(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 3, 2000
Gary Scheib, a Wayland City Council candidate, has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, blaming an Internet error and a misunderstanding.
The Hopkins Public School District is showing off its new facilities, most notably the new high school building.
Rockwell Automation Industries has consolidated two offices from Portage and moved to the Wayland Industrial Park.
A gravel mining plan for 10 years by Wyoming Asphalt is not particularly appreciated by Watson Township officials.
Susan Frank penned a letter to the editor informing readers about the Stream Preservation Association, which is trying to preserve waterways for future generations, including the Green Lake stream.
More than a few readers wrote letters about the Globe’s coverage of bomb threats at Thornapple Kellogg and Wayland schools.
Reporter Jean Gallup wrote in this week’s Soapbox, “It’s not our priority to promote your business as hard news… If you expect to promote your business via a public meeting, buy an ad because that’s what you’re asking for.”
The Globe published a photo of the beginning of moving dirt to make way for the new Hunter’s Glen residential development in Leighton Township.
Salem Township Supervisor Bob Jones has been named district director for the Michigan Townships Association, serving Ottawa, Kent, Barry and Allegan Counties.
Thomas Fish and Gerald Williams have opened a computer repair service in Dorr Township.
Troy Rubey has opened Rubey’s Auto Outlet on Division north of Wayland, specializing in truck marketing.
Chief Hugh DeWeerd, Dick Kugelard, Bob Hendrixson, Ralph Mallett, Ken Duimstra and Harry Wykoski were honored as 30-year members of the Wayland Fire Department.
The Globe published a series of baseball and softball previews for Wayland, Martin and Hopkins. It was noted that Rick Morse had 399 career victories as Wildcat baseball coach. Cheri Ritz’s Wildcat softball team was coming off a 39-2 record, losing in the semifinals to state champ Wyoming Rogers.
Gerard “Peter” Sink, owner of Sinke Brothers Drain Tile Co. and a World War II veteran, died in Key Largo, Fla. he was 86.
50 Years Ago — April 1, 1975
Supt. Robert Brandon has announced he is retiring from Martin Public Schools after serving since 1974. His successor will be Richard VanAtta of White Pigeon. Brandon formerly worked for the Hillsdale Daily News and was a teacher in the Pittsford school system.
The Hopkins and Wayland school districts were scheduled to receive a slight reduction in state aid payments, but Martin was to get a slight increase.
Debra Rybiski and Wendy Flowers were the winners in their divisions in the annual Fraternal Order of Police Easter egg hunt.
The local Heritage Commission has been getting active lately because of the approaching national Bicentennial celebration. Key figures are Mrs. Harold Weaver, Mrs. Robert Nicolai and John Baker .
Supt. James Thomas wrote a “Your School Operation” column explaining the need to approve a millage request that was defeated earlier in the year and the possibility of non-tenured staff being laid off if it fails.
Seth Oliver from the Wayland High School Class of 1921 wrote a letter to the editor asking that the class reunion move along a lot faster to better accommodate the old-timers.
Wayland High School graduate Tom Latondress has indicated he has sought and won approval to publish several articles for the Globe about the controversy surrounding marijuana.
The Globe published a photograph of Mark Predum and Jim Smith, Wayland High School grads now living in Florida, wishing local folks a Happy Easter.
Pastor Hubert Sprik of the Wayland Christian Reformed Church has been named chaplain of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce.
Hopkins VFW Auxiliary honored District President Mrs. Blanche Young with a testimonial dinner.
Wayland High School students James Kool, Laura Davis and Carol Davis have been selected to take part in the Youth for Understanding exchange program this summer overseas.
The Wayland High School band received superior Division 1 ratings at the band festival at Ferris State College.
Former Hopkins resident Mrs. Ada Calkins Iliff celebrated her 103rd birthday. She was born in 1872 in a log cabin and later lived in a house in Monterey Township.
Gary Ball of Wayland has taken over the reins as Hopkins varsity track coach, succeeding Dick Schwartz, who resigned.
New Martin baseball coach Dave Barrett plans to test an idea this season in which his pitchers will go fewer innings in an effort to keep them fresh.
Brian McBride was the winner of the annual Louis Japinga Award for athletic excellence at Wayland High School.
Winners in the recent forensics competition were Wayland students Steve Stringham, Joe Kramer, Don Pearson, Sharon Toering, Diana Wahl and Lesley Irvine.
As of March 30, friends in the Hopkins community have collected more than $8,000 to help the Laverne Lussenden family who suffered loss of two lives in a house fire.
Myron Wilde, who operated a seed and plant store in Wayland for many years, died at age 69 in Allegan General Hospital. He willed his body to the Hemophilia Foundation because he suffered a lifetime with the disease.
Minnie Ripperton eased into the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Lovin’ You.”
75 Years Ago — April 7, 1950
The Wayland High School girls’ sextette sang “In the Still of the Night” and I See your Face Before Me” and Mike Burian performed an accordion solo for the latest meeting of Wayland schools’ Parent-Teacher Organization.
The general construction contract for a new addition to Wayland schools was awarded to the Ray Stevens Co. of Kalamazoo for $62,208. Total cost of the entire project, including electrical and mechanical work, will be $81,561.60.
The St. Therese Altar Society is planning a ham supper from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15.
Russell Hanlon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hanlon of Wayland, will tour Michigan with the 60-voice Albion College Choir. He sings tenor.
The Wayland and Martin Township Boards have agreed to have street lights installed in Shelbyville.
The minstrel show “The Georgia Jubilee” was presented in the Martin school gymnasium.
Elton R. Smith will lead a discussion about the Brennan Plan to meet farm needs at the next meeting of the Leighton Grange.
Floyd Winslow was brought home to Wayland by Archer ambulance from University Hospital, Ann Arbor, after he underwent a serious operation.
Ray Vander Meulen is making laundry pickups in Dorr on Mondays. “His wife is operating neat and efficient laundry service in Wayland.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Ted Donaldson, John Utel and Ann Doran in “Rusty’s Birthday.”
- Gene Autrey and Champion in “Sons of New Mexico.”
- William Holden, Joan Caulfield and Edward Arnold in “Dear Wife.”
- William Lundigan, Dorothy Malone, June Havoc and Gary Merrill in “Mother Didn’t Tell Me.”
100 Years Ago — April 3, 1925
The State Legislature has passed a bill forbidding display of fraternal organizations on autos unless a member.
Another bill makes it a misdemeanor to carry ten-inch hatpins or knives and makes it a felony to carry other concealed weapons.
Mrs. Swartout gave the Ladies Library Club a critique of Allegan County schools and their displays of art.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: May McAvoy in “The Bedroom Window.” Cecil B. DeMille’s “Triumph.” Richard Dix in Zane Grey’s “The Call of the Canyon.” The Regent’s Wednesday evening shows are starting up again.
The Rev. Gordon has returned from Florida and reclaimed the pulpit at the Bradley Congregational church.
Andrew Hockey died at his home in Moline March 26, after a brief bout with cancer. His remains were taken to Lafayette, Ind., for burial.
Lovall & Sooy will occupy the west wing of the Truax building opposite of the post office for their undertaking chores.
The Grinnell Brothers Music House will have a huge piano sale in the Ehle Building. The business deals with a large variety of musical offerings.
The Ant-Can’t Club of the local Congregational church will serve an Easter dinner at a nominal cost at the Legion Hall.
Republican Samuel J. Hannah and Independent Charles Mapes have been nominated by their parties at their township caucuses last month.
The Hopkins Township farm home of John Brinkert burned to the ground. The cause is yet undetermined.
Damage was limited to the A.E. Weaver house on Sycamore Street because of quick use of the large chemical extinguisher.
