(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 9, 1998
The Globe published a series of feature stories about World War II veterans in recognition of the approaching Veterans Day observances. Wayland is honoring Dick Hines as “Vet of the Year.”
The issue of the tire piles in Watson Township has resurfaced from 11 years ago. Watson Township is applying for a state grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to clean up a pile of tires just to the west of the U.S.-131 expressway.
Joseph Barry has been selected as the new principal at Sycamore Elementary in the Hopkins Public School District. He comes from Kelloggsville Middle School, where he was dean of students.
Wayland’s girls’ cross-country team placed first in the Class B regional meet at Allegan, just ahead of Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. It was the first regional title for any Wildcat squad in cross country.
Hopkins varsity football team has qualified for the post-season playoffs after beating Wyoming Rogers 21-6. The 9-0 Vikings will be at home in the first round against undefeated Hartford.
Susan Bell and Kathy Nyenhuis wrote letters to the editor defending the Dorr Township Library’s value and request for a millage.
Laura Koster wrote a letter to the editor praising the Wayland High School girls’ cross-country team for winning the regional championship, insisting they deserve as much coverage as the football and basketball teams.
Roberto Mendoza of Holland was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for the assault on the gas station clerk in downtown Martin Nov. 10, 1997. Three other suspects await sentencing.
The old United Bank building in downtown Wayland will become the new Wayland City Hall, after the City Council agreed to pay Dave Bokestein $28,700 for renovations of the building.
Vern Alflen of Wayland was the victim of a serious attack by yellow jackets after he inadvertently upset their nest.
Former Wayland City Manager Harmon “Pete” Stull resigned his post as village manager in Caledonia.
Hopkins girls’ basketball team held the Twin Tower Feenstra sisters to a combined 20 points, but Sarah Kresge drilled 21 points by herself and GR Baptist remained unbeaten in 17 games. Coach Mark Austin’s Viking girls now are 12-6 overall.
The Wayland girls lost their showdown with league unbeaten South Christian and saw their record sink to 12-2 in the O-K Gold Conference.
Former Wayland Township Supervisor Don Black and Beverlee DeJonge won their first terms on the Allegan County Board of Commissioners in the general election.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 6, 1973
Mrs. Rudolph Cernkovich of Bradley accepted a Michigan Music Hall of Fame on behalf of her late husband, who composed a variety of Croatian and Yugoslavian songs. He also was postmaster at Bradley.
Wayland High School senior Alice Fifelski has been recognized as an outstanding student writer by the National Council of Teachers of English.
Shareholders of the Moline State Bank have agreed to affiliate with First National Financial Corp. of Kalamazoo.
Wayland City Council has decided to apply for a $350,000 grant from the Farmers Home Administration to build a new structure for community functions.
Martin High School Principal Kenneth Walthers was to be speaker at the next meeting of the Martin Mothers Study group at the school library.
Wayland High School graduate Lynn Freeman, who placed fourth in a nation batorn twirling contest, was special guest performer for the Martin band’s last halftime show of the season.
Wayland High School graduate Cathy LaValley was chosen to be on the homecoming court at Northwood Institute.
WHS alum Denise Lettinga was a queen nominee finalist for homecoming at Western Michigan University.
Hopkins junior Dan Isenhoff finished 15th at the Class C-D state cross-country meet at Haslett High School.
Sophomore Jim Longstreet came up with two long kick returns for touchdowns for Wayland in a 55-13 romp over Byron Center.
Phil Arndt scored three touchdowns in a 51-6 victory for Hopkins over Kalamazoo Christian.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team scored its first league win by getting past Middleville, 45-27. Kathy Worfel scored 17 points and Jean Jackson added 12.
Moline and Dorr firefighters were unable to salvage a barn in a fire at a barn on 140th Avenue.
Eddie Kendricks captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Keep on Truckin.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 12, 1948
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote praises for outgoing Republican Gov. Kim Sigler of Hastings, whom he called “a whale of a good lawyer, and yes, a really good governor… but a mighty poor politician.” Sigler was defeated in the election earlier this month by Democrat G. Mennen Williams.
About 400 students in Region IV of the Future Homemakers of America will meet at the Waykand High School auditorium Saturday, Nov. 13. Carol Oetman and Frances Mlynarchek are candidates for FHA regional offices.
William F. Caminsky, 67, was killed in a farm accident, being caught under the wheels of his tractor, which threw him against the wall of a tool shed.
The funeral for Pfc. Harold Pardee of Shelbyville will be held Sunday under the auspices of the Plainwell American Legion. He was killed in action in France Sept. 29, 1944.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Dommert have recovered their stolen car and the two culprits, ages 22 and 18, from White Cloud have been apprehended by State Police.
Henry Busse and his orchestra, a favorite of adults and teen-agers alike, will perform at the Dixie, “Home of Pitcher Beer.”
The Rev. Leo Malinowski got some local help in packing for his trip to Charlevoix. He is leaving St. Stanislaus for his new pastorate.
Mrs. Paul Bradley was elected chair of the East Bradley Extension Club. Members are planning a Thanksgiving party at the music room of the high school.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Alan Curtis and Anne Gwynne in “The Enchanted Valley.”
• Allan Lane and Eddie Waller in “The Bold Frontiersman.”
• Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter and Lee J. Cobb in “The Luck of the Irish.”
• Loretta Young, Robert Mitchum and William Holden in “Rachel and the Stranger.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 9, 1923
Frank and Carrie Burlington sent Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher a letter from a variety of places they visited in their travels on a trip to Florida.
The local Order of the Eastern Star published a resolution of respect for member Ione Allgeo and Tessie Hooker, who died Oct. 31, along with Frances Hooker, all of whom died in the tragic fatal automobile crash at the interurban at Maple Street in Wayland.
Gov. Alex J. Groesbeck has ruled Wayland’s American Legion may continue to have its patriotic flagpole stand at the corner of Main and Superior Streets. The controversy arose when workers from the state highway department came to town to remove the pole, arousing the ire of local citizens. Many Legion members asked Circuit Court in Allegan to issue a restraining order. The story was covered with interest by the Kalamazoo Gazette, Grand Rapids Herald and the Detroit News.
At Wayland High School, girls in the home economics room are making aprons.
There will be a football game this Friday between Wayland and Battle Creek Junior High.
The Alle-Bar Club will have a chicken pie dinner at the home of William Brog Nov. 16.
The Wayland High School orchestra, under the direction of Miss Alice Brower, played for members of the Ladies Library Club and Lewis Dietiker performed two clarinet solos.
It was reported that the funeral for Mrs. Iva (Hooper) Buskirk was well attended. She died Oct. 29 at age 39.
Dr. J.E. Williams will present a special address to only women at the Methodist Church Saturday afternoon and then again for men only Sunday afternoon.
Naman Frank has been appointed village clerk to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of George B. Schuh, who left for Florida with his wife for the winter.
Dr. D.J. Dunwell has sold his dental practice in Grand Rapids and will concentrate more on his dentistry in Wayland.
Mrs. George Hartwell, one of this area’s pioneers, died at her home in Leighton Township.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Thomas Meighan in “If You Believe It, It’s So.” An educational play, “Divorce.”
Smelker & Palmer in Wayland is touting a special sale and display of Baldwin pianos.
Do you know if the pictured Radio Club was a ham radio club?