(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 15, 2000
A dispute about gravel mining in Watson continues to grow over a proposed mine at 13th Street north of M-222 in an area adjacent to Big Lake.
Brenda L. Baker, vice president of the Wayland Band Boosters, wrote a letter to the editor praising the Globe for its story the previous week about the Boosters’ food booth at the Allegan County Fair and the need for it to be repaired.
Jerry Luyk, however, penned a letter criticizing the Boosters for allowing the barn to fall into a state of disrepair.
Editor Nila Aamoth penned a Soapbox about spending tax dollars, suggesting to municipalities, “If you have more money than you can spend this year, then give some back — or ask for less next year.”
Discussions are being held about the possibility that Kalamazoo Valley Community College may install a campus in Allegan County.
Some Leighton Township residents have issued protests to the Planning Commission, which recommends rezoning of various parcels from Agricultural to Residential.
Yankee Springs and Thornapple townships are squabbling over the costs Thornapple should incur for renting the Yankee Springs fire station.
Watson Township officials are working on a local ordinance to curb noise from vehicles, what they call “disruptive, unreasonable noises.”
Allegan County Sheriff David Haverdink has announced his intention to seek another term. He was first elected in 1992.
Fulton Sheen has announced he will run for another two-year term as state representative from Allegan County.
John Joseph Ong II, 16, of Dorr Township was killed in a car crash on First Street east of Wayland when it left the road and struck a tree.
Wayland High School sophomore Amber Battjes won a special award from Channel 8 “We Value Youth” and the Michigan 4-H program.
John A. Martin, 48, died after he attempted suicide by hanging in his county jail cell.
The Karachi Group of Grand Rapids has announced its plans to build a bistro in Wayland have been placed on hold.
Juniors Lindsey and Sean Higgins led Hopkins track team as the smallest school in the Cedar Springs Invitational. The big news was Richard Stein setting the school record in the 800-meter run and he won the 3200 in 10:09.7.
Sprinter Justin Stuive has been scoring wins in the 100- and 200-meter dashes for the Wayland track team.
The Globe published a photo of the Boyds, distance runners for Martin’s track team.
Senior Joe Borgic tossed a two-hitter against South Christian and Wayland now is 9-2 in the O-K Gold Conference.
Hopkins softball coach Mick Francis notched his 400th career victory when the Vikings posted a 12-0 rout over Saugatuck.
Coach Cheri Ritz’s Wayland softball team is looking to win yet another league title with its 19-1 overall record. Kara Potter is undefeated in the circle and Jessie Merchant is hitting .492.
William Rearing, owner of Star Industries Systems, died May 6. He was 69.
World War II Army Staff Sgt. Gerald Angel died. He was 86.
50 Years Ago — May 13, 1975
A total of 16 high school seniors have been announced as honor students for the Wayland High School Class of 1975. They were honored at a banquet May 6. Speaker was former Principal E. M. Bassett.
Dr. Lloyd Fales director of school management services for the State Department of Education, will be guest speaker at the dedication ceremonies for the new Wayland High School Sunday, May 18.
Wayland will participate in the Mayor Exchange program with St. Johns. Mayor Marshall Towne will be joined by Councilman Max Barnes and City Treasurer Rose Marie Feldswich who will travel there.
Two children playing with matches were given as the reason for a fire at a residence on Church Street, according to Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd. Damage was estimated at between eight and ten thousand dollars.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey wrote an editorial praising Gov. William Milliken’s selection of Lawrence Lindemer to the Michigan Supreme Court, a man he personally has known.
Joe Panyrek wrote a letter to the editor protesting the theft of a box of a windmill.
Mike Monigold is been coordinating Wayland Junior High’s Model Rocketry Club.
A new Alcoholics Anonymous group is being formed in Wayland. Members meet at St. Therese Church cafeteria.
Bonnie K. Miller wrote a letter encouraging local citizens to go to the Henika Library to research and read historical material in honor of the upcoming Bicentennial observances.
Jeff Kisner of Hopkins has been named a residence advisor at Central College of Pella, Iowa.
The Stockade Busy Builders Guild will meet Wednesday, May 21, and members will take a trip to Pilgrim Manor in Grand Rapids.
Allegan County Volunteer Services honored area drivers Mr. and Mrs. Earl Brooks, Margaret Homeric, Norbert Junglas and Norma Rich.
Dorr Christian Reformed Church planned a special program, featuring music and praise Sunday, May 18.
The Wayland Bicentennial Commission will have a “Spirit of ’76” dinner Thursday, may 15. State Senator Gary Baker and State Rep. Ed Fredericks will be on hand to speak.
Wayland High School alum Craig Suhusky has been selected to the State Honor Band as principal clarinetist.
The Wayland baseball team won three of four encounters in the past week, featuring stellar performances by base stealer Paul Cochran and junior pitcher Denny Patterson.
Coach Mark Austin said he is surprised by his Hopkins. Baseball team he thought would be strong offensively, but weak defensively. The Vikings are 3-5 overall this season.
The Wayland track team finished fifth in the final dual meet standings of the O-K Blue Conference. Kelvin Lapham broke the school record in the two-mile run at 10:21.6.
The Wayland softball team under coach Sharon Nelson is 4-0 thus far this season. Deb Ritz is the No. 1 pitcher and leading hitters are Cheri Ritz, Diane Haywood, Sandy Getty, Jerry Heth and Glory Lubbers.
John Watson, Doug Steffens and Ralph Hansen were honored as the state champion demonstration at the Hopkins FFA banquet.
Sgt. Ronald McDonald will lead the nine officers who will handle State Police chores in the Hastings post.
Marcia Lapham, Arthur Hooker, Mary Jaskewicz, Dorothy Lundeen and Tom Zoerner filed for a four-year seat on the Wayland Board of Education. Vance Hoskins, Leonard Heckert, Mike Ekkel and Dennis Hulme filed for the one-year seat.
Carl Miller, 63, of Hopkins, co-owner of Miller Sand and Gravel of Hopkins and Martin, died at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
75 Years Ago — May 19, 1950
The WHS Senior Class Farewell Assembly will be held at the auditorium May 24. Baccalaureate will be May 28. The 50 members of the class will graduate May 31.’
The Wayland school reunion is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, June 2, for a potluck supper.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher said in “Observations” a charge for grass fire runs by the local fire department was inevitable.
Marion Ambrose Trubiroha died at St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness. He was only 22.
Gene Weber was slated to present flute selections at the United Methodist Church at a special program highlighted by guest Prof. Poruks of Riga, Latvia. Betty Ledden will sing a couple of selections.
Robert Nicolai was elected president of the Wayland Rotary Club.
Nicolai’s service station reported a couple of break-ins this month, with a small amount of money taken.
Mrs. Ada Smith, born in Leighton Township in 1876, died in the home now owned by William Frey. She was a lifetime member of the Leighton Evangelical United Brethren Church.
The Allegan County Medical Society has decided to open a cancer examination center.Any resident of the village who believes he or she has not been enumerated in the 1950 census is encouraged to send a post card saying so to the Census Office.
The dedication of the new school in Hopkins was held on a Friday night with guest speaker Dr. Chester Hunt of the department of sociology, WMCE.
The Hopkins High School Glee Club attended the WSC concert chorus and band presentation Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Greenawalt had a weiner roast and fish fry for eighth-graders in honor of son Lee’s birthday.
Dorr School reported it had 12 graduates for commencement. Harold Weston of Allegan presented the address.
There were 19 eighth-grade graduates at Moline, with the Rev. Chamberlain giving the address.
The Wayland Garden Club has elected Vera Clark as new president for the coming year.
Mrs. Arnold Wilde has returned from Crispe Hospital in Plainwell after undergoing an appendectomy.
Mrs. Eldon Milheim of Wayland was elected to a guard position with the Eighth District of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eaton Rapids.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
Double feature: “Bandit King of Texas”and “Barbary Plot.”
Robert Young and Barbara Hale in “And Baby Makes Three.”
Charles Bickford in “Guilty of Treason,” the story behind the trial of Cardinal Mindzenty.
Homemaking teacher Virginia Benson and Margaret Taylor, student teacher, attended the annual convention of Michigan Economics at Michigan State College in East Lansing.
Miss Louise Jager, Bradley, gave a voice recital at the Bible Church in Grand Rapids.
100 Years Ago — May 15, 1925
Hudson & Arehart have storage tanks on the ground in preparation for a gasoline filling station at the corner of Sycamore and South Main Street,
The Homecoming of the Alethea Class at the Methodist Church was held and A. E. Weaver read a monologue.
Wayland residents moved their clocks ahead one hour to make local time compatible with other area communities.Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: D.W. Griffith presents “One Wonderful Night” with an all-star cast. Gene Stratton Porter’s “The Girl of the Limberlast.”
Coral Corkins, born in Leighton Township in 1894, “passed out of her suffering April 30 after several years of continuous ill health. She had been a member of the Moline Congregational church.
Wayland High School students again will sell homemade candy just north of Dr. Dunwell’s office.
The Masonic Banquet at Woodman Hall is expecting many local members and outside people to attend.
Past President Barbara Pierson of Wayland completed her duties as president of the Allegan County Order of Eastern Star.
The M & W Light & Power Co. will present a cooking demonstration on a new electric range Saturday, May 23.Past President Barbara Pierson of Wayland completed her duties as president of the Allegan County Order of Eastern Star.
The M & W Light & Power Co. will present a cooking demonstration on a new electric range Saturday, May 23.
The Yeakey Auto Co. is repairing the interior of its offices.
Ed Jenkins died at his home in Moline Tuesday. The Rev. Faye C. Wing will officiate at his service Friday afternoon.
Milan Inglis of Green Lake was badly bruised about the head and face this past weekend when a horse kicked him.
The Hunt Stock Co.drew a capacity crowd for its opening show Wednesday evening. There is an entirely new lineup of shows planned for the coming season.
The Nazarene Church will have an old-time tent revival from May 28 to June 15 at the Village Park.
