(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)

25 Years Ago — Dec. 14, 1994

Robert VandenBerg, only 36 years old, has decided to step down as head coach of the Martin girls’ basketball program. “There are more important things than basketball,” he told the Globe. “My family comes first.” He is married to former Wayland softball star and coach Andrea Amborski, who expecting their third child. He compiled a record of 205-66, went to the state finals in 1987, won four district, two regional and eight conference titles.

About 250 Gun Ho residents on the south side of Gun Lake have signed a petition to ask the area be rezoned single family to accommodate double-wide mobile homes.

Lt. Stephen DeBoer, commander of the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, is retiring to take the Barry County Sheriff’s position being vacated by David Wood. He was appointed by a three-person panel that included the county clerk, prosecutor and probate judge.

Pat Staley wrote a “Soapbox” column asking the Allegan County Board of Commissioners to support the recently troubled Alliance, which she said brings in businesses to help share the burden of taxation.

Faith Geisel of Dorr wrote a letter encouraging local residents to support local businesses or wind up with fast-food restaurants and franchise stores like Wayland.

The Martin girls’ basketball team collectively signed a letter praising the coverage of their successful season, saying, “It was fun playing in front of so many fans.”
The Hopkins Township Board has resolved the issue involving building inspection services by hiring Kirk Scharphorn individually to perform the services rather than his firm, Professional Code Inspections.

The Michigan Department of Health has issued a clean report on 10 wells it tested for the Gun lake Area Sewer Authority.

Chuck Middleton has been hired as athletic trainer for Wayland High School and Allegan General Hospital.

Though racked by heavy graduation losses, the Wayland boys’ basketball team has showed a lot of promise in two close opening losses vs. Kelloggsville and Wyoming Godwin Heights.

Junior Richie Guerrant scored 16 points and gathered 17 rebounds, but Martin lost its season opener to the much taller Schoolcraft, 70-48.

Ryan Rewa tallied 15 points, Ben Brenner 14, Tim Hibma 12 and Tim Kisner 11, as Hopkins opened with a 62-51 win over Bloomingdale.

Amy Jenkins Modderman, a 1985 graduate of Wayland High School and former Harvest Queen, has been named cheerleading coach at WHS.

Ken Larson has begun duties as pastor at the Wayland First Baptist Church.

50 Years Ago — Dec. 10, 1969

J. Arthur Hooker of Wayland is one of 30 outstanding young farmers in Michigan selected to take part in the Kellogg Farmers Study program at Michigan State University.

Hopkins Village officials have been working on a plan with engineers Williams & Works on a plan for designing a sewer system at the request of the Michigan Water Resources Commission.

Robert P. Perry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Perry of Wayland, has been promoted vice president of Gibson Products Corp., Greenville.

A sign has been erected at the proposed site for a new Wayland High School west of the U.S.-131 expressway on the south side of West Superior Street.

Substitute teachers’ pay was boosted from $20 to $22.50 per day at Wayland Schools.

Wayland Junior High School Principal Robert Marutz told the Board of Education that Marin was planning to eliminate its special education program, which may have to be picked up by Wayland.

Hopkins High School graduate Larry Kiser has been elected athletic director for a literary society at Bob Jones University in South Carolina.

Charles Ayers, who owned an operated a grocery and service station on North Main Street for many years, died at age 87.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “How to Commit Marriage.”

Rudolph Ellinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Ellinger of Hopkins, has been named director of technical services for Stouffer Foods Division of Litton Industries in Solon, Ohio.

Mrs. Walter Gurney presented her piano students in a piano recital.

The Senior High Department at Wayland Calvary Church will present “Christmas under Communism,” under the direction of Donald Windmiller.

The Wayland varsity wrestling opened it season under first-year coach Rick Tokarchick with dual meet victories over Caledonia and Delton. Undfeated thus far this season are Brent Irwin, Ron Straub and Tim Permoda.

The Wayland High School girls’ varsity basketball team defeated Delton 24-13 and Lawrence 15-14 to hike its season record to 4-0. Leading the way for the ‘Cat ladies were Mary Lou Worfel, Denice Kuhtic, Julie Kessenich and Marsha Door.

Center Don Klein netted 19 points and guard Boyd Heckert added 13 as Wayland defeated Caledonia 57-45. Kent Marsh had 14 points for the Scots.

75 Years Ago — Dec. 15, 1944

Several residents of the village have sent urgent requests to have their driveways plowed by the village at a small charge.

Frederic Hilbert was toastmaster at the annual Rotary Club’s Ladies Night dinner at the Red Brick Inn just north of Plainwell. Guest speaker was Circuit Judge Archie McDonald of Hastings who spoke about “Post World War and Post War Peace.” He said soliders are “anxious to get home and back to the life they knew before the war.” The dinner included 67 Rotarians, Rotary Anns and guests.

Lt. Ruth Brouard, a Wayland High School graduate, is serving at a hospital in France. She was dietician at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo before the war.

Harold Weaver was chosen worshipful master for the James Fenton Lodge of the Masons.

Pvt. Charles Schulek, 21, a 1940 Wayland High School graduate, was killed in action in Germany Nov. 14. He had trained in anti-aircraft before being sent overseas.

Miss Hulda Nicolai, 44, a Hopkins High School graduate, was killed in a traffic crash in Peekskill, NY., where she had taught high school for the past 13 years after earning a master’s degree from Columbia University.

Leo McClurg has opened a furniture story in the Delp Building, also selling a line of Crosley electrical appliances at the corner of Pine and South Main streets.

Merle Rairigh has purchased the former Fales blacksmith shop and opened a farm equipment service business.

Michigan State College freshman Edward Clack of Wayland is a member of the school’s band as a snare drummer. The band ceased to be all male last year and hs 25 women.

Herman TerBeek of Green Lake lost a finger while cutting cornstalks on his farm.

Staff Sgt. Leslie Griffin has suffered his third wounding in battle in France, according to his wife, the former Pauline Mason.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

• Jack Haley and Harriet Hillard in “Take It Big.”
  • Bruce Bennett and Erick Rolf in “U Boat Prisoner.”
• Wallace Beery and John Carradine in “Barbary Coast Gent.”
• Spencer Tracy and Signe Hasso in “The Seventh Cross.”

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.