(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 11, 1995
Jon Campbell was elected chairman of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners.
Lois Tindle has been appointed manager of the Gun Lake Area Sewer and Water Authority (GLASA), succeeding the retiring Lee Idema.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox commentary, questioned GLASA’s policy of allowing employees to borrow equipment. She wrote, “They would be astounded if you called and asked to borrow a backhoe for a day. They would laugh if you stopped by to run off a couple hundred copies of your family reunion newsletters.”
Colleen Zoll, in a letter to the editor, suggested the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department has better things to do than arrest a Dorr woman on a Sunday evening for not paying for her dog’s license.
Diane Smith, in a letter, reported that the Christian Neighbors food pantry, since opening in 1991, has provided 51,121 meals and food to 3,574 people in the program.
Hopkins Village President Rick Harmsen has announced he is resigning his post.
Authorities are posting that tests have shown traffic crash victim Shannon Heppe was not drinking at the time of her fatal accident.
Frank Pluta of Saugatuck Township has been named deputy treasurer for Allegan County under Patty Birkholz.
Kyle Cooper, an offensive guard for the Hopkins football team, was named to the all-state academic team.
The Hopkins boys’ varsity basketball team hiked its overall record to 6-1 after an easy 63-41 victory over winless Comstock Park. Tim Hibma led a balanced attack with 14 points, Tim Kisner had 12 and Jeff Reynolds 10.
Kei Anguilm, Jessica McEwen and Jill Chrisman led Wayland to a sweep of Cedar Springs to move the Wildcats’ record to 10-4-2.
Doug Cutler scored 11 points and Wayland gave South Christian a battle for a half before falling 65-45.
Angie Goodrich of Martin registered a satisfying pin against a Climax-Scotts opponent who was guilty of hubris before their match in a tournament. Heavyweight Don Bailey set the school record for fast pin, in just seven seconds.
Lifetime Monterey Township farmer Henry Reinart died at his home. He was 79.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 31, 1969
Troopers Jerald Cook and Michael Harmon have been assigned to the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police.
Among December graduates at Western Michigan University were Ron Kidney, George Blanco, Ronald Pelka and David Mohr of Wayland and Paul Howard and Jacqueline Newkirk of Dorr.
Members of the National Honor Society at Wayland High School, under the watchful eyes of advisor Mrs. Agnes Strong, have been collecting items for Toys for Tots. Pictured wrapping presents were NHS members Barbara Gilbert, Don Pelka, Linda Whitcomb, Debbie Frank, Kathy Willard and Renee Niemchick.
The Michigan State Board of Education has established a project to assess the skills of fourth- and seventh-graders in math, language arts and reading. Local coordinators for the program are John Rookus of Wayland, Richard Moleski of Hopkins and Superintendent Robert Brandon of Martin.
The Firemen’s Ball at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hilliards Dec. 6 raised $317 to be used for scholarships at Wayland High School.
The Wayland Board of Education has authorized Athletic Director Lyle Berry to advertise for the high school’s first-ever cross-country coach. The O-K Conference, of which Wayland will be a member in 1970-71, insists the sport be included in offerings for students.
Wayland High School graduate Robert Parks and the Evangelaires gospel group of Grand Rapids will present a concert Saturday night at Wayland High School girls’ gym.
The Wayland High School wrestling team captured first place in the Ionia tournament, marking the first tourney title for first-year coach Rick Tokarchick. Winning individual titles were Ken Merren, Ron Straub, Tim Permoda and John DeWeerd. Brent Irwin and Les Tab were runners-up.
Specialist-5 Terry Keyzer, a 1967 graduate of Martin High School, was to be presented with an Army Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam.
Fourteen people attended the Leighton Farm Bureau Christmas party, according to reporter Art Theide.
75 Years Ago — Jan. 12, 1945
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote a feature piece about shadowing award-winning local trapper Reuben Smith, whom he said, “takes care of his furs… stretching and drying in the best possible way.”
Floyd Tooker has been honorably discharged after serving temporarily with the U.S. Navy. His brother-in-law, Harold Hawkins remains serving overseas.
Wayland defeated Middleville 49-22 in basketball and will play Friday against Kelloggsville. The Barkenall Tournament will be held at Wayland Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19, as Caledonia will play Kelloggsville, Hopkins will take on Martin and Wayland will entertain Byron Center.
Roll call answer for this week’s Leighton Grange meeting: “Some improvements I hope to make on my farm in 1945.”
A memorial service will be held at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church for Sgt. Leonard Kotrba, who died in Hawaii of burns he suffered.
Wayland High School homemaking classes, under the auspices of Miss Schroeder, have started with emphasis on sewing problems and home furnishings.
Thomas Lloyd Hart died at his home in Dorr. He was only four months old.
High school classes on dairying will be conducted by ag teacher Mr. Huston with assistance from Frederic Hilbert of Cowbell Seeds, Harry Sutton and Robert Genteman of Pet Milk, and county ag agent Arthur Morley.
Pfc. Carl Ryno has been presented with a Combat Infantryman’s Badge for exemplary skill and conduct in the Palau Islands in the Pacific Theatre.
Al DeHaan has been in and out of Butterworth Hospital for further examination and treatment after he suffered serious leg injuries in a traffic accident 13 months prior.
The Wayland chapter of the Order of Eastern Star published a “Resolution of Respect” for Jessie Redman, who died Jan. 2.
Pvt. Menno Gravitt of Hopkins was seriously wounded in action Dec. 20 in France.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy and Fibber McGee and Molly in “Here We Go Again.”
- Simone Simon and John Emery in “Mademoiselle Fifi.”
- Ann Southern and John Hodiak in “Maise Goes to Reno.”
- Frank Sinatra, George Murphy and Adolph Menjou in “Step Lively.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 9, 1920
Freshman at Wayland High School enjoyed a sleigh party and oyster supper at the home of Audrey Koehler.
The hot lunch served Monday at Wayland School was served to 28 students by members of the home economics class. The meal of creamed potatoes, sandwiches and cocoa was cooked by Ethel Williamson and Ermabelle Tooker.
The D.W. Shattuck Store published an ad celebrating its 40th anniversary in town. “We know that in the long run it’s reliable goods at a fair price that wins customers… and that is our store policy in a nutshell.”
Rose Fox read a splendid paper on Forestry and Industries in Michigan and members of the Ladies Library Club closed their first meeting of the new year by singing “Michigan, My Michigan.”
Miss Woodworth of the Allegan County Farm Bureau has returned from Christmas vacation to organize nursing classes in Wayland, Martin, Moline and Bradley.
Laban Barnhart escaped serious injuries when his truck was hit by a combination of Interurban vehicles on Elm Street near the Pryor Bros. sawmill.
Fifteen local men, including Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, signed an application for form an American Legion post in Wayland, sending it to headquarters in Indianapolis. It was stated that no one from Wayland died in action during the conflict overseas.
A. Crocker was installed as master of the Wayland Grange.
George Brown was chosen chairman of the Wayland Township Farm Bureau.
Harry D. Allgeo has announced his retirement as proprietor of the Rexall drug store downtown. He has sold it to Dr. E.O. Hanlon and Russell Hanlon.
Mrs. John (Clara) Schwartz died at her home after an illness of seven years. She was only 33.