(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 19, 1999
Monica Skinner of Leighton Township and her sons escaped serious harm in a traffic crash, thanks to quick response from rescue workers who had to fend off two wayward turkeys. A Globe photographer captured the drama on the front page.
Charlie Gardner, a Leighton Township, veteran is claiming the government doesn’t respect land rights in connection with a drain issue.
The City of Wayland continues to see economic and development growth. The latest indication is Harding’s Market, Quality Farm and Fleet and Taco Bell coming into the plaza on Reno Drive near the U.S.-131 expressway.
The Dorr Township Board has approved an increase in costs for building permits for the first time since signing on with Professional Code Inspections in 1989. Meanwhile, Yankee Springs Township is considering a hike in zoning application fees.
Editor Nila Aamoth penned a “Soapbox” suggesting a large fund balance may seem like a noble goal for local government unit, but, ”Whenever a township is accumulating large amounts of interest, it means they are using your money for purposes other than providing you services.”
One of four area juveniles suspected of stealing a 1996 Chrysler was apprehended about five minutes after the complaint was issued to local police and another teen was arrested later that day, but yet another vehicle and thief is still being sought.
The environmental cleanup project for the Sunrise Landfill on the south side of Wayland will resume later this year. The site is regarded as one of the worst in Michigan.
The final hurdle for the Moline industrial park plans in Leighton Township appears to have been cleared and Morren & Associates will begin work at a site near the corner of Division and 142nd Avenue.
One of the calls handled recently by the Leighton Township Fire Department was at the home of firefighter Paul Rybiski. The smoke coming out of the house was caused by a short in the electric box.
There is virtually no competition for school board seats. Ken Olney and Robert Wiersema are running unopposed. Hopkins will have a three-for-two contest with incumbents Boyd Navis and Gary Hoffmaster opposed by Matt DeGlopper.
Martin Township adopted an ordinance assessing a $500 penalty for anyone who appears nude in public.
The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a claim by Ed and Rita Huver, who filed for damages of $7,500 during installation of a drain on their property in Dorr Township.
Former Hopkins football star Nick Schaendorf is starting to walk after suffering serious injuries in a dirt bike accident.
The Hopkins boys’ track team defeated Martin 93-44, but the Clipper girls prevailed 66-62.
Both the Wayland boys’ and girls’ track teams beat Forest Hills Northern, with Dan Rookus taking the 1600 and 3200 distance runs.
Sparked by the hitting of Jessie and Nicki Merchant and the pitching of Kara Potter and Amber Willison, the Wayland softball team is off to a 4-0 start this season.
Josh Smith and Britt Adamczyk are “really crushing the ball” as the Wildcat baseball team has been scoring in double digits.
The 12th annual Carp Fest is planned in Hopkins May 1, starting at Gene’s Tavern.
The Rev. Elsie Kidney, a 1938 graduate of Martin High School, died at her home in Jackson. She was ordained in the Free Methodist Church in 1967.
50 Years Ago — April 16, 1974
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gernaat of Gun Lake are enjoying a visit from Mrs. Karolina Capek from Czechoslavakia, whom they hadn’t seen since 1948.
Wayland will celebrate Mayor Exchange Day May 20 with Saline, a town of about 4800 people located near Ann Arbor.
The Wayland City Council has given the Wayland Fire Dept. the green light to negotiate with the Hopkins Township Board for fire protection along the west side of the U.S.-131 corridor. A one-mill tax levy may be part of the project.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. James Thomas has asked the city to provide sidewalks along East Superior Street for the safety of students walking to school. Mayor Marshall Towne replied that without the new school there would be no need for sidewalks.
Engineers Williams & Works have insisted that the city’s recent problems with water in basements are likely caused by “hydrologic conditions” with the rise in water tables on southwest Michigan since 1973.
Letter writer Mrs. Lee Murray insists that “Hopkins is taking a good look at itself and will continue to do so, as its spirit and sense of pride in community fulfillment gain momentum in the coming months and years.”
Andrew Downing wrote a paid op-ed piece trying to explain the need for a Gun Lake Area Sanitary Sewer.
Lee and Marsha Seiven will present a program April 21 at the Dorr Christian Reformed Church, including a chordovox and Spanish guitar.
The Wayland varsity baseball team survived Hopkins’ offensive rally in a 9-6 shootout between neighborhood rivals. The Wildcats, coached this spring by Richard Akers, also won their home opener 8-4 over Delton. Tom Damveld, Mike Latondress and Rick Mauchmar led the offensive efforts and Cody Niemchick belted a solo homer. However, Wayland lost to Allegan on the diamond.
The Wayland track team is showing improvement with 13 personal best performances, but it lost to Otsego and Kalamazoo Hackett.
J. Brink Prop inexplicably dropped out of the Ogre Hockey League tournament. The Maple City Seed Pods and Blarney will meet in the semifinals.
Michael “Mad Dog” Burton failed to blow out all 27 candles for his birthday prompting concerns about his aging.
Bill Hill and Rhonda have been accused of painting eggs and leaving them at choice locations at Ogre House. They insist it was the work of the Easter Bunny.
Theresa Hall of Hopkins and three other Allegan County students placed fifth in the state 4-H Horse Bowl.
The Hopkins Board of Education has voted to seek voters’ approval of an eight-mill tax levy with only three being new millage. The other five mills represent a renewal. Supt. Charles Pellham said if approved, the 23-mill total will be less than the state average of 25.
Members of the Wayland High School French Club and advisor Viola Carroll are on a trip to France over 10 days, visiting historic sites.
A fire at the home of Leon Haywood on 126th Avenue extensively damaged a tool shed, garage, chicken coop, two tractors, a pickup truck and camper.
Dorr, Hopkins and Wayland community activists are planning spring cleanup and spruce up events during the week of April 23-30.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce held discussions about sponsoring a golden gloves boxing contest.
75 Years Ago — April 22, 1949
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher praised the Barry County Road Commission’s start of road repairs and grading for the Chief Noonday Road east of Joe’s Grocery.
Fourteen former Sunday School classmates at the Congregational Church held a special Easter breakfast at the Doll House Restaurant.
Etti Hunsberger and Dacie Haines both are recovering from injuries in a traffic crash in Grand Rapids.
Mrs. Lena Norton, a Wayland area resident for 65 years, died at her home near Bradley. She was 85.
Bill Mauchmar, Gene Weber and Van Duine combined efforts to defeat Caledonia 9-2 and earlier Delton 12-8.
Mrs. Katherine Sakoski, former teacher and organist for the Hilliards Parish School, died after a brief illness. Her son, the Rev. Joseph Sakoski of Manistee, officiated at her service.
St. Therese will have its first-ever ham supper in its new basement from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Mrs. Jessie Brown, former teacher in the Hopkins school district, died at the Brewer Home, Plainwell. She was born in Hopkins in 1868 and married Jesse Johnson, who died 1945.
Miss Lois Jager left Monday with a group of young people from Grand Rapids for a singing tour through Ohio.
William H. Wooden, who operated the Shell gas station at Gun Lake, died at his home after a lingering illness.
Sharon Belka, 2-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Belka, is being treated for bronchial pneumonia at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Eddie Albert, Gale Storm and James Gleason in “The Dude Goes West.”
• Jeanette McDonald, Lloyd Nolan and Lassie in “The Sun Comes Up.”
• Van Heflin, Robert Ryan and Janet Leigh in “Act of Violence.”
100 Years Ago — April 18, 1924
Editor-Publisher Rollo Mosher announced, “Next week we hope to be able to give more attention to local news in the Globe. We have this week disposed of the Middleville Sun and Caledonia News… This week we have been forced to leave out several contributions that were already in type through lack of space.” The three local weekly newspapers had been printed at the same time and in the same publication now for more than a year.
The Hopkins and Wayland Library Clubs had a joint meeting for Reciprocity Day. There were 18 members from Hopkins and 24 from Wayland.
Clarence Luce, who never married and never established a permanent residence, has died at the age of 59 in Blodgett Hospital. He spent his last few years at a Soldier’s Home.
Mrs. Jake Stehouwer, Mrs. Irwin Hendrixson, Mrs. Charlie Wilcox and Mrs. Elmer Truax gave members of the North Hopkins Community Club a surprise musical sketch, including dancing.
Evangelist Hiram VanVoorhis from Bowling Green was to handle the special revival series at the Church of Christ.
Mrs. H. W. Parker had the misfortune of getting some acid in her eye and has been been suffering a great deal since.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “The Pride of Palomar” including one of the greatest horse races ever screened. Coming soon is Harold Lloyd in “Dr. Jack.”
Former Wayland boy J.E. Riggs has taken over the Ford Sales and Service station in Marysville, Mich.
Dr. Mary Cutler of West Gun Lake has returned from Des Moines, Iowa, where she spent part of the winter in medical schools. Her furlough has been extended by the Foreign Missionary Board so she won’t have to return to Korea for some time.
The Green Lake Farmers Club held a meeting that attracted 50 people at the home of Libbie Pratt.
The Globe reported that “Adolf Hittler” has been sentenced to five years in prison, charged with treason after his failed “Beer Hall Putsch.”
The remains of Mrs. Ella Heazlit of Alabama have arrived and she will be buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Mrs. E. Huffle has been living at the home of her daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Ward, but will leave soon to be a resident at the Soldiers Home in Grand Rapids.