(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 11, 1994
After Library Board President Mary Howard and Library Director Alice Hazen outlined a millage proposal to the Hopkins Township Board, the plan was supported 4-1, with Supervisor Kevin Cronin casting the dissenting vote. Cronin explained, “If the citizens pass this, we’ll be in the same ugly situation we’re in with the fire barn.”
Rick Frank of Cellar Dorr Productions will make a presentation on a plan for an amphitheater for Dorr Township. A previous proposal was rejected by Wayland Township.
Soprano Kathryn Punches, a 1990 Hopkins High School graduate, will present a vocal concert May 15 at the Hopkins United Methodist Church, with a free-will offering to help defray costs of her trip to Australia,
Editor Nila Aamonth, in her Soapbox offering, chided Pete Hoekstra for doing an about face from his rugged bicycle tour campaign in 1992 and “progressive” approach to wasteful government.
Krysti Koets, food service manager for Wayland schools, told the Wayland Board of Education that under a new law the district must offer breakfast in addition to lunches. The reason is because of its percentage of students who receive free and reduced price lunches.
The Globe published a photo spread, “Saturday in the Park,” about the annual Dahlia Festival.
Dick Weick has decided to step down as fire chief in Hopkins after serving 26 years on the department. He said he wanted to devote more time to his resort store in Mackinaw City. He was succeeded by Robert Larr, Jr.
The Hopkins varsity softball team is rising a 10-game winning streak behind the offensive fireworks provided by Shelly Werkema and the pitching of Karen Schwartz. However, the Lady Vikings now must face perennial power Allendale in a showdown coach Mick Francis said “will be a moment of truth for us.”
Though Wayland’s baseball team is 6-1 in the O-K Gold Conferencem the wheels came off in a 23-1 drubbing from Hudsonville. Coach Rick Morse’s Wildcats are 11-6 overall.
Wayland registered its first dual meet track victory under Rich Bolhuis, a 108-34 decision over Forest Hills Northern. Double winners were Matt Barghahn, Brian Stuive, Joe Jandernoa, Brian Swanson and Dave Mutschler.
Sophomore Heather Postma posted four individual first-place performance for the Lady Wildcat track team, taking the high jump, long jump and 400- and 800-meter runs.
50 Years Ago — May 7, 1969
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce is warning residents about “gyp artists” going door to door, “out to get a fast buck with a number of gimmicks.”
Bruce Larson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Larson and brother of Waylan Board of Education member Dorothy DeWeerd, will be guest speaker at the Scholastic Honors Banquet. A 1962 graduate of Wayland High School, he is completing work on his medical degree at the University of Michigan.
Norm Fifelski, Dick Dutkiewicz, Russ Slyker, Joe Harnish, Jack Rewa, Mrs. Paul Heintzleman, Mrs. Don Davis, Mrs. Slyker and Don Rewa were in a front page picture of the Dorr Centennial Committee members.
Wayland High School students will get a demonstration presentation from General Motors Preview of Progress May 13 about how to produce rubber in only 60 seconds.
Dr. Frederic Margolis will speak and present on a film on “Sexuality and the Teen-ager,” at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
John McCarthy of Wayland is a member of the Grand Valley State College foreign language department’s play in Spanish that will be performed in front of as many as 600 high school students around West Michigan.
Former Wayland man Ward Arbanas has relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., to work for former Wayland businessman Bud Malmstone in the field of real estate.
The Experimental Aircraft Association conducted an inspection of 19 aircraft at the Wayland Airport.
Local businesses, organization and citizens have organized an open house to support Miss Wayland and Miss Allegan County Roxie Greenawalt as she prepares for her entry into the Miss Michigan pageant in Muskegon.
A window was broken and some money was stolen at Nicolai Gulf on North Main Street.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey wrote an editorial lauding the area Fraternal Order of Police for sponsoring the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the City Park and maintained it would be a real shame if they were terminated in the future because of the bad actions of a few.
The Wayland Calvary Church captured its third straight Bible Quiz championship. Team members are Kathi, Bob and Tom Marks, Steve Parks, and Chris and Carleen Cook.
Marv and the Firebirds will play rock ‘n roll at the Mid-Villa Inn May 18. The Four Nights provide dancing entertainment on Saturday night.
75 Years Ago — May 12, 1944
A petition is circulating, asking the Common Council to reduce the village tax rate from nine to seven mills.
Village President and Globe Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in response, “Village expenses, like everything else, are up 50% and the council would be glad to hear suggestions as to how the village can function on reduced income.”
The local Rod and Gun Club pancake supper will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18. “Members will spear noxious fish Tuesday and Thursday of each week.”
Don Christensen, extempore, and Bill McElwee, oratory, both placed third in the regionals of the forensics and speech contest in Lansing.
Dr. Nancy Scott of West Michigan College gave an address in “Women’s Share in the Post-War World” at the Allegan County Federation of Women’s Clubs meeting.
Capt. Russell Hilbert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hilbert Sr. of Wayland, was on leave from serving in the south and central Pacific Theatre with the Seventh Army Airways Communication Squadron.
Lt. Josephine Kiel, a 1939 graduate of Wayland High School, has been assigned to nursing service at Mayo General Hospital in Galesburg, Ill.
Corp. Harold Harmsen of Shelbyville is serving in the Mediterranean Theatre.
Barbara Smith will put on a baton twirling exhibition for members of the Leighton Grange at their next meeting.
Sgt. Orville Miller of Burnips, previously reported as missing in action overseas, now is listed as a prisoner of war in Germany. He is a gunner for a bomber crew.
First Sgt. Don Ervin is serving in China and Jennie Erwin’s grandson, Charles, is serving Italy.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Ted Lewis and Nan Wynn in “Is Everybody Happy?”
- Don “Red’ Barry in “Black Hills Express.”
- Greer Garson, Walter Pigeon and Dame May Whitty in “Madame Curie.”
- Joan Crawford, Fred MacMurray, Basil Rathbone and Reginald Owen in “Above Suspicion.”
100 Years Ago — May 9, 1919
The Rev. Etta Shaw, national evangelist, opened the 45th annual convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and local speakers included Sophia Parker and Louise Hanlon of Wayland. Fay C. Wing, Floyd Boughner and Mark Beall, represented local churches, schools and the village, respectively.
Frederick K. Deardorff of the YMCA wrote a letter home from Angers, France, to his wife describing his tours of the country and its cities.
William Richardson died of cancer at his home in Moline.
Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Ayers joined friends and family for a ride in visitor Glenn Millard’s new Saxon Touring Car.
Harry H. Graham of Bellingham, Wash., died there after suffering a stroke. He had been living out west for 28 years after leaving Wayland, where he was born in 1872. He was an executive with the Graham Drug Co.
Francis Hooker is the new agent at the interurban station in Wayland. His assistant is Don Holmes of Bradley.
F.H. Hyde closed his local barber shop and has moved to Muskegon.
Floyd E. Conklin has been returned to prison in Janesville, Fla., after his arrest for violating parole. He was characterized as “a reckless kids in Wayland during his youth.”
Road Commissioner Curie did some quality work with grader and tractor in the village.
Ernest Sifer, Charles Towne, Wilbur Jost, John Button and Fred Brooks have returned from overseas and have been regaling local citizens with trilling war stories and hardships. Button reported he has a bullet graze his helmet and perforate his canteen.
Wayland’s Guert Fales, now a teacher at St. Louis, has been named superintendent of Newaygo schools.
Wayland defeated Otsego 10-6 in baseball, as Sherwood struck out 10 batters. Next on the schedule are games at Allegan, including baseball, tennis and girls’ basketball.
The grammar room is about to get its fourth teacher in the academic year after Mrs. Steeby resigned, Ella Russ became ill and Hazel Nelson has been hired to finish the term.
Forest Reichenbach and Eldon Millheim were the first Wayland police to wear unifrms. The Wayland Clearners worked to keep them lookiing crisp and professional. Previous town marshall, Clyde Welsh , served as night watchman more than law enforcement officer.