(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 13, 2000
The Globe published a front page photo of father and son Dan and Doug Bigelow golfing at the Yankee Springs Golf Course because of a recent spate of good springlike weather. Also photographed in balmy weather were Haleigh and Hannah Nicholas on their bicycles in front of their father, Jim Nicholas inside the city of Wayland.
The Watson Township Board is entertaining a new nuisance and noise ordinance.
Corn processing cooperatives memberships are being encouraged.
Great Lakes Energy has earned a USDA Rural Development loan. It is planning a major investment in electrical services. A new electrical substation has been planned for 133rd Avenue.
A Salem, Dorr and Leighton Township deputy sheriff is back on the job.
Now that all the hoopla about the millennium bug is in the rear view mirror, Editor Nila Aamoth turned her Soapbox attention to the year 2000 census with questions about the process.
A restaurant and lounge is being proposed by Grand Rapids developers Ramsey Karachi and Don Danielson. They plan to call it Wayland Bistro and it will be established next to the Taco Bell. However, they’ve been told the city has run out of liquor licenses permitted by the state.
The Globe published a “work is progressing” photo on the new Harding’s Market building in the plaza near the corner of West Superior Street and Reno Drive.
Deputy Morgan Sullivan is one of the county’s first school liaison officers, now working for the Allegan Public Schools.
Seniors Josh Smith and Nicki Merchant were selected Wayland Snowcoming King and Queen. Both also are O-K Gold Conference all-stars in basketball.
Lynn P. Hilbert, a member of the famous Wayland family, died in Grand Rapids after a lengthy illness. She was 42.
Jean Gallup wrote a feature story about Heather Ingram of Yankee Springs Township, a native of Ireland who suggested Americans actually aren’t accurately engaged in traditions for St. Patrick’s Day.
50 Years Ago — March 11, 1975
Hopkins Village elections reflected some changes in local government. Newcomers who won seats included Assessor Rosemaery Hitt, Clerk Cheryl Barr and Trustees Ed Hitt, Robert Larr and Richard Thompson. Proposals to grant modest pay increases for the village president and council members won handily.
Wayland Township Board members voted unanimously to suspend the pension plan for local officials, reasoning it was costing the township too much.
Leonard Heckert has been appointed as the newest member of the Wayland Board of Education, succeeding John Grafford, who resigned. Heckert will run for the open seat in the annual school election in June.
Democrat John Funk of rural Dorr won the special election for Fifth District Allegan County Commissioner for Salem, Health, Valley and Oversell townships.
The official tally for the failed school millage election inn Wayland showed the proposal lost in all four precincts.
Jeanne Chesebro of Moline has been selected as recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award for Wayland High School.
The Hopkins Schools’ Community Action Team (CAT) has been meeting and is the impetus for a survey of citizens to identify local needs.
A train derailment two miles south of Wayland caused as many as 25 cars to leave the tracks, according to Penn Central officials.
Wayland Middle School social studies teacher Chris VanPopering died at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, He was 46.
The Wayland Bicentennial Commission has chosen Ralph Mallett and Frank Langley to head up fund-raising activities for the upcoming campaign to honor this nation’s 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
An anonymous letter writer, “747,” penned a comment that drug and alcohol abusers need help, not condemnation.
Joe Fifelski of Wayland was among county 4-H members who took part in the Ledermete gathering in East Lansing.
Dennis Miller, Hopkins High School graduate, has been awarded Agricultural Education Club Senior Scholarship Award.
Russ McCarren of Wayland, Robert VanDenBerg and Dan Snyder of Martin all were named to all-conference basketball teams.
The Wayland volleyball team split two dual meets last week, defeating Middleville, but losing to Hudsonville.
Sports writer David T. Young wrote an extensive column about the Wildcat wrestling team and how close it came to posting an 11-3 dual meet record instead of 7-7. Much of the successes are due to coaches Rick Tokarchick and Dick Wiley and the Wrestling Boosters Club led by Larry Krick.
The Doobie Brothers captured the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Black Water.”
75 Years Ago — March 17, 1950
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher praised local youths for their projects in making snow sculptures in the city.
The Doll House restaurant in downtown Wayland has been closed indefinitely because of the disappearance of its proprietor, Robert Cozzens, who was last seen when he boarded a bus to Grand Rapids. He was later observed at the Morton House in Grand Rapids, however.
There were only 37 votes cast in the annual village election because of a lack of competitive races. Russell Rugaber was re-elected village president, Harry Elenbaas clerk, Elizabeth Clark treasurer, and Arthur Johnson, Alfred Snook, Merle Raleigh and Clayton Blue, trustees. John L. Gurney has stepped down from the Village Council after 16 years.
Ruth Clack has been named valedictorian and Kathryn Sebright salutatorian for the Wayland High School Class of 1950.
The “Easter Parade,” will be featured March 21 as a fashion show at the music room at the high school,
The American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor a Bunco Party at the Legion Hall March 22.
A free television show will be presented all evening at the Odd Fellows Hall March 22.
Leon Glascott was elected village president at Hopkins, Royal Pease secretary and Anna Walter treasurer.
The Globe’s Bradley corespondent has insisted that local farmers Orville Henningson and Roy Hines deserve positive recognition for cutting back roadside vegetation and brush.
Douglas Stewart, missionary to Europe, will be guest speaker this Sunday at the Calvary Church in Wayland. He spent four years in a Nazi prison camp.
The adult homemaking class had 24 members attend a series of visits at furniture stores in Grand Rapids with their advisor, Miss Benson.
The Leighton Farm Bureau’s ham supper attracted 69 visitors. Wayne Steeby oversaw a discussion, “Are There Too Many Farmers?”
Four solid hours of square dancing are promised at the Dixie Ballroom south of town for St. Patrick’s Day.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Rod Cameron and Gale Storm in “Stampede.”
- Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith in “Montana.”
- Olivia deHavilland, Montgomery Clift and Sir Ralph Richardson in “The Heiress.”
100 Years Ago — March 13, 1925
The annual Wayland Township caucus is scheduled for this Saturday. Supervisor Carl Warner is not expecting opposition to his second term. Samuel Smith expects to be opposed by Leander Chapple for clerk.
Two good-sized audiences showed up to the American Legion play, “Down in Dixie” at the Regent Theatre downtown. Receipts will be used to help pay off the organization’s debt.
Mrs. Genevieve Hooker presented a biographical account of Howard Payne, the composer of “Home Sweet Home,” to members of the Ladies Library Club. Mrs. L.P. Reno also gave a presentation on “The Homes of Yesterday and the Homes of Today.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Agnes Ayers in “The Guilty One.” Rod LaRoque and Jacqueline Logan in “The Code of the Sea.”
In announcing the death of D. Frank Rogers, the Globe expressed regret about his widow, “who is left to finish life’s journey alone.”
The school in Ohio Corners has been closed because the son of Glen Clark has been diagnosed with scarlet fever. The family of J.L. Noyes on North Main Street have been quarantined because of scarlet fever, reported Dr. I.L. Slater.
Charles Brown said he heard President Calvin Coolidge’s inaugural address over the radio and remarked that it was very clear.
A.F. Wierenga is attending the Thresher’s Convention in Lansing this week.
Mr. And Mrs. George Tubah have returned from the Mayo Brothers Clinic in Rochester, Minn. where he has received treatment for a serious illness.
Civil War veteran Frank Rogers of Bradley died at his home.
Sparks from a chimney were believed to be the cause of a fire at the home of Thomas Barnes. He put it out himself with the aid of a handy garden hose.
