COVER PHOTO: Jay L. Smith and associates, shown in the photograph in 1898, launched the Business Men’s Paper Press Co. and it continued into the 20th century and beyond, finally closing as Smith Lumber & Coal in 2014. Third generation owner J.L. Smith blamed the shutdown on just three words: Menard’s, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 17, 1998
Allegan County Emergency Dispatch is planning to ask for a new 911 center for operations.
Ampro Industries, Wayland Township’s biggest local taxpayer and employer, may be sold to U.S. Home & Garden, a consumer lawn and garden business. Ampro was started as Cowbell Seeds in the 1930s by Frederick Hilbert.
Yankee Springs Township will continue to contract for fire services with Thornapple Township Emergency Services, but warns it will explore other options in the meantime.
United Bank is donating the iconic downtown building at the corner of Main and East Superior streets to the City of Wayland. The structure, which was erected in 1887, will be the new home of city government offices. City Manager Barbara VanDuren said current city offices have become too crowded.
The City of Wayland is getting close to making a hire for a police officer to succeed Gene Tobin, who took a job with the City of Grand Rapids.
The “Yes I Can” league for youngsters with disabilities has completed its second year in Dorr.
Michigan State Police Director Col. Michael Robinson paid the local post an unusual visit to quell rumors it will drop its investigation unit to focus more on highway patrol.
James Beck, 31, a Vietnam War veteran and 31-year employee of Dean Foods, was killed in a traffic crash at the corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and 142nd Avenue. It was third fatal crash at the corner in the past two months. State Traffic Director Burl Ghastin said all three crashes were determined to be the result of operator error.
The Globe published a photo of a fund-raising basketball game on behalf of Hopkins football program, featuring Viking grads Mike Stearns and Matt Hazen.
Martin, Hopkins and Wayland teams were highlighting in three preseason prospects stories for football.
Ronald J. Schad, formerly of Wayland and a resident of South Korea for the past 25 years, died in Seoul. He was 56.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 14, 1973
Wayland High School graduate Robert Andringa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Andringa and an aide to Congressman Robert Quie of Maryland, has been named to the elite corps of “Outstanding Young Men of America.”
Wayland aviation enthusiast Willard Benedict reported he was thrilled to give ride to astronaut Michale Collins in his 1941 antique aircraft at Oshkosh, Wisc.
Hopkins High School students Kathy Shea and Jackie Smith were featured in a story about their five-week summer trip to Europe with English teacher Mrs. Ann Ohlman.
Owners Mike and Terry Chlebana were pictured with employees at the open house for Gun Lake Building Supply.
Mike Cline, a 1973 graduate of Wayland High School, has been featured in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” 1972-73 edition.
The 61st annual Jackson Family Reunion beckoned 125 people to food and fellowship.
Robert Swartout and Francis Lindgren filled in for Manager Dennis Reno and guided the Wayland Jaycees to second place in the Region I softball tournament at Kalamazoo.
Champions for the youth baseball and softball leagues were crowned, including Jackson’s Feed, Little League, Dorr No. 4, Martin in Dorr Pony League, and the Lions Club in girls’ softball.
David Hunsberger, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hunsberger, attended a family reunion in Wayland rather than the Sunday Ogre baseball contest. Jim Gillette expressed disappointment in the turnout because he brought along his camera equipment for pictures.
Winners in the Globe tennis tournament were Hal Brocker, Jim Hendrixson, Mary Zuidersma, Henrietta Stauffer, Paul Heckert, Lynn Marutz and Kim Suhusky.
John Stamm, who sold produce at the Kalamazoo Municipal Market for more than 40 years, died died at Borgess Hospital. He was 62.
Larry Harig, 18, of Grand Rapids, drowned in Lake 16 in Martin Township.
Diana Ross took the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Touch Me in the Morning.”
75 Years Ago — Aug. 20, 1948
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his weekly column, “Green Lake property owners have already begun to crack down on speed boat operators in the wake of the triple drowning a short time ago. It is about time something was done to curb speed boat activity at Gun Lake.”
Irate resorters indeed have scheduled a special meeting in Allegan County to discuss the triple drownings. Coroner for the three victims is Dr. C. A. Dickinson of Wayland.
Louis Erdman, 26, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to pay $26.75 in fines and costs for speeding on Green Lake one day before the triple tragedy.
The Wayland Rod and Gun Club will have and field day and picnic Sunday, Aug. 22, at Gun Lake. Featured will be a trap shoot competition on Ryno’s property south of Wayland.
Alfred Drouillard, 19, of Leighton Township, died at St. Mary’s Hospital after an 85-foot fall from a power line from a tower in Moline.
Four people sustained injuries in a four-car traffic crash south of Wayland. None wewre life threatening.
Van’s Gas & Electric has moved into the new building constructed by Harold Hawkins. It will be occupied by Doc and Ople Murdock, who moved from Vincent Pawloski’s store on West Superior.
Three teen-agers were injured on Marsh Road in a traffic crash that killed a dog.
Hopkins Schools Supt. Gaylord Caszatt has announced the first day of school this year will be Sept. 8 with a full-day session. “All books used this year will be the same as last year, except new literature books for seventh, eighth and ninth grades.
The 34th session of Hopkins Holiness Camp will be Aug. 19-29 at the campground a mile and a half north of Hopkins.
There were 52 members of the Old Times Club who attended the reunion at the campground. Mrs. Grace Packer Fox of Saginaw attended for the first time since she was 11 years old.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Monte Hale and Lynn Roberts in “Timber Trail.”
• Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake in “Blondie’s Anniversary.”
• Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan and Ann Jeffries in “Return of the Bad Men.”
• Bing Crosby and Joan Fontaine in “The Emperor Waltz.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 17, 1923
Several Yankee Springs folks have been taking in the Chautauqua in Middleville.
“Rumor has it that we (in Yankee Springs) are to have a school here this year. It certainly will be good to hear the old school bell ring again.”
The annual Farmers Picnic will be held Saturday, Aug. 25, at Streeter’s Landing, Gun Lake. Wayland band will provide music and there will be dancing and ball games.
A memorial service in honor of President Warren G. Harding was held at Ross Resort, with about 100 people in attendance.
Blanche McKinney Hunter, the world’s champion lady horseman with her equine beauties and chariot horses, will be featured in the Allegan County Fair Aug. 28 to 31, along with acrobats and a corn show.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Richard Barthelmess in “Sonny.” Round No. 3 of the Prize Fight picture. Johnnie Walker in the “The Fourth Musketeer.”
Mac Smith was to give a presentation “The League without America.” to members of the Wayland Grange.
A fire of unknown origin started last Wednesday afternoon and burned the barn and tenant house of Tom Stora.
Mrs. Frank Yerrick of Hopkins has a Plymouth rock pullet, which is doing her best to keep egg prices down. She came from the Boven Hatchery in Holland.
Mrs. Charlie Wilcox must be the champion milk maid of the state, for she milks 18 cows each day and night, besides house work and tending her garden.
