(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Sept. 28, 1998
Globe Editor Nila Aamoth, in her weekly Soapbox, declared, “Most of the elected officials who serve in local government are our friends and neighbors. They are honest straightforward, well-meaning folks — exactly the type of people the other kind of folks find easy to hornswoggle.”
Paul Bowen, on behalf of the residents at the Windsor Woods mobile home park, expressed appreciation in a letter to the editor to Fire Chief Joe and Police Chief Dan Miller for their work on behalf of local public safety.
The City of Wayland is applying for a $300,000 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) grant to fund construction of connector road between 133rd and 135th Avenues to benefit the city’s new industrial park.
Martin Public Schools has won a state grant of $139,250 to enhance technology in the district, according to Curriculum Director Barbara Zachman.
Allegan County Sheriff David Haverdink has asked for and received permission from the Board of Commissioners to expand the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
Sheryl O’Connor has resigned her princialship at Sycamore Elementary in the Hopkins district to take a post at Caledonia.
Wayland Union High School test scores have shown students are above average in Michigan.
The Martin High School marching band under Fred Bogdan captured first place in the Rockford 16th annual Wolverine World Wide Marching Band competition.
Ruth Hazen, the Wayland post office distribution clerk for 24 years, has decided to retire.
New Wayland High School Band Director Michelle Stephenson and the her 90-piece group has been presenting entertaining halftime shows from the 1950s.
Senior quarterback Matt Bennett and running back Kevin Glupker scored TDs to lead Hopkins, ranked No. 5 in the state, to a 20-7 triumph over Kelloggsville.
The Globe did a feature story with photos about longtime junior high football coach Waynd Goodwin, who has been named Athletic Booster of the Year.
Luke Williams and Brooke Brenner paced the Hopkins boys’ and girls’ cross-county teams, both of which won the Fennville Invitational.
Jesse Merchant scored 16 points, Kara Potter had 15 and Nicki Merchant 14 as Wayland hiked its overall record to 7-1 in girls’ basketball with a victory over Sparta.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 25, 1973
Mrs. Milo Farnsworth of Wayland, as a fifth generation descendant of Way of 1812 veteran Cephus Field, attended a special ceremony in Allegan honoring the man. Her son, Delbert, read a biography of the soldier during the ceremony.
State Rep. Bela Kennedy will be guest speaker at the Allegan County Republican Women’s Club meeting Oct. 4. Reservations may be made with Mrs. Irvin Helmey.
Leighton Farm Bureau officially issued its opposition to the proposed Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the new “no-fault” car insurance policy.
Gary Allen Wahl of Hopkins has earned an Air Force ROTC four-year scholarship at Michigan State University.
The Globe continues to be published on different colors of newsprint because of the Canadian strikes against deliveries of ink, creating a severe shortage.
The Hopkins golf team set the school record for nine holes with a combined 165 in a victory over Wayland. Viking linksters were Steve Adamczyk, Red Foley, Randy Martin and Bob Golm.
Cody Niemchick intercepted a pass and ran it back 65 yards to score, as Wayland kept the Cowbell in a 28-20 win over Caledonia.
Hopkins blasted Fennville 28-0 to set up a showdown next Friday against fourth-ranked Galesburg-Augusta.
Grand Funk captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “We’re an American Band.”
75 Years Ago — Oct. 1, 1948
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher in his Observations column, announced that Hopkins correspondent Lena Martin has been hospitalized with a bad back and will need at least a couple of weeks of rest to recover.
The Wayland Community Fair this year will include produce, plants and flowers from area farmers. Mosher added that local residents should stop buying oleomargarine and instead support local farmers by purchasing real butter.
Ladies Library Club will have a special meeting that will include past presidents in attendance and roll call will be answered by “Why I joined.”
Bill Mauchmar scored on a rushing touchdown and Jim Hagman tossed a scoring pass to Bert Jager, as Wayland defeated Middleville 12-0. The Trojans failed to penetrate beyond their own 35-yard line throughout the evening.
Women’s bowling teams in the area are invited to a special meeting at Plainwell Lanes for organizing the Allegan County Women’s Bowling Association.
Max Woodhull and his trained horse “Stardust” will be the featured entertainment at this year’s Community Fair. The high school band, under the leadership of Lenora Sykes, also will perform at the high school, along with Ray Overholt and his guitar from radio station WFUR.
Donna Carey of Wayland has been appointed to a committee that will be in charge of tryouts for new members of the Western Michigan College Players.
C.M. Keene of Owosso, former pastor of the Church of Christ in Wayland, died. And services will be Saturday at the Owosso Church of Christ.
Russell Culver of Wayland had the grand champion steer at the Allegan County Fair. Laverne Lettinga had the grand champion Holstein cow.
Dr. and Mrs. Eschbach, missionaries to the Philippines, will be special guests at the next service of the Leighton Evangelical United Brethren Church. He was a Japanese prisoner of war for three years.
The weekly feature on who visited and activities at the Wayland Airport was published again. Dick and Jack Allen were accompanied by their dog to facilitate a visit with a veterinarian.
William Maher was elected president of the student council at Hopkins High School.
An adult typing course will be offered at Wayland High School. For more information, call Supt. Gaylord Caszatt.
Mrs. Anna Hicks, who came to Wayland in 1898 and taught school for 35 years before retiring at Gun Lake, died at her home. She was 73.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Phillip Reed and Hillary Brooke in “Big Town Scandal.”
• Charles Starrett as the Durango Kid, Smiley Burnette and Virginia Hunter in Phantom Valley.
• Glen Ford and Evelyn Keyes in “The Mating of Millie.”
• Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Ann Miller in “Easter Parade.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 28, 1923
The Church of Christ is celebrating a revival week with visiting evangelist Mundell, concluding on a Sunday with “The Commonest Thing in Wayland.” Mr. Mundell sings and plays the harp.
Tickets are going on sale locally for the high school’s upcoming football game against the Grand Rapids Central Reserves. Captain of the local squad is Louis Baker.
Henika Library will be open Mondays and Wednesdays for the convenience of Wayland school students.
Henika Library Director Miss Fanny Hoyt attended an Association of Allegan County Librarians in Plainwell. This year’s first meeting of the Ladies Library Club will be Oct. 2.
Nelson School, one mile north of Wayland, will haMost of the studentsve a box social, with proceeds going for school equipment purchases.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Watch Your Step,” Harry Carey in “The Kickback.” Coming Soon: D.W. Griffith’s epic “Birth of a Nation” (The Klansman).
Most of the students at Bradley School are back after many of them suffered throughbouts with the measles.
Bell Telephone has taken over operations of the Citizens Telephone system, promising more secure connections.
