(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 20, 1999
The Globe published a festive front page full of photos of staff members wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Elsie Owings sent a letter to the editor critical of the Wayland Township Zoning Board for charging Paul Bloem a $475 zoning fee and then telling him his proposal doesn’t fit in to the township’s master plan. She suggested the officials issue him a refund and an apology.
The Thornapple Kellogg High School girls’ basketball team collectively penned a letter thanking their fans for their role in a memorable season in which the Lady Trojans made a deep run in the post-season playoffs.
Randy Marklevitz, Wayland Township’s longest serving member of the Planning Commission was ousted by the Township Board. Attorney John Watts explained that Supervisor Jose Blanco wouldn’t nominate him for the position and the board would not approve it.
The house and 4.5-acre property of Clyde Smith at 880 East Superior St. was razed and burned deliberately by the Wayland Fire Department. The land was purchased for $155,000 by the Wayland Union School District for later use as athletic fields.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department has announced another increase in rates for providing patrol services in the Village of Martin.
Wayland High School tuba player Brian Balch has been selected to join the nationally-known Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corps based in Rosemont, Ill. The Band Boosters have offered to pay half of his bill and he is expected to do some fund-raising otherwise.
Martin Township farmer Ron MacVean protested the amount of the fee charged for cleaning the Gun River Drain — 50 cents an acre, — while Wayland and Gun Plain Townships are paying only 25 cents.
The Wayland Snowmobile Club has acknowledged it is struggling to keep the 60 miles of trails clear and is asking area municipalities for help.
The United Church of Wayland held a dedication service for its new addition, under the leadership of Pastor Nancy Zerban.
The Wayland boys’ basketball team put on a full-court trapping press and held Hopkins scoreless for a long stretch in the second half to overcome the Vikings. Josh Smith scored 20 points to lead the Wildcats.
The Wayland wrestling team improved its dual match record to 9-3, led by Joe Borgic, Neal Fryling, Jay DeHaan and Jeff DeMann.
The Hopkins wrestling team is short of personnel, forfeiting nearly half of its 14 matches in dual meets.
Kara Potter, Jessie Merchant and Nicki Merchant are the key three members of the Wayland volleyball squad this season.
Middle hitter Sabrina Bird, affectionately called “Big Bird” because of her six-foot tall frame, leads Hopkins again in its upcoming volleyball season.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 17, 1974
Monte Listopad, Gerald Stoddard, Phil Regan, Jim Heth, Charles Stankey, Doug Ward, Larry Andringa, Leo Vance and coach Walter Gillett were pictured as special guests at the dedication of the new Wayland High School gym. They were members of the 1955 state Class C hoops runners-up.
Sue Janowsky was announced as the winner of the of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizenship Award at Martin High School.
A group of local Girls Scouts completed a cooking international friendship challenge and will have their recipes published in future issues of the Globe. Scout leader is Mrs. Willard Benedict.
Students in Mrs. Betty Hayes’ bachelor living class prepared the goodies served at the special Faculty Holiday Coffee, including cookies, fudge, sweet breads, candies and punch.
The Wayland boys’ basketball team routed Galesburg-Augusta 82-43 in the first game played at the new gym, but dropped a 63-56 verdict to Caledonia on the night of the gym dedication, despite 24 points from senior center Russ McCarren.
Hopkins defeated Fennville and Gobles, led by Phil Arndt and Randy Martin and particularly Bernie Smith.
Six teams are playing in Wayland’s revived recreation hoops league. The teams are Faculty, Turkeys, Hot Dogs, Wayland Merchants, Pickett & Schreur and Wildcats.
Roger VanVolkinburg registed two pins and Captain Dave Fifelski remained unbeaten as Wayland’s wrestling team got off to a fast 3-0 start. Coach Rick Tokarchick said he was impressed with freshman Paul Beuschel as well.
Allegan County Extension Director Homer Patterson has announced his retirement.
Ellis Wykstra of Martin has been elected chairman of the Allegan County Republican Party.
Former Hilliards resident Dr. H.D. Niemczyk was presented with a Professional Excellence Award from the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation.
Mrs. Gertrude Andringa, mother of Wayland businessman Julius Andringa, died at her home in Cutlerville. She was 87. She founded a general store in Carlisle inn 1923.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 23, 1949
Haven Tarnutzer, bowling for the Wayland Oil team at Plainwell Lanes rolled a near-perfect 299 game. He scored 11 straight strikes, but left the 4 pin standing in his last frame.
Wayland Extension Club members gathered at the home of Mrs. Charles Andringa and collected toys to be distributed to the children at Blodgett Home.
Naman Frank is recovering from an operation on a stomach ulcer at Allegan General Hospital.
Lucille Gardner gave members of the East Bradley Extension Club a presentation on “Your Clothes and You.”
The Leighton chapter of the Grange will have its annual dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 30.
Clayton Baugh was selling Bunny Slippers for 77 cents, a Christmas special at his shoe store downtown.
Word has been received of the death of Jess Scofield at a Kalamazoo hospital. He had worked as a farmer in the Shelbyville area for 25 years.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Roberts, George Cooper and David Wolfe in “Flaming Fury.”
- Monte Hale and Kay Christopher in “South of Rio.”
- Randolph Scott in “Fighting Man of the Plains.”
- Jean Simmons and Donald Houston in “The Blue Lagoon.”
- 100 Years Ago — Dec. 19, 1924
Justice Fish of Allegan last week learned of peculiar provisions of state law making it illegal to trap, kill or attempt to kill muskrats, skunks or other fur-bearing animals during this closed season because they now are regarded as property of the state.
Mrs. Irene Leakey entertained the Ladies Library Club with a lengthy reading of the play “The Fool” by Channing Pollock.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Zane Grey’s “Heritage of the Desert” with Bebe Daniels, Ernest Torrence and Noah Berry. An all-star cast in “On the Banks of the Wabash” special presentation Christmas night, Wednesday.
The Otsego Paper Mill has been ruled liable for health care costs of an employee injured in an accident inside the plant,.
Lowell Tiefenthal “was held up and robbed of his best girl” while riding through town at Ohio Corners.
Mr. Gregg will show his moving picture machine at the District No. 10 Friday evening meeting of the West Leighton Community.
Alton Frank escaped serious injuries when the gates at railroad tracks in Grand Rapids were dropped, taking out the top of his car as it was passing.
James Marsh severely strained his arm Tuesday while cranking his car.
Robert Smith, son of Mr. And Mrs. Claud Smith, suffered severe injuries at the Interurban depot when he fell and struck the side of his head on the sidewalk. Though he was rendered unconscious, he began to improve markedly after being taken to Dr. Eagon’s office and then home.
Among the many accidents that have occurred during the sleet storm this week was one of the large Wayland Oil trucks driven by John Blain. The vehicle skidded on South Main Street and overturned. The driver escaped injury.
Wildcat wrestler from 25 years ago was Jeff Demann not Jeff DeMarin.