(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 14, 1995
Wilma Baske, 93, determined to be the oldest living Hopkins High School graduate, showed off her handiwork to members the class reunion. She had graduated 75 years previous.
Renae Ellis wrote a letter to the editor expressing dismay over crowd booing of a special needs student as he accepted his high school diploma. She maintained that in these modern times too many abuse those less fortunate.
Mary Howard, principal at Hopkins Elementary, wrote a letter defending school board members who were accused of being untrustworthy.
Robert Wiersma Jr. and Kenneth Olney upset incumbents Lynn Mandaville and Rick Cain in the contest for Wayland Board of Education. Boyd Navis and Gary Hoffmaster were elected to four-year terms in Hopkins and Patricia Higgins won a partial term. Monte Burns won the only open seat in Martin.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about veterinarian Larry Julius, who operates five veterinary clinics, including Thornapple on Patterson Avenue.
The Wayland Board of Education hired Allen Brewer as varsity golf coach and accepted the resignation of soccer coach Loren VanPortfleet.
The Rev. Wendell Stine, pastor at the Wayland United Methodist Church since 1991, has announced he will retire June 18 from the ministry after serving for 30 years.
Eleanor C. Morgenstern, matriarch of a well-known and longtime Wayland family, died at her home just west of Wayland. She was 76.
50 Years Ago — June 10, 1970
Ed Rieder, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Rieder of Wayland, has earned his osteopathic doctor’s degree in Des Moines, Iowa.
Dr. Robert Blickensderfer, an osteopath, has opened his practice in Moline. He received a degree in pharmacy from Ohio Northern University and his medical degree from Hirksville College in Missouri.
Wendell Miles has been appointed circuit judge for Ottawa and Allegan counties, succeeding the late Chester Ray.
Wayland Union Schools’ bond proposal to build a new high school was defeated at the polls by a count of 668 to 651. Marilyn Bastian and Dorothy DeWeerd won the eight-for-two election for school board seats, besting incumbent Wallace Wakeman.
Burrell Stein and Russell Brenner won seats on the Hopkins Board of Education. Voters turned down a bond proposal to build a new elementary school, 346 to 329. It was the third time the issue has been defeated.
Wayland High School graduates Sherida DeWeerd, Carol Blaauw and Martha Blain have earned their nursing degrees, the former two at Pine Rest and the latter at Blodgett.
State Rep. James Farnsworth of Plainwell is applauding the “campus disorder bill,” outlining penalties and incarceration time for students who engage in campus disruptions.
Mrs. Nancy King will serve Wayland, St. Therese and Moline Christian schools as speech correctionist.
Joanne Grzeszak of Dorr has been awarded a Branstrom Book Club Prize from Grand Valley State College.
The Green Lake Drive-In Church plans to show the film, “Journey to the Sky,” about the hippies subculture Sunday evening.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre, “The Hell Fighters,” with John Wayne.
The Wayland junior varsity baseball tam captured the last Expressway League “pennant” with a 12-5 overall record. Coach is Richard Akers.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cole reported a visit from a porcupine in their flower bed.
75 Years Ago — June 15, 1945
The annual school election will include candidates Harry Elenbaas, Clifford Pike, Al Palesick, Howard Clack and Ed Alflen.
A display of World War II weapons and souvenirs has appeared in the front window of the Wayland State Bank building downtown. Anyone who wishes to contribute an artifact should call A.H. Johnson.
Staff Sgt. William Hooker has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service during the Normandy Invasion and afterward in the European Theatre.
Charles B. Lane, a pioneer Hopkins farmer died at his home. He was 87.
Mrs. Caroline Gray, a Dorr Township native and Moline resident for 43 years, died at the age of 77 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was a member of the Mothers Club in Moline and Wayland and the Catholic Ladies Club.
Sgt. Leo Haywood, who served in the Pacific Theatre for four years, was honorably discharged and returned to Wayland. He survived two bouts of malaria.
Harold J. Hawkins has been discharged from the Southwest Pacific Sea Bees operation. He was an electrician’s mate and also had served in World War I.
Lt. Roman Niemczyk, who had been a prisoner of war for almost two years near Munich has come home to Wayland after being freed.
Pvt. James Burns earned a citation for his service as a turret gunner in Patton’s Army.
Pfc. Herman Stoffel of Dorr is hospitalized with wounds he suffered in Manila with the First Cavalry.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Ray Milland and Marjorie Reynolds in “Ministry of Fear.”
- Roy Rogers and Trigger in “Man from Music Mountain.”
- Wallace Beery, James Gleason and Jan Clayton in “This Man’s Navy.”
- Claudette Colbert, Joseph Cotton and Shirley Temple in “Since You Went Away.”
100 Years Ago — June 11, 1920
The Wayland Village Council has taken a stand to prohibit gypsies who have made their presence known in the downtown and “have been disagreeable to residents of the village.”
The annual Wayland High School alumni banquet was held at the Dixie Inn south of town with about 60 present. Goldie Stockdale was elected president of the Alumni Association, Tressia Smith vice president, Genevieve Hooker treasurer and Grace Yerick recording secretary.
The Northeast Hopkins Community Club members heard a presentation about consolidating rural schools. Biggest obstacle appears to be prospects for higher taxes.
Samuel Haywood, who came to Wayland Township in 1844 and fathered 12 children from two wives, died after an illness of 10 years. He was 87.
F.D. Cutler, Wayland-area farm businessman, wrote a letter to the Globe about his bus trip to St. Paul, Minn., to attend a huge Holstein sale that featured more than 250 animals at a total value of more than a million dollars.
Members of the garment making club of Martin have had their meeting.
Thirteen local youths have been reported to have passed their eighth-grade state exams.
The annual Decoration Day observance by the International Order of Odd Fellows will be Sunday, June 13. The program will include singing and speakers at Elmwood Cemetery. Autos will be provided to those who need transportation.
Brick work for the Beall Brothers storefront downtown is now complete.
Heavy trucks hauling logs to Moline have damaged planks on the bridge at Rider’s Corners, which has been condemned until it can be repaired.
Allegan County Road Commissioner R. McLoub has applied calcium chloride to Dixie Highway, making it dustless.
Auto Sales & Service has installed a 500-gallon gas tank and pumps, making six gas pumps on Main Street, giving the town more protection against gas famines.
