(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 25, 1994
The Watson Township Board has decided to ask voters to approve a five-mill tax increase for roads in the August primary, with two mills of the total a renewal. Township Supervisor Marv Henrickson said, “We’re going to lay stagnant in the water with those two mills.”
The Hopkins Township Library will ask voters to approve a half-mill increase in the August primary for 10 years.
Muriel O’Leary of Plainwell has announced she will seek her fifth two-year term on the Allegan County Board of Commissioners.
Sandy Smith, in a letter responding to a recent Soapbox by Pat Staley about rude crowd behavior at the public hearing on the Dorr Amphitheater, suggested the promoters of the facility treated attendees with patronizing.
Allegan County Farm Bureau sponsored an “Ag in the Classroom” program attended by eight local teachers.
Wayland Junior High faculty members have decided to adopt the principles of the middle school concept, featuring a team approach by teachers.
State Rep. Paul Hillegonds has announced he will seek his ninth two-year term in the State Legislature. It will be his last two years in Lansing because voters the same year approved a state-wide proposal for term limits.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about local bicycle enthusiast Sue Brewer, who was pictured riding bikes with her daughters Emily and Sarah.
Rhonda Tomlinson has been added to the roster of social workers at Wayland Union schools, joining Karen Hunter, Ellie Lish and Sue Aviles.
The top 10 academic students for Wayland High School’s Class of 1994 have been identified as Tim Sherman, Dirk Steenwyk, Ryan Grevenstuk, Wayne Czarnecki, Jestin Berg, Heath Alflen, Mike Lapekes, Erin Marsh, Christina Carpenter and Jessica Gadzinski.
A feature story and photo was published of Virginia Hall, who was about to receive her high school diploma from the adult education program after quitting schools 46 years earlier.
The Wayland baseball team dropped an 8-5 decision to Kenowa Hills to have all hopes of repeating as O-K Gold champions dashed. Coach Rick Morse’s Wildcats are 18-8 overall.
The Martin softball team finished at 9-5 in the Southwest Athletic Conference after a twin bill loss to Gobles, despite some long ball hitting by Kristin Fraaza.
Shelly Werkema is hitting .585 and Marci VanStrein .435 as the Hopkins softball team likely will finished second to Allendale in the River Valley Conference and is 16-6 overall.
Heather Postma in the open 400, Matt Barghahn in the throws and hurdler Dave Mutchler have qualified to compete in the state Division 2 track meet.
Dinyel Bailey tossed a two-hitter to lead the Lady Wildcats to an 11-3 record in second place in the O-K Gold Conference.
50 Years Ago — May 21, 1969
Wayland Mayor Phil Reno greeted his counterpart from Walkerville with the keys to the city during the Mayor Exchange ceremonies. Hopkins, meanwhile, exchanged village presidents with Baldwin.
Carl Johnson, Robert Beck and John Howard are the three candidates seeking Johnson’s seat on the Hopkins Board of Education.
Hopkins High School senior Cheryl Hayes, who was the Allegan County 4-H talent show winner in 1966, won the Miss Hopkins title.
Joyce DeVries was named valedictorian and Judy Seif salutatorian at Moline Christian graduation.
Jean Wesse, a 1966 Wayland High School graduate, has been selected for membership in the Eastern Michigan University Adhal honorary society.
Wallace Wakeman, president of the Wayland Board of Education, has been promoted to assistant vice president at Hastings Mutual Insurance.
Nine students have earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the fifth marking period at Wayland schools. They include high school students Mary Braendle, Lois Sykes, Kathy Willard, Tom Latondress,Joan Lautensleger, Cathy Siefert, Louise Sykes and eighth-graders Kim Baugh and Bonnie Lynema.
Lance Corporals L.C. (Larry) Dietz and Kenneth Dietz of Dorr have earned distinction for service in Vietnam. L.C. has received commendation for reconnaissance and Kenneth is about to start his second tour of duty.
Air Force Master Sgt. Max Frank has completed his tour of duty in Vietnam as jet engine superintendent.
Central Michigan University student Gail Wilcox sent a letter asking the Globe to step up coverage of spring sports.
Donald Bosek, 31, son of Peter Bosek of Dorr, died at a hospital in San Francisco. He had finished eight years with the U.S. Marines and had just been hired as an artist for Walt Disney Studios.
John P. Koerts of Shelbyville, a native of the Netherlands, died at age 64. He had been president of the Kalamazoo Glass Co.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “The Night They Raided Minsky’s.”
Sophomore southpaw Joe Koperski set a school record for strikeouts by fanning 32 Maple Valley hitters in a 15-inning 4-1 victory.
Wayland won the Expressway Conference baseball championship with a 1-0 victory over Caledonia, as Dick DuMond tossed a shutout.
Lu Ann Yonkers, a third-grader at Moline Elementary, has been invited to tour the Netherlands this summer with the Bonnie Blue Belles Junior Baton Corps.
Greg Dandrow set the school record in the high jump at 5-11 ½ and he qualified for the state meet in the 220-yard dash.
The Beatles took over the No. 1 spot on the music charts from the Fifth Dimension with “Get Back.”
75 Years Ago — May 26, 1944
Wayland Village Marshal George Douglas died at his home at age 64 after an illness of five month. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher commented, “Doug brought many a thoughtless youth in contact with the law, and it was very seldom that he would send them into court, but would give them a good talking to, then send them home to their parents, and that generally was the end of the trouble.”
Mrs. Harriet Baker, widow of former Hopkins native and physician Dr. George Baker, died in a hospital in Sandusky, Ohio.
Hopkins area pioneer farmer Harry Barnum died in Allegan. He was 88.
Mrs. Thomas Kelsey of Martin was elected treasurer of the Allegan County chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The Rev. Milton McGorill was to be the principal speaker for the Memorial Day address Tuesday, May 30. He was to be assisted by the Rev. John Miles of the Methodist Church and Rev. Fr. Albert Radowski of St. Therese Church.
Leighton Grange members were planning a wedding shower after their regular business meeting for Julius Mutschler and his betrothed, Margaret Smith.
The terms of Guert V. Fales and Vincent Snell will be up for election in the June vote. Complicating the matter is that Fales was taken to Blodgett Hospital recently for an emergency appendectomy.
Due to war restrictions, area Legionnaires will not be able to fire volleys over the graves of soldiers at cemeteries. Some have called off Memorial Day plans as a result.
Boyd Veenkant of Allegan appeared in an advertisement for Republican candidate in the Republican primary for sheriff.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in “The Big Show.”
- Ann Harding, Jinx Falkenburg, Evelyn Keyes and Nina Foch in “Nine Girls.”
- John Wayne, Susan Hayward and Dennis O’Keefe in “The Fighting Seabees.”
- Albert Dekker and Claire Trevor in “Women of the Town.”
100 Years Ago — May 23, 1919
The Decoration Day ceremony at Elmwood Cemetery, jointly sponsored the Village of Wayland and Wayland Township, will begin at 1:30 p.m. with decorating of the graves. Chairman of the day is the Rev. Fay C. Wing.
A tractor demonstration is planned on the farm of George Wait at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, featuring International and Fordson vehicles. “You farmers who are considering buying tractors — come.”
E. J. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jay L. Smith, has been accepted as a member of the Michigan Agricultural College band, playing the bass horn.
The Wayland High School Economic Club is sponsoring a clothing display at the Wing Furniture Store downtown.
The Allegan County Milk Producers Association will sponsor a local meeting May 29 with Ag Agent Alfred Bentall, who has reported Allegan County is third in Michigan in dairying.
The Doll’s Ball is planned for May May 29 at Yeakey’s Hall. “The Japanese Dolls are lovely and they dance in a very oriental manner.” Admission is 25 cents, promising entertainment for you and old alike.
A.E. Weaver, H.P. Hudson, C.H. Brush, W.C. Snowden, C.A. Ryno and Fred Nelson have been summoned to Allegan County Circuit Court to serve on the jury in a murder trial.
Rollo Mosher and Clyde Pierson are looking forward to shipping out of France and arriving in the U.S. after serving overeas.
Roy Jones, Harold Chapple, Charles, Gamwell, Raymond Fox and Morris Eggert represented Wayland High School at the special track and field meet Western Normal College. Jones score three points, two in the 440-yard dash and one in the discus.
The annual Wayland High School alumni banquet will be held June 5 at Yeakey’s Hall.
The Rev. Fay C. Wing was in Ionia to officiate at the memorial service of a soldier killed last October in the Argonne Forest in France. He also was scheduled to deliver the baccalaureate address for Wayland High School.
