(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 27, 1999
Allegan County officials are predicting a lot of suburban sprawl and rapid population growth in the early part of the approaching 21st century. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Henika Public Library in downtown Wayland is preparing for a change in its designation to a district library.
Many businesses and agencies are getting ready for prospects related to the “millennium bug” or Y2K. Some say it won’t be much of a problem for anyone when the clocks in computers and other electronic devices turn from 1999 to 2000.
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote in her Soapbox column that it was predicted that there will be more important medical discoveries in the next 20 years than in the previous 200 years. “And that’s only one aspect of the technology driving us to the future.”
John Ybema of Hopkins wrote a letter to the editor praising the proposed voucher system by which public dollars can be used to support private and religious schools. He essentially said parents should be able to send their children to wherever they choose without any financial penalty.
Susan Barker penned a letter suggesting several additions to downtown Wayland, such as a senior center, specialty shops, day care and other amenities, but urged all local people nonetheless to shop local when possible.
Vicki Kouchnerkavich has joined the staff of the Henika Library as children’s specialist and programming assistant.
Mayor David Miller is insisting that Wayland now is well on its way to becoming the largest city of Allegan County in terms of population. Of course, this means many new challenges are ahead.
Quality Farm & Fleet is the first new store to set up shop in the Chambers Corners plaza at the intersection of West Superior Street and the U.S.-131 expressway.
Allegan County Economic Director Chuck Birr predicts the greatest growth in the county will be in Dorr and Leighton townships.
Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk has been noting the residential growth, particularly in the Green Lake area and a byproduct of the construction of the Paul Henry Freeway (M-6).
Dorr Township Trustee Norm Fifelski focused on 142nd Avenue and said he hopes that busy artery will be widened to a three-lane road.
Hopkins Township Supervisor Mark Evans said he’s not really all that concerned about the millennium bug. He said, “I haven’t heard one person mention a whole lot about the turn of the century. For people who really depend on computers, maybe it will affect them. But for the rest of the world, it won’t.”
Salem Township Supervisor Bob Jones pointed with pride to Salem’s massive paved roads project and noted the growth proves, “we must must be doing a few things right.”
Another example in the area’s growth is that Wayland Union Schools will become a Class A institution for the first time in its history, with about 3,300 students.
The Wayland High School basketball team scored a comeback victory, 67-66, over Cedar Springs. Dave Myrick had 20 points and Josh Smith 12.
The Wildcat volleyball team finished runner-up behind Division 1 Jenison in the Wyoming Park Invitational. Leading the ‘Cats’ effort were Kara Potter, Jessie Merchant, Nicki Merchant and Meghan Graham.
Wildcat grappler D.J. Sutherland is undefeated in 13 matches this season. But Wayland lost a dual meet heartbreaker, 37-36 to Kenowa Hills.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 24, 1974
The Globe published a front page photo of Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmet welcoming the Wayland Rotary Club’s newest members, Realtor Pete Howard and Baker Elementary Principal Eugene Greer.
Wayland Police Chief Harold Ernst has reported two incidents of bad checks being passed at the Jolly J Bar and at the Party Store. Both were from someone at the Fema Corp. in Portage.
Mrs. Carolyn Easton thanked the Globe for coverage of the Glowing Embers Girl Scouts Council activities.
The Hopkins Organization of Parents and Educators (HOPE) donated $145 to the school’s band program and hiked the total by five dollars upon learning one student’s new uniform costs $150 apiece.
Hopkins captured its fourth straight victory on the hardcourt with a stunning 70-64 verdict over Grand Rapids Covenant Christian. The front line of Bernie Smith, Tom Pawloski and Phil Arndt turned in excellence performances against the much taller Crusaders.
Hopkins pulled out a 61-52 triumph over neighborhood rival Wayland after the two teams were knotted at 41 in the third quarter. The ‘Cats now are 2-4 overall and Martin is just 1-7.
Forest Hills Northern snapped Wayland’s winning streak on the mat, but upper weight star John Kaur remained unbeaten for the season. But then he lost in the final round at the Jenson tourney while teammate Jim Krick won the 112-pound title.
Fred Clack, a 1974 graduate of Wayland High School, was awarded a special scholarship from Adrian College for academic achievement.
Michael Browand, 22, was taken to Grant Community Hospital with a ruptured spleen he suffered in a two-vehicle traffic crash in Newaygo County.
Allegan County Sheriff Robert Whitcomb has announced plans to establish a county-wide detective unit.
Brett Batterson, age 5, was struck by a van on West Superior Street. He was taken to Pipp Hospital in Plainwell, where he was treated and released.
Folksinger Harry Chapin captured the nation’s No. 1 tunes slot with “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 30, 1949
Frank Belka was the winner of the annual Wayland Chamber of Commerce outdoor Christmas lighting contest. His home was on North Park Street.
Congressman Clare Hoffman, a Republican from Allegan, told members of the Wayland Rotary Club that the latest trend in Washington D.C. is to move the country toward a socialist state. Rotarians also were treated to a presentation about India from the Rev. Charles Swan of the Plainwell Methodist Church.
Merle Raleigh was elected worshipful master of the James Fenton Lodge, No. 224.
Co. Leon Schuh, formerly of Wayland, died of colon cancer at a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. He served in both world wars, 27 months in North Africa and Italy in WWII.
Doc and Opie Murdick welcomed thousands of visitors over the Christmas holiday for the largest event ever undertaken by a local business. Top prizes were Schwinn bicycles and portable electric sewing machines. Van’s Gas & Electric has taken the lead locally in selling newfangled television sets.
The Wayland High School basketball team lost 51-42 to Hopkins. Gene Norman was the big gun for the Blue Devils with 28 points. Jack Warner scored 17 for the Wildcats.
The local American Legion post, Forrest Lewis No. 266, reported the “Gifts for the Yanks Who Gave” campaign yielded $187.
Wayland language arts teacher Mrs. Agnes Strong told members of the Ladies Library Club about her native land of Sweden.
An anonymous woman wrote a tribute to Globe correspondent, Margaret Therese Jenkins, author of “Hi, Neighbor!” She was praised for bringing news to the community about local shut-ins.
Grant Heydenberk announced his phone number has been changed to 4829.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Johnny Weismuller as Jungle Jim in “Lost Tribe.”
- Gloria Henry, Ross Ford and Audrey Long in “Air Hostess.”
- Alan Ladd, Donna Reed and June Havoc in “Chicago Deadline.”
- Bing Crosby and Basil Rathbone in Walt Disney’s “Ichabod and Mr. Toad.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 26, 1924
The Kinmer School Christmas party was attended by 25 students, despite the inclement weather. Boys received leather indoor balls and girls were given rubber indoor balls.
Harriet Buck, born in 1852 in Stuben County, N.Y., died in Wayland Dec. 21. She was 72. Her funeral was at her home in the northwest part of the village.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Cullen Landis in “Master of Men.” Wednesday, New Year’s Night: Tom Moore in “Big Brother.”
Members of the Northeast Hopkins Community Club had a debate on the questions whether money is more essential to humanity than education.
The Church of the Nazarene is welcoming guest evangelists Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Spoolstra, who will preach every night through Jan. 8.
Mrs. Alla Pratt has suffered a relapse after her operation at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, but now is gaining.
Teachers Leila Rinehart and Bertha Edwards are spending the Christmas two-week vacations at their homes in Wayland and Martin, respectively.
Architect Fred Eely says the remodeling work at the Henika Library will not be completed until spring because of the weather conditions.
Leighton Rural School No. 4 teacher Charlotte Marshall has been ill and now is confined to her home in Grandville. Pearl Presley will take her place at the school.
William Williamson, who was a longtime Gun Lake area farmer and Martin school board member and member of the board of directors at Mutual Fire Insurance Co., died Dec. 8. He had been seriously ill for the last two years of his life.
George Westover of Otsego was arrested for having a gallon of whiskey he tried to destroy in the presence of officers. He was sentenced to six months to a year at the Ionia prison and fines and costs totaling $119.50.
Library Director Fanny Hoyt wrote a letter addressed to “Mr. Resident.” She noted that Wayland and only four other towns in Allegan County have the privilege of having a library. She called Henika “a source of education and entertainment… It is a place where class and clothes are not considered.”
