(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 1, 1999
Dynamite has been defused from the tire pile in Watson Township.
Wayland Township Supervisor Jose Blanco’s plea to the public during recent personnel difficulties was said to be underwhelming. He is insisting he should be paid the same salary as the township clerk and treasurer.
A robot cop could join the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police.
The Hopkins High School volleyball team has come up with a nine-game winning streak under coach Terri Mirren and threatens to win the O-K Silver Conference title.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her weekly Soapbox, implored readers, teachers, students, administrators to pay attention to what is being said by young people because sometimes their comments can be symptoms of things such as suicide.
State Rep. Patty Birkholz wrote a column praising a House bill dealing with violence and bullying in schools. She opined, “People need to know school is a place to get an education, not to intimidate and threaten others. Our safety package addresses these concerns.”
First Lt. Frank Saucedo wrote a letter to the editor defending and explaining officers’ actions that were criticized by a letter writer the week before.
Wayland Postmaster Matt Vincent has announced at a public hearing to outline how the current post office on East Superior Street is too small and a move to a new larger facility is necessary.
Midway Die & Engineering plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Wayland, with the possibility of hiring 40 to additional employees.
The Globe published a photo of band director Dave Lowe and cheerleader Sandra Kraima joining the Hopkins High School pep band during a basketball game.
The Wayland High School volleyball team has taken over second place in the O-K Gold Conference, behind state-ranked Forest Hills Northern.
After an awful start to the season, the Wayland basketball team has improved enough to fashion an 8-9 overall record, 5-7 in the O-K Gold. Jamie Brown and Josh Smith have been leading the ‘Cats’ recent surge.
Though Wayland capped its best dual meet season ever, only two Wildcats, Branden Patrick and Jessy Simmons, qualified for the individual regional tournament.
Travis Brenner, Josh Hildebrand and Rick Mena easily advanced to the Division 4 individual wrestling finals for Martin. Tom Marcoux of Hopkins was district champion at 140 pounds.
Jed Noble scored 26 points and Jesse Brown 18 as Martin defeated Fennville to lift the Clippers’ overall record to 5-12.
Leon Roblyer, a Hopkins High School graduate and lifetime area farmer and Steelcase employee, died at his home. He was 58.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 26, 1974
Wayland Union School District voters gave a resounding “yes” to a proposed three-mill increase over five years to enable students, staff and administrators to move into the new high school on East Superior Street. The tally was 699 to 456.
Mrs. Judy Button died of smoke inhalation in a fire at her home in Shelbyville. She had helped her three sons to escape through an upstairs window but then succumbed to the smoke inside the house. Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd said Mrs. Button had flammable liquids on the premises because she was getting ready to do some painting.
Tom Wilkinson, 35, of Caledonia, has joined the Andringa Lumber business as assistant manager.
The Wayland City Council has decided to stick with an ordinance making it unlawful to discharge firearms within the city limits.
Martin Village voters in a special election March 11 will be asked to decide whether to change from the village caucus system to an elective form of local government to choose village president, clerk, treasurer and four trustees. There are many candidates, but only one, Melvin Shook, for president.
Elmer White, in the weekly “Michigan Mirror” column, noted 91 percent of Michigan residents now have been vaccinated against measles and rubella.
The Hopkins Organization of Parents and Educators (HOPE) is sponsoring a fashion show Thursday evening in the high school cafeteria.
Local Girls Scout troops gathered Feb. 22 to celebrate the annual “Thinking Day.”
Sports writer David T. Young noted in his column that Wayland has not won a district basketball tournament in 12 years, but he has high hopes for the 14-4 Wildcats this year. Hopkins will have a tougher road, likely facing a 16-3 Caledonia team that won the O-K Blue Conference title in the first round.
A special team of Ogres defeated the State of Michigan Independent Championship volleyball team in an exhibition battle of the sexes. Michael Burton and John Brink were members of the winning unit.
The Wayland girls’ volleyball team will compete in the state tournament in Livonia. The group is coached by Mrs. Pat Rowley.
Rick Smith scored 12 of his 22 points to spark Hopkins to a lackluster 62-54 win over Grant. The Vikings, coached by Mark Austin, are 15-4 for the season overall.
The Wayland wrestling team, getting a lift from underclassmen Andy Warner and Bruce Brinks, defeated Allegan to close its dual meet season record at 8-6.
Hopkins’ John Roon cleared 12 feet to take second in the pole vault at the Ferris State College indoor track meet. Teammate Rick Smith threw the shot 45-9.
Hopkins High School graduate Victor Paschel won an agriculture scholarship from Michigan Farm Bureau at Western Michigan University.
Hopkins captured four district titles in FFA competition, with Phil Lenhart, Scott Miller, Sherry Collings, Mike Fein, Beth Andrews, Doug Steffens, Mark Miller, Jeff Lenhart, John Watson, Jim Caywood, Steve Gratz, Mark Watson, Scott Dekker, Rod McKinnon and Dean Dykstra winning the gold.
Wolverine Feeds salesman Moe Hagerman won the company’s “Holiday in Spain” contest, so he and his wife earned an eight-day vacation.
Leighton Farm Bureau adopted a resolution to repeal laws for integrated busing for schools.
Bruce Moulenbelt won an election sponsored by the Hopkins High School French Club for favorite teacher.
Wayland Township Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to Laning Disposal to permit the dump to be open two days a week.
Terry Jacks captured the No. 1 slot among tunes in the nation with “Seasons in the Sun.”
75 Years Ago — March 4, 1949
About 150 people showed up to a meeting called by Village President Harold Hawkins about a proposal to implement a sanitary sewer system in Wayland. “Contrary to expectations, when a show of hands was called for, it was estimated that about 90 percent favored the proposition.”
John Unruh of Moline told Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Moshers local residents should watch their speeds just north of town because a police officer has hidden his vehicle behind a farm where the speed limit changes from 45 mph.
Authorities believe someone threw a stick of dynamite, causing an explosion at the Lakeview Tavern on the west side of Gun Lake.
Class D teams Hopkins will play Saugatuck and Martin will meet Gobles in the district basketball tournament at Allegan.
Wayland drew a bye in the Class C tourney and will play either Paw Paw of Plainwell in its opener.
There are 47 members of the Wayland High School Class of 1949. Ronald Frank, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Frank of Moline, is valedictorian. Juanita Fleser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fleser of Moline, is salutatorian.
The Wayland High School basketball team completed its most successful season ever at 18-1 by beating Middleville 61-40. Louis Nakken scored 20 points. The Wildcats’ 29-3 record over the past two seasons is among the best four in the state in Class C.
Military services will be held at the Bradley Indian Mission March 6 for Pfc. Amos Sprague, who lost his life in the North African Theatre on Oct. 3, 1944.
Longtime Wayland Township resident Ellen Pinney died at her home. She was 93.
Otmar Johnson is scheduled to receive his Eagle Scout Award at the Court of Honor. He has been in charge of a Cub Scout unit in Bradley for the past three years.
The Rev. Jerold Pell, who has been serving as pastor at the Moline Congregational Church, is moving from Grand Rapids to Moline. The church is remodeling and has purchased a school bus. Pell also is co-editor of the Voice of Calvary monthly newsletter.
The Lutheran Missouri Synod plans to establish a church in the Wayland area. The congregation will meet in the American Legion Hall above the Wayland State Bank.
The Gold Coast Boys will be featured every Friday night for square dancing at the Dixie Ballroom south of town.
Robert Genteman gave a special presentation for the Wayland Extension Club on the proposal to bring a sanitary sewer system to the village.
Soil experts Ed Brandebeery and Wash O’Brian will be guest speakers at the next meeting of the East Allegan Soil Conservation District at Wayland High School. The home economics and agricultural classes will have a joint potluck at the homemaking room at the high school.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Donald Barry and Janet Martin in “Train to Alcatraz.”
• Tim Holt and Nan Leslie in “Guns of Hate.”
• Glenn Ford, Terry Moore and James Gleason in “The Return of October.”
• Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, Ann Sothern and Kirk Douglas in “A Letter to Three Wives.”
100 Years Ago — Feb. 29, 1924
Clinton William Rose, a Civil War veteran and longtime local resident, died at the home of his daughter in Wayland. He was 83.
Mrs. Mae Smith read an interesting paper, “Relations with China and Japan,” to members of the Ladies Library Club. Shirley Carner, her brothers and Florence Delp presented a skit, “When Uncle Sam Gets Tired.”
Library Director Fanny Hoyt announced the arrival of “Dr. Dolittle,” declaring “It is doubtful there has been created in recent fiction a more delightful character…”
A special deputation team from Western Normal College in Kalamazoo YMCA will be guests at the Methodist Episcopal Church over the next weekend.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Milton Sills and Wanda Hawley in “Burning Sands.” Additional comedy, “Heads of Oak.” All-star cast in The Third Alarm.”
J.M. Donald Gray, 24, formerly of Moline, died in the American Legion Hospital in Battle Creek. He was active in artistic, fraternal and journalistic endeavors in college and was married only last September to Miss Clara Carbine. He was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis only a month after his wedding.
Juniors have begun practice for their upcoming play, “Esmeralda.”
A debate team with 30 members has been organized at the high school and four debates are being scheduled.
A Boy Scout boxing show was held at Woodman Hall, with many calls for “repeater.”
High School boys postponed a show because of a recent smallpox scare.
Mrs. August Dorman had the misfortune to fall down the cellar steps at her home. Dr. Ira Slater took several stitches in the scalp wound and fracture.
Dr. and Mrs. Alonzo Eagon of Toronto, S.D., have sold their practice out west and plan to open a medical office in Wayland.
Mrs. Minnie Whiteman Williams died in Bradley after an illness of six months. She had been born in Grand Rapids in 1868.
COVER PHOTO: Sweet’s Grocery in Monterey Township