(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)

25 Years Ago — Oct. 18, 1999

The new Harding’s grocery store in the plaza on West Superior near the expressway got the green light from members of the City Planning Commission to proceed with project plans, which call for opening in the spring of 2000.

Are fire departments are discovering that most people have faulty ideas about fires and what they can do.

The number of sites for a new post office in Wayland has been reduced to four. The old postal site on East Superior Street is just too small to handle the growing volume of mail. The sites include behind Burger King, narthex corner of 133rd Avenue and Division, a Reno Drive site behind Wayland Chevrolet and another on the southeast part of town. 

Editor Nila Aamoth wrote in her Soapbox about Grand Rapids Press Editor Mike Lloyd’s decision not to publish letters to the editor from teens because their parents forbade it.

Brenda Amshey penned a letter to the editor asking why Steeby Elementary wasn’t participating in the school spirit activities. Her daughter wore green in her hair and was escorted to the bathroom to wash it out.

Bids are being let for constructing the Wayland Union School District’s Transportation facility along Wildcat Drive south of the high school.

The Wayland Union School District student population dropped by 27 from last year, the first decrease in many years.

Wayland schools have bought the 4.5-acre Clyde Smith property for $155,000 to use it for athletic practice fields.

A failed chlorinating valve caused unchecked spewing of water in the Village of Martin well house.

The Wayland girls’ basketball team breezed past Hastings, with Kara Potter and Nicki Merchant scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively. The Lady Wildcats now are 11-1 overall.

Freshman guard Amanda Chan scored 13 points and Hopkins defeated Wyoming Lee to lift its overall record to 7-6.

Martin now is 9-4 after toppling defending league champion Saugatuck.

Kevin Glupker gained 160 yards on 13 carries and QB Jack Klunder scored three touchdowns as playoff-bound Hopkins rolled to a 58-6 win over Saugatuck.

Coach Cheri Ritz’s girls’ tennis team finished fifth in the Division 2 regionals.

Wilma Baske, who played organ and piano for many years at Hopkins Community Reformed Church and who was a cook for Hopkins Public Schools, died at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was 98.

50 Years Ago —  Oct. 15, 1974

Helen Allen has been appointed clerk for the City of Wayland, succeeding City Manager Raymond “Pete” France, who left to take a position at the City of Owosso. Mrs. Tom Ayers is the deputy clerk.

Wayland High School faculty member Robert Winteringham and businessman Dennis Reno have returned from a state workshop outlining career education programs on the horizon.

The Sandy Creek Nursing Center this week admitted its first patients, Mrs. Linnie Parker of Monterey, Mrs. Catherine Weist of Dorr and Mary Hollister of Plainwell. 

Eighth-grade history teacher Kenneth Kolk has completed instruction for hunter safety classes for the Conservation Department.

Mrs. Wayne (Doris) Goodwin was the featured chef this week with her recipe for Cornish Pastie. She was shown in a picture with daughter Kelly and Charlie the Cockapoo.

The Allegan County Historical Society welcomed archeologist Ed Gillis, who talked about his experiences at many “digs.”

Mrs. James Brickley, wife of the lieutenant governor, gave a presentation on “The Woman Addict” to the Allegan County Nurses Association.

Doug Goodwin pilfered a Hudsonville pass and returned it for a winning touchdown late in the contest as the Wildcats took a 19-12 upset victory over the Eagles.

Hopkins put a scare into state-ranked Marcellus, but fell short in a 19-12 verdict.

Mrs. Jay L. Smith rolled a 599 series at Airport Lanes during “Early Bird” league contests.

Dan Snyder returned a punt 60 yards for a TD and Martin scored a 26-20 win over Gobles.

Sports writer David T. Young wrote a column about his first cross-country meet he attended and confessed to being wrong-headed about his impressions of the sport. Kelvin Lapham then ran a sparkling 16:23 at Douglas Walker Park in Byron Center, but the ‘Cats lost a dual meet to Comstock Park.

Lia Spolestra, foreign exchange student from the Netherlands, talked about her native country to 16 members of the Wayland Grange.

The Wayland Lions Club has launched a travelogue series that many service organizations sponsor.

75 Years Ago — Oct. 21, 1949

Lewis A. Panyrek, a native of Czechoslavakia, died at the home of his daughter in Grand Rapids at age 70. He came to the U.S. in 1901 and settled in Wayland Township in 1912. He was among the organizers of the Gun Lake Church.

The Wayland High School footbll team suffered a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Kelloggsville. The only highlight for the ‘Cats in the defensive struggle was a 40-yard pass from Jim Henry to Dick Hudson.

Bishop Francis Haas laid the cornerstone for the St. Stanislaus Catholic School in Hilliards.

The Allegan County Democratic Party will have a meeting at the new Dorr Township Hall Oct. 28.

There will be an All Games Party Oct. 21 from 8 p.m. to midnight at Wayland High School, with proceeds going to an emergency polio fund.

Laura Mae Ayers was elected worthy matron and Thomas Ayers worthy patron for the Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. A. H. Snook of Wayland attended the West Central District of Michigan Federation of Women’s Clubs convention. She is president of the organization’s Drama and Poetry Committee.

The Allegan County Health Department said it was disappointed with a cut of $25,000 for its annual appropriation from the Board of Supervisors.

The Allegan County Board of Supervisors is considering a work program for families on relief to have the men do road work for 60 cents an hour.

There were 27 reported cases of suspected tuberculosis found in x-rays conducted of people at the Allegan County Fair.

Mrs. Betty Doublestein gave a presentation “I Remember Home” on her native France. She was a French War Bride and emotionally showed slides of where she lived before the war.

The “Big Baby Revue,” an all-male show, is planned for Oct. 28 at Hopkins High School. It is sponsored by the Hopkins Lions Club.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

• Peggy Ann Garner, Preston Foster and Lon McAllister inn “The Big Cat.”
• Cary Grant and Ann Sheridan in “I Was a Male War Bride.”
• John Lund, Marie Wilson and Don DeFore in “My Friend Irma.”

100 Years Ago — Oct. 17, 1924

The Buell Brothers and Shattuck stores have recently installed light fixtures at their downtown businesses, brightening up the four corners.

Frank M. Smith, who was born in 1860 died at his home in the Wayland-Hopkins area. It was said he died after suffering from an illness for four years.

Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Jackie Coogan in “Daddy.” Herbert Rawlinson in “Jack ‘O Clubs.” Additional comedy “Mile of Smiles.”

The Wayland Grange was to be host for a debate on which was more detrimental to morals — a party-line telephone or an automobile?

Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Noah and Wendell Smith sustained injuries from a traffic accident at a corner near Haveman’s store in Moline. Both cars were badly damaged.

Rev. and Mrs. Henry Poppen, missionaries to China, were guests of Mr. And Mrs. K. Poppen in Bradley.

Longtime former Wayland resident Mrs. John Kidney died “very suddenly” at the home of her daughter on North Main Street Wednesday morning.

Dr. L.L. Slater attended the homecoming program at Still College of Osteopathy in Des Moines, Iowa. He is an alum.