(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan.3, 2000
Wayland senior citizen Gaylord Holcomb will see his third birthday in three different centuries. He turned 101 years old on May 27, 1999.
Editor Nila Aamoth, with a nod to the start of the year 2000, wrote in her Soapbox, “It will be a great relief not to have to worry about the dastardly effects of Y2K.”
Gina Karsten, in a letter to the editor, praised the efforts of Wayland schools and Christian Neighbors to provide aid to the unfortunate over the holiday season.
Karla J. Thaler wrote a letter about saving trees, insisting, “If trees could scream, no one would sleep peacefully.”
Hopkins Cub Scouts Pack No. 306 collected more than a hundred stuffed animals to give to Hopkins and Wayland public safety departments to provide children in crisis something to help them through their ordeals.
Aquatic biologist Tom Krueger was to give a presentation about Gun Lake’s water quality at Bay Pointe Restaurant.
Because of Department of Natural Resources grants, area scrap tire piles are shrinking.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about the City of Wayland’s Department of Public Works and plans to handle the expected upcoming onslaught of snow and ice.
Barry County has agreed to pay part of local township costs for special elections.
Former Wayland Union Schools Superintendent Rudolph J. Steeby died. He was 95. He moved to Leighton Township in 1924 and became an elementary teacher. He held the job of superintendent for 36 years, retiring in 1963. Steeby Elementary was named after him.
This week’s edition included the Globe’s annual “We Live Here” tribute to municipalities in its coverage area.
The Women’s Concert Choir and Bells Ensemble planned to present a concert Saturday evening, Jan. 8, at the Wayland Calvary Church.
The Wayland High School volleyball team tuned up for the season by coming in second at the Michigan Officials Tournament, losing only to Rockford in the finals.
Joseph Kaminski, a charter member of the Wayland VFW and longtime Pet Milk employee, died at his home in Wayland, He was 79.
James Smith, 82, of Shelbyville, died at Pennock Hospital in Hastings. He was a longtime member of the Gun Lake Snowmobile Club and was a veteran of World War II.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 31, 1974
Carl Fockler has been named city manager for Wayland, succeeding Raymond France, who left to take a similar post at Owosso.
A 19-year-old Holland youth was killed in a traffic crash at the four corners in Hilliards at 18th Street and 135th Avenue.
Jerry Lapham of Shelbyville has been elected vice chairman of the Professional Staff Council of Big Brothers of America.
In a review of the year 1974, The Globe declared the biggest story of the year was the opening of the new Wayland High School and dedication of the gym. A close second was the birth of the Wayland Community Education and Recreation program under the direction of David VanEerden.
David Blok of Moline was elected vice chairman of the Allegan County Democratic Party. Chairwoman is Murnie Roller of Otsego.
Kevin Krotz, a member of the Hopkins chapter of the FFA, was declared state champion in the broiler contest.
The Wayland Grange voted to have its meeting sites changed to members’ homes over the winter.
Randy Kruizinga of Dorr earned honorable mention accolades in the Michigan Hot Rod Association Autorama drawing contest.
Wayland High School junior Bill Monroe has been selected to take part in Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s Europe tour next summer.
Sports writer David T. Young chose Hopkins High School senior Dan Isenhoff as the top athlete of the year after he finished fourth in the state Class C cross-country finals. The winner of that honor in 1972 was Kathy Worfel and in 1973 Dennis Kiser.
Among the top sports stories for the year were Hopkins’ Steve Adamczyk finishing a brilliant golf career, Richard Akers taking the temporary head baseball post in the wake of Jon Carroll’s resignation and resurgence of Wayland varsity basketball under new coach John Vargo.
The community education and recreation program is in full swing, with the Globe publishing pictures of Roger Shoemaker’s small engine repair class and beginning guitar under Dick Wiley.
Orra Winchester, member of the St. Therese Parish Usher’s Club, American Legion and Knights of Columbus, died at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, He was 83.
Helen Reddy took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s top tunes with “Angie Baby.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 6, 1950
Mrs. Clara Polen Cook, who came to Wayland just three years ago and joined the Church of Christ, died at her home on Sycamore Street. She was 62.
Alvin Elliston, who had been a resident of Moline for the past 26 years, died at his home. He was 57.
Dick Selkirk, a Wayland High School graduate and World War II veteran, has joined the local Consumers Power Co as a field representative.
Naman Frank has returned home in Wayland after undergoing a serious operation at Allegan General Hospital.
The Globe published a review of the newly departed year with the featured listing of “Through the files of 1949.”
The Adult Homemaking Class will have a presentation on “Tips for Decorating Cake” Jan. 9.
Hanlon’s Drug Store published an ad for Dri-Kil, which is supposed to kill lice on cows and cattle safely.
Dr. Arthur Manske, chairman of the child guidance department at WMCE, outlined for the Ladies Library Club, five kinds of growth in a child as physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual. Forty-five were in attendance at the high school music room.
Mutschler Electric has joined the local effort to offer those newfangled televisions for sale. “Come in and see them, hear them and believe them.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jon Hall, George Reeves and Adele Bergen in “The Mutineers.”
- Jim Bannon in “The Cowboy and the Prizefighter.”
- Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in “Adam’s Rib.”
- Errol Flynn, Green Garson, Walter Pigeon and Robert Young in “That Forsyth Woman.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 2, 1925
New faces in the Allegan County courthouse this year include Miss Vida Congdon, treasurer; Charles Thew, probate judge; S.D. Pond, probate register; John H. Bloem, prosecuting attorney ”Big Ben” Lugten, sheriff, and William G. Tisdale, clerk.
The U.S. Census Bureau is reporting Michigan’s death rate for 1923 increased by 113 per 100,000.
The Leighton and Dorr Community Clubs will receive a visit at the Corning Church from Home Demonstrating Agent Marian Harper and Mr. Grantham of the soil department, starting with a potluck dinner at noon Saturday, Jan. 3.
The young people of the Methodist Church will go door-to-door, two by two, to conduct a religious survey of the community. Rollo G. Mosher wrote “We trust that there may be no hesitancy on the part of anyone to to give this desired information.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Salomy Jane,” with Jacqueline Logan, filmed among the Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Alice Calhoun and Cullen Landis in “The Midnight Alarm.”
Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt wrote a recommendation about a new book by Harry Emerson, “What Christian Liberals Are Driving At,” contrasting it with fundamentalism.
Mrs. Frank Bastian died of cancer at her home in Moline.
There was no school this past week at Corning School because of bad weather and the poor condition of roads.
L.F. Smith, proprietor of the Central Garage, has announced the showing of the new Chevrolet models on North Main Street Saturday, Jan. 3. Featured are new clutch, larger motor, differential and new springs.
The Johnson School of Music is offering instruction in violin, voice and French at the first house west of the Congregational church.
Keith Bowman has accepted the position of assistant cashier at the State Bank of Caledonia.
Herman Edwards of Grand Rapids was accidentally shot in the leg while hunting at his parents’ property about two miles south of the village.
