(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 15, 1999
The City of Wayland now is said to be in the first year of a five-year recreation plan for the City Park.
The Harold and Sarah Hammond family living next to the pile of tires in Watson Township worries about consequences and wants it removed.
Village of Hopkins residents have elected a new president and Village Council. Steve Stearns is the new president and Terry Weick, Dennis Norman and Dale Stein won the three open council seats.
The Martin and Hopkins volleyball teams have advanced to regionals after claiming district championships. It’s the third straight for Hopkins and coach Terri Merren.
Wayland, Martin and Hopkins basketball teams’ seasons have come to an end after bowing in the district tournaments. The Clippers lost 85-36 to future collegiate and NBA star Chris Kaman of Tri-Unity Christian. Hopkins head coach Jack Klunder announced his resignation after the Vikings’ season-ending loss to Kalamazoo Christian.
The Leighton Township Board has approved an industrial park site plan along Division Avenue.
The Shell gasoline franchise has decided to locate a station in Wayland at the corner of West Superior Street and U.S.-131 at the site of the former Phillips 66 station owned by Joe Miller.
Most Wayland Township residents in a survey are siding against Township Supervisor Jose Blanco in his recent squabbles with the township clerk and treasurer.
Dorr Township residents are suspicious of tree clearing and other activities west of U.S.-131 and south of 142nd Avenue, spreading rumors about preparations being made for a Cracker Barrel restaurant.
The General Federation of Women’s Club project of opening a library at Gun Lake is being realized at Hummingbird Arts & Crafts on Patterson Road.
The Wayland City Planning Commission approved a request from Dr. Michael DeWeerd to move his dental offices from Plum Street to East Superior, across the street from the high school.
Hopkins’ Alissa Johnston has been announced as an all-state second team selection by the Michigan Basketball Coaches Association.
The Wayland volleyball team lost in tourney play, but was named for the second year in a row to the state all-academic team.
Barry and Terry Gillhespy of Wayland finished first and second in the Michigan Special Olympics Winter Games Alpine slalom ski competition.
Allert Bishop, who lived in a more than century old farm house near Martin, died at age 92. A longtime member of the East Martin Christian Reformed Church, he helped build many snowmobile trails in the area.
The Globe published a feature story and photo of Wayland Union Schools bus driver Cal Tyler of Dorr, who has given blood faithfully for the past 39 years.
50 Years Ago — March 12, 1974
Wayland High School seniors Alan Steines, Jan Shoemaker and Paul Heckert placed in the Otsego Elks Club “Most Valuable Student” contest.
A liquor by the glass proposal went down to defeat in the Village of Hopkins election, 86 to 45. Meanwhile, the charter revision proposal in Martin Village was approved by a 115 to 15 vote.
Gerald Omness, who said he considered it a “personal affront” that he wasn’t offered the varsity baseball coaching job vacated by Jon Carroll, tendered his resignation as jayvee coach. Athletic Director Dick Akers was offered the job for this spring only. The school board tabled his resignation.
Citizens in the City of Wayland next month will consider a charter revision proposal to allow the offices of city assessor and treasurer to be appointed rather than elected.
Harold Burpee, owner of Burpee Appliance at Gun Lake, which burned down the year before, died a of a cerebral hemhorrage at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. He was only 52.
Hopkins High School junior Steve Harnish has been selected to attend Wolverine Boys’ State this summer at Michigan State University.
Beth Yohe of Wayland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Baker, has been selected to be a contestant at the Miss Michigan Teenager pageant in Detroit.
Don Amborski of Wayland will be guest speaker at the Calvary Church about his work as a missionary to Africa.
The Martin varsity basketball team just missed a district title by two points, 68-66, to Lawton. Coach John Zemlo said it was a shame to end the season just when the Clippers were starting to play good basketball. Dan Snyder and Jerry Seekman led Martin’s balanced scoring attack.
The Wayland basketball team finished its season in the district semifinals with an 84-49 loss to South Haven. Two days before, senior Pat Wilde came off the bench to spark the district quarterfinal victory over Plainwell. The Wildcats were 15-6 overall.
The Wayland volleyball team suffered its first defeat in the O-K Blue Conference, to Kelloggsville.
O-K Blue Conference basketball champion Caledonia ended Hopkins season at 15-6 with a 64-57 win in the districts. Hopkins lost the contest at the free throw line.
David Young received the Tim McCarver Banjo Hitting and Eli Grba Pitching Excellence awards at the annual Ogre Banquet in Grand Rapids. John Ranney was chosen “Wooseye of the Year.”
The Martin High School concert band, directed by Fred Bogdan, earned a first division rating at the festival at Zeeland.
75 Years Ago — March 18, 1949
Jack Cook of the firm Zumbrink & Cook Jewelers was named new secretary-manager of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce, succeeding John E. Ward.
The Rabbit River has officially been declared a trout stream east of the village and therefore closed to spearing activities.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher noted Wayland has a large number of “sticker” (write-in) candidates this spring and wondered if it would be wise to have two tickets in the field each year to generate more interest. “The more people interested in village affairs, the better it is for the town,” he opined.
Nellie J. (Sanborn) McLoud, who moved to Bradley in 1901 with her husband from Caledonia, died at her home. She was 82.
Harold J. Hawkins, who was defeated in the village caucus, was re-elected on a sticker campaign for village president over Charles Towne.
Harold D. Fox was elected supervisor, LeRoy D. Russell clerk and Simon Fox treasurer in the Wayland Township caucus.
Scotland native Robert Clark is visiting his sister, Mrs. Charles Newman, at a Shelbyville home. Clark said the USA is very much the richest country in the world while so many others in the world have to live with rations.
Rollo Mosher reported a majority of the fees collected by the county for dog tags is used to pay for damages to livestock.
The newly organized Hopkins Lions Club will have a special meeting Tuesday evening, April 5, to celebrate the occasion.
Edward Scheib has taken over ownership of Neil’s Barber Shop next to Hanlon’s Drug Store on South Main.
Olive Brower gave a presentation on “The Eve of St. Patrick’s,” which she wrote and narrated herself, to members of the Ladies Library Club.
The Moline Community Players are putting on a home talent play, “Old Hickory Holler School,” March 29 at the Leighton Grange Hall.
Mrs. Helen Buskirk and members of the Wayland school board, went to Lansing to speak with the assistant superintendent of public instruction, Wilfred F. Clapp, about constructing an addition to the school.
Fifty-four were in attendance for the 30th anniversary dinner of the local American Legion at the Legion Hall. Misses Edna Moore and Beverly Frank delighted guests by singing a duet on “Sentimental Journey.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• John Carroll, Thomas Gomez and Adele Mara in “Angel in Exile.”
• Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell and Rudy Vallee in “Unfaithfully Yours.”
• Pat O’Brien, Robert Ryan and Barbara Hale in “The Boy with Green Hair.”
100 Years Ago — March 14, 1924
Joseph Bouwman appears to have the election of supervisor for Wayland Township wrapped up as the only candidate. He was runner-up last year. L.D. Chapple and S. B. Smith are candidates for clerk. Charles Towne, Carl Warner and Harold Fox seek the treasurer’s post. Lewis McLoud abd Charles W. Middleton are running for highway commissioner.
Home Economics girls have been selling chocolate bars. Proceeds will go to purchasing kitchen equipment.
“It is to be regretted that the debating organization has had to disband due to too many other activities.”
The boxing show given by the Wayland High School boys was greeted by a rousing crowd of more than 200 spectators. The boys acquitted themselves with honor and credit.
The annual village election revealed 64 straight Republican votes and 47 independent ballots, with a total of 264 casting ballots. George Wilson was elected village president and Republicans carried all but two offices. D. G. Clack and Mark Beal tied with 125 votes each for trustee. Mr. Clack won when lots were drawn. William Hooker was elected clerk, John Stockdale treasurer, Leander Chapple assessor, and Ivan D. Smith and Charles McLintock trustees.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Lionel Barrymore and Seena Owen in “The Face of the Fog.” The Mack Sennett comedy “The Dentist.” Marguerite DeLaMotte and George Fawcett in “Just Like a Woman.”
England native Sam Newton, born in 1839, who came to America in in 1846, died at the home of his son, Fred, in Wayland.
The Hopkins Community Club had a dinner served “A la Farmer’s Style” and enjoyed music and presentations.
The Alle-Bar Club was to meet with Mr. and Mrs. William Bohn at the county line for chicken pie dinner and election of officers.
James Harold Vanderberg, only 16, died of an undisclosed illness March 4. He had attended the Robbins School and graduated from eighth grade. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Vanderberg.
The “Ain’t I Funny” parties are making a hit nowadays. At a recent such party at the home of Grover Vandenberg and C. Bennett, Carl Levendoskoe and Mrs. J. Stehouwer took the prize for being the worst dressed there.
Allen J. Gray, former bridge inspector two miles west of town, drove into town after a trip out West, visiting Yellowstone Park, Salt Lake City and California.
