(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 22, 1999
In a showdown between two hugely successful wrestling teams this season, Wayland edged Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 33-32 to lifts its season dual meet record to 26-2.
The tech guy for Middleville schools told the school board the district already is Y2K compliant.
Wayland Township residents are suggesting arbitration to settle difficulties between Clerk Bev Taylor and Supervisor Jose Blanco.
The Wayland High School choir is winning top accolades, with two Division I ratings, but “nobody seems to notice, nobody seems to care,” according to WHS Choir Director Jan Laman.
A Hopkins 4-year-old girl, Aleyvia Aernouts, remembered her 911 instructions to help save a life when it counted during the outbreak of a rural residential fire.
Rusty Dutkiewicz penned a letter to the editor noting she and husband Dick put their children through Catholic schools but are supportive of Wayland Union’s bond request, which she said would result in no extra tax levy.
Daniel Cassidy, education director of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, wrote an editorial insisting all school elections be held in November. The Wayland bond election for the Transporation Building is scheduled for March 20.
Michael and Denise Czerews were killed in a traffic crash near the 84th Street exit on U.S.-131 while on their way to watch their son play basketball for Forest Hills Northern against Wayland.
Wayland High School graduate Gary Doublestein has been named chief of staff at North Ottawa Hospital.
The Then and Now Historial Society is negotiating with Joe Miller to turn the old railroad depot into a historical museum. The Wayland City Council denied the group’s request because it lacks ownership of the building.
The speed limit on East Superior street along Wayland High School and Wildcat Drive has been lowered from 35 to 25 miles per hour.
Remodeling of the kitchen at Hopkins Elementary and some other improvements at the junior high school are planned this year, according to Supt. George Stamas.
Former Hopkins woman Deanna Hester Simpson and her family perished in a fire at Coloma.
Kara Potter, Nicki Merchant and Jessie Merchant led the way as the Wayland volleyball team improved to 7-1 in dual matches. The Wildcats are in second place and await the O-K Gold Conference tournament.
Hopkins also sports a 7-1 record and is setting sights on an O-K Silver Conference championship, according to volleyball coach Terri Merren.
The Martin wrestling team concluded its season with a 26-10 dual match record and grapplers Rick Mena, Josh Hildrebrand, Travis Brenner and Levi Conley were still sporting gaudy individual records.
Forest Hills Northern halted Wayland’s three-game hoops winning streak, 59-51. Josh Smith scored 18 points.
Paul Stein sank a couple of crucial free throws to lead Hopkins to thrilling 48-47 victory over Gobles. The Vikings now are 4-12 overall.
Jed Noble had 21 points as Martin bested Lwton 60-49 to improve to 4-11.
Staff at the City of Wayland plan to move March 1 into their new digs at the former Wayland State Bank building on the corner of Superior and Main streets downtown.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 19, 1974
Wayland City Councilman Robert Swartout resigned his post to make himself eligible to run for mayor in the annual election in April. He will oppose incumbent Marshall Towne, who is seeking his second term. Candidates for three council seats will be Peg Dangremond, Ted Green, Marie Hall and and William Hooker.
Pastor Arthur Freet of the First Presbyterian Church of Plainwell told members of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce that community involvement is the crucial component in the health of local business.
Voters in the Wayland Union School District will be asked to approve a three-mill levy in order to move into the new high school that will be finished in the fall. High school and junior high students have had to endure split sessions for the past three academic years because of a lack of space.
Members of the Wayland Rotary Club were given a tour of the new high school and swimming pool, as well as to members of the community.
Elmer White in Michigan Mirror, reported that Ann Arbor Democratic State Rep. Perry Bullard plans to place on the November ballot a proposal to decriminalize marijuana.
Sixteen Wayland band students received first division ratings at the Solo and Ensemble festival at Hope College. Debbie Hayes also earned a Division I for her piano solo at the junior high festival at Grand Rapids Northview.
Former Miss Wayland Cathy LaValley is a cast member in the play “Warm Wednesday” at Northwood Institute.
Kelly McEwen, well known for being the quarterback and playmaker for the Hopkins basketball team, drilled 24 points in a win over Fennville. Rick Smith had 16 rebounds and 20 points. Hopkins clinched the A-O Conference title and now owns a 13-4 overall record. Coach Mark Austin indicated the Vikings hadn’t won a league basketball crown since 1957.
Wayland came from behind to beat Hamilton on the Hawkeyes’ court 60-54. Paul Heckert had 15 points and Rick and Randy Mauchmer 14 each. The Wildcats have won 10 of 11 games since Christmas break and are 13-4 overall.
Coordinator Don Rabideau has announced plans to start local recreation softball leagues.Those interested in joining are urged to attend a meeting at the VFW.
The Wayland wrestling squad had a really bad day at the O-K Blue Conference meet, finishing dead last. The ‘Cats entered the meet tied for fourth place after dual meets with a 4-3 record.
Joe Pawloski, 57, owner of the Wayland Sheet Medal Shop, died unexpectedly at his home.
Heavy fog and slippery road conditions led to a traffic crash between a car and dairy truck on 18th Street near 128th Avenue. The drivers, Larry Pogodzinski and Melvin Lubbers, sustained minor injuries.
Chalmers Montieth, who organized the Martin Exchange Bank in 1932, was former Allegan City Councilman and member of the County Road Commission, died Feb. 13, at age 81.
Co-Chairs Mrs. Kenneth DeWeerd and Mrs. Richard Adamczyk were pictured making plans for the annual dance and party to benefit the Allegan County Association for Retarded Children.
The Love Unlimited Orchestra scored the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with the instrumental “Love’s Theme.”
75 Years Ago — Feb. 25, 1949
Charles Towne was nominated for village president over incumbent Harold Hawkins at the annual Wayland Village Caucus. Nominated by acclamation were Clerk Harry Elenbaas, Treasurer Elizabeth Clark, Assessor Charles Clark and Trustees Robert Genteman, Robert Nicolai and Chester Brevitz.
The Wayland High School boys’ basketball team recorded its 15th consecutive victory, 34-27 over Caledonia. Gene Weber had 18 points. The Wildcats have one more regular season game, at Middleville, before joining Fennville, Plainwell, Otsego, Bloomingdale and Paw Paw in the district tournament at Allegan.
Mrs. Lois Smith, 78, died at her home in Wayland. She had been a school teacher and lived here for 50 years.
Next Monday is the deadline for renewing automobile license plates and Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said, “as usual, there will be a lineup of latecomers.”
Dr. C. Floyd Fuber, 66, a native of Leighton Township, died at his home in Burton Heights. He was a dentist.
A pre-lenten dance will be held at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church Saturday, Feb. 26. Charles Kuhtic and Orchestra will perform the music.
M. Burton Yarborough, director of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, was guest speaker at the Ladies Library Club’s 56th anniversary banquet at the high school cafeteria.
A public mass meeting has been called for Monday, Feb. 28, at Wayland High School auditorium, to discuss the question of having a sewage disposal system in the village.
Eugene Clack has moved his barber shop from its former location in the hotel to the north side of the same building, occupying the same pace formerly used by the Wayland Café.
“A Gold Star Mother” penned a letter to the editor agreeing with a previous writer about the poor condition of a road in Hopkins and added that the Honor Roll is dilapidated as well.
Dr. S.J. Harrison, president of Adrian College, will be guest speaker at the Sunday morning service at the Wayland Methodist Church.
A Family Party will be held Friday, March 4, at the Middleville High School auditorium, featuring stars of radio and screen Texas Tommy and Baby Doll, Bobby Lange, Venti and Ward and juggler Ming Toy. The event is sponsored by Finkbeiner Implement Co.
“Techniques and Shortcuts in Clothing Construction” was the topic of the presentation at the adult homemaking class Feb. 21.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wilson wrote a letter to the editor supporting the building of an addition to Wayland school because of overcrowded conditions.
The Wayland Teachers Club will have its monthly meeting at the homemaking room at WHS. Wesley Thomas of the Michigan Education Association will discuss current problems in the Michigan Legislature.
The South Wayland Extension Club will have a box social and hard times party March 15 at the Bradley Hall.
Youngster Gary Johnson sustained a bump on the head when struck by a car at the Plum Street intersection on South Main.
In “The Bull Board” column, someone asked at the Republican caucus when the Democratic caucus was. “You could have heard those guys laughing clear down in Bradley!”
Joseph Uhlir of Gun Lake suffered painful injuries while ice fishing and was taken to Crispe Hospital in Plainwell. He fractured his kneecap and underwent surgery.
Mrs. Ronald Knowlton of Shelbyville has returned from Frankfort, Germany, where she visited her mother and gave interesting accounts about poor post-war conditions there.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Kristine Miller and Arthur Franz in “Jungle Patrol.”
• Allan “Rocky Lane” and Mildred Coles in “Desperados of Dodge City.”
• Wanda Hendrix, John Lund and Monty Wooley in “Miss Tatlock’s Millions.”
• Olivia DeHavilland, Mark Stevens and Leo Genn in “The Snake Pit.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 22, 1924
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher attended the annual conference of the Michigan Press Association in Lansing.
Sib Rumery was nominated by the independents for village president. George R. Wilson was nominated by Republicans.
The Village Council agreed to support the community band by placing a millage proposal on the ballot for a half mill.
Henry Ford has been quick to understand the importance of making cement for roads. Plants for this purpose are springing up in Chelsea and Portland, Union City, along with River Rouge in Detroit.
The Ladies Library Club had its 31st anniversary party and luncheon at the Woodman Hall.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “The Mark of the Beast,” by Thomas Dixon, author of “The Birth of a Nation.” A reproduction of the Dempsey-Firpo boxing battle. Bull Montana in “Breaking into Society.”
Versal P. Fales died at age 77 at his home in Leighton Township. He enlisted to serve in the Civil War at age 16 and was a longtime member of the local Mason Lodge.
Mrs. Amelia Sweet, a longtime resident of Corning, died in Gainsville, Fla., at age 81. She had gone to Florida to live in her final years in 1919 because of ill health.
Mrs. Minnie Whiteman Williams, 55, died in Bradley. She had been one of the pioneer members of the church as a member of Ladies Aid.
Eleanor Ruth Waite, 79, who married Elisha Griswold in Wayland in 1860, died at the home of her son.
Solon R. Cole, longtime Dorr Township farmer and community activist on behalf of roads and schools, died at his home. He was 75.
The young folks of West Gun Lake have been enjoying their evenings sliding down Mlynarcheck’s Hill.
Wayland Lumber & Coal announced it has purchased the Hunsberger & Bowman business. H.A. Creager and F.A. Baxter are proprietors.
County Line school children were pleasantly surprised when their Valentine box was taken in a sleigh to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Will Brog.
Jerry Sargent of the James Fenton Mason Lodge reported the record of members who have died from 1897 to 1924.
The membership of the local American Legion is increasing rapidly.
Civil War veteran Clinton Rose died at the home of his daughter.
John Dorman started driving to Grand Rapids, but was thwarted by huge snow drifts from a blizzard.
The Commercial Club voted to join the western Michigan Tourists and Resort Association and purchased 100 road signs to advertise the Wayland Tourists Camp.