(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 6, 1998
Schools in Allegan County are making a collaborative effort to reduce student violence. Leading the efforts are Allegan County Intermediate District President James Pavelka and Lt. Rick Cain of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department.
The City of Wayland’s attempts to acquire land through eminent domain regulations strangely received no pushback. Allegan County Circuit Court granted the city’s request to acquire property from the wastewater treatment plant on the northeast side of the city to the Rabbit River.
The 19th annual Fontana Music Festival will get under way at Art Emporium, the former Shelbyville general store at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12. The classical music series will run through Sunday, Aug. 23.
Scott Sullivan wrote the second in a series about power provided in this area by Consumers Energy and Great Lake Energy.
Ken Olney was elected president of the Wayland Board of Education at its annual reorganizational meeting.
Kimberly Jo Wycoff Thompson wrote a letter condemning those who burn flags.
Joan Weick of Gun Lake was honored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs as the outgoing state president of the organization.
Former Wayland physician Douglas Bailey died at his Kalamazoo home of pulmonary edema. He was 43.
The Wayland Summerfest 5K run attracted 99 competitors to raise money for the Wayland High School athletic programs.
50 Years Ago — July 3, 1973
Retired State Police Commander Lt. Harold Ernst was named police chief for the City of Wayland, succeeding Scott Norman, who resigned. A member of the Wayland Planning Commission and Lions Club, he has been a citizen here since 1968.
Robert Conrad Trotter, 3, was killed in a traffic crash between the auto in which he was riding and a milk truck at the intersection of 10th Street and 124th Avenue, Shelbyville.
Eugene Greer of Grand Rapids has been named principal at Baker Elementary School, succeeding Mrs. Rueben Fox, who resigned at the end of the academic year. He comes from Forest Hills Public Schools.
Mrs. Shirley Meinke was elected president of the Ladies Library Club, succeeding Mrs. John Baker.
Mrs. Bruce Moulenbelt was elected president of the Hopkins Parent-Teacher Association, which voted to dissolve its membership in the national PTA.
“Dance Music of Yesterday and Today” was the theme for a Wayland Showmobile program planned for July 5 at the City Park. Program coordinator was John Dunsmore. In case of inclement weather, the show will be presented at the Wayland High School girls’ gym auditorium.
Local historian Mrs. Ruby Smith has reported the Wayland Grange will have its centennial celebration at the Wayland United Methodist Church July 19.
Bobby Preston earned the top spot among the nation’s hit songs with “Will It Go Round in Circles?”
75 Years Ago — July 9, 1948
Homer Ward, engineer for the Allegan County Road Commission, told members of the Wayland Road Commission more money will be needed to keep up condition of local roads, which are in a terrible state of disrepair. He maintained that funding is being cut while expenses have been increasing.
Henry Pierce was re-elected president and Milo Gray secretary and treasurer of the Gun Lake Protective Association. Plans were discussed for installing a dock at Murphy’s Point.
The Vets own a 5-1 record and have a half game lead over Leighton in the summer softball league standings.
Mrs. Georgia Clack, 67, died at her home east of Wayland after five months of “patient suffering.”
Calvin Winchester, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mars. Walter Winchester of Dorr, was killed in an accident.
Members of the Wayland Grange will be shown the motion picture, “Welding Comes to the Farm” July 13.
Fire destroyed the corn crib at the Shelbyville farm of E.R. Curie. A tractor owned by Arby Button also was destroyed.
Clifford Doublestein and John Bruinsma have passed their examinations for acceptance into the Air Force and are stationed at San Antonio, Texas. Bob Jager hopes to join them soon.
The Dixie south of town on U.S.-131 is having a promotion that enables guests to come to the bar and ballroom for only 50 cents Friday evenings, with Pike Wellman and his Orchestra performing and Leon Gray serving as caller.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Jon Hall and Michael O’Shea in “Last of the Redmen.”
• Kent Taylor and Peggy Knudson in “Half Past.”
• Susan Peters, Peggy Ann Garner and Alexander Knox in “The Sign of the Ram.”
• Gary Cooper, Boris Karloff and Paulette Goddard in “Unconquered.”
100 Years Ago — July 6, 1923
Dr. Mary Cutler, a Methodist medical missionary on furlough from her travels in the Pacific nations, dropped in on her mother, Mrs. J.C. Cutler, and brother, F.D. Cutler, in Wayland.
“A very interesting talk was given at the Yankee Springs church last Sunday evening by a Catholic ex-priest.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Anita Stewart in “The Invisible Fear” and “Broad Daylight.” Also: Additional International News.
“Sheriff Hare was in town last Saturday to see to it that everybody walked the straight and narrow way.”
Anna Goodman, wife of longtime Wayland man Raymond Goodman, died after being ill just one day in Roman, Montana. Raymond formerly worked at the Yeakey Market and in Grand Rapids before traveling west, meeting Anna from Ogden, Utah.
Noting the Wayland Days celebration in the last week of July, Rollo G. Mosher reported, “Many were the favorable comments made during the celebration on the improved appearance of the village park.”
He noted a drinking fountain has been installed, a bandstand erected, lights put in and soon there will be swings and slides for the youngsters, along with a tennis court and croquet grounds.
Several members of the Shriners’ Band of Grand Rapids helped the Wayland ensemble liven up things during Wayland Days the past Saturday. “Our boys made their first appearance with their new uniforms, and presented a snappy appearance.”
However, Mosher contended the highlight of Wayland Days at the village park was the barbecue. “Due credit should be given to Frank Cozzens, who secured the prize beef…”
Reuben S. Cure, Commissioner of Highways, announced that all Wayland citizens are responsible for cutting down noxious weeds on their properties before July 20.