(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 31, 1995
Wayland adult education teacher Linda Koch presented the Student of the Year award to Julie Crooks at commencement, noting she was able to complete coursework with five children.
Competition is keen for Board of Education posts in the annual school election next month. Gary Hoffmaster, Boyd Navis, Lois Dixon and Pat Kelsey for one four-year position and Pat Higgins and Bryan Layton for the remaining one year of another post. Monte Burns and Gordy Noble will vie for one seat in Martin. Diane Smith, Rick Cain, Ken Olney, Lynn Mandaville and Robert Wiersma will compete for two seats in Wayland.
Michele Mazei is the valedictorian for the Martin Class of 1995 and Jason DeWeerd salutatorian.
The Globe include a special old-time photo of the graduating members of the Wayland High School Class of 1927, which included Pauline Mason and Julia Smith, who later was to spend many years as a teacher in the district.
The Wayland High School baseball team scored a huge upset over undefeated Wyoming Park (30-0) in the finals of the Furniture City Classic. Dan Francis was the winning pitcher and Joe Konecny delivered the winning single. The Wildcats now are 15-19 heading into district play.
The Wayland High School girls’ varsity soccer team concluded its first season with an overall record of 4-14-1.
Mark Garcia captured first place in the 400-meter run in the Southwest Athletic Conference track meet and Martin boys placed fourth.
The Clipper girls wound up third in the league meet, Erin Barron won the high jump and discus.
Jim Veltman won the Louis Japinga and Senior Boys’ Athlete Award while Kim Koopman was selected top Female Senior Athlete.
Wayland’s Gina Garza won the state-wide Governor’s Community Service Award at a banquet in Lansing.
Wayland High School sophomore Nathan Kruizenga will spend most of his summer in New Zealand as a representative of Youth for Understanding.
50 Years Ago — May 27, 1970
Local Dog ‘N Suds restaurant owner Bob Bell presented an unusual $100 cash award to both Jon Carroll and Sharon Snook for best teacher-student combined effort for course completion.
Donald Dorlag of Hopkins earned his doctor of philosophy (PhD) from Michigan State University and has accepted a teaching post at San Diego State College.
Denise Thompson of Hopkins was named salutatorian for the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing and she earned the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award.
Pat Cooke of Dorr was named as valedictorian for Byron Center Christian School. She will attend South Christian High School in the fall.
Lenore Romney, guest speaker of the Allegan County GOP dinner in Otsego and a candidate for U.S. Senate, told about 300 in attendance a new direction is needed for the U.S., away from dependence on government to solve problems. Congressman Ed Hutchinson reported he conducted a survey of his district and learned there is strong support for President Nixon’s policies in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Disney’s “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.”
Workmen from the Myaard Construction Co. were pictured installing a well point pump for a new sewer system in Hopkins.
Wayland Schools is mailing a booklet to residents of the district outlining needs for a new high school and other physical improvements.
Spec.-4 Scott Chestnut, a 1967 graduate of Wayland High School, is a technical controller with Signal Support in the Army in Vietnam.
James C. Rand of Shelbyville is serving with the Marines in Vietnam.
The Wayland High School track team took first place in the last Expressway League track meet. Notable performances were turned in by Rich Worfel, Greg Dandrow, A.J. Predum, Brent Irwin and Chuck Wright. Coach is Jon Wolcott.
Grand Rapids Junior College sports writer Mike Niemczyk of Hopkins earned a Michigan Collegiate Press Award.
Wayland High School graduate Don Klein has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Central Michigan University.
The Wayland tennis team won the last Expressway League title. Taking first in the league tourney were Jim Hendrixson at first singles and doubles performers Mike Chrisman and Mike Comrie and Chuck Randolph and Alan Kupres. Coach is Spriggs TeRoller.
Ray Stevens took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Everything Is Beautiful.”
75 Years Ago — June 1, 1945
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher praised the appearance of Elmwood Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day service. “The cemetery looked spic and span…” he remarked.
Harry Elenbaas and Clifford Pike are the only two candidates this month in the annual school election for Board of Education seats.
Pvt. Jack Miles of the Marines has been wounded in battle on Okinawa and is in a field hospital.
Staff Sgt. Donald Davidson is beginning his fourth year of service overseas with the famous Red Arrow Infantry in Luzon.
Esther Winger gave the valedictory address and Donald Sutton the salutatory address at Wayland High School commencement. Walt Gurney gave the board president’s address.
Pvt. Felix Gulch was liberated from a German prisoner of war camp after being listed missing in action in Belgium the previous December.
Sgt. Wayne Aubil received a Bronze Star for his service with the Air Force in England.
The annual Wayland High School reunion will be held June 1 at the Wayland High School cafeteria, with the Class of 1925 being honored. Dacie Haines was scheduled to speak.
Col. George S. Clarke, the last ground officer to leave Bataan, was featured in a film to be shown Sunday evening at Wayland United Methodist Church.
Pupils of music teacher Mrs. Richard Overmire were to present a recital at the Congregational Church.
Patching operations are to begin soon on U.S.-131 between Martin and Bradley.
Tech Sgt. Frank Carlon was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster for his heroism in service in the Philippines.
Jay F. Hazen of Hopkins received an Air Medal for his service on a bomber over Italy.
Now showing the Wayland Theatre:
- Ann Miller and Joe Besser in “Eady Was a Lady.”
- Richard Arlen and Jane Frazee in “The Big Bonanza.”
- Gracie Fields and Monte Woolley in “Molly and Me.”
- William Powell and Myrna Loy in “The Thin Man Goes Home.”
100 Years Ago — May 28, 1920
The first banquet of the Commercial Club, held at the Dixie In south of town, attracted 30 people. President F.C. Wing said the group successfully solicited funds for the New Wayland band and held further discussions about having a free five-session Chautauqua during the summer.
Margaret Beall was to present the valedictory address and Bernice Watts the salutatory address at Wayland High School commencement June 4 at Christian Church. Dr. W.D. Henderson was slated to give the main address.
Dorr native George Frank, 53, died after being bed ridden for seven months with a lingering illness. He was “well and favorably known by all.”
Civil War veteran Henry Frank, formerly of Moline, died at his daughter’s home in Grand Rapids at age 83. He marched with General William Tecumseh Sherman through Georgia to the sea in 1865.
William Carpenter, almost 90 years old, “an old resident here (Martin), but for the last few years,” died at his son’s home in Kalamazoo.
W.C. Cribbs, marketing and organizing specialist, has been brought in by the Farm Bureau Cooperative to help with the group’s future plans in a special session in Martin.
The Rev. Fay C. Wing will present the Baccalaureate address to the Wayland High School Class of 1920 Sunday evening.
Twelve applications have been made in Allegan for U.S. citizenship and 10 have been approved. Among those winning citizenship are local residents Andrew Glusix (Austria) and Charles Balkema (The Netherlands).
The Rev. and Mrs. C.W. Jones are leaving for Bay View, where she is matron for the halls of the association.
The Rev. Henry Rochner, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, will be guest speaker at Memorial Day observances May 30.
The Allegan County Field Day will bring in 67 athletes at the fairgrounds. Events will include the 100, 220, 440 and 880 races, the mile run, shot put, running broad jump, 220 hurdles, pole vault and 880 relay. Also scheduled is the county-wide baseball championship game between Hopkins and Allegan.
COVER PHOTO: The new Grand Rapids and Indian Railroad Depot in Wayland. This depot still stands on the same side of the tracks as where the old one stood, but in the next block south on Railroad Street. In this picture postcard you would be looking north. You can also see the planks for Superior Street crossing at the bottom of the postcard. They used the old depot only for freight at this time. The G.R.&I. Railroad was purchased by the Pennsylvania Central Railroad March 26, 1921.
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