(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — March 27, 2000
The Allegan County Intermediate School District has begun the process of searching for a successor to retiring Supt. James Pavelka.
Holland police Capt. Blaine Koops has thrown his hat into the ring for Allegan County Sheriff.
Moline Christian School held a dedication ceremony for an expansion wing.
Four candidates have filed for three Wayland City Council seats. Incumbents Marie Hall and Maurice Stahl are joined by newcomers Mike Griffith and Gary Scheib. Incumbent Dallas Strong is not seeking re-election and Mayor David Miller is unopposed.
Editor Nila Aamoth penned a Soapbox editorial questioning laughter at the misfortune of others, particularly in certain zones of the male and female body.
Wayland city voters will be asked in the annual city election to approve an ordinance amendment to streamline the sale of city-owned land.
Patrick Cleland, 26, of Cutlerville, pleaded guilty to phoning in a bomb threat to Wayland Union Schools in 1999.
Allegan County Parks Director Beth Clawson has resigned her post after only two weeks and deputy Drain Commissioner Becky Rininger has been named temporary replacement.
Earning awards at the FFA state convention in East Lansing were Hopkins chapter members John Brown, Tony Sebright, Maureen Hanley, Jennifer Green and Lukas Lenhart.
The Globe published a survey of prospects of Wayland, Hopkins and Martin High School track and soccer teams.
Wayland Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep won a special Five Star customer service award from the corporation.
Michael J. Manila was promoted to president and chief operating officer and Arthur C. Johnson chairman and chief executive officer at United Bank.
Sylvia Jean Gaunce, who worked at Ralph’s Grocery in Hopkins for 26 years and was active local cancer crusades, died at St. John’s Hospital in Anderson, Ind. She was 58.
Fred Chada, World War II veteran and active Masonic Temple member, died at age 93.
50 Years Ago — March 25, 1975
A lively City Council election features incumbent City Council members Max Barnes, Don Shafer and Chet Brevitz challenged by Dennis Reno and Robert Swartout.
The Wayland Board of Education has set June 9 as the date for the next election, in which incumbents Leonard Heckert, Don Lapham and Arthur Hooker will seek another term. A millage request that was defeated in a special election in February will be back on the ballot. The board already has notified 19 tenured teachers and all non-tenured teachers they may be laid off if the millage request fails.
Michigan State Police at the Wayland post have arrested 44 people in connection with a cockfighting operation in Leighton Township. The cocks were confiscated and destroyed by animal copntrol.
Joan Medendorp penned a letter to the editor suggesting it’s better to focus on the cause of drug use rather than its effects.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey penned an editorial, “In an era when we’ve seen a number of years of declining interest in community activities and less and less inclination to participate in local events, it’s refreshing to see two recent happenings stir up some enthusiasm.” He was talking about a ping pong tournament and community choir cantata, which beckoned 650 in attendance.
Larry Krick, president of the Wrestling Boosters Club, noted in a letter to the editor that the group will sponsor a couple of wrestling clinics locally over the summer.
Hopkins Public Schools was host to a visit from students at the Interlochen Music Camp. The school also will be host next month to the Varsity Vagabonds chorale from Western Michigan University.
The Hopkins Board of Education voted to pay for two-thirds of the cost for new band uniforms. Director James Hallberg and Sandy Stearns are spearheading the band parents’ fund-raising efforts to reach the other third.
Hopkins correspondent Rosemary Hitt wrote in her column the story of Joe Roxbury, longtime local barber and pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Wayland High School Alumni Association will honor the Classes of 1955 and 1925 at this year’s banquet.
Wayland High School track coach Jon Jensen has reported he has 11 returning lettermen this spring and 57 lads who have come out for track practice.
The seventh grade Wildcat basketball team, coached by Jack Cassette, won the O-K Blue Conference tournament at Byron Center.
Wayland High School graduate Conrad Mauchmar is a member of the Grand Rapids Junior College traveling baseball team in Georgia.
Robin Shoemaker, Karen Jenkins, Fawn York and Penny Ellis combined efforts to win a bowling tournament at Airport Lanes.
The Wayland High School Wrestling Boosters Club presented a letter of appreciation to Globe sports writer David Young for coverage of the team and sport.
Hopkins FAA members Ralph Hansen, John Watson and Doug Steffens won the state demonstration team contest with their entry on broiler chickens.
A fire at a Hopkins home claimed the lives of teen-agers Daniel Lee and Wayne Allen Lussenden. The Hopkins, Wayland and Allegan fire departments were summoned to the scene, where the two teens were overcome by smoke inhalation. Hopkins Fire Chief Richard Weick said the cause was a faulty electrical source in the bathroom.
Mrs. Harry Elenbaas, longtime United Curch of Wayland member and founder of the Elenbaas Guild, died at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. She was 88.
State Police and Barry County Sheriff’s deputies have announced the skeleton remains found in the Yankee Springs game area are those of Rusty Schoonmaker, 14, of Wyoming, an apparent victim of homicide. He had been missing since November.
Mrs. Joan Prasch-Jensen, 46, well known area photo journalist, died of a heart attack at her home in Fennville.
Labelle took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with the naughty “Lady Marmalade.”
75 Years Ago — March 31, 1950
The Methodist, Congressional and Church of Christ churches will combine efforts to present a Good Friday union service at the Congregational Church. The Rev. O.B. Little of the Church of Christ will deliver the message.
The Wayland Calvary Church will welcome the Choralaires, a 27-voice ensemble from Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music Wednesday evening, April 5.
Bruce Hazen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Halden Hazen, was drowned when he fell off the New York Railroad Bridge into the rising waters of the Rabbit River near Hopkins. Authorities attempted to recover his body, but were unsuccessful.
Thieves broke into the Nicolai Garage in Hopkins on a Monday night and stole a wrecker and an unknown quantity of cigarettes were pilfered at the Schweikert & Duryea filling station.
Carl Condon, only 10 weeks old, died at his home on Park Street in Wayland.
Miss Virginia Benson was one of four students honored by Future Homemakers of America at Michigan State College.
Retired Leighton Township farmer Earl Mitthofer died at a hospital in Kalamazoo, He was 79.
Farmers who have attended adult ag classes will take part March 31 in a field trip to the Buth Farm in Comstock Park.
Muddy road conditions were responsible for the temporary closing of the Hopkins Township Consolidated Schools.
Christine Iciek was named valedictorian of the Hopkins High School Class of 1950. Dorothy Layton was salutatorian.
Mrs. William Mauchmar and her son, Bill, provided “dreamy old-fashioned music to members of the Wayland Rural Grange.
Ray Brenner of Shelbyville was honored as outstanding 4-H boy by the county organization.
Highway traffic in and around the Hilliards area has been consigned more or less to the side roads. In fact, the entire county road situation is in need of most urgent attention.
Wayland High School teachers and their spouses entertained members of the school board at a dinner at the Red Brick Tavern, Plainwell.
Wayland is the defending champion of the Bar-Ken-All League in baseball. Boys on the team include Bill Mauchmar, Bill VanDuine, Joe Pawloski, Ben Jager, Tom Hudson, Dick Hudson, Jim Henry, Jack Warner, Jim Christensen, Phil Hines and Harvey Bredeweg. Kelloggsville has left the conference.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Sabu, Gail Russell and Turben Bey in “Song of India.”
- Tim Holt and Richard Martin in “The Mysterious Desperado.”
- Rosalind Russell, Gig Young and Robert Cummings in “Tell It to the Judge.”
- Barbara Stanwyk, Wendell Corey and Paul Kelly in “Thelma Gordon.”
100 Years Ago — March 27, 1925
William Watson Briggs, who came to this area when only a boy, died at age 84. He was the last living charter member of the local Odd Fellows organization His funeral was held at the Wayland home of his daughter, Jennie.
The Ladies Library Club had a spirited debate on “Resolved: That the intelligent use of the ballot by women is vital to the needs of the community.” One of the speakers maintained that women have accomplished very little since being granted the right to vote.
The A.D. Hughes Company has loaded a car of machinery for a Spaniard in old Mexico.
Wayland High School students planned to have a debate at the Methodist Church on the topic “Resolved: That the Ku Klux Klan is a menace to American liberty.”
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Polo Negri and Antonio Moreno in “The Spanish Dancer.” May McAvoy in “The Bedroom Window.”
Harriet Grace Koops of Leighton Township died, leaving her husband and three children without a wife and mother. She was only 27.
Dr. E.F. Osborn, president of the Life Conservation League in Ann Arbor, will address attendees at Methodist Episcopal Church on the topic of “Balance in Education.”
J.A. Millard died at the home of his son in Hersey, Mich. He had been a longtime resident of this area and was well known. His remains were brought here for burial.
Arthur Thede was elected president of the Alle-Bar Community, Ray Lyons vice president and Ethel Baughman secretary and treasurer.
Mrs. James Oetman of Moline died at her home of blood poisoning. She left three small children.
Yeakey’s Auto Co. will have a vaudeville musical show “Karl,” the originator of the one string violin Friday evening, April 3.
The Wayland home of Mary Levandoske sustained a wooden shingles kitchen fire, caused by chimney sparks.
Sheriff Ben Lugten was in town delivering ballots for the spring election. This duty used to be performed by local clerks until a change in state law.
Wayland businesses are banding together to defeat a proposal to offer a bus service here, insisting the competition is unnecessary because the Interurban is more than adequate to meet transportation needs.
“The county roads are being floated and graded to get them in shape again. The village dads, however, have been unable to find a team available to pull the scraper over the streets of the village until yesterday. With cars getting thicker than teams in the village, it looks necessary to purchase a combination tractor and grader.”
The “Sweethearts of the Songs” from Otsego will present a concert at Methodist Episcopal Church, featuring 17 songs performed by 17 girls wearing different costumes.
