(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
Flash Back to Wayland, when in 1887 the Wayland Exchange Bank, a private bank, was established by Ensign W. Pickett in the Pickett Brothers General Store.
25 Years Ago— Dec. 8, 1997
Though teen-agers have been charged in an incident, Wayland City Police Officer Mark Rookus has been accused of using excessive force and his case is in the hands of the Allegan County Prosecutor.
Northbrook Estates owner Peter Kostishak disputes contentions by mobile home residents that conditions of the trailer park are not up to standards. Some are calling for creation of a homeowners’ association.
The County Drain Commissioner and the Ed Huver family are engaged in a court dispute over the “Huver Dam” issue and legal costs are rising.
The City of Wayland is asking for a $2.9 million grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation for infrastructure and improvements on 133rd Avenue.
The NCAA has changed its rules to permit former Hopkins basketball star Tim Kisner to receive a scholarship and play basketball at Central Michigan University.
The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate a “suspicious” fire at Yankee Springs Meadows mobile home park.
Globe Editor Nila Aamoth has announced the newspaper is joining the technology of the 21st century and getting connected to the Internet.
The Wayland Township Planning Commission has decided to recommend approval of a gravel mining operation by Westshore Construction of Zeeland at 129th Avenue and 4th Street.
Ron Melvin of Allegan, Rick Cain of Wayland and Lee Murray of Hopkins have been appointed members of the Allegan County Foundation’s Challenge Grant Committee.
Dorr Elementary Jack Wallington has been selected for regional honors by the Michigan Principals Association.
Wayland Township officials have decided to join the Grand Valley Metro Council at a cost of $685 a year.
Coach Mike Hudson’s Wildcat basketball team includes four experienced seniors, Jason Grevenstuk, Chase Burgess, Brian Ingle and Jason Hilaski, back from last year’s 15-8 squad.
Defending O-K Silver Conference champion Hopkins has lost all-stater Tim Kisner, but returns Mike Kisner and Kurt Glupker to the team.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about how area students are enjoying their work with Computer Aided Design (CAD) classes.
Dora Weaver, 91, co-owner of Weaver Hardware with husband Harold, died Dec. 3. A longtime community activist, she and Harold established the Weaver Family Trust that helped build the Rabbit River Trail in Wayland.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 5, 1972
Miss Lydia Frey will be guest of honor at a ceremony Sunday, Dec. 10, commemorating her 51 years as Leighton Township Clerk. She had been appointed to the post to fill the unexpired post of her brother, Will. Interestingly, she had been appointed before women has won the right to vote.
Book reviewer Mrs. Harry Were was to tell a modern Christmas story to members of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce for their annual holiday party.
A $100 first prize will be awarded to the winner of the Chamber’s annual holiday home lighting contest.
Steven Working and John Dunsmore will direct the Wayland Union School bands in the annual Christmas concert at the boys’ gym, featuring selections written by Leroy Anderson.
Joseph Carpenter, 16, was killed in a traffic crash near the intersection of 142nd Avenue and old 131. Carpenter, a sophomore at Wayland High School , was a passenger in a car that collided with another vehicle.
Russell Tanner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Tanner of Wayland was declared the winner as a write-in candidate for a four-year seat on the Willmar (Minn.) City Council.
Valentine (Bill) Baweja Jr. and Steven Bird both received extensive but non-fatal injuries in a car crash just north of Wayland on a Sunday morning. The car they were riding in was a total loss.
The Wayland High School basketball team is off to a slow start with two losses. Randy Mauchmar scored 16 points in a 46-42 loss to Delton and Bob Lehocky 20 in a 53-44 defeat at the hands of Caledonia.
Sports writer David T. Young opined in his column that the new rule reducing free throw attempts (instead calling for ball possession) will unfairly hurt teams that are adept at charity tosses.
Tom Hildebrand and Wayne Mills both scored 20 points in Martin’s season-opening victory over Mendon.
The Rev. Daniel Westendorp will be installed as new pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Churches in Dorr and Hopkins.
Former Wayland resident Nancy Lutostanski has graduated from Eastern Air Lines flight attendant training center in Miami, Fla.
Air Force Sgt. Robert Skelton of Shelbyville has arrived for duty at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taiwan.
The Wayland High School wrestling team lost a tight 33-32 match against Calvin Christian.
Helen Reddy captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “I Am Woman.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 12, 1947
The WKZO Radio weekly program “Michigan at Work” will feature Pet Milk of Wayland Dec. 16.
Mrs. Olive Nyenhuis, bookkeeper for the Jacob Eding Co., suffered injuries in a traffic crash while attempting to go up a hill north of Wayland.
Charles W. Starr presented his farewell address to parishoners at the Church of Christ and will do a limited amount of ministry during the forthcoming interim pastorate of Col. Lester C. Doerr.
Legion Commander Frank Langley has appointed Halden Hudson and Harold Reinhart to a fee committee.
Free chest x-rays will be made available in Wayland by the County Health Department to anyone at least 14 years old, particularly from Wayland High School, in front of Henika Library and at the Pet Milk plant.
The Dorr Farmers Club will have its annual Christmas Party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Pawloski. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hammerstrom will provide the program.
Martin will bring its reserve, girls and varsity basketball teams to play in Wayland Friday.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Michael Lane and Gloria Henry in “Keeper of the Bees.”
• Phillip Reid and Hillary Brooke in “Big Town.”
• Franchot Tone, Ann Richards and Tom Conway in “Lost Honeymoon.”
• Louis Hayward, Joan Leslie and Richard Basehart in “Repeat Performance.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 8, 1922
The Wayland schools’ Christmas Fair will offer plenty of sweets and treats Dec. 15.
Miss Evelyn Wing organized the music program presented to the Ladies Library Club. Pauline Smith, Shirley Carner, Mrs. Jessie Frank and the high school Glee Club performed.
The Missionary Society’s holiday fair sold toys, ice cream, candy, popcorn, nuts and baked goods.
Miss Bernice Watts was injured in a traffic crash, causing the East Moline School to shut down temporarily.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Charlie Chaplin in “Shoulder Arms,” Katherine McDonald in “The Beautiful Liar,” Eddie Polo in “The Secret Four” and Gladys Walton in “Second Hand Rose.” Chaplin’s film was about his experiences in the World War.
Mrs. Josephine Smith of the head camp is in Wauyland in the interest of the Royal Neighbors auxiliary of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Lillie Levandoske died at her farm home in Dorr Township. She was 44.
Mrs. Martha Douglas of Wayland was sister to Aaron Kitchen, a Civil War veteran of Holton Township who died that week.
The Yeakey Auto Co. entertains a number a local people with its power horn radio, which projects sound for a couple of blocks.
The Willing Workers Sunday School class met for a potluck dinner at a home on Maple Street. Mrs. John Eash was elected president.
Miss McMillan, who has just returned from a trip to the Congo Inland Mission. She plans to go back to Africa early next year.
Hollis Fales was the winner of the seventh grade spelling bee. There will be a challenge from eighth-graders.