(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
“THEN” Wayland was where you went to high school if you lived in Moline or Bradley. Students would walk from their homes to the station sometimes a distance of a mile or more to take the Interurban to Wayland. At that time the Pine Street school was the High School and just a couple of blocks from the Interurban Depot.
25 Years Ago— Jan. 26, 1998
The State of Michigan has indicatedit wants to take control over some roads, but the Allegan County Road Commission wants an explanation why.
Martin Public Schools was able to resell its bonds at a savings of $1 million to local taxpayers and reduce terms of payments by as many as nine yewars..
Petitions are due Feb. 16 for those interested in running for the three open Wayland City Council seats and the mayor’s position. Mayor David Miller has announced he will seek another two-year term. The council seats of Dallas Strong, Marie Hall and Paul Kaczanowski are expiring.
The Village of Hopkins soon will have the caucus in a rare means of determining who will serve in local offices.
Wayland Schools Supt. Robert Brenner said WOOD-TV Channel 8 overhyped its story about middle school students scratching each other with a jewelry pendant, causing concerns about spreading Hepatitis B.
Allegan County Intermediate School District Supt. James Pavelka said Proposal A, passed by voters statewide in March 1994, has reduced funding inequities between schools, but fears the effort now is slowing down.
Former Wayland resident Dora Weaver, who died in December at age 91, has left donations to the city, local schools, St. Therese and United Church of Wayland, and Henika Library.
Hopkins varsity basketball coach Jack Klunder praised Martin’s under sized and winless cagers for their spunk in a 63-42 decision.
The Wayland varsity volleyball team now is 14-5-5 on the season, led by Kara Potter, Nicki Merchant and Casey Scully.
The Martin wrestling team won the Decatur Invitational and Clipper grappler Rick Mena was named most valuable after scoring three pins at 125 pounds.
The Wildcat boys’ basketball team is 2-7 overall after defeating Belding, but losing to coach Mike Hudson’s alma mater, Wyoming Rogers. Jason Grevenstuk, Brian Ingle, Chad Burgess and Jason Hilaski all scored in double figures in the victory.
Joseph “Bud” McCarthy, a World War II Navy veteran who was active at St. Therese Church and with the Knights of Columbus, died. He was 87.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 23, 1973
The Wayland Union School District’s request to pull out of the Allegan County Intermediate School District and join the Kent County Intermediate district was turned down. Two other districts in the county, Saugatuck and Hamilton, already have left Allegan County to join Ottawa.
Trayton Lull and Arlyn Ross of Hopkins, Neil Ellinger of Shelbyville and James Sluiter, Jack Washburn and Ellis Wykstra of Martin were named Republican Party delegates to the state convention.
The City of Wayland has sold bonds for $325,000 at 5% interest to the Farmers Home Administration for expansion of the local water system.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. James Thomas wrote a column announcing the Michigan Supreme Court has declared the current property tax system for financing public is unconstitutional because it unfairly favors “wealthy” districts.
The State Police Wives Bridge Club met at the Wayland home of Mrs. John Kool.
Mrs. Mary Steele won first place for professional attitude while graduating from Chic University in Grand Rapids.
The Wayland High School wrestling team scored a 37-21 upset over Wyoming Lee to move into third place in the O-K Blue Conference dual meeting standings.
Junior Kelly McEwen is closing in on the Hopkins school record for assists and Mike Pavlak has been hot lately as the Vikings now have improved to 6-3 for the season.
The Hopkins girls’ basketball team is 4-1 overall under the guidance of coach Peggy Rose Arnsman.
O-K Blue scoring leader Bob Lehocky scored 23 points and Paul Heckert 15, but the Wildcats lost to Byron Center to fall to 1-9 overall.
Sports writer David Young wrote a column maintaining the Wildcat varsity basketball team has faltered in its second phase of rebuilding after showing promise at the end of the previous year.
The Wildcat girls’ basketball team came up with an “uncomfortable” 22-21 victory over Caledonia at its crackerbox junior high gym. Kathy Worfel scored 13 points.
Noel Summers received an award for working 35 years at Pet Milk in Wayland.
Stevie Wonder took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s “Hot 100” with “Superstition.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 30, 1973
The Wayland Livestock Auction has just completed its largest-ever sales of livestock in one year, 1947, just over two million dollars.
F.D. Hilbert, wintering in Florida, wrote a letter to Rollo G. Mosher noting that three of four “Snowbirds” are Republicans who want to see the post-war Marshall Plan defeated.
Mosher reported the Globe was the only weekly newspaper from Allegan County at the Michigan Press Association’s annual meeting in Lansing.
A rare winter wren was found at the farm of Fred Morgenstern and local bird expert Mrs. Mack Short said it’s smaller than a Chickadee. She banded the wren and released it.
Longtime patron F.D. Cutler wrote a letter to Pet Milk Manager Russell Rugaber announcing that he is getting out of the business of milking cows after 60 years.
Rugaber was elec ted president of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce and Charles Andringa and R. J. Nicolai were chosen vice presidents.
Losers in the local American Legion membership contest had to feed the winners in the annual venison dinner that attracted more than 60 diners.
The Dallas Mothers Club will have a Valentines Party and begin planning for a quilt raffle.
Thieves broke into Weick’s Grocery, took money from the cash register and left the door open, causing vegetables in the store to freeze.
George Ryno, who has been in poor health of late, was taken from Plainwell to Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Anthony Quinn in “Black Gold.”
• Joan Crawford, Dana Andrews and Henry Fonda in “Daisy Kenyon.”
• Lana Turner, Van Heflin and Donna Reed in “Green Dolphin Street.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 26, 1923
The mumps has been making the rounds in the Leighton area lately, affecting many families.
The Ladies Library Club held a program honoring Michigan authors. Members sang “Michigan My Michigan.”
Members of the Alle-Bar Community Club had a lively discussion about changes in tax laws in Michigan.
Ralph Oliver of Bradley had the misfortunate to slip and fall on the ice whilst cranking up his automobile, breaking bones in his wrist.
The Yeomen will give a masquerade dancing party at the hall in Bradley Friday evening, Feb. 2.
Pomona Grange members adopted a resolution requiring all foreigners convicted of making illicit liquor be deported.
Mrs. Leo Dias of Leighton Township got her skirt caught by a power line connected from a Ford to her husband cutting stalks. She was dragged for a spell, but suffered only minor injuries.
John E. Sturgis, formerly of Wayland, compiled “Wonder Hymns of Faith” and send the edition to Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher.
G.H. Henika, one of the earliest settlers in Wayland, died at Bellingham, Wash. His body will be brought back here for burial. His funeral will be at the home of C.A. Clark.
The one-month-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Rumorh died of pneumonia.
Humphrey Gardner was elected president of the Wayland Farm Bureau Cooperative Association.
Wayne Yeakey has been reported to be critical condition as a result of an automobile crash near Middleville.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Free Air” from a story written by Sinclair Lewis, and Gladys Walton in “The Trouper,” a clever story about the circus.
