(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 7, 1994
The deadline for demolition of the abandoned former Carriage Stop restaurant in Watson Township has been extended into January, but owner Glenn Leep must show he is making progress at the site of what now is regarded as an eyesore.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her latest “Soapbox” editorial entry: “Michigan roads are deteriorating steadily, with some of the bridges near the disaster stages. Remedial solutions — asphalt patching — only turn into bigger potholes each spring.” She noted Michigan has among the lowest gas taxes at 15 cents.
Members of the Dorr Township had lengthy discussions about the loss of revenue to help fund new Moline and Dorr libraries because of the bogus grants from the Alliance.
Storyteller Jennifer Strauss Ivinskas will spin tales for members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs meeting Dec. 14 at Bay Pointe Restaurant.
Subway franchises are pouncing on the concept of locating inside or next to gas stations for greater visibility and generating commercial traffic. Three local examples scheduled to open early in 1995 are located at Martin’s Nest Marathon off the M-222 exit of the U.S.-131 expressway, the former Joe’s Grocery, now a BP station, at Gun Lake, and at the Crystal Flash on West Superior Street in Wayland.
Sarah Kloska and Fran Sage were first and second in the local Knight of Columbus spelling bee and they finished third and fifth, respectively, in the regional competition that included students from seven area dioceses.
Angie Goodrich is a member of the Martin varsity wrestling team under Pete Boyd, competing at 112 and 119 pound divisions.
Alexis Roberts placed first in the local “Voice of Democracy” essay contest, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Saxton of Wayland is part of a U.S. force station deployed near Kuwait because of reports of Iraq’s buildup of troops on its southern border.
Longtime businessman and community activist Lee Miller. 77, died of cancer. Owner of the Wayland Harding’s Market from 1954 to 1992, he was president of the Wayland Board of Education, a St. Therese basketball coach, longtime VFW and American Legion member. Wayland athletics booster and was associated for a long time with the Wayland Chamber of Commerce.
Willo Mae Calkins, 74, of Leighton Township, died. She had been a longtime Sunday school teacher at the United Methodist Church, where she also served with the Esther Circle.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 3, 1969
Airman Terry Sturman, Sgt. Gerald Spelde and Pfc. Cliff Truax are among local soldiers now serving in Vietnam.
Henry Birch, 94, of Bradley, died at Pipp Hospital in Plainwell of a heart attack he suffered at home. Birch, a Native American, was famous for his display of a wigwam at Charlton Park near Hastings for more than 30 years.
Dr. Dale W. Kuiper of Wayland has become the first osteopath to join the staff at Pipp Community Hospital.
The Allegan County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution opposing the United Farm Workers and the “black-jack” tactics of union organizer Cesar Chavez.
The Board of Supervisors also voted to insist all Allegan County municipalities require all new construction to first have building permits.
The Wayland Board of Education adopted a policy in which all students riding buses be dropped off at the same location they boarded earlier in the day. The board also voted to approve novice licenses to students working in amateur radio club under the direction of teacher Harry Multer.
Allegan has received word it will get $6,474.17 in is state funding to help pay for snow removal. It was reported in Michigan an average of 86 inches of snow fell in 1968-69, well below the record set the previous years, which was more than 100 inches.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “True Grit,” starring John Wayne in his Oscar-winning role, Glenn Campbell and Kim Darby.
Earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages at St. Therese School were Harry Walker, Alice Fifelski, Debra Kirby, Judy Noble, Jan Shoemaker, Patricia Sevigny, Elizabeth Tobolic, David Genther, Jim Grafford, Andrea Amborski and Jon Ghastin.
City Council scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 5, 1970, on a request to rezone about 30 acres in the northwest section of the city from commercial to residential. The land is owned by Donald Wobma.
Eugene Knobloch and Richard Akers have resigned as varsity football coaches at Wayland and Knobloch also is quitting as wrestling coach, to be succeeded by Rick Tokarchick.
The average teacher’s salary increase at Wayland from the 1968-69 academic year to 1969-70 was 13 percent.
Wayland varsity basketball team pulled out a 56-55 thriller over Hopkins. Don Klein scored 25 points and pulled down 23 rebounds. Jim Ritsema added 14 points and Boyd Heckert scored the game-winning basket. Roger Lambert and Dan Kisner both scored 14 points for Hopkins.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 8, 1944
Local businessmen Clarence Calkins and J.R. Rugaber gave rave reviews to U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Eric Johnson for his presentation at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater on “Free Enterprise for America” and opposing collectivism.
A newly installed water heater exploded at the home Mr. and Mrs. John Pasco on South Main, causing damage to the house, but there were no injuries.
Mrs. Sarah Ryno, a longtime Wayland resident, was treated to a 90th birthday celebration. Born in Barry County in 1854, she married local physician Dr. Elser Ryno and lived here for many years. A grandson, Ford Mauchmar, is serving as an air cadet in Arizona.
Leo Frue, 64, formerly of Wayland, died at Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. He had been a salesman for Holland Furnace Co. His service was at the Archer Funeral Home and he was buried in Maplewood Cemetery.
Basil Losey got his hand caught in a planer while working in his shop to repair a child’s sled. The accident resulted in the removal of all but one of his fingers on his left hand at Crispe Hospital In Plainwell.
Consumers Power Company rebates will show up in customers’ December bills after action by the Michigan Public Service Commission. The rebates apply to customers of electric, gas and steam heating services.
Everett Wilde dropped in on his mother, Rose, in Wayland after working as a field man for the Rubber Development Corp. in the Amazon Forest in Brazil. Also joining the family reunion was his brother, Myron.
Pfc. Robert Tiefenthal, son of Hopkins High School graduates Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Tiefenhal of Grand Rapids, was killed in combat Nov. 9 in France.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Bette Davis and Claude Rains in “Mr. Skeffington.”
- Wally Brown and Allan Carney in “7 Days Ashore.”
- Michael O’Shea, Anne Shirley and Gene Lockhart in “Man from Frisco.”
- Bonita Granville and Kent Smith in “Youth Runs Wild.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The data for 100 years ago was not available this week for the second straight time because the Microfiche materials at the Then & Now Historical Library were undergoing renovations.