From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
25 Years Ago — March 18, 1992
A 16-year-year-old freshman who had been expelled for violating smoking policies three times was taken to the Allegan County Juvenile Home after admitting to calling in a false bomb threat at Wayland High School. In the wake of this incident, the expulsion of a student for bringing a shot gun to school and numerous complaints about bullying, a special committee was organized to seek ways to ease tensions at the high school. Student Council President Kevin Goodwin took the lead in the effort.
Gordon Lyons was arraigned in Allegan County District Court on charges of violating Michigan Department of Natural Resources laws in connection with his collection of more than 500 tires at his Watson Township farm on 117th Avenue.
A mobile home owned by Mike Cook was destroyed by fire at Windsor Wood Estates. Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd said Cook’s life was saved by the presence of a smoke detector inside the trailer.
Yankee Springs Township voters will decide in the November election on a half-mill proposal for fire protection.
There were many letters to the editor during the week on the subjects of tensions at Wayland High School and the March 25 Hopkins school bond issue. Jack and Kay Herp acknowledged that the 16-year-old arrested for the shotgun had overreacted to bullying. They insisted, “Unless we stop the root of this problem, bullies and gangs, it (the problem) will just grow.”
There were seven letters to the editor in support of the Hopkins school bond issue, most because of what they termed as overcrowded conditions in a growing school system.
Rexanne Francis, an elementary teacher, wrote a letter in support of the Wayland High School varsity basketball team, which had just completed an 0-21 season. She maintained they played hard and never quit all season long in the face of adversity.
Diance Sprncer, formerly of Wayland, was sentenced by Allegan County Circuit Judge George Corsiglia to life in prison in connection with the September 1990 suffocation death of her infant son, Aaron.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about four local lads, Terry Keenan, Jason VanVure, Tom Northrup and Mike Stone, who formed the country rock band Frau Brau.
Wayland High School senior Rob Sikkema finished sixth in the state wrestling tournament in the 189-pound division.
Martin wrestling coach Tom Koops, who guided the Clippers to a state championship, two runner-up finishes and coached 14 individual state champions, has decided to retire. He also is principal at Brandon Elementary School.
Erin Marsh was in the starring role as Dot in the Wayland High School play “Mrs. California.”
50 Years Ago — March 15, 1967
Melvin J. Nagelkirk, 28, was killed when the tractor he was driving flipped over and pinned him to the ground at his farm two miles west of Hopkins. He was towing a spreader up an incline when it overturned.
The local Fraternal Order of Police, led by Wayland Police Chief Forrest Reichenbach, was planning the annual Easter Egg Hunt for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at the City Park.
Six people were injured and taken to area hospitals for treatment after being involved in a two-car traffic crash at in the intersection of 135th Avenue and 18th Street in Hopkins Township. Four were from the Dorr-Hopkins area, including Russell Hansen, Dennis Fein, Luke Harnish and Theresa Harnish. The driver of the other car, Leo Krause, 18, of Hamilton, crashed into the Hilliards Tavern, causing plenty of damage.
The Wayland High School junior play, “The Greatest Man Alive,” features a cast of Russ Middleton, Walt Freund, Pat Burkhardt, Bob Ayers, Gail Wilcox, Sue Shoemaker, Mike Stoner and Don Freeman.
The Wayland Board of Education has begun mapping out specific plans for remodeling at the Baker Elementary School for less than $25,000 in cost.
Representatives from Plainview and Sycame elementary schools held a discussion with Wayland School Board members about annexation, but were told Wayland is in no position to accept any more students because it is overcrowded.
James Hazen squeaked by Dennis Roxbury 33-31 in the only contest in the quiet Hopkins Village election.
Allen E. Bixler, 50, of Shelbyville, was killed in a construction accident at the site of planned Woodland Mall Shopping Centre southwest of Grand Rapids.
The Hopkins Board of Education officially decided to seek four mills for six years, 1967 to 1972 inclusive, in a special election May 18.
A Grand Rapids publishing company has announced it plans to publish a book about 1955 Wayland High School graduate Phil Regan, who is coming off a stellar year, pitching in the World Series as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers and winning the Fireman of the Year award. He has just signed a contract with a healthy raise to $40,000 annually.
Lee Pankratz was named to the second team of the Expressway League all-star basketball team and Melvin Spencer and Rick Blok were named honorable mention.
Yul Brenner, Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson were starring in the Cecil B. DeMille epic “The 10 Commandments” at the Wayland Theatre.
The Beatles regained the No. 1 slot atop the music charters in the nation with “Penny Lane.”
75 Years Ago — March 20, 1942
“Did you have see a man that seems to get mkore enjoyment out of a good cigar than Garrie Mason?” asks Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher.
The Wayland High School Agriculture Department now has the appropriate facilities to perform germination tests for farmers. It is advisable to secure the tests to ensure better crop yields. Another ag service is testing all seed grains against development of diabetes.
Anyone who plays a band instrument is invited to report to the Town Hall at 8 p.m. next Wednesday. Gerald Mulder is the director.
The Past Matrons Club of the Orders of Eastern Star for Wayland and Bradley chapters will meet at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Snell in Shelbyville for a potluck and fellowship.
Mrs. Thomas McAllister of the National Committee on Civil Defense in Grand Rapids, told the Ladies Library Club that home front communities should be organized and taught health, nutrition and housing, along with thinking calmly. “The home front might be the deciding factor on winning the war,” she commented.
An electrical storm caused damage to the farms of William Dewey of Leighton Township and of James DeYoung south of town, killing a couple of cows.
In township caucuses, Harold Fox was nominated for supervisor of Wayland Township and Fred Hilbert for clerk; Jacob Haveman was nominated for supervisor in Leighton and Lydia Frey for clerk.
A Wayland Grange Grange debate was planned for the groups next meeting. The issue was “Resolved: The modern farmer is better off to go back to using horses.” Arguing the affirmative will be Clayton Smith, the negative by Harrison Jackson.
The newly-installed pipe organ at the Methodist Church will be used for the union service to lead a variety of choral and instrumental pieces.
Edward Jaskiewitz of Wayland held serial number 441 and was the first to be drafted into the selective service from Allegan County.
Floyd Boughner, former superintendent of Wayland Schools (1918-22) has decided to retire at age 63 from the field of education. He has been superintendent at Marine City.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jinx Falkenburg and Buddy Rogers in “Sing for Your Supper.”
- Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake in “Blondie Goes to College.”
- Robert Taylor, Lana Turner, Van Heflin and Edward Arnold in “Johnny Eager.”
- Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes in “The Man from Cheyenne.”
• James Ellison and Virginia Gilmore in “The Carter Case.”
100 Years Ago — March 16, 1917
There is only one ticket in the village election and 106 votes were cast, returning all incumbents to office. Republicans were President Harry Allgeo, Clerk Leander Chapple, Treasurer George Wilson, Assessor Frank Chamberlain and Trustees Clayton Maby, Clarence Ryno and William Bohm.
The Wayland Township caucus produced Republican nominations for Supervisor Frank Chamberlain, Cleark Leander Chapple and Treasurer Guert Fales. Leighton Township’s caucuses produced independent candidates Charles Ellis, supervisor, and Robert Smith, treasurer. Republicans were Elroy Smith, supervisor, Oliver Francisco, clerk, and William Purchase, treasurer.
Louise Tarnutzer was elected president of the newly-organized Wayland Township Teachers Group, formed “to promote educational interest in this township.” Dues were set at 25 cents per member.
The senior class play, “Kicked out of College,” will be performed March 23 at Frank’s Opera House downtown.
Wayland High School senior Cleo Fox has been invited to join the Western State Normal Orchestra in Kalamazoo to perform in the play “The Art of Being Bored.”
Strict rules about dogs running at large in the county will be enforced with a quarantine issued in the wake of two reported deaths on account of rabies. The quarantine will be in effect until June 17.
The Alpha Society of the Bradley Congregational Church is being credited with raising $70 toward the purchase of a new piano at the church.
The next Allegan County Boys’ Conference for the YMCA will be held in Wayland March 24 and 25. Visiting groups are coming from Monterey Center, Hopkins, Allegan, Otsego, Martin and Plainwell.
