(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 14, 1998
The Globe published a picture of Ashley Sloviski, who collected many pop cans and bottles in an effort to help less fortunate youngsters during the holiday season.
The Ken and Jan Martin family of Shelbyville lost their home to a fire. Chief Hgh DeWeerd said the cause was either a faulty electric outlet or lamp socket.
Though described as “sloppy” with mud, 7th Street isn’t getting a lot of financial love for repairs or renovations. Wayland Township Clerk Bev Taylor told one petitioning couple, “You knew the road was bad when you moved there.”
A Quality Farm & Fleet store is coming to Wayland, locating on a 25-acre site in the west end of the strip mall next to the U.S.-131 expressway on West Superior Street. It will be the first tenant in the Enterprise District.
The Martin Women’s Social Club is entering a new century. Formed in 1898, it has 12 members.
Wayland City Council members approved a 50-cent increase in sewer usage fees, noting rates had held steady since 1991.
Editor Nila Aamoth called attention to not so glamorous improvements in the City of Wayland, including storm drains, water delivery systems and streets, which she called “very necessary in the scheme of progress.”
Lakeshore Disposal of Hamilton has taken over recycling in the City of Wayland and insists on using bags rather than trash bins at curbside.
Wayland Township fire officials suggested seat belts may have saved the lives of two Shelbyville residents involved in a traffic crash at 4th Street and 135th Avenue.
The Globe published a picture of area resident Anne Wenger hanging up clothes on an outside clothesline because the balmy December weather.
Ground was broken for the new Epiphany Lutheran Church in Dorr.
Byron Center celebrated its first basketball game in its new gym with a 69-47 victory over Hopkins. Kevin Glupker scored 17 points and Paul Stein 13 for the Vikings.
Wayland High School wrestling coach Rick Tokarchick earned his 300th career victory in the finals of the Zeeland Invitational by defeating Hamilton, 42-31.
Martin’s basketball team played well, but free throw troubles doomed the Clippers down the stretch in a 56-50 loss to Schoolcraft. Tim DeSmi has 12 points and Josh Tuinstra nine. Jed Noble had 10 rebounds.
Randy Orr, son of Martin varsity basketball coach Joe Orr, was named head cheer coach for Forest Hills Northern High School.
Sophomore guard Jamie Brown scored 15 points, but Wayland lost is cage season opener, 68-46 to Kelloggsville. Josh Smith collected eight points and eight rebounds.
Wayland coach Randy Konecny is leading the Wildcats’ first-ever bowling team into the Greater Grand Rapids Bowling Conference. The group actually is competing as a club sport.
Wayland Fire Dept. Capt. Doug Bedford, also a local Boy Scout leader, died at Pennock Hospital. He was 63.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 1973
Globe publishers Irv and Helen Jane Helmey attended the reception in Washington D.C. confirming Gerald R. Ford as vice president. They were guests of Congressman and Mrs. Guy VanderJagt.
The Wayland Board of Education unanimously adopted a closed campus policy, prohibiting students from leaving the grounds during school hours. Also passed was a policy not permitting any smoking on school property.
Because of the recent energy conservation issues, Wayland school officials decided to eliminate field trips and not run school buses for spectators atathletic events.
Pam Marutz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Marutz, was named this year’s recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizenship Award.
Otsego Elks Lodge announced awards won by three Wayland students, Jan Shoemaker, Alan Steines and Pam Marutz.
Mrs. Larry (Arlene) Oetman has been appointed Leighton Township Treasurer, succeeding Mrs. Floyd Kingsley, who resigned the post after serving for eight years.
Irv and H. Helmey wrote a column about their experience at the Ford confirmation, noting black Congressman Andrew Young courageously voting to confirm Ford, but John Conyers was the only one to vote “no.”
Linda Barnes penned a letter to the editor expressing disappointment with a poor turnout at a CPR demonstration at the VFW, noting the anticipation of a new pool next year at the high school.
The Wayland High School wrestling team won its second meet of the season, 49-15 over Fennville. Scoring pins were Dan Merren, Darren Irwin, Dave Fifelski and Brian McBride.
Kelloggsville had a 16 to 6 advantage in free throws made and edged Wayland’s basketball team 76-74. Randy Mauchmar had 20 points and twin brother Rick netted 18 and Paul Heckert 15. Alan Lettinga had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Hopkins basketball team suffered through a bad week, surprised by losses to Allendale and Caledonia. Rick Smith led the Vikings in scoring in both losses.
Despite solid consistent play from Jerry Seekman, Martin’s offensive drought continued in a 69-43 loss to Fennville.
The Wayland VFW post entertained 97 veterans from the Grand Rapids Veterans’ facility.
Russel J. Smith, lifetime member of the Leighton United Methodist Church and longtime area farmer, died at his home. He was 65.
Charlie Rich took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “The Most Beautiful Girl.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 17, 1948
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported the Wayland area was fortunate to escape the ravages of an ice and sleet storm. “In Grand Rapids it was reported as being the worst storm of its kind since 1931.”
L.L. Hunt, field man for the Pet Milk Co., said despite recent declines in prices, the future of the dairy industry remains bright. “With the population increasing and the lowest number of milk cows on hand in 18 years, this is not the time to be discouraged.”
Mrs. Florence Fifelski was elected president of the St. Therese Altar Society.
The remains of Garth E. Bush, who was killed in action in Germany in 1945, were brought to Wayland for services and burial. Only 19 years old, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bush of Shelbyville.
The combined choirs of the United Methodist and Congregational Churches will perform a Christmas concert at 8 p.m. Sunday at the latter location.
Mr. and Mrs. John Greitzer are enlarging and remodeling the clothing store downtown, which they recently purchased.
An overheated stove was blamed for starting a fire that destroyed the farm home of Horace Dell in Leighton Township.
The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. will ask the Public Service Commission for a 17 percent increase in rates in order to meet expenses.
Arthur H. Johnson was elected worthy master of the local James Fenton Masoni Lodge.
Chicken pox cases have been springing up at the Corning School, Green Lake.
The Wayland High School basketball team is off to a terrific start, winning its first five games over Delton, Byron Center, Otsego, Martin and Comstock.
Dora Weaver presented the Garden Club with an Austrian program, “Legend of the Candle.”
The East Bradley Extension Club had a chicken supper and enjoyed three reels of Walter Hastings pictures and a 15-minute reel on America’s railroads.
The local chapter of the world Methodist Men met in Wayland and welcomed members of the same group from Holt, which brought along a quartette. Robert Crofoot is president of the local chapter.
The Dorr Farmer’s Club will have an all-day meeting and potluck at the home of Nr. And Mrs. Payson Chrisman.
Mrs. A. H. Snook presented a book review to the Charlotte Women’s Club.
Kris Wilde, son of Arnold and Virginia Wilde, is improving in his battle against brain fever.
Village President Harold Hawkins and three members of the Common Council made a trip to several communities to research how they are handling their sewer problems.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Adele Jenkins and Stephen Dunne in “The Woman from Tangier.”
• The Hoosier Hot Shots and Kirby Grant in “Singing Spurs.”
• Larry Parks, Marguerite Chapman and Victory Jory in “The Gallant Blade.”
• Randolph Scott, Marguerite Chapman and George McReady in “Coroner Creek.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 14, 1923
Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt discussed the recent book “How Shortage Scares Stimulate Coal Prices, which she called shrewd advertising.
“Fighting Blood,” a film about Jack Dempsey beating Firpo, “the wild bull of the Pampas, will be shown this week at the Regent Theatre downtown. Also showing will be “The Lion’s Mouse,” “Fun from the Press” and “The Call of Home.” Wednesday will be Egg Night in which all school children will be admitted with one egg.
The senior class had charge of this week’s assembly program.
The 30-some students in the fifth and sixth grades went through the previous week without any absences or tardies.
The primary room from school is celebrating the acquisition of a new volleyball obtained through pencil sales.
Hiram Carner, one of the Wayland area’s oldest residents, died at his home. He was 76.
The next Woodman dance will be held at their hall Saturday night with entertainment by the Clemens Orchestra.
Fuller’s Orchestra, of which Wayland grad Cleo Fox is a member, will perform at Yeakey’s Hall for a pre-Christmas dance Thursday, Dec. 20.
Fifteen girls met at the home of Florence Delp and formed a group they call “The Happy Hour Club.”
An estimated 325 people showed up to attend a community program under the direction of the Wayland School, at the Church of Christ. Included in the session was music, a Harold Lloyd film and discussion about forming a community organization.
Yankee Springs native Cora Bell Williamson, “a devoted wife and beloved by all who knew her,” died at age 49.
A Christmas program, planned by Mary Vanden Berg, Miriam Ross and Miss Headley, will be held at the Gun Lake church and at Bradley as well.
Ivan Smith was chosen commander of the Forrest Lewis Post of the American Legion.
There were 123 automobiles sold in Allegan County in October, with 64 of them Fords. The Yeakey Auto Co. sold 20.