(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 30, 1994
Allegan County Environmental Health Director Bill Hinz has reported a great deal of confusion over house numbers on the Allegan County side of Patterson north of the Gun Lake Park.
Ray Hoffman, trooper with the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, was credited with saving the life of a dog that fell through the ice on Green Lake. The dog’s owner, in expressing appreciation, said, “The officer risked his life for a dog.”
Hopkins Board of Education members got an earful from parent Patricia Kelsey, who complained about language use in a life skills class for ninth-graders, which included the terms “penis” and “testicles.” She was supported by board member Christine Schwartz.
Incumbent Allegan County Commissioners Gary Melvin and Jon Campbell have announced they will seek re-election in the August primary.
Robert Beck wrote a letter to the editor about overcrowded conditions at Sycamore Elementary School in the Hopkins district.
Lee Murray, Kevin Cronin and Dave Sebright of Hopkins and Don Black of Wayland Township told the Allegan County Board of Commissioners they should have meetings at night instead of mornings and afternoons to better accommodate the public.
Area authorities have been reporting a rash of break-ins in Wayland and Leighton Township.
Though Mike DeWeerd is unopposed for mayor, six candidates will be on the ballot for three City Council seats, including Dallas Strong, Marie Hall, Mandy Sikkema, Kenneth Moore, Paul Kaczanowski and John Noordyk.
The Wayland Township Planning Commission denied a request from Nelz Montague to rezone his property at B & B Auto Repair from commercial to residential to take advantage of the lower tax rate that results from Proposal A passage March 15.
The six candidates vying for the Miss Martin title are Angela Goodrich, Kimberly Leep, Marcie Snook, Angie Pavlak, Jennifer Stratton and Amy Reed.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about the “Bungee-jumping Grandma” from Bradley, Helen Gambee, who took the plunge at age 68.
Elmer Straub, a Wayland High School graduate, was selected to the all-Wolverine-Hoosier Conference defensive team as a basketball player for Aquinas College.
Julie Ainsworth, a WHS grad, was named to the all-Southwest Region team as captain and MVP for the Wilson College (Ky.) basketball team.
Elisabeth Morris, daughter of Sandy and Dennis Morris of Hopkins, was selected “Miss Twirl” in the Michigan baton twirling pageant and open competition in Portage.
50 Years Ago — March 26, 1969
The Wayland Board of Education was besieged by a large crowd making suggestions of building a middle school for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders instead of a new high school. Officials said if something isn’t done soon to ease overcrowding, the high school and junior high will have to go on split sessions.
A front page Globe feature story announced the Juan Gonzales family welcoming Anita Patrina, the 15th child. A photo elsewhere in the edition showed eldest daughter Janie being recognized at Western Michigan University for Secretary’s Day.
Linda Reynolds was announced as valedictorian of the Hopkins High School Class of 1969 and Mark Iciek was salutatorian.
Trooper M.J. Koenes with the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police has been promoted to detective and transferred to the Pontiac post.
The Globe published another question and answer column featuring City Manager Blaine Bacon about the April 7 local election proposal for a new sanitary sewer system.
Lyle Berry, who had been head varsity football coach since 1965, has been chosen athletic director for Wayland High School, succeeding Robert Marutz, the new junior high principal.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey noted the Globe had received many letters to the editor opposing the sanitary sewer, but explained there wasn’t enough space to publish all of them. He did print a letter from “three anti-sewer men,” who insisted, “Our small city cannot afford a sewage plant.” Another letter in opposition was from Donna Benedict.
Elementary teacher Ethel Aubil wrote the latest installment of “Our Teachers Speak” on the topic of the value of kindergarten.
Michael Critchfield, whose father lives in Wayland, earned an Army Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam.
Valentine Baweja, a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School, graduated from Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Ill.
An Easter Sunrise Service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday at the Wayland High School girls’ gym.
Larry Thomas, Chris Reinhart, Don Glupker, Boyd Navis, Tim Wicks, Dennis Miller and Ron Beaver attended the FFA state convention in East Lansing the school’s demonstration team earned a silver award.
Tommy Roe was still atop the nation’s tunes with “Dizzy.”
75 Years Ago — March 31, 1944
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said he received a nice letter from Harold Hawkins, who is serving in the Pacific Theatre with the Seabees.
Mrs. Harry Elenbaas told the Wayland Garden Club members about the success of the Junior Garden Club’s project to plant outdoor bulbs.
“Mad March Heirs” was the Wayland High School junior play. The three-act comedy starred Don Sutton, Irene Nakken, Edith Milheim, Walt Gurney, Adeline Kaminski and Donna Jean Blue.
The Wayland United Methodist is planning a series of pre-Easter meetings over four consecutive days, April 4-7.
Lt. Dean Radtke, nephew of Carl Radtke of Wayland, has been listed as missing in action as a B-17 bombe pilot in France.
Mrs. John Rawlinson, the former Ruth Kinney, is planning to join her husband in Liberia, where he serves as a divisional manager for a rubber plantation.
Margery Sebright performed two piano slections for members of the Ladies Library Club, which will meet with the Hopkins club next month in the Wayland High School music room.
The J.L. Gurney family of Wayland was relieved finally to hear from Tech Sgt. Merlin Gurney, who has been serving the Marines overseas, after a lull in communications for several months.
At the funeral of the Rev. Stanislaus Iciek in Hillards, it was reported that he was “the last of five local parish sons to be elevated to the priesthood who were to pass away in the prime of life.” The other four were Francis Pattok, Joseph Hilaski, Francis Baweja and Thomas Jankoski.
An acute and persistent shortage of wastepaper for the war effort continues. A public service advertisement implored, “Do not destroy. Save it and send it to market.”
“A Tribute to Our Children,” a family photo service, will have a program from 1 to 9 p.m. April 11 at the local American Legion Hall.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jimmy Lydon in “Henry Aldrich Haunts a House.”
- Tom Conway and Jean Brooks in “The Falcon and the Coeds.”
- Lucille Ball and William Gaxton and Harry James and his Musicmakers, in “Best Foot Forward.”
- Ann Sothern, James Craig and Jean Rogers in “Swing Shift Maisie.”
100 Years Ago — March 28, 1919
Allegan County Farm Burea members met in Hopkinsburg, Moline, Monterey and Hamilton. Meanwhile, the Michigan Milk Producers Association was able to attract 200 new members with a meeting at the Christian Church in Wayland. Robert Montieth, secretary, reported annual dues are $1.50.
The Wayland High School home economics class held a special “Mothers’ Afternoon” session and watched a demonstration by Miss Hertell, a nurse from Butterworth Hospital, on bed making and changing a bed while the patient is present. Portraying the patient skillfully was student Mamie Holloran. Hertell was assisted in presenting a luncheon by Henika Library Director Fannie Hoyt and Lillian Buskirk, who were treated with nine hearty “rahs.”
The Wayland Ladies Library Club members met with the Plainwell Current Events Club in the annual “Reciprocity Night” celebration.
The last dance party of the season will be held April 1 at Yeakey’s Hall.
Burt Wilson, longtime resident and farmer in Martin Township, died.
A new steel roof is being placed on top of the Wayland Congregational Church on West Superior Street.
The Wayland High School basketball team defeated Plainwell 17-13 in the opening round of the Allegan County tournament, but then lost to Hopkins, 13-12. The game’s account reported, “The last game resembled a wrestling match more than a basketball game. Hopkins is said to to have played one of the roughest games ever seen in the Allegan auditorium.”
The first division of the Methodist Episcopal Ladies were planning to serve sandwiches and coffee during the election at the Opera House next month.
C.H. Ward has commenced constructing a cement building at the corner of North Main and Maple streets. The west portion of the building will be for a steam heating plant, but the new part will have a sky light and a restroom for the ladies.
