(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 8, 1999
The Globe published a front page photo of three local veterans, Harry Rybiski, Eldon Millheim and Donald Shafer, who with William Hooker will be especially honored for Veterans Day ceremonies at Henika Library and Pine Street Elementary.
Removal of contaminated materials has begun at the former Sunrise Landfill on the south side of town.
The Hopkins football squad defeated former state champion Ravenna Bulldogs in its continued march through the post-season playoff campaign.
The Wayland girls’ varsity basketball team claimed the O-K Gold championship and owns the enviable record of absorbing only one loss for the overall season. Coach Zack Moushegian’s Wildcats went 14-0 in league play.
The Gun Lake Area Sewer Authority (GLASA) is asking residents and customers about installation of a water tower.
The Wayland Township Board is proposing an ordinance to forbid local public gatherings with more than 150 people in attendance. Editor Nila Aamoth took the officials to task in her Soapbox, insisting there are many other, more deserving issues to be taken up by the board. She asked if 150 angry residents stormed the township hall, would they need a permit?
Carl Swartz penned a letter to the editor charging that congress critters and senators of both parties are only helping to divide the electorate.
The Allegan County courthouse was the target of a second bomb threat in as many weeks.
Allen J. Bixler of Shelbyville was lodged in the county jail after he rammed his Ford Maverick into a police vehicle on East Superior Street in Wayland.
State troopers chased a 16-year-old Grand Rapids juvenile for five hours after he was accused of stealing a car in Hopkins. He was lodged in the Kent County Juvenile Home.
A 56-year-old Wayland woman was seriously injured while trying to cross the street and being struck by a pickup truck.
Letter writer Rick Hazen set the record straight on a report that Kevin Glupker set the Hopkins school record by rushing for 307 yards in one game He noted Jon Pavlak rushed for 356 in 1985.
Hopkins athletic booster Randi Restau wrote a letter saying all fans should pay the $3 admission fee to the football games.
Yankee Springs Township is seriously considering starting up its own fire department. It currently contracts fire services with Thornapple Township Emergency Services (TTES).
The Martin girls’ basketball team now sports a 12-4 record overall.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 5, 1974
Despite poor turnout statistics nationally, Wayland and Allegan County enjoyed as many as 75 percent who showed up at the polls. Republican incumbents dominated, as usual, with Gov. William Milliken, Congressman Guy VanderJagt and State Senator Gary Byker winning by wide margins.
Mimi Moulenbelt wrote a letter to the editor saying how proud she was that Hopkins was relatively quiet during Halloween while there were reports of vandalism and tomfoolery by pranksters all over West Michigan.
Andy Wisniewski penned a letter urging residents to refrain from burning leaves.
Jay Gierkey was to be the guest presenter at the next Lions Club-sponsored travelogue with a program on Greenland.
The Wayland High School choir, under the direction of Richard Wiley, was scheduled to join in a Calvin College Massed Festival.
The Soil and Health Builders Club planned to meet for a smorgasbord dinner at the Bradley Hall Sunday afternoon, Nov. 10.
Robert VandeVord, a 1974 graduate of Martin High School, will take part in the Western Michigan University Band Spectacular.
The Martin High School band has been selected for inclusion in the Six Flags Over Mid-America festival in May in St. Louis, Mo.
Hopkins High School harrier Dan Isenhoff placed fourth in the state Class C cross-country championships, checking in with a three-mile time of 15:50.
Wayland’s football team secured a 5-4 overall winning record with a 44-13 victory over Byron Center. Brian Groeneveld picked off two Bulldog passes and John Lubberts scored on a long run and hauled in a TD pass from QB Vic Lohroff. Jim Longstreet rushed for 141 yards.
Bloomingdale spoiled Martin’s hopes of finishing with a winning record by posting a 16-12 verdict. The Clippers tied for third in the Southwest Athletic Conference.
Hopkins defeated Kalamazoo Christian 12-6, but may be without a quarterback for next week’s game against Gobles because Ron Schafer suffered an injury.
Steve Adamczyk concluded his golf career. He holds the Hopkins school record for lower nine-hole score at 33.
Correspondent Rosemary Hitt wrote a feature story about Hopkins teacher and FFA advisor Roy Miller.
The Wayland City Council listened to a presentation from a garbage service provider and heard more information about cable television. The city has set up an arrangement with the American Legion to use its parking lot at the corner of Forrest and East Superior streets.
The Wayland Board of Education adopted a budget of $2,647,796 for the 1974-75 academic year, a light increase over the year previous.
Stevie Wonder captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “You Haven’t Done Nothin'”
75 Years Ago — Nov. 11, 1949
The Wayland High School football team concluded its season with a 5-2 record after defeating Martin 20-0. Bill Mauchmar scored on a 5-yard run, Bill Reurink did the same from 11 yards out and Bud Jager tallied the other TD.
Fr. Albert Radowski, pastor of the St. Therese parish in Wayland, has been appointed administrator of the St. Stanislaus parish in Hilliards.
Fenn Simpkins was selected master of the Wayland Grange.
Catherine Millheim has been chosen president of the VFW Auxiliary.
J.T. White, offensive center of the University of Michigan Rose Bowl football team, will be guest speaker for the Wayland High School football banquet. Tickets to attend will be $1.50 apiece.
Gurney’s IGA will reopen downtown this coming weekend after some remodeling.
The junior class at Martin High School will present the play “Too Many Relatives” at the Martin gym Nov. 17 and 18.
Reinder Hoeksema and children attended the Children’s Bible Hour at the Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids. Also attending were Mrs. Fred Buskirk of Shelbyville, Laura Mae Thompson and grandaughter Kathleen Keyzer.
A meeting was held to organize a Democratic Club at the Dorr Township Hall. Edward Hackett was elected president of the group.
The Wayland and Martin Township Boards will have a special meeting to discuss installing six lights.
The Wayland High School football team Nov. 4 defeated Byron Center 13-7 in its homecoming game. Bill Mauchmar scored on a 25-yard run and Bill Reurink plunged into the end zone from the one and came up with a blocked punt.
Wayland High School junior Carol Oetman was elected Region IV chair of the Future Homemakers of America. She is chair of the FHA and an assistant 4-H Club leader.
The Moline Congregational church plans to have a musical talent night for singers and instrument players.
The Dixie Ballroom south of town will have a “Revival of Old Dixie” Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., featuring the Versal Fales and Charley Joseph bands.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Walt Disney’s “Dumbo” and “Saludos Amigos” in a double feature.
- Clark Gable, Alexis Smith, Wendell Corey and Audrey Totter in “Any Number Can Play.”
- Richard Conte, Lee J. Cobb, Valentina Cortese in “High Thieves.”
- 100 Years Ago — Nov. 7, 1924
- Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in commenting about a Republican landslide, “from the president down to coroner. The Democrats carried the solid south and that was about all. The LaFollette bubble burst and Bob had a hard time carrying his own state (Wisconsin).”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Norma Talmadge in “Within the Law.” Jack Pickford in n”Garrison Finish.”
Mrs. Youngs gave an interesting presentation to the Ladies Library Club about her trip west, including the now-famous Teapot Dome oil fields.
Services for James Van Notrick were held at the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at age 71 on Oct. 26.
Miss Lillian Knapp and pupils gave a “Ghost Social” at the Crittenden School, raising about $26.
Thieves visited John Dorr’s chicken coop for the second time this fall, leaving only seven behind.
The cement approach for the new gas station installed by Dick Andrus at the corner of Main and Maple streets has been completed.
The Ward hunting party left for the Upper Peninsula, making the trip this year by automobile. The group includes Charles H. Ward, Harold Smith, George S. Carter and William H. Rohn.
The Green Lake Embroidery Club met at the home of Titus Hunsberger, with a good dinner and social time that was enjoyed by all.
Mrs. A.D. Hughes and Mrs. Roy Smith attended the Women’s Foreign Missionary in Grand Rapids.
The Forrest Lewis Post of the American Legion had a chop suey supper and members listened to election returns over the radio.
Michigan Bell Telephone workers have removed old poles and wires on South Main Street and have set new ones in place. This should be helpful for better service and better appearance.
The Yeakey Auto Co. was advertising installation of radios in automobiles.
