(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 7, 2000
The Globe published a front page photo of Ladies Library Club members Mary Reno and Linda Koch making potpourri sachets and Valentine cards for residents at area nursing homes.
Another interesting photo on the front page showed two men in mid-air and bathing suits before landing in the frigid water of Gun Lake for the 21st annual Winterfest.
The Dorr Township Board has indicated its lukewarm support for planned unit development (PUD) requests.
The City of Wayland has agreed to pay $250,000 for the last parcel to be used as sewer land. The land is owned LaVerne Lettinga.
Editor Nila Aamoth published an editorial in her “Soapbox” opposing Wayland Township’s plans to charge a fee to residents who want to use township facilities with a “gathering ordinance.” She opined, “The right of individuals to gather (another word is assemble) is a right that needs neither to be ordained nor resolved.”
Wayland High School graduate and former basketball star Barry Brower (Class of ’63) penned a letter to the editor recalling his battles on the hardcourt with Jack Benedict of Caledonia and Rob White of Middleville.
The Gun Lake Sewer Authority finally approved an exemption for potential customer Stuart London. But he decided against hooking up.
Harding’s Market, now moving onto a strip mall on West Superior next to the expressway, has been purchased Gary Becker, Greg Bennett, Jerry Kreuger and James Morren. Bennett owns the Wayland Hotel and Bentley’s Party Store.
The rebuilding and paving of 142nd Avenue east from Division to Kalamazoo Avenue is $800,000 over budget Road Commission Engineer/Manager Bill Nelson has reported.
Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 35-year-old motorist from Byron Center for speeding up to 100 miles per hour, starting in Dorr.
The newly-formed Dorr Moose Lodge has been organized, with meetings at the North Dorr Visitation Hall.
The Wayland basketball team fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 60-45 loss to the No. 2 team in the state, Hudsonville Unity Christian, despite heroic efforts by Dave Myrick, Jamie Brown and Josh Smith.
The Hopkins volleyball tea, coached by Terrie Merren and led by Sabrina Bird, own a 15-7-2 overall record thus far this season.
Jack Klunder scored 18 points and Steve Johnson 11 as Hopkins beat neighborhood rival Martin 61-32.
The Martin wrestling team sports a dual meet record of 25-4.
Bert Tuinstra, 81, owner of Shelbyville Salvage Yard, died. A World War II veteran, he was a longtime official with the Allegan County Right to Life organization.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 4, 1975
Village of Hopkins voters will decide on a proposal to increase trustees’ pay from $200 to $300 per year. There will be many candidates on the ballot as well, after the village caucus.
A confidential call recorder device will be removed from City Hall because of too few calls. The unit was installed in an effort to be similar to Silent Observer as an aid in stopping local crime.
The Wayland Community Ambulance Service now is certified as a voluntary medical service to Wayland and environs. Pictured with an ambulance were EMTs Bill Baweja, Jake Inverso, Neil Ellinger, Dick Baxter, Rollie West and David Whitredge.
Cindy Lowman of Hopkins has been named co-chair of this year’s Allegan County Cancer Crusade.
Robert Monroe Bell wrote a letter to the editor advocating the reform of marijuana laws, maintaining that more than 26 million American people smoke pot regularly.
Terrance Pickett, a December graduate of Western Michigan University, has been hired to replace retiring teacher Donald Christlieb at Wayland Junior High School.
Diane Vermaat won the junior high chess tournament.
The first-ever table tennis tournament, sponsored by Wayland Community Education/Recreation, is scheduled for March 13, 14 and 15.
Membership in the recently-formed chapter of the Wayland Jaycees has grown to 35 with the addition of nine in just the last two months.
The congregation of the United Church of Wayland held its first service at its new location at 411 E. Superior Street.
Wayland High School graduate Kathy Worfal joined fellow Calvin College students on a four-week bicycle trip along the coast of Florida.
The Hopkins basketball team is making a bid for the A-O Conference title with a 3-1 record. Coach Mark Austin cited the defensive efforts of guards Ron Schafer and Scott Pavlak in a 64-56 win over Allendale.
The Wayland basketball team suffered a miserable 74-38 defeat at the hands of Middleville because of its inability to penetrate the Trojans’ 1-3-1 zone defense. The ‘Cats shot only 27% from the floor.
Bruce Brinks and Jim Krick earned individual firsts in separate wrestling tournaments in Delton and Coopersville.
The Wayland Junior High wrestling team will be host for an invitational meet, welcoming Caledonia, Middleville, Hudsonville, Byron Center, Comstock Park and Hamilton.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lodenstein were winners of a trip to New Orleans in a contest sponsored by Jacques Seed Co. farmer dealer.
Kimberly Kiel, 7, who underwent a kidney and liver transplant, died Jan. 11 at Colorado General Hospital in Denver.
Steeby Elementary School students now are enjoying use of their new library.
The Ohio Players captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Fire.”
75 Years Ago — Feb. 17, 1950
J.R. Rugaber was elected village president at the Wayland Village caucus, which was attended by 75 local citizens. Harry Elenbaas was chosen clerk and Elizabeth Clark treasurer.
The Allegan County Ministerial Association will have a pre-Easter Rally Feb. 22 with guest speaker Joseph Prins, minister of evangelism at reformed Church of America.
The women of Wayland Methodist, Congregational and Church of Christ will be hosts for the World Day of Prayer service at the Congregational church Feb. 24.
The adult agriculture class will hear a presentation by Dr. Wesley Jackson on use of the Brucella M vaccine.
The new school at St. Stanislaus will be dedicated in Hilliards Sunday, with Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joseph Petrasik of St. Isodore of Grand Rapids officiating.
A color film “How to Cook Turkey” was shown to students of the adult homemaking class at the school.
Leighton Community Grange will have an All-Games Party Feb. 17 for the benefit of the polio fund.
The Ladies Library Club will observe its 57th anniversary in the school cafeteria. Guest speaker will be Prof. Paul Bagwell, head of the Dept. of Written and Spoken English from Michigan State College.
Merle Stone, 18 months old, severely burned his hand after taking hold of a flat iron. He will be hospitalized in Allegan for skin grafts.
The Dixie Ballroom south of the village every Friday continues to feature John Huizenga, “The Singing Caller,” and Don Dillon and his orchestra.
Now Showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Robert Cummings, Ann Blyth and Ray Collins in “Free for All.”
- Glenn Ford, Charles Coburn, Janet Leigh and Gloria DeHaven in “The Doctor and the Girl.”
- Robert Rockwell and Dorothy Patrick in “The Blonde Bandit.”
- Monte Hale in “Pioneer Marshal.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 23, 1925
Elmer Saterlee, 36, of Dorr Township was killed in an accident near the Soldiers Home in Grand Rapids. As he was leaving the gravel pit when he slipped on the ice and fell beneath a huge moving truck. He leaves a widow and six children.
The Henderson Milling Co. plant has been busy lately as one of the largest millers in southwestern Michigan. Phil Henderson is manager.
The Wayland High School debate team defeated Plainwell in a match at the Regent Theatre in downtown Wayland. The activity is gaining popularity, as evidenced by the presence of a much larger crowd than earlier against Zeeland.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Zane Grey’s famous story “To the Last Man,” starring Lois Wilson and Richard Dix. Next week: “Flaming Barriers.”
School officials are reporting a better place to keep records of student grades is sorely seeded. Superintendent Bettis is working on securing a better system.
State Rep. Fred Wade sent a letter to the Globe editor attempting to explain the new gasoline bill being contemplated in Lansing.
Mr. Pryor, a student pastor at Kalamazoo College, will be guest speaker next Sunday at the Wayland Congregational Church.
The Wayland Village Council has purchased six regulation firemen’s rubber coats and hip boots.
Dr. Dunwell is now located in the new bungalow he recently erected on North Main Street.
John O’Hara and Sons of the Wayland Oil Co. have purchased the stock and fixtures of the H.W. Curie general store at Shelbyville.
William Miller and Carl Tanner spent the weekend at the former’s home in Salem and caught a coon alive, which they said weighed at least 20 pounds.
Samuel Rosema is recovering from an accident in which the truck he was riding was struck by a northbound Pennsylvania flyer about three miles north of Wayland.
Mrs. Clark has been asked to present again a review of “The Life of Christ,” a book written by an atheist who became a Christian in his later years.
