(Taken from the archives at then Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 24, 1993
Helen Jane “H” Helmey has been chosen grand marshal of the annual Wayland Christmas parade. She was the wife of the late Irvin P. Helmey, who was editor and publisher of the Wayland Globe from 1953 to 1986 and many regarded her as his “partner in crime.”
The Apple Core Lounge in Shelbyville has been closed by owner Al Baker after years of legal wrangling and battles with Wayland Township and the State of Michigan.
Bertha Washburn made good on her promise to bring down a huge sign near where Division Avenue and 10th Street meet north of Wayland. The sign read, “Welcome to Wayland, where your business is ours.”
Dawn Buist wrote a letter to the editor critical of Hopkins Board of Education Trustee Christine Schwartz’s attempts to censor certain books from a list of suggested reading provided to children and parents from Scholastic Books.
Phyllis DeGlopper has been hired by Hopkins Township to perform duties as interim assessor in the wake of the resignation of Ken Duimstra of Wayland.
VandenBerg Builders was granted a rezoning from agricultural to low-density residential n Yankee Springs Township, thereby paving the way for 14 single-family homes to built on the site near Payne Lake.
Two different plans for school finance reform are being examined by the Michigan Legislature. One relies on an increase in state sales taxes from four to six cents on the dollar. The other is more reliant on increasing the state income tax from 4.6% to 6%.
Bradley Piper, 20, of Wayland, was killed in a traffic crash on Division near 100th Street when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car.
The Martin girls’ basketball team captured yet another district title, backed by 25 points from sophomore Kristin Fraaza and 14 from Tracey Smith. The Clippers, however, finished their season with a 16-7 overall record in the regionals, losing to West Michigan Catholic. Michelle Mazei scored 22 points. Martin’s season was particularly remarkable because not one of its players stood taller than 5-8.
The Wayland girls’ hoop season ended with a loss to Carla Ploeg and Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. The Wildcats, led by Anna Rybicki’s 14 points, finished at 15-6 overall and coach Zack Moushegian said the future is looking good because of the performances of freshman Angie Farmer and sophomore Jessica McEwen.
Wayland’s indoor soccer team made its debut appearance at Domeworld in Byron Center with one win and two losses.
50 Years Ago — Nov. 20, 1968
Members of the Wayland Board of Education voted to have two instead of one meetings monthly, on the second and fourth Monday evening because of the press of business.
Pfc. Glenn Noble wrote a letter to the editor from Hue Camp Eagle in Vietnam opposing President Lyndon Johnson’s decision to halt the bombing of communist North Vietnam. He said American troops since the decision have been taking heavier fire.
David Whittredge, a fourth-grader in 4-H, wrote a letter praising the efforts of Allegan County Youth Agent Mary Ellen Rowles.
Patricia Nickels, a 1967 graduate of Wayland High School, survived a serious car accident on East Superior Street, but her pet poodle was killed. Authorities reported a number of crashes and slide-offs because of inclement weather.
St. Therese middle school students who earned all-As on the most recent honor oll were Bob Grafford, Mike Trubiroha, Mary Mogenstern, Monica Pelka, Denise Keena, Parri Pattok, Jancie Shoemaker, Debbie Kirby and Harry Walker.
Michigan Secretary of State James M. Hare is pushing for a lower blood alcohol level for drunken driving arrests, from 0.15% to 0.10%.
Mrs. Harold (Dora) Weaver has been chosen president of the Wayland Community Fair Board, Mrs. Harold Stehouwer vice president, Frank Langley secretary and Mrs. Floyd Modreske treasurer.
Eighty acres of land northeast of Wayland in Leighton Township, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Alflen, has been purchased by the City Council for the site of a wastewater treatment facility.
Space is running out at the city dump on the south edge of town and City Council members soon will have to decide on whether or not to close the site to public access.
Terry Henderson, John Baar and Randy Rairigh were chosen to the second unit of the All-Expressway Leage football team. Honorable mention accolades went to Jerry LaValley, Tom Latondress and Howard Thomas.
Selected to the All-Van football squad from Hopkins were running back Mike Adamczyk and lineman Rog Selvig.
Spec-4 Michael Critchfield of Wayland is serving as a morterman and Harold Wykstra of Martin has been promoted to spec-4. Both are serving in Vietnam.
Ann Ryno, a teacher and missionary in Alaska, was guest speaker at the Wayland Calvary Church.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: James Garner and Eva Marie-Saint in “Grand Prix.”
The Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” was No. 1 for the ninth straight week, but it would be dethroned the following week.
75 Years Ago — Nov. 26, 1943
Kenneth Pratt, grandson of Cora Everhart of Wayland and a 1943 graduate of Wayland High School, has completed flight training Logan, Utah.
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, in his weekly “Observations Here and There” column, said, “With deer hunting season just about over with, a lot of us won’t have much to live for, or at least until ice fishing season begins.”
Mosher also opined, “There are thousands of farmers who will not be in the cattle feeding business for many months unless there is drastic change in government policy. In the meantime, a lot of us folks may find ourselves short of meat…”
Jacob Harshbarger, 81, father-in-law of Wayland Postmaster Morris Ehle, died at the home of his daughter, where he had been staying for the past couple of years.
The annual Union Thanksgiving service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Church of Christ with the Rev. C.G. Ellinger speaking.
Twenty members of the Wayland chapter of the FFA will be inducted into the Green Hand group under the sponsorship of the Augusta FFA chapter.
Mildred Pease was selected worthy matron of the local Order of the Eastern Star and Emil Dietiker worthy patron.
Richard L. “Ty” Finkbeiner was one of the top six graduates of the Briggs School in Detroit in Turrett training.
Miss Betty Wolfer gave a special presentation on China to the Ladies Library Club in the second of a series of programs about “Our Allies.”
The Bradley Extension group is studying “Point Saving Meals’ in the continuing efforts to cope with rationing food.
Letters from servicemen overseas were sent from Chester Brevitz, Rod Cole and Sgt. R.J. Wykoski.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers and Trigger in “Men from Music Mountain.”
- Clair Trevor and Edgar Buchanan in “Good Luck, Mr. Yates.
- Rochester, Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Lena Horne and Louis Armstrong in “Cabin in the Sky.”
- Edward G. Robinson, Glenn Ford and Marguerite Chapman in “Destroyer.”
100 years Ago — Nov. 22, 1918
The winningest ever Wayland High School football team was to be honored on Thanksgiving evening with a special banquet in Yeakey’s Hall.
The Allegan County Board of Supervisors has awarded a $1,000 grant to continue the work of the County Farm Bureau and agrred to a $500 stipend for the agent to buy a car.
Prices for anthracite coal will increase to 95 cents per net ton in 1919, according to Allegan County Fuel Administrator S.M. Sequist.
A.O. Larson, a specialist from the U.S. Department of Entomology, visited Allegan County to investigate damage caused by the Oriental Peach Moth in area orchards.
A model poultry house is being built on the Leighton Township farm of John Kaechele under the watchful supervision of Prof. C.H. Burgess of Michigan State College.
The local Red Cross will be open every Wednesday afternoon in the Wallbrecht Building adjacent to the Beall store.
Mary Burchardt is reported to be far ahead of all competitors for the top prize in the Wing Furniture Store contest.
Mrs. M.D. Thomas of Hopkins has raised 19 turkeys for a total market value of $140.44.
A Thanksgiving Peace Dinner will be held in the Birney House in Dorr Wednesday, Nov. 27. Cost for dancing is 75 cents and 10 cents for spectators.
H.G. Brown of Vermontville is local manager of the F.D. Travis agriculture store in town.
Clyde Pierson and Rollo Mosher have been reported to have arrived in England on Oct. 31 and now are enjoying the benefits of post-war activities.
All area draft broads have announced the suspension of physical examinations.
Henry T. Hooker, 85, of Leighton Township, a resident since 1849, died No. 13. “Besides his widow are many relatives who survive the death of this good man.”
The Wayland High School girls’ choir, under the direction of Miss Caroline Montgomery, presented a rousing rendition of the Frnach national anthem, “La Marsellaise,” to members of the Ladies Library Club.