(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 2, 1999
The Globe published a front page photo of the electric sign in front of Hastings City Bank on West Superior Street showing 93 degrees. But no one was photographed trying to fry an egg on the sidewalks. Nonetheless, the annual Summerfest celebration came off without a hitch.
A special feature story was titled “What’s all this fuss about Y2K, anyway?” It asked the burning question, “Will New Year’s Day 2000 bring chaos and confusion? Or is the Y2K scare another urban myth?” The Globe surveyed area government units on how they are preparing for the real or imagined consequences.
The old Leighton Township Hall building has been moved to serve as a family residence for David and Connie Hupp.
Less than 5 percent of registered voters showed at the polls in a special election, but they passed a request for 1.5 mills to fund Henika Public Library operations. The final tally from City of Wayland and Wayland Township was 160 to 103.
Editor Nila Aamoth suggested in her Soapbox that the U.S. government take advantage of the lightning speed improvements in technology to allow voting via the Internet. She acknowledged there is a possibility for hackers and other headaches, but insisted they would be minimal.
Vicky Kleinbrink Kruithof penned a letter to the editor maintaining that “To call that bridge on 132nd Ave. near 17th Street ‘historical’ (in a story published the week before) is as hysterical as calling it adequate…”
Search and Rescue dogs, shelties owned by Jo Beth Bridleman, helped Barry County Sheriff’s deputies find the body of a Grand Rapids man who drowned in Gun Lake.
Hopkins schools installed newfangled phones to gain faster access to police, in response to the Columbine shootings, but since have learned it’s too easy to inadvertently brush against the buttons and send false alarms.
Sycamore Elementary in the Hopkins school district is launching a before and after school program to aid “latch key kids.”
Joel David won the men’s competition and Middleville Thornapple Kellogg cross country coach Tammy Benjamin the women’s in the Summerfest 5K race.
Rich Okoniewski has been hired as new head boys varsity basketball coach at Martin High School, succeeding Joe Orr.
Maggie Lillie-Smith is stepping away from her math teaching and track coaching posts at Hopkins to take the same positions at Allegan High School.
Minerva Davis, who retired from Hopkins Public Schools in 1971, died at the Allegan County Medical Care Facility. She was 93.
Jerry Langley, only 43, of Dorr, died of a heart attack on a softball field during a tournament where he was coaching his son’s team. He was a 1973 graduate of Wayland High School.
50 Years Ago — July 30, 1974
City of Wayland Supt. of Public Works Richard Baxter reports that invading aphids are damaging maple trees in the area, creating small holes, sometimes causing premature turning of leaves from green to brown.
A premium award of $75 will be paid to highest point winners at the annual Wayland Community Fair exhibit at the Pearl Street gym.
Sgt. Marvin Anderson has decided to retire at the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police after 26 years of service.
Elton Ransler is challenging State Senator Gary Baker in the August Primary for the GOP nomination. Allegan County is divided up into three different districts for state representative, the 54th, 55th and 45th. The most interesting race is between incumbent James Farnsworth and newcomer Ed Fredricks in the 54th.
Bob Cook is challenging Wayne Steeby for Leighton Township Supervisor.
Gloria Jean Sleeman wrote a letter to the editor defending President Richard Nixon, insisting he deserves a fair examination of trumped up charges before any kind of impeachment take place. In other words, he’s innocent until proven guilty.
The weekly recipe column featured an entry from Mrs. Thomas Tarnutzer with a ham, cheese and potato casserole.
The Globe published a photo of the Wayland Jaycees girls’ softball team champions and coaches Mrs. Bob (Judy) Lindgren and Mrs. Bill (Nancy) Conwell.
The Knights of Columbus won the best two out of three World Series for the local Little League program by outlasting Plank Road Farm 6-2 in an eight-inning battle.
Bill’s Place won the Babe Ruth League crown, with Wayne Goodwin at the helm. The squad was the first ever to complete the season undefeated against all comers.
VFW has come up with an 11-0 overall record to lead the adult softball league.
Wayland Grange Lecturer Mrs. Ruby Smith is now a patient at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids and the group is seeking help in planning programs as a result.
Russell Morgenstern died at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. He was 75.
75 Years Ago — Aug. 5, 1949
The Aug. 15 special election on the issue of water and sewer for the village will be just a “straw vote” on a proposal that would cost local citizens about $310,000 in revenue bonds. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, a strong supporter, wrote, “If the vote is unfavorable, we understand that they will drop the matter and wait until a more opportune time before again bringing the question up.” (That opportune time turned out to be 1966, when voters agreed to incorporate as a city).
Citizens are being warned by village officials to take better care not to allow their dogs roam free because too many are ruining gardens and harassing and threatening other animals.
The Wayland American Legion’s third annual golf tournament is being planned for Aug. 8 under the leadership of coach Walter Gillett.
The St. Joseph Catholic Church of Leighton is observing its 75th anniversary with a homecoming and festival two miles west and two miles south of Caledonia on Patterson Road.
Gerry Swainston of Hopkins was taken to Allegan General Hospital after she suffered cuts while she and her sister were cutting weeds.
The Allegan County Agricultural Society has announced bargain tickets for the Allegan County Fair are on sale for $1.50 apiece if purchased by Sept. 10.
Van’s Gas & Electric Co. of Wayland was featured on WLAV-TV for installing a 30-foot high television antenna, providing fine reception for viewers as far away as Chicago and Milwaukee, according Doc Murdock, co-owner.
An advertisement, “Polio Pointers,” featured helpful hints on applying the Kenny Treatment for home patients.
An ad reminded readers that from 8:30 to 10 o’clock every Wednesday night downtown, there is the weekly Cowbell Carnival with music and refreshments at the City Park.
The Allegan County Board of Supervisors was summoned to a special meeting Aug. 5 to authorize borrowing of about $100,000 to get the county trough the fiscal year.
The Wayland Flying Club had a picnic at the Hastings Airport at what was called a nice arrangement of picnic tables.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- John Payne, Gail Russell and Sterling Hayden in “El Paso.”
- Alexander Knox, Ann Sothern and George Tobias in “The Judge Steps Out.”
- William Holden, William Bendix and McDonald Carey in “The Streets of Laredo.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 1, 1924
Mrs. McAlpine Smith was granted custody of her 4-year-old child in Allegan Circuit Court after she made an arduous journey all the way from Boulder, Colo., walking and hitchhiking. Her son, Dean, had been taken from her by the boy’s father and had been living on a farm near South Haven.
Earl Fitzgerald, 9, was drowned at Green Lake during a Carlisle United Brethren Church picnic, in water less than five feet high. He jumped out of a boat and went unnoticed for too long.
Mrs. Ray Tobin of Leighton was the winner of the kitchen cabinet given away at the Regent Theatre downtown.
The NE Hopkins Community Club will have its annual picnic Aug. 21 at the Allegan County Park.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: John Gilbert in “St. Elmo.” The comedy “Circus Pals.” On Wednesday, “The Telephone Girl” series and “The Love Trap.”
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher editorialized that local officials do not discriminate against Grand Rapids drivers who break the speed limit and he praised them for their attempts to preserve public safety. “We believe that an officer should be a man of good judgment and should be just as anxious to give a word of advice to help the offender from continuing reckless driving as he is to arrest this man and collect the fee (for speeding).”
George A. Truax was a native of Canada who came to Hopkins Township in 1863 and in 1898 to Wayland to become engaged in various enterprises. “Mr. Truax was a patient cheerful sufferer during his long illness.” He died at age 82.
Mosher also opined in favor of public utilities as opposed to private one because they promote economic growth and prosperity.
Moline will celebrate the switching on of new electric lights next Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be sports activities, a performance from the Moline band and a big program in the evening.
Postmaster Rollo G. Mosher has been granted a two-week leave and he and his wife and another couple will visit Niagara Falls, the Thousand Islands, the Catskills and New England.
