(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 30, 1998
The Hopkins High School football team lost in the Class CC football state semifinals, 36-19 to Montrose. The Vikings led 19-16 at halftime, but things went south after intermission. It was the only loss they had to absorb all season after recording 11 victories..
142nd Avenue in Leighton Township will get a facelift next year. A$1.4 million Tea-21 grant will be used to resurface the road from Division east to Kalamazoo Avenue.
Jeff and Penny Salisbury are the grand marshals for this year’s Christmas parade.
The local “Wave Runners” youth swimming program is feeling the time pinch for use of the Wayland High School pool and participants now are swimming in Wyoming.
The Wayland High School girls’ basketball team, coached by Zack Moushegian, annexed yet another Class B district tournament championship, but fell 58-56 in the regionals to Lansing Catholic, despite a furious rally at the end, led by Merchant sisters Nicki and Jessie and Jenny Sikkema. It was Moushegian’s 19th district title of his coaching career.
A Wayland man, Felix Arocha, has started a local chapter of the Mothers Against Drunken Driving (MADD) after learning of the traffic death of a friend.
The Globe published a person on the street-style survey of opinions about the new state law in which police can stop motorists when spotted not wearing their seat belts. A significant number of the respondents said it should be the personal choice of the driver and they oppose the new law. Letter writer Sara Forman said television public service ads should get with the program as well.
Wayland High School junior Aurora Koch has launched an “Angels” project fund-raiser for Henika Library.
Licensed chiropractor Roger Wolf died of brain cancer at his Gun Lake home. He was 45.
Juan and Beatrice Gonzales, who had 17 children, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Homestyle Buffet, owned by their son, Michael.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 27, 1973
Longtime Standard Oil Agent Ford Brower has announced his retirement after serving this area in that capacity for 26 years.
Hopkins High School interior lineman Dennis Kiser has been selected to the Class C all-state football team. Kiser offensively was a tight end. It was the first time a gridder from this area had earned the honor since 1961, when Wayland’s Don Japinga earned the honor.
Kessler Inc. has reported an increase in employees at the plant, where children’s sleepwear is manufactured. The Wayland firm is a subsidiary of Chickmaster Corp. of Ohio.
A number of local residents told the Wayland Board of Education they preferred adopting a closed campus policy for students to visit businesses downtown during their lunch hours.
Letter writer Laurie Lawther indicated her appreciation for Wayland police officer Eldon “Shorty” Milheim for his compassion in treating citizens during trying circumstances.
Returning O-K Blue Conference champion Ed Nickels leads the Wayland wrestling team in opening its season against Calvin Christian.
The Wayland varsity basketball team is getting ready for the 1973-74 season under new coach John Vargo. Hopkins and Martin also will have their season openers this week.
In the first-ever girls’ basketball district tournaments, Hopkins will play the winner of an opening round game between Caledonia and Saranac, Wayland will take on South Haven, and Martin will play Grand Rapids Covenant Christian.
In efforts to save energy in the current crisis, the City of Wayland has decided to cut back on holiday lights.
An old Dorr School building on 138th Avenue and 22nd Street, which was being used for storage, burned down in a fire of undetermined origin.
The Burpee’s Appliance building in the Gun Lake area was destroyed by fire.
Lionel Sevigny, president of Sevigny Automotive in Wayland for the past 12 years, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was 54.
The Carpenters nabbed the top spot among the nation’s tunes with “Top of the World.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 3, 1948
Mrs. Mack Short told the Globe she just recently picked the last rose from the summer at her massive garden.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported in his column, “No matter where you go about town, you find where a new house has been built.” He contends that Wayland has experienced a housing boom since the end of the war.
Wayland defeated Delton 48-30 in the basketball season opener. Delton had a height advantage with four players taller than six feet. The Wildcats’ starting five included Bill Mauchmar, Gene Weber, who scored 24 points, Louis Nakken, Bill Dobson and Paul Manning.
Clifford C. Fowler, a charter member of the Calvary Church in Wayland, died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the home of his daughter in Michawaka, Ind. He was 81.
Glen Heisel, formerly of Wayland, a World War I veteran, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was 58.
The St. Therese Altar Society will have an all-you-can-eat Saturday evening dinner at the American Legion Hall.
Ruth Afman, a graduate of Wayland High School, has been named associate editor of the Wheaton College yearbook.
Dr. Frank Bachelor will be guest speaker at the Wayland Congregational Church. His presentation will be on “How We Got Our Bible.”
Don Christenson and three companions were injured in a traffic crash north of Plainwell on U.S.-131. The car was a total wreck.
Malcom Sebright, only 30, of Monterey Township, died suddenly of a violent heart attack.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Roy Rogers and Trigger in “Grand Canyon Trail.”
• Irene Hervey, Bill Goodwin and Lois Butler in “Mickey.”
• Linda Darnell, Cornel Wilde and George Sanders in “Forever Amber.”
100 Years Ago — Nov. 30, 1923
The annual business meeting of the Congregational Church will be held at the home of Dr. J.E. Brysen Monday evening.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “The Critical Age” from the novel “Glengary School Days.” A Paramount picture and additional comedy will be presented the following Wednesday.
Charles Leaver has completed his road work project near Gun Lake so that motorists now can pass each other without getting into the swamp and having to be pulled out.
Michael Miller, born in Ohio in 1842, died Nov. 11. He married Margaret Jenkins in Dorr Township in 1870. The couple also lived in Leighton and Yankee Springs townships.
The Leighton Embroidery Club met last week with Mrs. William Hacker.
Harold Hawkins has purchased the Wayland Ice Cream Parlor from J.S. Walton & Son and plans to offer a complete line of ice cream, soft drinks, candies, fruits, nuts, cigars, cigarettes and tobacco.
Dr. D.J. Dunwell is improving from his recent illness and hopes to resume his practice soon.
The local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union will have its annual meeting Dec. 7 at the home of Elizabeth Clark.
Ermabelle Tooker had the misfortune of being a victim of pickpocket who cut the string of her handbag while she was shopping in Grand Rapids and made off with $84.
Hazel Patterson and Alice Gaylord represented the National Women’s Party at the installation of President Calvin Coolidge Nov. 17.