(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago— March 2, 1998
The Martin boys’ basketball team lost its first 15 games this season, but the Clippers have won their last two games by wide margins.
The Hopkins volleyball team captured its first conference volleyball championship under the tutelage of Terri Merren.
Rebekah Doyle of Minneapolis, former Wayland High School Theatrix member, wrote a letter to the editor insisting better theater performances would be presented whenever voters would approve larger and better facilities.
Sharon Herring of Wayland Township wrote a letter urging local taxpayers approve a proposal to change the Henika Public Library to the Henika District Library that will be more inclusive for the township.
Pat Hoekstra, Joyce Seekman, Rev. William Bills, Naomi Martin and Traci Guritz collaborated on a letter thanking Dr. Iris Williams for her service as superintendent of Martin Public Schools.
The Globe published a comprehensive account of the candidates for Hopkins Village posts, including Mary Howard, Jeffrey Glascott, Larry Switek, Richard Malone, Grace Hitt and Tonya Scheandorf.
Six candidates have filed for Wayland city offices, including six for three open council seats. They are Dorothy DeWeerd, Maurice Stahl, Paul Bowen, James Haley and incumbents Marie Hall and Dallas Strong.
The Dorr Township Board granted preliminary approval for the Hilltop View Estate residential project on 21st Street.
Dick and Rusty Dutkiewicz have decided to retire from the grocery business they have owned and operated sinc 1955. They are passing it along to son Steve and daughter Cathy Merren. The name “Dick’s Market” will be retained.
Consumers Energy workers were stringing new lines along 135th Avenue from across from the high school to 4th Street.
The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team owns an overall record of 4-13 going into its final regular season game. The Wildcats edged Belding for the second time, 55-53, to avoid the O-K Gold Conference cellar.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 27, 1973
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth DeWeerd and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Adamczyk are co-chairs of the annual benefit dance for the Precious Acres children’s service, which will be held this Saturday night at the Hilliards Knights of Columbus Hall. Music will be provided by the famous Terrible Troubadours, which includes Globe Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey on vocals and saxophone.
Pastors and laymen Leo Bennett, Hubert Sprik, Peter Luyk, Ralph Mallett, Aloysius Ulanowicz, Wade Greenawalt and Robert Palmer are heading up the “Key ‘73” survey for delivering better services to area residents.
Members of the Christian Reformed Church in Dorr held a ground breaking ceremony. The old building will eb used in the future for Sunday school classes.
Voters in the Wayland Union school district will go to the polls next Tuesday to decide a 4.11-mill request, a renewal for operations.
Three Wayland area girls will compete in the Miss Michigan Teenage Pageant in Detroit March 9 and 10. They are Janice Shoemaker of Dorr, Pamela McKee of Shelbyville and Mishel McBride of Caledonia.
“The Ambassadors” from the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music will be guest performers next Sunday night at the Green Lake Calvary Church.
The color film “So Long Joey,” a documentary about one man’s struggle with alcoholism, will be shown Saturday evening at the Wayland High School girls’ gym.
The Hopkins varsity basketball team earned revenge for an earlier season loss to Martin by scoring a 59-50 win. Mike Smith had 17 points, twin brother Rick had 14 and Kelly McEwen 13.
Junior Pat Wilde tossed in 16 points, all in the second half, but Wayland lost in double overtime to Comstock Park, bringing its season record to 5-14. The Wildcats will play host Hastings in the first round of the Class B district tournament next week.
The demonstration team of Phil Lenhart, Jeff Lenhart and Arlyn Coffey earned a gold rating at the FFA districts, as did the parli-pro team of Mike Modreski, Brian Pelham, Sherry Collings, Mike Fein, Rick Funk, Scott Miller and Doug Steffens. Maynard Guy won the public speaking contest.
Mrs. Florence Alflen, widow of local auto dealer Edward Alflen, died at Kent County Community Hospital. She was 75.
75 Years Ago — March 5, 1948
The Allegan County rat control program will begin later this month, with a number of local businesses agreeing to be places bait can be picked up.
The Gun River drainage problem will be the topic of discussion at the next meeting at the Allegan County Drain Commissioner’s office.
Charles Stoddard was elected commander for the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and Max Schwartz was chosen first vie commander.
Irene Perry has been announced as valedictorian of the Wayland High School Class of 1948. Her mother, Mrs. Russell Perry, was valedictorian for the Class of 1919 at Fowler High School in Ohio and her older sisters, Vivian and Ruth, were WHS valedictorians in 1939 and 1943, respectively. Norm Bredeweg was salutatorian.
The demonstration team of Charles Fisher, Roger Morris and David Peet won first place honors at the FFA districts at Middleville and will compete March 9 at regionals at Kellogg Augusta.
The adult homemaking class at Wayland High School met with E.M. Bassett for a session on refinishing furniture. A potluck supper for the group is planned for March 15.
The Wayland High School basketball team defeated Middleville 43-32, giving the team its best regular season record ever. Seniors on the squad were Bob Jager, Hank Ritsema, John Bruinsma and Jim Koster.
The fire department was summoned to the Tap Service Station. Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the home interior.
Area farmers have been invited to attend a John Deere Day program in Caledonia, featuring “Doctor Jim.”
Ivan Smith was the winner of the “Picture of the Year” from the Grand Rapids Camera Club.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Kent Taylor and Doris Dowling in “The Crimson Key.”
• Jon Hall and Patricia Morrison in “The Prince of Thieves.”
• Greer Garson and Robert Mitchum in “Desire Me.”
• Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo and Boris Karloff in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
100 Years Ago — March 2, 1923
Wayland voters soundly rejected a bond proposal for $50,000 to build a new high school building by a count of 172 to 23. The Globe reported nearly everyone was on board with the idea more room was needed for students, but opposed erection of a new building.
Dr. I.L Slater of Wayland will speak to the SW Michigan Osteopathic Physicians’ group on “Health Officers’ and Physicians’ Duty Toward the Public.”
Prominent Allegan County attorney John Stockdale, who was born in Wayland in 1866, died of heart trouble. He once was township clerk and a teacher before becoming an attorney.
Samuel J. Hanna publicly stated that Guert Fales’ opponent for school commissioner was not elected, but appointed to her post because of the death of her husband. He full endorsed Fales in the March 7 election.
Miss Lee of the Grand Rapids YWCA spoke to members of the Ladies Library Club about religious education.
Despite inclement weather and plenty of illnesses, the Northeast Hopkins Community Club meeting had about 40 present for an oyster dinner.
Miss Margaret Beall, a Wayland High School graduate, gave a number of pleasing readings at the Kalamazoo Normal School Glee Club concert. Miss Beall has accepted the offer of employment as a fifth and sixth grade teacher in Battle Creek schools.
Charles Mapes of Leighton broke his arm while cranking his automobile.
The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Moore now is improving after Dr. Haas successfully treated her as she was on the brink of death from pneumonia.
A suspicious motorist was stuck in a snowbank while trying to flee from authorities. He apparently felt too guilty to ask for help and stole John Door’s team of horses in Moline and abandoned them at a fence unblanketed during a snowstorm.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “The Storm,” billed as the biggest picture of the season.