(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan.24, 2000
Allegan County Commissioner and community leader Ken Fein died at age 65.
The Gun Lake Winterfest celebration was scheduled to get under way Saturday, with plenty of snow this winter cooperating.
Wayland City Manager Barbara VanDuren earned a 7 percent raise in salary in a two-year contract.
Road officials are planning to eliminate 90-degree angles on 142nd Avenue in Dorr, but some local residents oppose a new route through farm land.
Martin Village President Robert Brandon is pushing local officials to expedite a new water system quickly.
Members of the Wayland High School swim team gave coach Bill Fritz a bath in the water after he achieved his 200th career dual meet victory.
Globe Editor Nila Aamoth penned a survey of local rural roads and asked why officials are willing to spend so much more money on urban and suburban arteries.
Tammy Hefner, an area trash hauler, penned a letter to the editor outlining some of the perils of the business.
Phil Liszewski wrote a letter mentioning the many snowmobilers who dump trash in rural areas without penalty.
In an effort to better inform the community, a small group of local police officers are having public coffee klatches on the third Thursday of the month at the public safety building on West Superior Street.
Sabrina Bird put together an excellent individual effort to spark the Hopkins volleyball team to victory over Kelloggsville in a dual meet.
The Hopkins basketball team nearly doubled up Martin 65-33.
Travis Brenner, Levi Conley, Rick Mena and Josh Hildebrand were the Martin wrestlers who won their weight classes at the Allendale wrestling invitational.
Wayland’s wrestling team improved its dual match record with a 53-24 victory Belding.
The Wildcat volleyball team turned the tables on Grand Rapids Catholic Central by copping the Cougar Invitational crown.
Clyde R. Gorton, who was said to have fished Gun Lake for 83 of his 91 years, died of pneumonia.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 28, 1975
A special primary election to fill a vacancy left by the death of Kenneth Rynbrandt, has prompted the candidacies of Robert Immink, Martin Brown and Democrat John Funk. The district includes Salem, Oversell, Heath and Valley townships.
An open house Saturday, Feb. 1, will welcome new Wayland City Manager Carl Fockler.
Rebate programs generated by the Big Three auto makers is boosting sales of cars in this area.
An ice rink opening at Clark Park in Detroit is being named in honor of Wayland High School graduate John Saluki, a local junior high teacher who was found murdered in his apartment in November.
Joyce Herb penned a letter to the editor supporting the idea that high school students be allowed to ride the bus to the junior high afternoons.
State Senator Gary Byker has introduced a bill to insist on stiffer penalties for committing a crime with a firearm.
A public meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Hopkins Elementary to decide how to administer available funds provided under the Indian Education Act.
A luncheon was held at Wayland High School, honoring retiring shop teacher Donald Christleib, who has taught in Michigan for 35 years.
Police Chief Harold Ernst, new City Manager Carl Fockler and Assistant Scoutmaster John Fowler were judges as the annual Pinewood Derby.
The Allegheny County Fair has been determined to be the winner of the award for the most outstanding fair in Michigan.
Local police officers John Kool, Joseph Geshel, Ken Howell, Douglas Kennedy, James Mayo, Stanley Rack and Reginald Smith were among those who received special training from Michigan State Police in administering breathalyzers.
The Carpenters took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Please Mr. Postman.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 27, 1949
The Wayland Kellogg Grade School has received the Automobile Club of Michigan Traveling Safety Cup award.
The Merl Boysen family has been featured in the Country Gentlemen magazine illustrating modern comfortable living on a well-managed farm at their home in the Gun Lake area.
The Wayland High School basketball team defeated Martin 52-29. Bill Mauchmar had 12 points in just one quarter and finished with 15. Clyde Mills led Martin with nine points.
The music department of Wayland High School is sponsoring a king and queen contest, with royalty to reign over sporting events throughout the year.
A fire believed to be started by defective wiring destroyed a barn on the Don Moeller property. Lost were 18 head of cattle, farm tools and feed.
Jim Christensen scored 15 points to lead the Wayland basketball team to victory over Byron Center.
The second in a series of adult agriculture classes will be held Monday evening at the high school, with Earl Haas, county agent providing the instruction.
An All-Games and Bunco Party will be held at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the St. Therese Parish Hall.
Wayland native Lewis Spaulding, now of Warrenton, Ore., died of a heart attack. He had been an engineer by trade.
The film “Out of the Night,” filmed on Chicago’s Skid Row will be shown at the Dorr Town Hall. It is sponsored by the Young People’s Society of the Dorr Christian Reformed Church.
The adult homemaking class will have a presentation on “Nutritious and Attractive Sandwiches and Salads” Monday night.
Doc and Ople Murdock’s store, Van’s Gas & Electric, was chosen to sell Kelvinator brand refrigerators, ranges, freezers and coolers.
Irving Tucker of Allegan will give a presentation on “Agriculture Needs the Granges” to the Leighton Grange.
Mrs. Bessie B. Baker read an article, “Alaska Wishes to Become a State.” to members of the Ladies Library Club.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jeanne Crain, Ethel Barrymore and William Lundigan in “Pinky.”
- John Wayne, Vera Ralston and Oliver Hardy in “the Fighting Kentuckian.”
- “A Square Dance Jubilee,” with Don Barry, Mary Beth Hughes, Wally Vernon, Spade Cooley, John Elderedge, Tom Kennedy, Thurston Hall, Max Terhune, Tom Tyler and Britt Wood.
- A drop of 50-plus degrees in one day was reported in Hillards last week.
100 Years Ago — Jan. 30, 1925
Michigan has 9,000 lady farmers, according to a study by the Blue Valley Creamery Institute.
Gifted Ohio minister Rev. J.A. Patrick will be guest speaker at the Christian Church, talking about “World Events: What They Mean.”
Frank Kitson, 55, former Major League pitcher for Boston and Detroit, is critically ill this Allegan home with a throat disease that is baffling doctors.
Versie Steadman, 27, of Moline, will serve two to 15 years in Jackson prison after pleading guilty to a larceny charge. He was caught hiding under a pile of clothes at the farm home of Peter Wilkins in Caledonia. He stole two guns and clothing valued at $205. He also was found to be operating a still and had a stolen car in his yard.
Mr. Pettis and his Boy Scouts are scheduled to give the February program of the Ladies Library
The chef at the Masonic Lodge in Middleville tried to substitute tobacco for coffee as the source of the beverage, but a customer of Scandanavian descent immediately cried foul.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: “Flaming Barriers” with Jacqueline Logan, Antonio Moreno and Walter Hiers. Ernest Torrence in “Ruggles of Red Gap.”
The Village Caucus of the Republican Party will be held at the Streeter’s Opera House, Gun Lake, at 2 p.m. Feb. 7.
Library Director Fannie Hoyt wrote a column highlighting Frank Stanton, who wrote the poem “Mighty Like Rose,” while suffering from fear for the possible death of his infant son.
Members of the West Leighton Community Club heard a debate presentation on “Resolved: The automobile is is more useful than the mule.”
John Herrick of this village has received the appointment of deputy sheriff under new Sheriff Ben Lugten.
Mrs. H.N. Baker has been confined to her bed with sciatica, but now is able to be up and around after a couple of weeks.
The Wayland Band, assisted by the high school band and orchestra, will present a concert Feb. 11 at the Regent Theatre downtown.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were extremely cold in these parts. The temperatures dropped from 16 to 20 degrees below zero.
