to succeed Iris Williams, who is leaving Jan. 8, 1998.
Longtime Methodist church pastor Rev. Jack Bumgart died at his home at Gun Lake. He was 76.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 21, 1972
Wayland Union School District’s request to join the Kent County Intermediate School District appears to be doomed. Wayland is interested in leaving the Allegan ISD because Kent has a vocational education program. But opponents maintained such a move would help fragment the ACISD.
Hugh Allen, vice president of development at Aquinas College and coordinator of wilderness trips, will be guest speaker at the Rotary Club’s next meeting.
Mary Hooker, a 1972 graduate of Wayland High School, has been awarded a leadership grant from Aquinas College. She was a member of the Girls Athletic Association and the Student Council while in high school.
Mrs. Mattie Leggett, a teacher for more than 30 years, died at her home in Dorr. She was 82.
A new law passed by the State Legislature requires all residences in cities to use a sewage disposal system.
Nine area Lions Clubs gathered at the Farm House Restaurant in Wayland in hopes of helping find dogs to serve blind citizens.
The Hopkins Public School system has launched a “Keep Off the Grass” anti-drug program, especially geared to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders.
The Wayland girls’ basketball teams, varsity and junior varsity, have new uniforms this year. They are coached by Mrs. Pat Rowley and Pat Sowle.
Hopkins High School graduate Don Cadman is a freshman member of the Isothermal Community College basketball team in Spindale, N.C. He averaged 14.1 points per game while playing at Hopkins in his senior year.
Members of the Leighton Farm Bureau group discussed the lack of agricultural classes in area high schools.
Named to the Allegan-Ottawa Conference all-star football team from Martin were Dan McGuire, Ron Conley, Mike Oetman, Terry Guerrant, Tom Hildebrand, Steve Kent and Paul Henderson. Selected from Hopkins were John Roon, Pete Arnsman, Louie Stein, Dennis Kiser and Steve Pawloski.
Globe sports writer David T. Young wrote a column about how the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association is toying with the idea of having post-season football tournaments.
The Hopkins junior varsity football team was honored at a banquet for going undefeated in nine games. They were coached by Rex Weaver and Steve Dragoo.
The Wayland chapter of the Jaycees gave glowing reviews of the first-ever Turkey Shoot at the gravel pit east of Wayland.
75 Years Ago — Nov. 28, 1947
Charles Andringa was elected president of the Wayland Community Fair. Milton Fleser and John Nowak were welcomed as new board members.
The 1948 membership drive for the American Legion is under way with Jack Gurney and Ivan Smith leading two two different divisions.
Two alleged escapees from a prison ion Montgomery, Ala., were captured in Wayland and then lodged in the Van Buren County Jail.
Mrs. Hattie Miles received a phone call telling her the remains of her son, Pfc. James Miles, are being sent here, as well as those of Pvt. Charles Shulek, son of mrs. and Mrs. Charles Shulek.
Five local students, John Nowak Jr., James Stigers, Florence Nussdorfer, Shirley Brog and Carol Oetman were to attend the Livestock Show in Chicago.
Albert Yeakey died at his home in Otsego at age 80. He had lived in Hopkins in his earlier days.
Martin Township resident Henry Jager, a native of the Netherlands died at age 82 at his home in Shelbyville.
Ron Kidney, 14-month-old son of Vivian and Albert Kidney, was badly burned by boiling hot coffee in a home accident.
Fern Williamson was elected president if the American Legion Auxiliary and Dorothy Langley vice president.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Robert Lowery and Ann Savage in “Jungle Flight.”
• Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette in “South of Chisholm Trail.”
• Don Ameche and Catherine McLeod in “That’s My Man.”
• Larry Parks, Evelyn Keyes and William Demarest in “The Jolson Story.
100 Years Ago — Nov. 24, 1922
Patrons of the new Bradley School have begun organizing a parent-teachers club. Sixth-graders furnished the popcorn for the first meeting.
The Rev. C.M. Keene has been hired as new pastor at the Christian Church.
The Wayland High School football team defeated Island Park of Grand Rapids 9-6.
A Thanksgiving program is planned for the first six grades of Wayland School Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 29.
Guert Fales of Wayland has announced he is a candidate for School Commissioner for Allegan County.
The Hope Rebekah Lodge published a resolution of respect for recently departed member Minerva Ross.
Nearly 100 people enjoyed the New England Supper put on the Ladies Library Club at the Christian Church.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Charlie Chaplin in “A Dog’s Life,” Katherine MacDonald in “My Lady’s Latchkey,” Thanksgiving specials Herbert Rawlinson in “Under Cover” and Eddie Polo in “The Secret Four.”
The M & W Light & Power Co. has leased the store room in the block on South Main formerly occupied by Ned Dansby, who recently filed for bankruptcy at the Wayland Candy Kitchen.
John F. and Ben Stockdale took in a football game in Kalamazoo between the Chevrolets of Grand Rapids and Studebakers of Kalamazoo.
Clayton Tarnutzer and Russell Hanlon have been attending a course on pharmacy at the Ferris Institute.
Local businessmen headed up by Paul Wing have making plans to have a skating rink installed at the Village Park.A building inspector from the State Department of Public Instruction reportedly was not impressed with the condition of the school building on West Superior Street.
Mr. G.H. Ross of We-Gu-La Lodge planted about 6,000 perch in Gun Lake last week.
