(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 17, 2000
The Leighton Township Board postponed a decision on a proposed dirt processing operation by Dave’s Dozing on Division Avenue because of health concerns in the neighborhood.
A Globe front page photo showed Ellen Peereboom putting up hanging baskets at the Peereboom Garden Center north of town as spring approaches.
Dorr traffic control officer Louis “Snuffy” Schmidt was honored for his life-saving efforts for a woman in a home accident, in which she had fallen badly.
One of Wayland’s most famous alumni, Major League pitcher Phil Regan was in the audience while his grandson’s team, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, was edged by Wayland’s baseball squad in a doubleheader. Trojan Aaron VanderWood is Regan’s grandson and is a left-handed pitcher.
Michigan State Police Lt. Greg Drobny and citizens Kathy Perry and Michael Coffman were honored by the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police for their life-saving efforts in a traffic crash just south of Wayland.
A traffic crash in Leighton Township on 140th Avenue took the life of 20-year-old Amber Renee Thompson.
Yankee Springs Township Supervisor George London resigned and will be succeeded by Al McCrumb.
The communities of Wayland and Otsego will have a Mayor Exchange Day program May 23 and May 25.
Allegan County Sheriff David Haverdink is proposing a number of satellite offices in Dorr, Fennville and Plainwell.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. Robert Brenner is the only candidate for the superintendency of the Allegan County Intermediate School District, succeeding James Pavelka.
Martin had only one candidate for school board in the annual school election in June, Doug Talsma. Administrative assistant Mary Beth Porter invited anyone interested in service to contact her.
Amber Willison and Kara Potter turned in quality pitching performances as the Wayland softball team swept Thornapple Kellogg in a twin bill.
Golden Reinart of Monterey Township, a Hopkins High School and Argubright Business College graduate, died at the age of 81.
Howard Skinner, a lifetime Monterey Township resident who helped with the construction of Allegan General Hospital and was employed by Perrigo, died at age 78. He was a historian and did a lot of work on the Amish community.
Patrick Cleland, 26, was sentenced in Allegan County Circuit Court to one year n jail and three years probation for calling in a false bomb threat at Wayland High School.
50 Years Ago — April 15, 1975
The Wayland Board of Education officially scheduled a millage election for two and a half mills to join the annual school election June 9.
A Sunday fire consumed the home of George Goorhouse on 132nd Avenue in Wayland Township. Fire officials believe two children playing with matches near spilled gasoline was the cause of the blaze.
Mrs. Lee Murray announced the results of a Hopkins community survey, with only 88 people responding. Commercial and residential growth were regarded as high priorities.
Bill Conwell, a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School, was elected president of the Wayland chapter of the Jaycees.
WHS graduate Tom Latondress sent in the second installment of his letters to the editor suggesting criminalization of marijuana does more harm than good for society.
Bonnie K. Miller of the Wayland Bicentennial Committee penned a letter to the editor asking local citizens to become involved in the 1976 celebration.
The local American Legion post donated $100 to the the Bicentennial committee.
Wayland High School freshman Leslie Irvine earned the grand prize in the 14th annual West Michigan Science Fair at the Holland Civic Center. She is the first high school freshman to do so. She was awarded an all-expense paid trip to the International Science Fair in Oklahoma City.
Marianne Kastner was named valedictorian and Tarsilla Heibel salutatorian for the Class of 1975 at Hopkins High School.
A fire at the Village Auto Body business in Dorr destroyed an automobile inside the building.
Dennis Herp, 24, of Dorr, was killed when debris from an explosion struck his head at a farm in Leighton Township.
An Indian Education Act meeting is planned for Wednesday, April 30, at the Wayland High School Library for evaluation of books and films.
75 Years Ago — April 21, 1950
Joseph Bartz, a member of the Allegan County Board of Supervisors, died of a heart attack at age 68, resulting in the County Board postponing its meeting from a Friday until the following Tuesday.
The Black Alley Minstrel Show will be presented April 28 at the Wayland High School gym. The cast is made up of high school students and the show is sponsored by the music department.
William A. Moody, well known area farmer and Salem Township Supervisor, died at his home. He was 78.
Henika Public Library was host to 16 Allegan County librarians for a special meeting and they all gathered afterward at the Dixie for dinner.
Fluorescent lights now have been installed at the Wayland Grange Hall. The Grange now has organized a competitive bowling team.
The late George Walker, founder of the Walker Pickle Co. in Bradley, has left an estate nominally valued at $50,000.
Albert J. Garrett, born in Wayland in 1866, died at his current home in Boise, Idaho.
Arthur Leon McPherson, a native of Hilliards and Hopkins High School graduate, died at age 64. He had been a physical therapist at Kalamazoo State Hospital.
The Allegan County Health Department is warning of serious outbreaks of measles, causing many absences from school.
A petition is being circulated, asking for the resignations of all members of the Allegan County Road Commission, which is not likely to happen.
Jim Hayes of Michigan State College gave a presentation on the advantages off his mechanical cow over what now found on farms. He kept his audience of 90 in stitches with his comedy.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roddy McDowell in “Killer Shark.”
- Eddie Arnold in “Feudin’ Rhythm.”
- Alan Ladd, Wandra Hendrix, Francis Lederer in “Captain Carey, USA.”
- Larry Parks, Barbara Hale, William Demarest in “Jolsen Sings Again.”
100 Years Ago — April 17, 1925
Five representatives from the Bell Telephone Co. appeared before classes of economics at Wayland High School to talk about telephone services to the public.
The Women’s History Class from Allegan dropped in on the Ladies Library Club in Wayland.
The Common Council of the Village of Wayland named Dr. J.E. Bryson as health officer, Ira Gillespie as marshal, Charles Nelson as water commissioner and George Douglas as fire marshal.
The discussion at the next Grange meeting will be “Does it pay to bake your own bread?” Affirmative: May Smith, negative: LaVina Smith.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Milton Sills in “The Spoilers.” Theodore Roberts in “To the Ladies.”
M.C. Lee has returned from the Old Soldiers Home in Grand Rapids to spend the summer in Bradley.
Joseph L. Johnson is carrying his left arm in a sling as a result of a fracture of one of his forearm bones caused by horses crowding him against the door of a barn.
Mrs. Chester Calkins sent John Adams a dozen eggs, one of which measured seven and three-quarters inches one way and six and a half another, weighing four ounces.
The farm home of Mrs. Helen Marshall three miles east of Wayland was burned to the ground. Very little of its contents was salvaged.
Mrs. Clara Gustafson has opened the Garden Inn on North Main Street. Her specialty is chicken dinners with all the fixings.
Many complaints have reached the village about peddlers canvassing town without obtaining a license.
The Wayland Ice Cream Parlor has improved its interior by laying a linoleum floor covering.
