(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 6, 1999
The Hopkins football team was runner-up in the state finals for the second time in school history, which now takes in only 50 years. Coach Rex Weaver and the Vikings lost in the Pontiac Silverdome to St. Charles, 21-14.
Chuck and Jeannie Pitsch were grand marshals of the Dorr Christmas parade.
The Gun Lake Winterfest celebration will return to the Allegan County Park on Jan. 29. Linda Rough and Joan Weick plan to challenge incumbent Alex Liceaga for the Gun Lake Mayor’s post.
Sue Bouman wrote a letter to the editor taking the Globe to task for ignoring South Christian High School and its football team that also, besides Hopkins, made it to the state finals at the Silverdome.
Darryl Helmholdt and Jim Bakker, both of Dorr, are mounting a neighbhood-style campaign against hooligans damaging mailboxes. They seek harsher penalties for such violations.
Social worker Mark Komelis and Jane Hart of the Allegan County Intermediate School District will present parenting classes at Baker Elementary School from early January to Feb. 28.
The Dorr Township Board plans to place two renewal proposals, for fire services and roads, on the presidential primary ballot in February.
Hopkins running back Kevin Glupker and lineman Nathan Vogt were winners of the “Ricky Waters” Nicholson Award.
The Globe published pre-season accounts of the Hopkins, Wayland and Martin basketball teams.
Rich Okoniewski has taken over the reins of the Marin basketball squad after Joe Orr stepped down the previous year.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 3, 1974
Fire at the Hopkins area farm of John Ybema destroyed a barn on the property. Fire departments from Hopkins, Wayland and Martin responded.
Jerome LaValley has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Allegan County Fair.
The Rev. Rich Koster, pastor of the United Church of Wayland, has been appointed to the Wayland City Planning Commission.
The Wayland Board of Education has been asked to remove the book “Go Ask Alice” from high school library shelves because of its use of offensive language and discussion about drugs.
The Harlem Sputniks all-star basketball team will put on a show at Hopkins High School Dec. 4. Tickets are $3 apiece.
The Wayland Lions Club’s second in a series of travelogues will be “Hawaii, Island State” at the high school cafeteria.
Wayland fans, coach John Vargo and players are protesting actions by the timekeeper who enabled Delton to win 62-60, in the season opener for both teams. It even prompted an editorial comment from sports writer David T. Young, who said corrections should have been made.
Ron Shafer scored 15 points, but Hopkins lost 48-46 to Mattawan in its season opener.
The new Wayland High School gymnasium will be dedicated in a contest against O-K Blue Conference rival Caledonia. Special honored guests will be players on the 1955 Class C state runner-up Wildcat team.
Members of Hopkins chapter of the FFA are preparing to compete in the state broiler contest.
Former Wayland man Robert Hanlon has been elevated to packaging manager for the Dow Chemical Co., Indianapolis division.
Allegan County Kenneth Rynbrandt, 63, of Burnips died of post-surgery complications at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Bids are being taken on a new site for a post office on 142nd Avenue in Dorr Township. Reinder Hoeksema helped establish the one in current use.
Services were held for Oscar Douglas, 93, life member of the Hopkins Masonic Lodge, Wayland Grange and Wayland United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Linda Hahn, longtime author of “The Helping Hand” column that appeared often in the Globe, died at age 31. Her husband, Kurt, was editor of the Allegan County News & Gazette.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 9, 1949
Chet Brevitz resigned his post on the Village Council and was succeeded by Arthur Johnson of Wayland State Bank. Frank Malmstone took over from Charles Clark as village assessor.
The Wayland High School basketball team lost 33-30 to Byron Center. The Wildcats’ starting five included Bill Mauchmar at center, forwards Dick Hudson and Jack Warner and guards Jim Henry and Jim Christensen. Marc Goorhouse scored 17 points for Byron.
Alton H. Crofoot of Wayland shot himself at the home of his estranged wife in Grand Rapids. His attempt for reconciliation apparently had failed and he went upstairs to shoot himself with a .38 caliber revolver. He was listed in fair condition at St. Mary’s Hospital.
George S. Carter, former Wayland businessman, died in Battle Creek Hospital from injuries he suffered in an auto accident Nov. 23.
The Albion College Chorus performed G.F. Handel’s “Messiah” at the Methodist Church in Albion. The group included Leila Jackson and Russell Hanlon, both from Wayland.
Felix Martin, 73, died in Los Angeles. He had lived with his daughter and son-in-law, William Holbrook, at a Gun Lake farm.
Maurice Barbour was one of 18 hopefuls who passed the bar exam at Ann Arbor. He is the husband of the former Jo Delp, daughter of Grayce Delp of Wayland.
Margaret Rinehart, operator of the Hopkins Beauty Shop, will be married to Stanley Iciek, regarded as a successful local school teacher.
Doc and Ople Murdock of Van’s Gas & Electric downtown, estimated that 2,000 children appeared at the store over the weekend to visit with Santa Claus.
Earl Collier, 6 years old, fell about 25 feet out of a silo onto the chute, but there was several inches of silage that cushioned the fall. He and another boy were shooting sparrows.
Members of the Wayland Grange are urging the Allegan County Road Commission to spend more on snow removal.
James Wells and Richard Brewer, employees at Van’s Gas & Electric, are attending the General Electric Television School.
The Rev. Albert Radowski has been appointed chairman for the Dorr, Leighton Hopkins and Wayland campaigns for CROP.
Wayland Boy Scout Troop 97 boys plan to stay overnight at the Chief Noonday cabin Saturday night, Dec. 10.
Mrs. Mildred Reider was elected president of the St. Therese Altar Society.
Carol Oetman, Phyllis Pepper and Virginia Benson went to Fennville to explain the purposes of the Future Homemakers of America (FHA).
A carload of apples is being distributed to schools in Allegan County as part of the Department of Agriculture’s lunch program.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Raymond Walburn and Walter Catlett in “Henry the Rainmaker.”
- Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in “Down Dakota Way.”
- Robert Montgomery and Ann Blyth in “Once More My Darling.”
- June Haver and Mark Stevens in “Oh, You Beautiful Doll.”
The Globe published a photo of Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner in a hospital having a cigar lit for him in his room by a nurse.
100 Years Ago — Dec. 5, 1924
Frank Powell, former well known local resident, died in Grand Rapids. He was a farmer at the Cuddy Place and operated a sawmill business. His remains will be brought here for burial in Elmwood Cemetery.
Frank A. Burlingame, a pioneer merchant in the village, was stricken with paralysis while driving his car home. He is listed as in serious condition.
The high school girls’ cooking class has taken over the lunch room. At first, they encountered some difficulties, but they have been overcome and they now are operating on a self-sustaining basis.
Edward Rozema, 28, of Dorr Township was killed when then car he was riding was struck by a train while he and his father were delivering celery to Moline. His father, Samuel Rozema, 55, is recovering in Blodgett Hospital.
Grayce Delp led the Ladies Library Club in a discussion about the Izaac Walton League and the book “The Complete Angler.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Hearts Aflame,” from the story “Timber” by Harold Titus. The classic comedy, “No More Women.”
Olive Gilbert Buck, former village resident, was killed in an auto accident in St. Louis, Mo.
The barn on the farm of John W. Morris in Shelbyville was burned too the ground, killing 12 head of cattle, three horses and a dog.
Jim Norton had his hand badly damaged while he was operating a rip saw, but there are hopes his fingers can be saved.
Mr. and Mrs. John Woodward of Bradley entertained guests with an oyster supper for their 32nd wedding anniversary.
Four generations of Bradley school students attended the Thanksgiving program. They were Sarah Beckwith, Mrs. John Woodward, Mrs. Illa Culver and little Helen Culver.
George B. Ward, formerly of Wayland, now living in Creston, S.D., was in a serious auto accident when his car skidded and “turned turtle” in a ditch. He was pinned under the wreckage for about an hour.
Derek Andrus has set the opening of his new gas station on North Main. He will sell Texaco gasoline.
Fred Johnson, living just south of Gregorville Church, suffered a badly broken arm while cranking up his car.
