(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago— Feb. 9, 1998
In anticipation of the approach of Valentine’s Day, the Globe published a front page photo of Diana Smith holding a sample of flowers offered at Peereboom’s Greenhouse on 137th Avenue in Leighton Township.
Allegan County has announced the suspension of an air spraying program to combat gypsy moths in 1998.
Billed as “a prank that got out of hand,” a blood-borne pathogen scare about pendant scratching came to the attention of television crews at Wayland Middle School.
City of Wayland officials have decided to scale back on a loan amount to rebuild roads in the industrial park, from $2.9 million to just one million dollars.
Senior Jenny Mena, a first-year wrestler, helped Martin’s wrestling team win the Hopkins wrestling tourney.
Editor Nila Aamoth suggested a proposed $150 rebate in car insurance for every car owner in Michigan instead be used to help fix the damn roads. “Michigan motorists want better roads. Here is a source of revenue to accomplish that goal.”
Ms. Aamoth took quite a bit of criticism from Wayland High School Principal Jack Deming and the journalism class for her negative portrayal of high school student activities in the previous week’s Soapbox.
Wayland Township residents have been warned a road millage may in the works because of a lack of attention to infrastructure in recent years.
Carl Swartz wrote a letter to the editor maintaining President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, are both “completely devoid of character.”
Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller, Deputy Frank Baker and Detective Pat O’Reilly were honored for their roles in solving a robbery case at the Moline branch of Byron Center Bank.
The Globe did a mini-feature on weather spotter Larry Hansen of Dorr.
The Hopkins volleyball team, coached by Terri Merren, bounced back after some tough sledding to take the Bagor Invitational.
Wayland’s volleyball team dropped two matches in the O-K Gold Conference, to Sparta and South Christian, watching its overall record fall to 15-7-5.
Jeff Nylan, 125-pounder, became the first Hopkins wrestler to win 100 matches in a career.
Wayland’s wrestling team pulled off a bid dula meet win over Cedar Springs to improve its season record to 22-3.
A grant from the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival has secured the appearance of concert pianist Andrea Schneider at the Wayland High School auditorium.
Gene Hall of Leighton Township, proprietor of Hall’s Fur Shop in Green Acres for 19 years and a Korean War veteran, died at age 67.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 6, 1973
Arthur C. Johnson, a 1968 graduate of Wayland High School and 1972 graduate of Michigan State University, has been appointed assistant cashier at Wayland State Bank.
A special election has been scheduled for April 16 on the issue of the City of Wayland annexing a portion of Leighton Township into the city to accommodate sewer lagoons.
The number of residents who showed up at the Hopkins Village Caucus to nominate candidates for election March 12 was 19.
Martin will have its village caucus Feb. 12.
Mrs. Robert Tanner and Mrs. Laurence Oetman have been named co-chairs of the Telephone Reassurance program to help area senior citizens with wellness checks.
The author of the “Some of This a Little of That” column featured Jerry Campbell, a photographer for the Kalamazoo Gazette who has a serious hobby as a clown.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. James Thomas wrote a column about how the current system of financing schools was ruled unconstitutional, so it’s unclear what happens next.
Mrs. Fred Green, Mrs. Jim Smith, Pat Sowle, Sharon Nelson, Kean Pearson and John Grafford wrote a letter to the editor praising the new Wayland Junior High enrichment program.
Three Wayland students from the local United Methodist Church, Jane Tinsler, Bob Frost and Dottie Josey, have been selected at attend the United Nations-Washington seminar Feb. 8-17.
Senior guard Bob Lehocky scored 27 and 37 points in consecutive games to lead Wayland to victories over Kelloggsville and Delton. The wins brought their record to 3-12 overall and 2-7 in the O-K Blue Conference.
Mike Pavlak bombed in 30 points to lead Hopkins to victory over Allendale and had 22 in a 64-60 loss earlier to Caledonia.
Tom Hildebrand netted 24 points and Wayne Mills 19 as Martin knocked off Fennville 77-54.
Kathy Worfel dropped in 18 points to pace a 43-22 victory for Wayland over Hopkins, enabling the ‘Cats to take over first place in the All-Van Conference.
Nine students at Wayland High High School earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the first semester. They were Kim Baugh, Bob Grafford, Shirley Calkins, Alice Fifelski, Paul Heckert. Kros Kohles, John Sandmeyer, Nancy Sherman and Alan Steines.
Hopkins Fire Department has launched a “red ball” program to identify children inside houses that are burning.
Paul Manning, a 1949 graduate of Wayland High School, has been chosen executive vice president at the Valley National Bank of Aurora, Ill.
Jerry Berry of Dorr has been appointed sales manager at Metropolitan Life Insurance in Grand Rapids.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 13, 1948
Another burglary occurred in the village Wednesday ehen thieves enter the business of the A.D. Hughes Co. They opened a safe and ransacked furniture in the office.
Rev. Father William Reitz, assistant pastor of St. John Vianny Church, Grand Rapids, will be guest speaker during Lenten season at St. Therese Church.
Mrs. Ed St. John was elected chairwoman of the Home Economics Extension Club at a meeting held in the home of Mrs. Frank Langley.
A prohibition rally will be held Feb. 19 at the Wayland High School cafeteria.
The local Rod & Gun Club reported a terrific turnout, especially from young men. The group’s president, Frederic Hilbert, also is a state director for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. The Rod & Gun Club is sponsoring a fox hunt at Hilliards Corners Feb. 15. Shotguns only.
A group of 20 adults have been meeting at Wayland High School commercial room under the direction of Julia Smith.
Mrs. Bessie Illiff gave a presentation on “Interesting Hobbies,” to the adult homemaking class. And Mrs. Ed Eylander presented a program in rug making, her hobby.
The Commerce Club of Hopkins is sponsoring a Valentine Dance Feb. 14at the high school gym.
Rev. Herbery McConnell, who one was a pastor at a Hopkins church, has been honored for serving 50 years, beginning in 1898.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre downtown:
• Don Castle and Virginia Christine in “The Invisible Wall.”
• Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnett in “Six-Gun Law.”
• Lon McCallister, Edmund Gwenn and Peggy Ann Garner in “Thunder in the Valley.”
• Rita Hayworth, Larry Parks and James Gleason in “Down to Earth.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 9, 1923
The Wayland chapter of the Order of Eastern Star adopted a resolution of respect for George Mitthofer, who died Jan. 31.
Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt wrote in a front page article, “Are you a library patron? If not, why not countenance the privilege?”
Total attendance this past month at Wayland Public School, District No. 6, is 263.
District Supt. Dr. Kendrick will occupy the pulpit at Corning Church and in Wayland Methodist Episcopal Church.
Miss McKinstry read a brief program on “The Social Needs of Our Young People” to members of the Ladies Library Club in an effort to determine what can be done to help young boys and girls.
Mrs. E. Smith is taking a vacation from her work as a bookkeeper for the Business Men’s Paper Press Co. on account of her eyes.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Irense Castle in “Slim Shoulders” and Marie Prevost in “The Married Flapper.”
Miss Hilda Morris is detained at her home by illness and has been unable to resume duties teaching at Wayland School.
Harry Nevins entertained boys from his Sunday school class with an oyster supper, games and presentation of a gift of a fine fountain pen.
The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sinke of Moline died at age two months.
Miss Beulah Gackler of Leighton has begun duties as a teacher for the Weber School after being ill for two weeks.
Harold Kaechele of Leighton suffered a case of blood poisoning of his elbow. He was taken to Grand Rapids to have the lesion lanced, but is regarded to be in serious condition.
The independent voters of Wayland will have a village caucus at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.
The Bradley store was robbed of a considerable amount of cash and merchandise. Mr. Allen, proprietor, was able to travel to Grand Rapids and with aid of local police determined the identity of the thief, who was taken to Allegan for incarceration.
Nearly one half of the students at Bradley school were absent this week from the same undisclosed illness.
