(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 4, 1995
The Dorr Township Board will consider bids, estimated at between $234,500 and $278,000, to buy a new fire truck to replace the old vehicle purchased in 1976. “Out old pumper is insufficient for fighting modern structural fires,” said Lt. Gene Putten.
Developers now will have to pay $500 into an escrow fund before approaching the Wayland Township Planning Commission with plans for commercial, industrial or residential developments.
Pat Staley, in her “Soapbox” piece, maintained that a phone call could have avoided the arrest of Dawn Pratt of Dorr for failure to pay for a dog license. She said the blame shouldn’t be put on Deputy Jack VanDuine, who was only doing his job at the direction of Undersheriff Larry Ladenberger.
The Wayland Township Board denied on a 3-2 vote a request from Doug Havens to build a restaurant/lounge/hotel on a five-acre site that formerly was the Laker homestead on 130th Avenue.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her “Soapbox,” imagined her question of a telemarketer calling, “How do I go about removing my name from your list?” It seems unwanted advertising calls were becoming a huge nuisance that long ago.
Ron Romeyn of Dorr, took the Globe to task in a letter insisting the reporter for the traffic death of an 18-year-old woman went too far by writing that she had consumed alcohol and wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story deliberately humanizing the woman in the aforementioned crash, Shannon Heppe, who left behind a child and fiancé.
Joy Ostovich penned a letter excoriating the Globe for being critical of Deputy Jack VanDuine in the arrest of a Dorr woman for not paying for a dog license.
The Wayland Township Planning Commission denied a request from Yvonne D’Angelis to start a home business on a private road. The commission, however, approved a request from Jeff Adams to build an animal hospital on the north side of 129th Avenue east of U.S.-131.
The Hopkins varsity basketball team bounced back from absorbing its first defeat of the season by turning back Martin, 66-46. Sophomores Tim Kisner and Ben Brenner scored 24 and 15 points, respectively. Richie Guerrant, Martin’s only player taller than six feet, had 19.
Middleville Thornapple Kellogg handily defeated Wayland, as Darryl Prins was the only Wildcat to score in double figures.
Deb Smith of Wayland won $1,000 for finishing third in WZZM-TV’s Fantasy Football contest.
Hopkins was 3-6 and Wayland 4-8 in wrestling dual meets thus far.
The Wayland High School volleyball team took second to defending state champion Battle Creek St. Phillip in the Officials Tournament. Jessie McEwen had 15 serving aces, 19 kills and five solo blocks.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 7, 1970
Dr. Gerald VanderVoord will close his medical practice in Wayland and Moline to take a post with Michigan State University health services. He had practiced here for nine years.
The Allegan County Health Department has announced it will offer free vaccinations against German measles to grades K-3 in the Wayland district.
Jerry and Mark Kuper, Toni Conwell and Tom Latondress will represent Wayland High School in the WZZM Quiz Bowl in a competition against Portage Central. The team is coached by Fred Comer.
Longtime Wayland resident Mattie Beall died in Cape Coral, Fla. She was 90.
A two-way radio has been added to the equipment for the Martin Township Fire Department.
The Wayland City Council is mulling over a proposal to enact an ordinance curtailing irresponsible and annoying activities by snowmobilers.
World War I veteran Henry Willyard died at age 82. His graveside service was at Elmwood Cemetery.
The Wayland Board of Education has scheduled Feb. 16 as the date for a special election on a total tax levy of 20 mills, including a four-mill increase approved three years ago.
Spec.-4 Gary Welch of Wayland is scheduled to report for duty in Vietnam as a heavy and light vehicle mechanic.
Pfc. Barry Brower, author of the weekly “Vietnam Diary” column, has been reassigned to Cam Rahn Bay as a communications specialist.
Pastors George VanderWeit, James Smith, Adalbert Radowski, Bernard Randolph and William Kobza again combined efforts on a letter to the editor. They defended the rights of faculty and students to express their views in a controversial Vietnam moratorium Oct. 15.
The Wayland varsity basketball team came from behind to defeat Galesburg-Augusta 64-53. Boyd Heckert dropped in 21 points, Don Klein 19 and Mark Schipper 11.
The Wayland Baptist Church planned a series of special services Jan. 14, 15, 16 and 18, with special guests, to dedicate the new building.
The Globe listed a number of local New Year’s Eve celebrations to “bid so long to the Sixties and salte the Seventies.”
B.J. Thomas took over the No. 1 spot on t he music charts with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My head.”
75 Years Ago — Jan. 5, 1945
Mrs. Jessie Clack told Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher that members of the Wayland Grange favor changing the national anthem from “The Star-Spangled Banner” to “America” because the latter was a lot easier to sing at public events.
Mosher opined that the Office of Price Administration had erred in canceling rationing of stamps the public had been told earlier would be effective indefinitely.
Sgt. Leonard Kotrba, son of Mrs. And Mrs. Albert Kotrba, was killed in Hawaii. He had served as a cook in the Quartermaster’s Corps. Circumstances of his death were not reported yet.
Mrs. Jessie Redman, 55, an assistant at the Preaps Dry Cleaning business, died at her home after an illness of three months. She had been a member of the Anti-Can’t Club, the Garden Club and formerly was worthy matron for the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.
Hopkins native Alice Ann Williamson died at her farm home near Wayland. She was 70.
The Rev. Ed Stelling was featured guest speaker for a two-week revival series at the Wayland Methodist Church.
Ida Mae Allgeo, born in Bradley in 1866, died in Kalamazoo, where she had lived for the past 28 years.
John and Jake Haveman have sold their store in Moline that they have operated since 1907, to Harry and Bernard DeYoung. Jake is Leighton Township Supervisor and president of the Moline State Bank.
Mrs. Jack Prescott sent a letter to the Globe to explain her husband’s recent whereabouts. She said he was part of the invasion of the Phillippines.
Pfc. Joseph Kaminski is serving with the military police in Calcutta. His brother, Ed, is serving in a tank battalion in the invasion of Italy.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Smiley Burnette and Ann Rutherford in “Comin’ Round the Mountain.”
- Pat O’Brien, Carol Landis and Chester Morris in “Secret Command.”
- Kay Kyser and Ann Miller in “Carolina Blues.”
- Lana Turner, James Craig and John Hodiak in “Marriage Is a Private Affair.”
100 Years Ago — (From Nov. 28, 1919 to Jan. 2, 1920)
(Some catching up in the wake of not publishing 100 Years Ago over the last month due to technical difficulties)
Nov. 28 — Mr. and Mrs. Louis Paunicka narrowly escaped serious injuries in a crash with a south-bound flyer on West Superior Street. Interurban workers provided assistance to the family.
The Yeomen have organized a lodge in Dorr with 65 members. They plan a Thanksgiving dance after buying the hotel formerly owned by Myron Davis.
Members of the local chapter of the WCTU plan to raise funds to help spread the mission of Prohibition of alcohol worldwide.
Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, Supt. Floyd Broughner, Miss Devore Montgomery and Mrs. Deuel went to Grand Rapids to purchase a used paino for Wayland schools.
The stretch of Highway 131 between Moline and Wayland will be paved with concrete this coming summer, according to Lewis McLoud of the Allegan County Road Commission.
Dec. 5 — L.P. Weaver was elected worshipful master of the James Fenton Lodge of the Masons.
Margaret Beall presented “Americanization of Foreigners” and Mattie Sooy spoke on “Labor Questions and Strikes” to members of the Ladies Library Club.
Fifth- and sixth-graders are undergoing fingernail inspections. Those with clean hands win a Star.
U.S. Senator Truman Newberry was indicted for violating election laws. Also involved were Judge Lewis Thompson of Allegan and Mark McKee, former resident of Bradley.
Dec. 18 — “The Merchant of Venice Up-to-Date” will be presented Dec. 18 and 19 and it “promises to be one of the best staged by high school talent in Wayland.” Seating can be arranged by contacting the Candy Kitchen.
The body of 12-year-old Fred Foster, formerly of Bradley, has been shipped here from Mt. Pleasant, where he died of pneumonia. His service was conducted by Rev. Sprague at the Bradley Mission Methodist Episcopal Church.
A new dog law goes into effect this month, with male dogs being taxed for $3, females for $6. Unlicensed dogs heretofore will be regarded by authorities as “public nuisances.”
Ezekiel Smith is a member of the marching band of Michigan Agricultural College in Lansing. He plays the bass horn.
The Ladies Library Club held a Pioneer Night at Henika, but the electric lights were turned off. Ladies were at the ready with kerosene lamps.
Dec. 19 — The Ladies Aid of the Bradley Congregational Church will suspend indefinitely the group’s dinners “on account of several of the most efficient workers expect to spend the winter in warmer climates.”
Vern Cline’s lighting plant in Leighton Township malfunctioned, causing him to suffer burns to his face when he attempted troubleshooting.
Dec. 26 — Francis Vandermolen, age 4, died of membranous croup at her home.
Mrs. Harrison Jackson and baby were thrown from a sleigh in an accident, but since have been recovering.
The Northeast Hopkins Community Club held a meeting, and a reporter wrote, “In my humble opinion these meetings will do more in a special way in a real honest endeavor of each neighbor to under understand his fellow man…”
Miss Katie Smith and Miss Katie Pullen both were injured after slipping ojn sidewalk ice in Grand Rapids, one on her below, the other breaking her arm.
Jan. 2, 1920 — Ollie Tooker was elected president of the eighth grade class.
The home economics classes at the high school will resume serving hot lunches next week.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher has issued the call to form a local American Legion post. He said at least 15 members are needed.
Anne Frances Compton died at age 82. After she married Harrison Kelly, they came to live in Wayland in 1870. Her daughter was Mrs. Charles Selkirk.
L.W. Morford wrote from Miami, Fla., “A fine climate for winter, but I think it would be too warm for the winter.”
Leighton Telephone Co. stockholders will meet next Thursday to consider a rate hike and to elect officers. Members of the Ladies Aid will serve dinner.
George McBride and family were spared serious injuries when their car “turned turtle on the Dixie Highway just south of the village,” and plunged into a ditch.
The holiday sales of local merchants far exceeded any previous years. Rollo G. Mosher noted, “The prevailing high prices were not seeming to make an appreciable difference.”