(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 1, 1995
Scott Sullivan, in his contribution to the weekly Soapbox column, gave a number of reasons why he’s not a fan of the Super Bowl. “The halftime show had more hype and bombast than anything since Hitler’s parades.” He also noted the halftime shows promoting peace and love in the middle of a festival of two groups beating the stuffing out of one another.
Patricia Kelsey of Hopkins wrote a letter lamenting the lack of progress on efforts to improve the schools. “Nothing happens, and we are still in the same situation when we began this process years ago.”
Kathleen Fritts and Jeff and Kathleen Adams were granted special use permits from Wayland Township for an in-house dog grooming business and a new veterinarian practice on 129th Avenue.
Martin Public Schools sponsored a community forum to discuss particulars involving the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) approach, featuring a representative from the Michigan Department of Education.
Tom Jenkins (151 pound division) and Chad Idema (215) noth went undefeated in five matches at the Caledonia team wrestling tournament. Jenkins now is 23-6 for the season.
Super sophomore Tim Kisner scored a career-high 30 points, but Wyoming Godwin Heights beat Hopkins 74-65. The Vikings now are 9-3 overall and 4-1 in the O-K Silver Conference.
The Martin volleyball team lost its showdown against Decatur and now is 4-1 in the Southwest Athletic Conference.
The Martin basketball team sports a 4-9 record after losses to Fennville and Bloomingdale. The latter ballgame featured a contest between the Clippers’ Richie Guerrant, who scored 35 points, and freshman sensation Kevin Ford, who tallied 33 for the Cardinals.
Josh Conley (134) registered his 99th career wrestling victory at the Martin Invitational, where teammate “Stud Woman” Angie Goodrich improved her record at 112 to 9-19.
Wayland, in its second season under coach Mike Hudson, fell to 1-10 overall after losing 63-57 to Caledonia.
Clarice Sage, Karen Schwartz and Katie Lodenstein have sparked a four-match winning streak for Hopkins volleyball, now 8-5-4 overall.
Jill Chrisman had a big night for Wayland’s volleyball team, but the Lady ‘Cats lost in their O-K Gold Conference showdown against South Christian. Wayland now is 23-6-4.
World War II veteran and former Hilliards Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Hubert (Ace) Niemchick died at age 74.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 28, 1970
William G. McClintock, who grew up on a farm in Hopkins Township and attended Wayland schools, has been named to the Wayland State Bank Board of Directors. McClintock, who owns a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, is head of the marketing division of National Bank of Detroit.
Ralph Mallett has been chosen cashier at Wayland State Bank, Linden Steeby assistant cashier and Arthur Miller has been promoted to assistant vice present.
Mrs. Gladys Anderson, 42, of East Leroy, was killed killed in a two-car traffic crash near the Bradley exit on U.S.-131. She was a passenger in a car traveling east on 129th Avenue.
The Wayland Board of Education voted to purchase two mobile classrooms in an effort to ease overcrowding problems.
Allegan County Prosecutor George Greig and Sheriff Robert Whitcomb oversaw a raid at a quiet, desolated “Strawberry Farm” in Cheshire Township and arrested Janice Vandenberg, 21, for selling LSD.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Dick VanDyk and Angie Dickinson in “Some Kind of Nut.”
Harold Keena, trooper at the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police, has been promoted to corporal and reassigned to the Gladstone post.
Herman VandenBerg, a City of Wayland employee, died of a lingering illness at Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. He was only 32.
The Allegan County Fair was voted the state’s best by the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibition’s panel of judges.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey came out strongly in support of the Wayland Union School District’s millage proposal Feb. 16 for four additional mills. “There should be no question about the outcome of the election,” he opined. “If voters in the district are realistic, they will vote overwhelmingly for the millage.”
Bruce Larson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Larson, began a three-month assignment in December at a mission hospital in South Africa.
Weekly columnist Barry Brower completed a two-part examination of the history of Cam Rahn Bay, the second largest port in Vietnam.
Former Miss Martin Melissa McBride will represent Michigan in the 1970 Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival.
Wayland defeated Hamilton 68-47 to take over sole possession of first place in the last basketball season for the Expressway Conference. Boyd Heckert netted 20 points, Jim Ritsema added 13, Mark Schipper 11 and Don Klein hauled down 14 rebounds.
Wayland Girls’ Athletic Association members gathered for a winter party at the Selkirk Lake home of advisor Pat McKee. They enjoyed snowmobiling, tobogganing, sliding and skating.
The Jackson Five took over the No. 1 spot on the nation’s top tune list with “I Want You Back.”
75 Years Ago — Feb. 2, 1945
The Wayland Village Caucus is scheduled for Mpnday evening, Feb. 19, prompting Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher to comment, “Blessed be nothing at tax time.”
Fred Johnson, who lives on West Maple Street, came up with four good-sized pike while spearing at Gun Lake, one of them more than 20 pounds in weight.
Mosher noted he left town last week for the War Conference for Newspapermen and was greeted by a price increase to 65 cents per haircut upon his return.
A defective chimney was blamed for a fire that resulted in a total loss at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Calkins.
Bill Schuh wrote a letter home from somewhere in France. He said, “I found a German fur-lined vest coat and plan to wear it inside my field coat.”
Mrs. E. H. Cole has leased the Wayland Bakery business she and her husband operated for five years until his death to Morris Hoff of Kalamazoo.
Mrs. C.K. Ordway, formerly Natalie Tarnutzer of Wayland, died at Blodgett Hospital after undergoing an operation. Officials said her death was “due to circulatory collapse.”
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Zellema have purchased the Pines Lunch restaurant from Mr. and Mrs. James Masserle, who plant to move into the Zellemas’ house.
Sgt. Paul Belka of Dorr has been wounded in action in Belgium.
The Rev. J.R. Steegstra have a presentation on “13 Against the Odds,” stories about 13 Negro men and women who overcame prejudice and hardships to succeed, to members of the Hopkins Ladies Library Club. Included in the 13 were contralto Marian Anderson and scientist George Washington Carver.
Cpl. and Mrs. Jack Goorhouse have announced the birth of a daughter, Margo, at Crispe Hospital in Plainwell. She is the former Vonda Mauchmar and he is a gunner and radio man in the Pacific Theatre.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jack Carson and Jame Wyman in “Make Your Own Bed.”
- Tom Conway and Mona Maris in The Falcon in Mexico.”
- Helen Walker, William Bendix and Dennis O’Keefe in Abroad with Two Yanks.”
- Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright and Frank Morgan in “Casanova Brown.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 30, 1920
Miss Evelyn Weaver of Kalamazoo in the new teacher in the grammar room.
The Wayland Ladies Library Club is putting together a three-act comedy-drama, “Anita’s Trial” at Frank’s Opera House Thursday evening, Feb. 5, with proceeds to be used to pay off the debt for the school piano. Tickets are available for 17 cents, 28 cents and 35 cents.
An evangelist, Rev. Young, will give a presentation on “The Art of Getting Along with Folks” during the chapel exercise at school next week.
Nellie Baker conducted a spelling contest for members of the Ladies Library Club and Lillian Buskirk was the winner. Phila Deuel have presentation on Michigan history. Both programs were impromptu because the scheduled speaker was a no-show.
G. Clack was scheduled to do a program on “What Is Propaganda?” at the next meeting of the Wayland Grange.
The Anti-Can’t Club will meet at the home of H.N. Baker. Those who want or need a ride may meet beforehand at the Hooker store.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher explained to readers that news and advertising materials should be at the Globe office no later than noon Wednesdays. “Our reading material is set on linotype in Grand Rapids and copy goes by special delivery on the noon GR & I train.”
Milo D. Campbell spoke to area farmers at Frank’s Opera House about the advantages of uniting to form an organization so farmers “can demand prices that will place the farming industry on the same plane as other businesses.”
A Globe display advertisement: “If coffee plays tricks with your nerves and breaks your rest, try Instant Postum.”
The Allegan County Prosecutor’s Office presented its annual report noting 138 arrests in 1919, with 132 convictions, including 10 being sent to Ionia, three to Detroit and one to Jackson. Thirty were convicted of violating fish and game laws. Six were nailed for being drunk, one for bastardy, four for using foul language, four for “lewd and lascivious cohabitation.”
A classified ad: “Wife wanted. Man of 45… am going to a farm in the spring. Anyone wishing a good home, please answer.” Frank Damoth.