(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 1, 1999
The Globe published a front page photo of Wayland High School students Lindsey Beth, Naomi Gambee, Angie Chlebana, Danielle Baker, Dustin Moseley, Carmen Farratell and Patty Barager raking leaves around the community as part of the student council’s Make a Difference Day.
The family of Jamie George, who died recently of complications from leukemia, is establishing a scholarship in his memory.
Hopkins teenagers were given a presentation about the perils of consuming alcohol and driving motor vehicles.
The Hopkins High School football team has concluded its regular season and is making preparations for the first round of the playoffs with an 8-1 record. Running back Kevin Glupker set the school single game rushing record with 307 yards in a win over Kelloggsville.
The Wayland High School girls’ basketball team, coached by Zack Moushegian, now has a winning streak of 14 straight. Nicki Merchant nailed six three-pointers, Kara Potter added 20 points and Wayland drubbed Belding in girls’ basketball.
New co-coaches Todd Myers and Curt DeVries of East Kentwood are taking charge of the new Wayland High School shared hockey program with Byron Center.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote a “Soapbox” piece about Donald Trump and his ideas about running for president. She wasn’t particularly impressed with his history of being bailed out economically by the government.
Wendy Needham and Amanda Paquet wrote a letter to the editor defending the Harry Potter literary series against arguments that it promoted Satanism.
Pat Staley wrote a feature piece about Tom Otto and Otto’s Turkey Farm in Middleville as an appropriate warmup to Thanksgiving.
Stan Leep and Curt Eikenberry of Martin appealed their drain assessments, but Probate Judge George Greig and the Drain Commission ruled against them.
The Globe published a picture of 12-year-old Ashley Slovinski depositing a soda pop can into a Dick’s Market machine as part of her campaign for the Toys for Tots program.
The Rev. Todd Van Ek has been named new pastor at the Gun Lake Community Church.
The Hopkins boys’ cross-country team finished second at the O-K Silver Conference meet and ace harrier Luke Williams finished the 5K race at Brewer Park in 16:52.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 29, 1974
Rod Hazen and Marianne Kastner were named homecoming king and queen at Hopkins High School.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners has reduced the millage rate 5.7 to 5.2 mills.
Hopkins High School Principal Maurine Fuller accepted a flag that flew over the State Capitol from Lt. Gov. James Brickley.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey wrote an editorial about four state-wide proposals. He endorsed a plan to provide a bonus to Vietnam veterans, but opposed eliminating taxes on food purchases.
The Martin High School band, directed by Fred Bogdan, received a Division 1 rating at the District marching festival.
Linda VanderVeen of Wayland has joined the College Chorale for the Dordt College Music Department.
The Hopkins football team captured its third straight A-O Conference championship by defeating Allendale 30-14. The Vikings finished the season with an overall record of 7-2.
Cynthia Steenhouwer, daughter of Wayland High School graduate Ken Stehouwer of Oahu, Hawaii, captured top state-wide honors in the Punt, Pass & Kick competition. Two years later, when she was 12, she appeared on national television competing during halftime of Monday night football game in San Francisco.
Comstock Park ground out a 36-8 grid victory over Wayland, spoiling a “Mom & Dad’s Night.”
The Wayland cross-country team finished tied for fourth in the O-K Blue Conference with Caledonia. Top runner Kelvin Lapham was absent from the league meet because of a bout with appendicitis.
Hopkins senior Dan Isenhoff qualified for the state Class C cross-country meet by finishing sixth in the regional meet and recording a 5K time of 15:54.
The Hopkins chapter of the FFA received a silver award from the national organization at the national convention in Kansas City, Mo.
A large crowd, featuring Board of Education President Burrell Stein and Superintendent Charles Pelham, attended the dedication of the new Hopkins Elementary School.
A huge display advertisement for Congressman Guy VanderJagt touted his relationship with President Gerald Ford.
Dionne Warwick and the Spinners took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Then Came You.”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 4, 1949
The Church of Christ held a homecoming service, with former pastor Fay Wing presenting the sermon.
There newly elected master of the Wayland Grange, will begin a campaign to investigate the cost of county and local government. “The war is over, we must have lower taxes instead of increased taxes, in order to balance our budget.”
The Wayland PTA is asking residents with a survey on what kinds of things they’d like to see happen in local education. Answers can be given to Phil Reno and Martha Japing.
Gurney’s Market in downtown Wayland will close temporarily while workmen lay a new floor and remodel inside the store.
Mrs. Walter Gillett underwent an emergency appendectomy at Crispe Hospital in Plainwell.
The special election on the Wayland school bond proposal will be held at the school library from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. There was a mistake made in the May 10 election proposal so the request had to be voted on again.
Marvin Vanderkolk had the misfortune to fall while riding a pony. He suffered a broken jaw in two places.
The Sprout School had a Halloween masquerade party.
Miss Virginia Benson has announced a pie baking pie contest for Wayland and vicinity.
The Allegan County Democratic Party will have a joint meeting for Wayland, Dorr, Salem, Leighton, Monterey and Hopkins townships at the Dorr Township Hall Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- William Eythe and George Reeves in “Special Agent.”
- Forrest Taylor, Jim Bannon and Peggy Stewart in “The Fighting Redhead.”
- Fred MacMurray, Maureen O’Hara and Rudy Vallee in “Father Was a Fullback.”
- Ricardo Montaban and George Murphy in “Border Incident.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 31, 1924
The affirmative won the decision in the high school debate over the question, “The Philippines should be granted immediate independence.” Leader for the winners was Harold Walton, Clyde Fowler and Louis Baker.
The Third District meeting of the Methodist Protestants at Gun Lake was hailed as a success.
President Waldo at Western State Normal College is inviting all local high school students to Homecoming festivities Nov. 1.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Harold Bell Wright’s powerful novel “When a Man’s a Man,” featuring John Bowers. Jack Hoxie in “The Back Trail.”
The Ladies’ Library Club had a Halloween Night” party at the Henika Library that included plenty of appropriate decorations, a fortune telling booth and a presentation about the origins of Halloween. Miss Pauline Smith played “The Witches Dance.”
Rollo G. Mosher, in the editorial section, observed, “Michigan has passed from a largely agricultural state to an industrial state, politically speaking.”
Mosher also revealed his fears that Democrat John W. Davis and Independent Robert M. LaFollette could combine vote totals enough to throw the general election for president into the U.S. House of Representatives. Mosher repeated his assertion that Calvin Coolidge is the best president this country has had because of his integrity and fearlessness.
Fay C. Wing, former Wayland clergyman and businessman, has opened a funeral parlor in Woodland.
One of the campers in the Tourist Camp had the misfortune of suffering burns when a gasoline stone exploded.
The Burton Heights Methodist Episcopal choir will present a concert at the Moline Congregational church.
Mrs. Anna Gillett, born near Bradley in 1861, died at the home of her daughter in Wayland at the age of 63.
Deck Andrus has purchased the plot at Maple and North Main Street with plans to build a gas station on the site.
