(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 5, 1999
A fierce wind visited Dorr and local residents asked questions why there were no warning sirens. The garage at the home of Mark Althouse was destroyed.
Dorr organizations that have been soliciting for donations at the four corners at 18th Street and 142nd Avenue have been given a reprieve of a year to avoid any penalties.
The Fontana Music Festival, despite many challenges, mostly financial, is celebrating its 20th year of classical music concerts at the Shelbyville Emporium.
Todd DeKatch, a trooper at the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police has been promoted to the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). He has a bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University.
Karissa Holtsclaw graduated from Wayland High School earlier this year despite a lifelong battle with Aspergers Syndrome, an affliction very similar to autism.
Todd Adrianson wrote a letter to the editor maintaining that housing projects for units such as condominiums are not appropriate for rural agricultural areas such as Watson Township. The same kind of sentiments was expressed in a letter by Eleanor and Thomas Dado of Leighton Township.
State Rep. Patty Birkholz, in a guest editorial, reported to constituents that the biggest issue in the State Legislature right now is health care, with affordability, choice and lack of access leading the way in debates in Lansing.
A four-car traffic crash near the Shelbyville exit on the U.S.-131 expressway claimed the life of Patrick Gill, 18, of Adrian and injured the driver and two passengers in another vehicle.
The “Bridge of Sighs” that crosses 14th Street north of 135th Avenue has had repairs delayed and some local motorists aren’t happy about it.
Right fielder and leadoff hitter Angel Merren has been named to the Division 2 all-state softball team after helping Wayland fashion a 39-2 season record, the school’s best ever.
Bob Larr, Diane Kerber, Dawn Buist and Mindy Genther have the featured attractions in the Hopkins Garden Tour scheduled for July 17.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about Gail Maley of Martin, also known as “The Teddy Bear Lady,” who manufactures the furry creatures and gives them away to children whenever she can.
Lois E. Boniface of Otsego, a member of the Morganstern family in the Wayland area, died June 26, She was 63.
The Rev. Ray Field has been named pastor of both the Hopkins and South Monterey churches.
50 Years Ago — July 2, 1974
Dr. John White, president of the Henika Library Board, was pictured in a classic “grip and grin” front page.photo receiving a check for nearly $1,000 from Weldon Rumery of the Allegan Foundation, with Wayland Mayor Marshall Towne looking on.
Mrs. William Sleeman and Mrs. Robert VandenToorn, both of Hopkins, appeared before the Michigan Public Service Commission in Lansing to ask that the Hopkins exchange be excluded from any further rate increases for Michigan Bell Telephone service. The two women and Mimi Moulenbelt have been insisting their community is not getting proper service for what they pay. Michigan Bell plans to spend about $200,000 to upgrade the local service.
Wayland’s first-ever pet show at the City Park drew 85 contestants and John Flora, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wally Flora, won Best of Show honors with his 2-year-old Siberian White Samoid, Nicholas.
Congressman Guy VanderJagt has been asked to be a character witness for former Nixon White House assistant, in the upcoming trial for the break-in of Daniel Ellsburg’s psychiatrist office.
Retiring troopers at the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, Sgt. Donal Mellon and Sgt. James Graham, were honored at a dinner at the Wayland VFW post.
A symphonic rock band is scheduled to perform in the second of a series of summer concerts in the City Park in Wayland. The first program, with the Dixicats of Allegan and “Der German Band,” was hailed as a popular success. The symphonic band includes Craig Suhusky, Lee Grasinsky, Alan Steines, Bill Bedford, Mark Predum, Bill Monroe, Jim Haller and Gary Grasinsky.
Sports writer David T. Young wrote a column about Mary Dangremond playing Little League baseball and stated, “As a Little League coach, I would accept girls on my team. The only things they would need to play for me would be a willingness and a real desire to play the game. The fact they are girls would make no difference.” This was before the explosion of local girls’ and women’s softball leagues, which had just started that summer.
Lorraine Koloseik has been appointed director of finance for Wayland Union Schools and her position is to be regarded as administrative.
Sharon Miedema of Wayland has been selected as a district winner in the 4-H category of food preparation.
Members of the Wayland Grange will have a picnic in the City Park July 5, and a spokesperson said, “Perhaps we will feel gay enough to play dome games also.”
Gene Weber has been chosen president of the Wayland Lions Club, succeeding Ken Josey. The Lions have been busy lately building park shelters.
Members of the Wayland High School Latin Club were pictured at the former home of Mexican emperor Maximilian in Mexico City. Brenda Dietiker was chaperone, with help from other members of the community.
Sandra Kay Lynn, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lynn of Burnips, was killed in a traffic crash in Salem Township. She was a passenger in a car driven by a Hopkins teen when it ran off the road and struck a tree.
The Hues Corporation captured the No. 1 slot the nation’s top 40 tunes with “Don’t Rock the Boat.”
75 Years Ago — July 8, 1949
The headline read: “Wayland Rotary goes on the rocks.” Indeed, members of the local club went on a boat trip on Gun Lake and crashed into a bunch of rocks near Hastings point. There were no injuries and minimal damage.
The annual chicken dinner and festival at St. Therese Church will be July 11, held for the first time on the church property in the new church dining room.
The city of Allegan plans to install 200 parking meters in front of downtown businesses this summer. City officials said they expect to rake in about $12,000 a year as a result.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher opined that he does not favor parking meters in Wayland, “the time is not far off when small towns will have to do something to alleviate the street parking problem and parking meters seem to to be one of the answers…”
Mrs. Merle (Isla) Peffley has purchased the Town & Country shop for women’s wear from Mrs. Louise DeLater, who will remain as a part-time employee.
Delicia Gilbert Deming, daughter of Oliver Deming of Moline, has won a special bronze award from the University of Michigan, recognizing her teaching career that began in 1920 at Detroit Denby Schools.
Leighton Grange will have a going away party for Mr. and Mrs. Claude VanVatter, who will be leaving soon for Arizona.
Delos Schad reported that the Bachelor’s Chef Club will be given a demonstration on proper preparation and serving of grapefruit by Delbert Farnsworth. Muffins made by Robert Crofoot and Delos Schad were well received.
Two former Hopkins residents, Mrs. Jennie McCormick, 83, and Mrs. Carrie Tiefenthal, died in Homer and Grand Rapids, respectively.
Harold Dietiker is the only candidate for the July 11 election for a seat on the Wayland Board of Education. The election will take place at the Wayland school library.
The Dorr Township library has received a check for $221.60 from the State Board for Libraries.
A count of cars parked at Murphy’s Point, Gun Lake, over the 4th of July holiday, showed 625 vehicles at 4:30 p.m., but the estimate of people visiting was around 10,000 for the entire day.
The Wednesday night Cowbell Carnival entertainment presentations are continuing throughout the summer at the City Park.
The Allegan County Health Department reported there were 253 vaccinations of Wayland youngsters this past school year, 155 in Dorr, 101 in Moline and 118 in Salem Township.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Jimmy Lydon and Penny Edwards in “Tucson.”
• Red Ryder and Jim Bannon in “Ride, Ryder, Ride.”
• Jean Peters, Ray Milland and Paul Douglas in “It Happened Every Spring.”
• Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Oscar Levant in “The Barkleys of Broadway.”
100 Years Ago — July 4, 1924
Eight entertaining programs are on the schedule for Wayland’s third annual Chautauqua series this year, commencing Friday, July 11. Tickets for the entire package of eight programs will be $1 each. Single program admission costs will be 50 cents, 15 cents for children. One presentation, on the third night, will be the play, “Daddy Long Legs.”
Auto bandits made off with money and jewelry Sunday night when they stopped a Wayland car in Grand Rapids. The victims were Glenn Darrow of Wayland, Howard Rose of Moline and two women from Grand Rapids.
The Village of Wayland will have more than 100 rods of cement paving on Superior Street, running from the flag pole to the corner near village hall. Part of the expense will be covered by local residents, who have raised $1,100. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher opined, “This is a good step in the right direction and if continued will mean permanent good roads for Wayland at less upkeep and expense.”
The Allegan County Board of Supervisors has ordered all county salaried officers shall turn over to the county treasurer all fees collected from speeding motorists. The county is launching a crackdown on speeders and offering the sheriff’s office $10 a day.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Tom Mix in Zane Grey’s “Lone Star Ranger.” The showings continue for “The Telephone Girl.” Bryant Washburn, Mabel Forrest and Wheeler Oakman in “Mine to Keep.”
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote an editorial exhorting area residents to take their summer vacations in Michigan and keep tourist and travel dollars as close to home as possible. “This Michigan of ours is a great state and we ought to know more about it.”
Mosher referred to Wisconsin U.S. Senator Robert M. LaFollette as “to say the least, a disturbing element in his own party and is not highly regarded in Michigan… has come out in favor of Senator James Couzens and his politics.” Sen. Couzens is serving his first term after being elected in 1922.
Miss Bertha Wallbrecht has been ill with typhoid malaria, but there are hopes that she is improving.
Charles Sias has purchased the barber shop from John Tiefenthal in Hopkins.
Fire damaged the roof of the house owned by Mrs. Eva Truax on Mill Street. It was believed it was started by sparks from the chimney.
Two “hard boiled” youths, ages 16 and 17, from Cadillac were sentenced to 20 days in jail for thefts of seven containers of oil from Carner’s tire shop. They failed to pay the assessed fines, so they elected to “stay” under the rules of “pay or stay.”