(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 18, 1994
The Globe published a special edition highlighting recycling and waste removal.
Allegan County Resource and Recovery Director Mary Jones said surcharge fees still owed to the county program total about $60,000, most of which is caused by residents who don’t pay their property taxes.
Hopkins Schools Superintendent James Cooper has announced he will leave July 1 to take the school chief’s job at Harbor Springs. Cooper first came to Hopkins as high school principal in 1989.
Scott Sullivan wrote an enterprise piece about the increasing volume of waste being taken by the South Kent County landfill near Byron Center and interviewed supervisor Alan Ream.
Praxis has reported that 437 gypsy moths have been trapped at the station at the department of public works building at 133rd Avenue and South Main Street, more than double the number trapped at that site the year before.
Authorities worry that a leaky Gun Lake Sewer Authority line has caused leakage to more than double, but GLASA Manager Tom Rook reported the leak has been repaired.
Wayland school teachers have settled on a new labor contract that calls for an increase of 3.1% in pay. A beginning teacher at Wayland makes $23,461 and an instructor at the top of the scale makes $42,423.
The Globe ran a feature story on longtime recyclers Bonnie Slayton and Peter Jonker, a native of The Netherlands, who live at Payne Lake.
Daniel G. Kelsey wrote a feature story about Sebright Products in Hopkins and the future of garbage disposal services.
Marilyn Hess wrote a feature piece on residential composting and mentioned an upcoming free seminar at Peereboom Greenhouse and Garden Center just north of the Wayland city limits.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote a brief historical feature about how Fred Hilbert Sr. launched the Cowbell (Ampro) Seeds business in 1930. Ampro has just completed construction of its new production plant in Bradley.
Another feature story was done about Hubert Sprik, director of the Christian Encouragement Center, which welcomes recycled goods for donations.
Jim Veltman drilled three hits and Ryan Grevenstuk came in in relief to strike out the last batter in a crucial situation, as Wayland edged Hastings 6-5 to move to 2-1 on the season overall.
Martin defeated Kelloggsville in a dual track meet, but a fight erupted after the Clippers’ 800 relay team jogged the last leg because the Rockets’ entry was disqualified.
Country and western music star Holly Dunn is scheduled to perform at the 125th anniversary of the Dorr Fourth of July celebration.
50 Years Ago — April 16, 1969
Wayland will join Caledonia, Middleville, Kelloggsville, Comstock Park, Wyoming Lee, Hamilton and Byron Center in the new Blue Division of the O-K Conference. The only remaining member of the disbanding Expressway Conference, Maple Valley, is expected to join a league in the Battle Creek area.
The Wayland City Council has agreed to proceed with plans to install and storm sewer system on Maple Street east of North Main. The work will be paid for by special assessment.
City Attorney Keith Wellington indicated there iare discussions ongoing about the possible sale of the airport to a private entity. Mrs. Willard Benedict told the City Council there still are more than a few flight enthusiasts who would like to see the airport remain open.
The Globe published a front page feature story about maple syrup, “the gift of the Indians,” featuring Hopkins farmers Ray, Robert and Gary Hoffmaster.
Mrs. Rollo (Edith) Mosher, wife of the former Globe editor and publisher, died at General Hospital in Bay City after suffering a fall and injuring her hip, requiring surgery.
Wayland High School science teacher Daryl Fleser was moderator at a public forum sponsored by the Wayland Education Association teachers’ union. Those attending seemed to indicate the greatest needs were more classrooms for the junior high and high school.
Mrs. William Mooney wrote a letter to the Globe expressing disappointment that older children picked off most of the eggs in the Easter Egg Hunt at the City Park and smashed and threw them away, leaving younger ones with nothing.
Gary LaFountain, 22, of Shelbyville, was killed just east of Allegan when his motorcycle collided with a car.
Hopkins school voters turned down a bond proposal to build a new elementary school, 352 to 308. Martin school district voters, however, approved a request for a 13-mill levy.
Donald L. Mann wrote a letter to the editor asking just who members of the Wayland Taxpayers League were in their prominent role in defeating the city’s proposal to fund a sanitary sewer system.
Spec.-4 Garth Grevenstuk, a Wayland High School graduate, has received a Bronze Star while serving as a rifleman for the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was honored for bravery and devotion to duty.
Judy Lenhart has won the lead role in the Hopkins High School junior play, “Feuding Over Yonder.”
The Heralders Quartet, featuring “Little Mike,” former member of the Children’s Bible Hour, will sing at the Moline Elementary School, sponsored by the Moline Garden Club.
Al Northrup, magician, chalk artist and tenor soloist, will perform for the Hopkins Baptist Church.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Gregory Peck and Eva Marie Saint in “The Stalking Moon.”
75 Years Ago — April 21, 1944
Naman Frank has turned to Wayland from Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids after spending two weeks there for treatment and observation. He was relieved to learn he will not have to undergo surgery.
Mrs. Henry Lutostanski is recovering from surgery to remove her appendix at St., Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Bill McElwee was first in the district forensics competition in the oratory category for his presentation on “Postwar Planning.” Don Christensen also was first in extempore speaking. Norma Herrington was second in dramatic declination with her presentation, “Not a Hero.” The contest was held at the Wayland High School auditorium.
Miss Beatrice Denton of Holland was to be guest speaker at the United Methodist Church’s Mother and Daughter Party at 8 p.m. Friday, April 28.
The debate at the next meeting of the Wayland Rural Grange was to be on the question of whether moder methods of education are more effective and practical than those of days gone by.
Village President Rollo G, Mosher appointed Clifford Averill fire chief, J.R. Rugaber president pro tem, John Hupp street commissioner and Edward Russell water commissioner.
Joseph Kuhtic has been home on leave from the U.S. Navy for a second time after serving in the Mediterranean.
The Wayland High School spring concert is set for Sunday afternoon, April 23, at the high school auditorium.
Claude Packer was killed at his home in Hilliards when he was preparing a fire at his stove.
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Zeerip attended a concert at the Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in “Rootin’ Tootin’ Rhythm.”
- Susan Peters, Herbert Marshall and Mary Astor in “Young Ideas.”
- Kay Kyser and Joan Davis in “Around the World.”
- George Murphy, Joan Leslie, Lt. Ronald Reagan and Kate Smith in Irving Berlin’s “This Is the Army.”
100 Years Ago — April 18, 1919
A spring festival will be held at Yeakey’s Hall April 21, featuring a variety of entertainment with admission at 15 cents per person. Proceeds will go to the high school athletic program.
The Wayland girls’ basketball team lost 18-9 to Martin. “Although the Martin referee was rather slack at times, the visiting team easily was the better team.”
However, the Wayland baseball team beat Martin 8-3 behind the pitching of Captain Sherwood and the offensive punch provided by Jones Calkins. Wayland will play Hopkins this Saturday and Otsego the following Saturday.
The fifth- and sixth-graders sold $3.50 worth of candy to help purchase a basketball for local children.
The botany and agriculture classes from the high school have been helping to eradicate the barberry plant, which spreads wheat rust.
Among those who have arrived in the U.S. after serving overseas are former Globe employee Ernest Sigler, Charles Towne, John Button, Howard Tanner, Frank Campbell and Charles Frey.
School District No. 10 in Leighton Township has resume classes after a brief shutdown because of the influenza epidemic.
Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Weaver and Mr. and Mrs. William Mills have just returned via automobile all the way from Orlando, Fla., where they spent their winter months.
The Christian Church will have three reels of a movie about “The Passion Play” Sunday evening, including special music.
The pastor of the Wayland Methodist Church will present an Easter Sunday sermon on “Jesus Christ, the World’s Hope” at noon. An Easter program is scheduled for the evening.
The Victory Loan Volunteer Days are April 21-23. “Finish the Job. Get Your Honorable Discharge.” Sponsored by the Wayland State Bank.
