(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 4, 1999
The Globe published a front page photo of Joel and Emily DeYoung dancing to swing music, which was being revived at the Main Street Hall with classes.
A report is insisting that fewer farmers are participating in the government’s PAA 116 to protect agricultural lands.
The Wayland High School wrestling team now sports an 18-0 dual meet record after besting five rivals last week. A highlight of the Wayland Invitation was a showdown between Wayland’s Jessy Simmons and defending state champion Ricky Mena of Martin at 135 pounds. The latter squeaked by, 7-6.
Henika Public Library is getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary at its iconic location at 149 S. Main St. A committee is being formed with Director Lynn Mandaville, Adeline Marcinek, Helen Gambee, Linda Koch, Norma Hudson and Chairman Delbert Farnsworth.
Prospects appear to be good for improvements in the state revenue package that has been reworked for local units of government.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox, declared, “We operate on the presumption that you not only want to know, but need to know what is going on in your neighborhood, how your tax money is being spent and what services and amenities you can look forward to in your community.”
State Senator William VanRegenmorter swore in the members of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners, including veteran Muriel O’Leary, George Wesby, Don Black, Beverly DeJonge, Bill Sikkel, Ken Fein, Dave Babbitt, Jon Campbell and Jeff McElwee.
Hopkins FFA President Matthew Simpson, in a letter to the editor, reminded citizens that the local chapter members collected canned goods and passed out holiday baskets to senior citizens.
Two Wayland Township juvenile teens were apprehended for breaking into storage sheds at the United Church of Wayland.
Pat Staley wrote a piece about the City of Wayland’s progress, noting the move of city government to the former United Bank building downtown, the opening of the industrial park on Reno Drive, a new water tower and lift station, prospects for commercial development on West Superior Street near the expressway, including Ford and Chevrolet dealerships, decorative flags and benches in the downtown and the arrival of fast food restaurants.
The Globe also published a wealth of basic information about each local government unit, including all area townships.
The Wayland volleyball team, which had a sparkling 11-1 record going into the West Michigan Officials Tourney, but suffered through a tough day, going 1-2-1. Sophomore Jessie Merchant and junior Kara Potter scored heavily for the Lady Wildcats.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 1, 174
Bronwen Haefner has been selected as the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizenship Award at Hopkins High School.
Allegan County Treasurer James Boyce died at Holland Hospital. He was 73 and had served as county treasurer since 1948.
The Wayland chapter of the Jaycees took 28 local children on a holiday season shopping tour Dec. 22.
Patricia Slomski, daughter of Ed and Doris Slomski and a 1972 Wayland High School graduate, is a staff member for the Michigan State University Yearbook, “The Wolverine. A junior, she is majoring in communications at MSU.
The Globe, as expected, published a plethora of accounts of yuletide parties and family gatherings over the Christmas and New Year season.
Carolyn Buskirk was scheduled to present a program about her trip down the Colorado River to the members of the Ladies Library Club Jan. 8.
Members of the Golden Agers Club were to meet Jan. 3 for a potluck dinner at the Wayland VFW.
Sports writer David Young presented a survey of the year 1973 in sports at Wayland, Hopkins and Martin high schools, declaring it “The Year of the Vikings.”
Former Wayland High School standout Phil Regan has been named head baseball coach at Grand Valley State College. He has retired from professional baseball and was recipient of the Fireman of the Year Award three times for being the best relief pitcher.
In the “Some Figures for Stat Freaks” column, Jerry Seekman was averaging 14 points for Martin’s basketball team, Rick Smith 15.5 for Hopkins and Rick and Randy Mauchmar and Alan Lettinga were averaging in double figures in scoring for Wayland.
The Wayland Grange was planning to meet at the home of Mrs. Ruby Smith and discuss the most dramatic event in 1973.
Wayne Belka conducted snowmobile safety classes in Wayland at S & S Sales for 68 youngsters.
Delos Schad, longtime owner of the motel in Wayland, died at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was 69.
75 Years Ago — Jan. 7, 1949
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Paul Langton and Jean Rogers in “Fighting Back.”
• Lois Collier and Richard Crain in “Arthur Takes Over.”
• Joan Leslie, Jack Oakie and James Craig in “Northwest Stampede.”
• Barbara Stanwyk, Burt Lancaster and Wendell Corey in “Sorry, Wrong Number.”
District Soil Conservationist Wash O’Brien will present an illustrated program about the need for soil conservation in West Michigan next Monday at the adult agriculture class at Wayland High School.
Vern G. Shattuck, born in Wayland and operator of a farm southeast of Shelbyville, died at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was 54.
Sam Butler rolled the high game of 257 and 605 series for the Nash Kelvinator Bowling League in Grand Rapids.
Gustavus Tiefenthal, who spent virtually all of his life in the Hopkins area, died at Allegan General Hospital. He was 78.
Misses Kathleen and Rita Rieder were visiting parents Mr. and Mrs. Albert Rieder of Wayland. Kathleen attends Marywood College and Rita Aquinas College, both in Grand Rapids.
The new A & P store in downtown Wayland now has gone to entirely self-service. The company’s full page advertisement insists, “It’s the last word in shopping convenience. Come in and shop the modern way. You’ll save time… and money, too!”
William F. Button was suddenly taken ill on Christmas Day. The doctor who was summoned said the cause was hardening of the arteries.
The Home Economics Club of Green Lake will serve dinner at the annual telephone business meeting at the Grange Hall.
The Barkenall basketball tournament will be held Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 11, 14 and 15. Teams competing are Wayland, Martin, Hopkins, Caledonia, Kelloggsville and Byron Center. Tournament manager is Walter Gillett.
100 Years Ago — Jan. 4, 1924
Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt wrote, “There is an abundance of good reading in the magazines to be found on our library tables. The topics include science, travel, current events, fiction, nature, fashions, household problems.”
Alanson Tanner, one of Wayland’s oldest and most respected citizens, observed his 92nd birthday last Friday. Mr. Tanner came to Wayland in the early 1850s and for many years lived on a farm in Dorr Township.
More than 200 people attended a dinner and election of officers for the Masons at Yeakey’s Hall in Wayland.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre in downtown Wayland: May McAvoy in “The Top of New York.” The comedy “Ladies First.” Ethel Clayton in “The Remittance Woman.”
The Bradley Holiness Sunday School was organized, with the first meeting held at the home of Carl Stromberg.
Alton Frank and Glen Moore were involved in a two-car traffic crash. Both vehicles were smashed up badly, but both men suffered only minor injuries.
Mrs. H. Spykerman of Moline has been a cancer patient at Blodgett Hospital, where she underwent an operation.
Franklin Teheaney and wife have moved to Moline, where he will serve as manager of the Moline Telephone Exchange. He succeeds Glen Moore, who has moved to the Sooy farm north of Wayland.
The Rev. G. W. Rowlison has accepted the call to the Church of Christ in Lakeville, Ind.
The American Legion now is meeting in the second floor room at the Wayland State Bank, formerly occupied by the Woodmen.
Tom Tandarich has sold sold his interest in the milk business east of Wayland to Matt Arbanas and has moved to the Ryno farm.
