(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Sept. 20, 1999
After more than several months of haggling, the Yankee Springs Township Board and Thornapple Township Emergency Services (TTES) have reached agreement on a new fire contract.
Hot clothes in a dryer and or stray lint are believed by local fire officials to have caused a fire in a Wayland Township home. Damage was estimated at $20,000.
The annual Gun Lake Invitational cross-country meet produced a lot of quality 5K times. Tim Ross of Caledonia and Danielle Quisenberry of Thornapple Kellogg were individual medalists. Jed DeGroot and Robby Young of Wayland made the top 15.
The new $12.5 million Hopkins High School building will be the site of a dedication ceremony next Sunday afternoon.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote in her Soapbox about information bonanzas presented in venerated old publications such as the Farmers Almanac.
Ramon and Karla Santello wrote a letter to the editor supporting the special election millage request Sept. 28 for the Allegan County Intermediate School District.
Mary Beth Stearns of Wayland penned a letter to the editor maintaining that better crowd control measures are needed for concerts at the Allegan County Fair, citing the recent Britney Spears/98 Degrees show that featured too much unruly behavior.
Linda Rough, a local realtor, exhorted Gun Lake residents to get behind a project to install sidewalks in the interests of public safety.
William and Cindy Jamieson of Dorr insist they did not make a false alarm 911 phone call, prompting charges of nearly $1,500 to Dorr Township. An investigation of the incident will be conducted by Michigan State Police.
Developer Jeff Carroll approached the Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission about a rezoning request to start another mobile home park west of the Yankee Springs Golf Course.
Both the Martin and Hopkins girls’ basketball teams, coached by Joe Orr and Mark Austin, respectively, won twice during the week.
The Wayland girls’ tennis team annexed its third invitational title of the season by taking top honors at Byron Center. Mara Sivak, Hillary Beuschel, Nicole Nyenhuis and Ashley VanDuine and Diana Harrison won titles.
It was a long night Friday for Hopkins, Wayland and Martin, as all three lost to Dowagiac, Belding and Lawrence, respectively.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 17, 1974
The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce has announced plans to promote the United States’ Bicentennial celebrations for the next couple of years.
Wayland resident Joe Grasinski was among the participants of the Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinac Bridge bicycle journey.
The Allegan County Board of Canvassers has announced that a recount in the Sixth District Commissioners’ primary race produced no change in the outcome and Louis TerAvest was the winner who will go on to the general election in November.
Mimi Moulenbelt of Hopkins was selected Allegan County’s Homemaker of the Year. Laura VandenToorn of Hopkins was runner-up in the contest.
Wayland Police Harold Ernst told the City Council the department has solved 40 burglaries cases, all of them involving juveniles.
A representative from a Kalamazoo-based firm has told Wayland city officials there is a possibility that cable television will come to the city.
Margaret “Peg” Dangremond penned a letter to the editor exhorting residents to attend events involving the Wayland High School band.
Pat Rowley, Wayland High School counselor, wrote a letter saying she was sick and tired of so much blame for problems being placed on the backs of law enforcement, churches and schools while ignoring troubles that come from dysfunctional families.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Schumaker were planning to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary at Visitation Hall in North Dorr.
Craig Suhusky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Suhusky of Wayland, has earned a special performance citation from the Western Michigan University Summer Music Seminar. Band Directors Fred Bogdan of Martin and Steve Working of Wayland were invited to bring along five students to Western Michigan University Master Sessions.
The Wayland varsity football team blew out Ravenna 44-0 in the season opener. John Lubberts recorded 138 yards rushing. Hopkins, meanwhile, took a 10-0 decision from Byron Center and Martin overcame Saugatuck 16-6.
Returning veterans on coach Sharon Nelson’s Wayland girls’ tennis team are Lois Steines, Gail Niemchick, Sue Miklusicack, Marian VanderVeen and Julie Tobolic, and newcomers Cheryl Ritz, Deb Ritz, Jeri Heath and Mary Ernst.
David T. Young wrote a column praising the extraordinary efforts of cross-country stars Dan Isenhoff of Hopkins and Kelvin Lapham of Wayland at the Orchard Hills Golf Course.
Kim Suhusky, Doug Paul and Jess Clyma led the Wayland golf team to three dual match victories.
John McElwee, son of a Wayland couple, has been named operations manager for Tucker Freight Lines of South Bend, Ind.
D. John Cole, son of a Dorr couple, has earned his master’s degree at Central Michigan University.
Ernest Kraft, who worked at Pet Milk for 27 years, died at his home in Wayland. He was 69.
Eric Clapton captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “I Shot the Sheriff.”
75 Years Ago — Sept. 23, 1949
This edition of the Wayland Globe marked its 65th year of bringing local news to the community. The paper was started in 1884 by George Mosher and his son, Rollo, continues the tradition.
Wayland FFA students Larry Knowlton and Charles Fish have been chosen to attend the national FFA convention in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 9-13.
The Wildcats’ football team opened its season with a victory and student Tom Hudson reported on the ballgame.
E.L. Strong has sold his Marathon service station on North Main Street to Bert Swainston of Hopkinsburg. He will, however, continue with bulk delivery.
Ann Parmalee of the Hopkins 4-H Calf Club won top honors at the fair with her Guernsey calf exhibit.
Van’s Gas & Electric plans to have the World Services on a General Electric television.
“Rural Ruth muses one the big mysteries of this life is why we get old so quickly and smart so slowly.”
Harvey Hilaski of Hilliards is leaving soon to take up theology studies at Catholic University in Washington D.C.
Members of the Wayland High School FFA learned their educational exhibit earned a blue ribbon at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit. Its theme was “Keep the Can Full with Good Dairy Management.” The boys who prepared the display were Charles Fisher, Roger Morris, David Peet, Larry Knowlton, Jack Fenton and Harry Modreske.
Mrs. A. J. Mauchmar has informed the Globe that she needs more help in order to continue the local services of the Wayland Humane Society.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton in “Blondie’s Big Deal.”
- Jim Bannon and Don Reynolds in “Roll, Thunder, Roll.”
- James Stewart, June Allyson and Agnes Moorehead in “The Stratton Story.”
- Alan Ladd, Betty Field and MacDonald Carey in “The Great Gatsby.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 19, 1924
Leon Schuh and Major J.A. Bailey have completed the first model and applied for a patent on their invention of an electric gate to protect railroad crossings. The gate works automatically, lowering and raising as the engine approaches and leaves a crossing. It also includes a warning light that warns motorists that a train is approaching. Financial backing has been secured from Chicago capitalists.
The editor-publisher added, “We hope that the location of the new factory will be in Wayland.” Library Director Fanny Hoyt wrote about a Dearborn Independent article, “Is Intelligence the Be-all and End-all?”
Adeline Celia Shade, who moved to Wayland in 1867 when she was only six months old from Big Prairie Township, Newaygo County, died in Concord, Mich. She was 57.
The Wayland Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star published a “Resolution of Respect” for the late Addi Morford, who died Sept. 14.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: William Barnum in “The Gunfighter.” The comedy “My Hero” with Lupino Lane. Colleen Moore in “The Huntress.”
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher continued to speak out against Progressive Wisconsin Senator Robert M. LaFollette for radicalism. He also continued to express support for current Republican President Calvin Coolidge in the upcoming election of 1924.
Dr. Bryson has begun the erection of a new barn at his farm after it burned.
School in District No. 7, Dorr, has been closed for two weeks because of an outbreak of scarlet fever.
The work on the rough grading for the new cement road on Superior Street is fast nearing completion after which the pouring of concrete will commence.
The show in a the large tent downtown, given by the Yeakey Auto Co., was largely attended and enjoyed. “Douglas Nash, local blackface artist, was warmly applauded for his efforts.”