(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago— March 16, 1998
Wayland Union Schools will continue to officer drivers’ education, but students will be charged to participate.
The Hopkins High School varsity volleyball team earned its second consecutive district championship, under the tutelage of Terri Merren.
The Wayland City Police Department is one of the first in Michigan to carry automatic external defibrillators in its fleet of vehicles.
Wayland Union Schools bus drivers have settled on a new contract.
Globe Editor Nila Aamoth penned an outline of shortcomings with some tech-savvy features of modern phones, such as caller ID.
The Allegan County chapter of Habitat for Humanity is seeking families, homes, property and volunteers to continue its work in providing two homes this year to needy prospective homeowners.
Plans to designate A-42, or Chief Noonday Road, in Yankee Springs Township remain on hold, according to State Rep. Terry Geiger.
Budget cuts in Hopkins Township for the coming fiscal year will result in an increase of the fund balance to more than $400,000.
Curbside recycling in the City of Wayland will undergo changes, particularly in replacing bags with two plastic receptacles.
Grace Hitt was elected Hopkins Village Clerk and Larry Switek, Mary Howard and Richard Malone were elected to council seats.
Only 18 of Martin Village’s more than 200 registered voters showed up at the polls, as all offices were uncontested.
Roxie Muczynski and Mike Browand have announced they will not be seeking another four-year term on the Wayland Board of Education.
Jason Hilaski swished four three-point field goals, but Wayland lost its district tourney opener to Plainwell. Martin blew a huge lead over Freedom Baptist and lost 60-58. Hopkins lost to powerhouse Kalamazoo Christian.
Sophomore Nicki Merchant set the school record for digs and passes for the Wildcat volleyball team, which finished with a record of 24-15-10.
Hopkins alum Tim Kisner finished his first college season at Central Michigan University leading the team in scoring.
Former Wayland teacher Ken Pearson suffered a heart at died at his home. He was 60 years old.
50 Years Ago — March 13, 1973
George Schwartz, John Hitt Jr. and William Weick won seats on the Hopkins Village Council, though only 68 votes were cast. Martin’s proposal to have the village charter revised was passed by a 59-7 count.
An all-Wayland religious survey will be conducted via telephone between 2 and 4 p.m. March 18 and March 25. Five churches will have representatives calling, including the Methodist, Christian Reformed, United Church of Wayland, St. Therese and Sts. Cyril & Methodius.
Ottawa County Intermediate School District voters turned down a proposal to establish a vocational technical center. Allegan ISD officials have expressed interest in setting up such a facility.
Rain and mud closed roads and even Hopkins schools, and about 7,000 residences lost power in an early spring storm that surprised northeast Allegan County.
Longtime Wayland teachers Claude and Virginia Smith, Mrs. Reuben Fox, Mrs. Halden Hudson and Mrs. Elton Calkins all have announced their retirements at the end of the academic year.
The Wayland Board of Education now considers selling 40 acres west of the U.S.-131 expressway in Hopkins Township, originally proposed as the site of the new high school.
Mrs. Hugh Morrison was elected president of the local Golden Agers Club.
Wayland High School grad Patricia Krup was one of six vocalists who performed at a recital at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo.
Hopkins bested Hamilton in its Class C district basketball tournament opener, but then lost in the semifinal round to Forest Hills Northern. The Vikings were 16-6 for the season.
Martin made it to the district finals, where it lost to Schoolcraft, finishing with a 13-9 overall record.
Hopkins girls, under coach Peg Arnsman, finished a 10-2 season on the basketball court.
Caledonia, despite not winning one league championship this season, lead the all-sports derby and Wayland is fourth.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners will have a public hearing March 15 on how to spend $569,000 in federal revenue sharing. The City of Wayland has decided to spend about $16,000 of revenue sharing funds totaling more than $22,000 on a heavy duty truck.
75 Years Ago — March 19, 1948
Only 37 votes were cast in the Wayland Village election. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher commented, “Either folks do not care about village affairs of they are perfectly satisfied with the way things are being run.”
The home of Wynn Matteson at Gun Lake was destroyed by fire, despite efforts from the Wayland and Martin fire departments. Firefighters had to cut through 16 inches of ice on Gun Lake to get to water.
The cantata, “The Crucifixion,” will be presented Sunday evening at Martin Reformed Church.
Dick and Henry Lutostanski are in charge of the American Legion post feed at the hall Tuesday evening.
Irene Nakken and Ann Ryno sang two duets for members of the Ladies Library Club and Mrs. Ruby Larsen told the story of the crucifixion.
The Hopkins varsity basketball team lost 42-27 to Bridgman in the regional semifinals at Western Normal College.
The Wayland chapter of the Future Farmers of America will have a Parent-Son banquet Thursday in the high school cafeteria.
Mack Short, Ray Wykoski and Lyle Bake brought in nine fox pelt to collect a bounty award from the State of Michigan.
A fire at the Arlo Brocker home in Hopkins was quickly extinguished by the residents before firefighters arrived.
Members of the Rod and Gun Club will entertain area farmers April 1 at the high school cafeteria with a promised “good feed.” Charles Pease is chairman.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Jean Porter and Jimmy Lloyd in “Two Blondes and a Redhead.”
• Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette in “Buckeroo from Powder River.”
• June Allyson, Peter Lawford and Patricia Marshall in “Good News.”
• James Stewart, Richard Conte and Lee J. Cobb in “Call Northside 777.”
100 Years Ago — March 16, 1923
Two hundred and thirty votes were cast in the Wayland Village election. R.F. Buskirk was elected president, George Schuh clerk, John Stockdale treasurer, Leander Chapple assessor, and Austin Bowman and Archie Edwards trustees.
The Northeast Hopkins Community Club enjoyed a seasonal corned beef and cabbage dinner and the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Levandoske.
Jane E. Whitney, the longest serving and oldest member of the Hopkins Grange No. 390, died March 11. She was 79.
Strong winds in a severe storm took down the north section of the Evangelical Church in Leighton. The winds also have negatively impacted phone service, many residences and village streets.
School is closed at Corning because teacher Arthur Kaechele has been ill. The same was true for the Bradley Grammar School and teacher Mrs. Oliver.
Mrs. DeVries and baby met with what could have been a serious accident when a wheel came off the buggy they were riding in before being thrown out of it.
About 28 people were present at the Good Times party at the home of Fred Rider, West Leighton.
Miss Dorothy Baker conducted a parliamentary drill and Esther Rittenger read a paper on “The Life of James Whitcomb Riley” at the most recent meeting of the Ladies Library Club.
Area farmers have been tapping their sugar bushes. The quality is excellent and bringing an average price of $2.50 per gallon.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Russell Simpson and Pauline Starks in “The Kingdom Within” Saturday and Sunday. It’s a story about the Redwood forests in California.