Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 29, 1998
Allegan County has endorsed the plan for the Leighton-Dorr Township sewer project that will cost $5.83 million. Former Drain Commissioner Lynn Fleming said, “We’re approaching the limits of the existing system. Development in that area, both commercial and residential, has increased in its pace.”
A fund-raising auction in Hopkins was held to raise nearly $6,000 to help the high school track program’s ambitious plans to construct a track complex.
A drug bust in Wayland nailed six law breakers at 525 West Superior at a home in which the offenders were caught with marijuana. The incident led to other charges, including assaulting an officer, being possession of a stolen car and unpaid child support.
Editor Nila Aamoth commented in her Soapbox, “Strange as it may seem, books are big business these days. Everybody is reading, and who can blame them, given the TV lineup?”
State Rep. Karen Willard of the 82nd District is seeking public opinion about the drain code.
State Senator Joanne Emmons, a strong supporter of Gov. John Engler’s agenda, has announced he will seek her second four-year term in Lansing.
Eight members of the Martin High School Class of 1935 gathered for a reunion.
Henika Library has been officially designated as a district library, which allows Wayland Township residents to be represented on the Library Board. The township contributes a half mill to support operations.
Marilyn Fifelski of Dorr is asking area residents in northeast Allegan County to remember to give blood.
Pat Coughlin of Wayland fired a hole in one on Father’s Day at the 100-yard fourth hole at Yankee Springs Golf Course, using his wedge.
Gerals W. “Jack” Burt, a retired Air Force Colonel and World War II veteran, died at the age of 80.
Larry Williams, a prominent members of the Williams Family bluegrass group who was inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame, died at age 70 at Grand Valley Health Center.
50 Years Ago — June 26, 1973
John Vargo of Cassopolis has been hired as new varsity basketball coach at Wayland High School, succeeding David Van Eerden. He also will teach sixth grade.
Hopkins school officials took part in a ground breaking ceremony in Dorr Township for the new Sycamore Elementary School. It will be built on land purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harnish.
The communities of Dorr and Hopkins are gearing up for the annual Fourth of July celebrations, including a queen pageant in Hopkins.
The third band concert of the summer season will be held June 28 in Wayland City Park. Featured will be a square dancing demonstration.
Forrest “Woody” Miller and Gordon Baehre are reopening a Ford auto dealership in Wayland at the location formerly occupied by Storey Ford.
The bid from former school board member Verne Lettinga was accepted for property on the west side of U.S.-131, originally considered as a site for the new high school. It was the only bid, for $32,110.
Herb Johnson resigned his varsity basketball coaching post at Martin High School after five years, posting a 56-22 overall record. He resigned to devote more time to the Cheshire Hills golf course he and his brothers own.
Wayland High School athlete Kathy Worfel captured the championship in the Grand Rapids Press 16 and under tennis tournament.
Sports writer David T. Young wrote a column about the new rules governing tie-breaking procedures in football.
Carrie Bowman of Martin and Jan Shoemaker of Wayland represented their schools at Michigan Farm Bureau Young Peoples’ Citizenshi forum at Ferris State College.
Master Sgt. William Morgenstern of Wayland has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service from 1952 to 1973. He and his family will move to the Detroit area, where he will be employed as a military science instructor.
George Harrison supplanted fellow ex-Beatle Paul McCartney in the No. 1 slot for the nation’s tunes with “Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth.”
75 Years Ago — July 2, 1948
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported he, Naman Frank, Ivan Smith, Harold Hawkins and Jack Gurney opened the fishing season at Gun Lake together.
Mosher also wrote extensively about the arrival of a new Intertype typesetting machine at the Globe office.
Dr. Sauel Boyer of Shelbyville died at age 77. He practiced here for five years before retiring to become an onion producer.
St. Therese Church parishoners are making plans for their annual chicken dinner on the Alflen property July 11. Fr. Albert Radowski promised to waiting in line this time and the dinner is a good deal for just a buck.
Mrs. Sylvia Ann Smith, who was born in Bloomingdale in 1860, died at age 87. She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church.
The Hopkins community baseball team traveled to Howard City Sunday and returned home with a victory.
Teachers from Wayland attending summer school at Western Normal are Claude Smith, Mrs. R. J. Steeby, Richard Overmire, Olive Halloran, Marjorie Sherwood, Wilma Born, Lyla Archer and Jo Delp Barbour.
Former Hopkins resident Herman Tiefenthal, a Spanish-American War veteran, died of a heart attack in Allegan.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Johnson attended the Michigan Bankers Association Convention at Mackinac Island.
The Interdenominational Church School, sponsored by the Congregational, Church of Christ and Methodist churches, will conclude for this year at the Methodist Church Friday at 8 p.m.
The remains of Pfc. Clifford Hazen have been returned to Hopkins for burial.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Rin Tin Tin III, Bobby Blake in “The Return of Rin Tin Tin.”
• Lyn Wilde, Lee Wilde and Adele Mara in “Campus Honeymoon.”
• Peggy Cummins, Charles Corburn and Robert Arthur in “Green Grass of Wyoming.”
• Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Van Johnson in “State of the Union.”
100 Years Ago — June 29, 1923
The businessmen of Wayland have distributed over the three-day local celebration prizes, of which first goes to Frank Hazen of Hopkins, Mrs. I.L. Slater second and Clayton Smith of Leighton fourth. J.C. Yeakey has proudly announced a fine animal has ben secured for the barbecue.
The Leighton Fourth of July celebration will be held at Thede’s grove.
Will Tanner will lead a discussion at the next Grange meeting on “Is our rural mail service too extravagantly administered?”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Jackie Coogan in “My Boy.” Buster Keaton in “The Paleface.” Constance Talmadge in the Polly of the Fllies.” Special presentation — “In the Name of the Law.”
The Hilliards School this month reported nine boys and 10 girls attended this academic year. Four students passed the eighth grade examination.
Clinton H. Shattuck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Shattuck, was awarded the Frazier Prize at the University of Pennsylvania as a member of the school record 440-yard relay quartet.
The Board of Education of Wayland District No. 2 is taking bids for a three-room school building.
Mrs. Ruth Ward has recovered sufficiently from burns she suffered to begin attending classes this week at Western Normal.