(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 6, 1994
The Allegan County Health department has denied a request from the Bradley Church of Christ to build a new church at its one-acre property on 129th Avenue. Pastor LaVerne Lussendon applied for a permit after the 150-year-old church burned down, but health officials said the soil was unsuitable for septic.
Roxie Miner and Sharron Harrig were hired as deputy clerk and deputy treasurer by the Wayland Township Board. Their salaries were set at $7.50 per hour with a monthly cap.
Mike DeWeerd was elected mayor without opposition on the ballot and Marie Hall, Paul Kaczanowski and Dallas Strong won the three open seats in a six-way race for trustees.
Lou Snoeyink’s letter praised Editor Nila Aamoth’s Soapbox on showing “Schindler’s List” and maintained the Holocaust should be taught in all schools.
Janice Iciek of Hopkins objected to a recent claim by a Hopkins parent that cattle have better houring than Sycamore Elementary students.”
The Wayland Township Board has finally saved up enough money to begin a reconstruction project for Fifth Street from 135th Avenue to Gregorville Road.
Shortly after tainted cookies were fingered for causing flu-like symptoms for children visitors at the Environmental Outdoor Center, it was learned the place has drinking water not up to standards and will have to provide bottled water.
The Wayland post of the Michigan State Police has added two sergeants, David Van Lopik and Robert Eringa, and a new trooper, Kathy White, bring the number of officers to 18.
Julie Valk Seerveld, a 1985 graduate of Moline Christian School, has returned to teach special education.
Wayland Junior High students put on a talent show to kick off spring break, under the guidance of teacher Chuck Frederick, emcee.
Paul Barghan, a 1988 graduate of Wayland High School, took part in the Western Michigan University Senior Engineering Design Conference.
The Wayland City Council approved a “Nothin’ But Net” three-on-three basketball tournament in town for Aug. 6. City Manager Harmon “Pete Stull” was directed to negotiate with promoters on costs for police protection.
50 Years Ago — April 2, 1969
Msgr. Albert Radowski of the St. Therese Parish, suffered a stroke and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital by ambulance.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. James Thomas very publicly stated there was no truth to the rumors Michigan State Police raided the high school and found quantities of “dope.”
Irvin P. Helmey, in a front page editorial, noted that Wayland’s two largest employers, Pet Inc. and Kessler’s Undies and Woolies, are very much in favor of the two ballot proposals next Monday for sanitary sewer in the city. He opined, “For possibly more jobs and greater personal security, we urge a ‘yes’ vote on both bonding proposals.”
The Globe once again published a question and answer column with City Manager Blaine Bacon on the sewer referendum.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce published a half page advertisement urging voters to approve the sewer issue. The Wayland Taxpayers League, meanwhile, ran an ad recommending “no” votes, insisting most homeowners don’t need a sewer system and it is too costly.
The Wayland Board of Education is circulating a survey of district residents on how best to allieviate overcrowding conditions at the high school and junior high.
Hopkins school district voters April 15 will be asked to approve a $1.77 million bond issue to construct a new elementary school.
The Belding chapter of the Jaycees has selected James Weick, formerly of Hopkins, as Young Educator of the Year. Married to the former Linda Shafer of Hopkins, he also is a basketball and football coach and a social studies teacher and Planning Commission member.
Former President Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhouwer died at age 78.
The Fraternal Order of Police, which include city officers and troopers from the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, are co-sponsoring the annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday morning at the City Park.
Jean Wesse, a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School, is among hundreds of students attending the collegiate Model United Nations conference at Eastern Michigan University.
Wayland Mayor Phillip Reno has been named to the board of directors at Pipp Community Hospital in Plainwell.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Robart, missionaries to Japan and versatile musicians, will make a presentation at the Berean Bible Church in Moline Sunday.
John Wilson, who set the Hopkins school record for points in one basketball game with 43 and career assists, was named all-state Class C honorable mention. He and teammate Don Krause only made the second unit of the All-Van League all-star squad.
Tommy Roe was still on top of the pop music world with “Dizzy.”
75 Years Ago — April 7, 1944
Local businessman Naman Frank, was taken to Blodgett Hospital for x-rays and observation and may have to have surgery.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher bemoaned bygone days in which people from all over the area used to come into the village to cast votes for local offices. “The town meeting this year in Wayland was very different from those in the Golden past. Besides the members of the five township board, which was in session, there was just one taxpayer in attendance — your humble reporter… Our streamlined centralized government is tending to take away interest in local affairs.”
Staff Sgt. Halden Hudson married Norma Streeter of Kalamazoo, who was Home Extension Agent in Coldwater, in a ceremony at San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Bill McElwee, Avonne Welty, Betty VanWeelden, Norm Harrington and Don Christensen will compete in the district speech contest at the Wayland High School Auditorium.
Ted Niemchick wrote a letter home from North Africa, where he is serving overseas, saying, “My opinion of Arabs hasn’t changed much. I still think they’re the dumbest, dirtiest people on earth.”
Simon Clemons, an area musician known well for organizing local bands, orchestra, concerts and dances, died at his Gaines Township home. He was 69.
Angela and Dorothy Wisniewski and Eleanor Beska will sing Cesar Frank’s “Panis Angelicus” for Sunday’s Easter Mass at St. Therese Church.
Mrs. Georgianna Holland, 22, of West Gun Lake, died after a brief illness. Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. John Schulek will care for her daughter, five-month-old Patricia Annette.
Dewey Moore, Keith McBride, Frank Bastian, Eddie Wobma, Allen Terpstra, Harold Gratham and Victor Alflen accompanied advisor Mr. Winslow at the FFA state convention in East Lansing.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Johnny Weismuller, Nancy Kelly and Johnny Sheffield in “Tarzan’s Desert Mystery.”
- Russell Wade and Edith Barrett in “Ghost Ship.”
- Dennis Morgan, Irene Manning and Faye Emerson in “Desert Song.”
- Cary Grant and John Garfield in “Destination Tokyo.”
100 Years Ago — April 4, 1919
The Progressive Farmers Club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Levandoski and welcomed about 50 people for dinner. The group held a mock election exercise to teach women how to vote.
Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt and Mrs. Sooy performed a duet for members of the Ladies Library Club.
Mrs. Irene Yeakey entertained students at Wayland school with a series of children’s stories and readings.
Recitations on “Did you ever stop to think?” by Jessie Jordan and “Learning to play” by Dorothy Jordan were presented to members of the Wayland Grange.
A two-week series of revival sessions will be held at the Christian Church beginning Sunday and including newsreels on site. This Saturday night’s fare will be a heart-warming story about a handicapped blind boy and the children’s tale of “Greedy George.”
Mrs. Wilson says she is grateful to her Bradley neighbors for their help in quashing a chimney burn thought earlier to be a house fire.
Miss Lillian Barnes is undergoing nurses’ training at Foote Hospital in Jackson.
Dr. E. H. Ryno has purchased the lot and house on South Main formerly owned by C.H. Brush. The current occupant will be Amos Mauchmar.
Miss Inez Sias now is head saleslady in the handkerchief department at the L.H. Field store in Jackson.
Dr. O.H. VanBrussel, local veterinarian, has gone to Detroit with client M.E. Parmalee to investigate recent reports of tuberculosis on a Hilliards farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Averill are moving to Bellville, Wisc., where he will take a new job with the Helvetia Milk Condensary.
