(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 4, 1994
Automatic Diagnostics, a division of SPX Corps. Of Kalamazoo, a service and parts repair distribution business, has purchased the old Kessler’s building on South Main Street for $50,000. The seller is Allegan County Board of Commissioners.
Bill, Jeff and Mike Leatherman of Caledonia were the $1 million bidders for the former Orchard Hills Golf Course. Owners of Broadmoor Country Club, they plan to turn the Apple Core Lounge into a banquet hall.
John E. Palmer, 27, of Grand Rapids, was arrested in connection with a series of residential burglaries in Leighton, Dorr, Wayland, Watson and Hopkins townships.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners has agreed to change its afternoon meeting time from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays in attempt to better accommodate the public and permit more people to run for County Board seats.
Barbara Chachulski wrote a letter to the editor opposing a residential development proposed on 140th Avenue, at the site of the former dump.
Rick Dutkiewicz wrote a letter opposing Recycling Coordinator Mary Jones’ proposal to put a lien on residents who failed to pay their recycling surcharges, insisting it smacks of Big Brother.
Fourteen companies and individuals have formed a coalition to respond to the Department of Natural Resources suit to recover cleanup costs at the Sunrise Landfill on 132nd Avenue.
Allegan County is showing a greater increase of development of parcels than all of its surrounding neighbors in West Michigan in the past 10 years.
The Martin varsity baseball team is struggling with a 1-9 overall record while the softball team is 7-3. Hopkins is 9-3 in baseball and 8-3 in softball. Viking slugger Justin Bennett clouted a 325-foot over the fence homer during a doubleheader sweep over Fennville. Shelly Werkema belted two homers and a triple in the Lady Vikings’ rout of Saugatuck.
A doubleheader split left Wayland with a 9-4 overall record as it attempts to defend its O-K Gold Conference title.
Dinyel Bailey picked up three pitching victories for the Wayland softball team, which now is 8-5.
Wayland Community Education and Recreation Director Dave VabEerden has added supervisor of transportation to his duties as he succeeds Ev Jansen.
50 Years Ago — April 30, 1969
It’s all in the family: Theresa DeVries earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, Mrs. Gerald DeVries received her bachelor’s degree in education from Calvin College, and Joyce DeVries was named valedictorian as a ninth-grader at Moline Christian.
Msgr. Albert Radawski has been appointed to a special task force for the Michigan Department of Public Health.
Senior Patti Adams was chosen to pay the unusual contra-bass clarinet, recently special ordered by the Wayland High School band. She recently received a scholarship from Olivet College.
Wayland High School graduate Rex Greenawalt is recovering in a hospital in Okinawa after being wounded for a second time while serving in Vietnam.
Architect Guido Binda has presented drawings of a proposed high school and a junior high building to the Wayland Board of Education.
Wayland was one of 95 school districts in Michigan found to have a bus fleet with no defects.
The Forrest Lewis Post of the American Legion celebrated its 50th anniversary. The post was established in 1919 and two charter members still living are Naman Frank and Ivan Smith.
The Knights of Columbus sponsored oratorical contest was won by Tom Latondress, Bob Bell and Joan Lautenschleger.
Airman First Class Arthur Harnish of Hopkins is a munitions specialist serving in Vietnam.
Trooper Howard Lee, Police Chief Forrest Reichenbach and troopers Harold Keena and Charles George announced the Fraternal Order of Police will examine procedures for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the City Park.
Wayland Board of Education President Wally Wakeman wrote a letter expressing appreciation to the Knights of Columbus for sponsoring the oratorical contest. He wrote, “Our young people have much to say if only we will listen.”
Watson Township residents are on notice that no further fire protection will be provided by the Village of Hopkins.
“A Day of Sacred Music” with Bill Perce and the Crusaders will be offered at the Wayland Calvary Church May 4.
Tom Latondress has been chosen recipient of the Japinga Award doe athletic excellence. He plays baseball, basketball and football.
Wayland physical education teacher Patricia McKee has been elected secretary of the Michigan Girls’ Athletic Association.
The Hopkins baseball team won five games in a row, powered by clutch hits by Bernie Schwartz and Boyd Davis.
75 Years Ago — May 5, 1944
Cleanup Week in Wayland will be May 15-20 and the village dump will be open every day during the week. Residents are encouraged again to collect waste paper for the war effort.
The Village Rationing Service may have to be shut down because of a lack of help. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher asks residents who can spare a couple of afternoons a week to volunteer. “The pay is not great, but your work will be greatly appreciated,” he penned.
James Troy has been hospitalized in Plainwell after suffering injuries when he came into contact with a high tension wire. He suffered burns to his hands.
Former Wayland physician Dr. Harold Damstra was promoted from captain to major while serving with the 12th field hospital in England.
The Wayland High School baseball team has won three of its last four contests and will play Middleville and Caledonia in the next week.
The Rev. Francis J. Haas of the Grand Rapids diocese, nationally known for his role in settling 1500 strikes, will administer the sacrament of confirmation for Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Gun Lake and St, Therese of Wayland, including 50 children and adults.
The Rev. B.F. Hitchcock, founder of the Rural Bible Mission, will give a chalk talk at the Bradley Union Church,
Mrs. Alfred Snook will review “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” at the last meeting of the season for the Wayland PTA.
Gov. Harry F. Kelly has designated May as “More Michigan Food Month.”
Walt Gurney is ticket chairman for the Wayland High School all-sports banquet May 10.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Warren Douglas and Joan Winfield in “Murder on the Waterfront.”
- Mae West and Victor Moore in “The Heat’s On.”
- Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Red Skelton, Gene Kelly in “Thousands Cheer.”
- Tom Neal and Evelyn Keyes in “There’s Something About a Soldier.”
- Bob Haymes, Lynn Merrick and the Vagabonds in “Swing Out the Blues.”
100 Years Ago — May 9, 1919
Fifth- and sixth-graders have earned a basketball for selling enough popcorn and candy.
Two Victory Elm trees were planed to obserwoodve Arbor Day May 2.
A poisonous barberry plant was found on the Conrad farm, doe the high school botany class continues is campaign against the noxious weed.
Miss Margaret Bilz and Mrs. Viola Romans, two of the star attractions at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union conference this week dropped in at the schools to speak to students. Mrs. Romans spoke to the WCTU about “Times and Taxes” asserting that the U.S. must extend Prohibition worldwide to prevent brewers and distillers from gaining an economic foothold in their countries.
Lela Tooker is valedictorian and Charles Gamwell salutatorian for the Wayland High School Class of 1919. Miss Tooker has just earned certification to teach.
Sherwood walked two and struck out 10 batters as Wayland defeated Allegan 10-4. The local boys will play Middleville and Caledonia next week. Wayland defeated Allegan 42-7 in girls’ basketball. Captain Calkins and Gladys Culver combined to score all 42 points.
Dr. Caroline Bartlett Crane gave an address, “After the War, What,” to the Wayland PTA, focusing on the need to properly sanitize school buildings to help stem the spread of influenza.
Miss Anna Whitcomb won the Silver Award contest.
Walter Sperry, chemist in charge, has determined there is is no suspicion of bacteria in the village’s water supply.
Barbara Pierson was installed as worthy matron of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Discussion at the Wayland Grange meeting May 17 will be about “Should agriculture be taught in every school district in Michigan?”
Mrs. Charles Yeakey will introduce 50 students ages 3 to 18 to perform at the Dolls Ball.
The old residence of Dr. E.O. Hanlon was razed to make room for a new building.
Mr. Dryer at the Wayland Congregational Church has prepared a special Mothers Day sermon featuring returning soldiers overseas, their wives and mothers.
A Dun & Bradstreet report insists that only 16 percent of businesses that advertise eventually have to close their doors.
