(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 12, 1995
The Globe’s front page was graced by a menacing photo of a “bad guy” holding a gun on a cop as part of New York Film Academy student Mike Miller’s production of “III Communication” in Leighton Township. Part-time, off-duty Wayland officer Bobbi Jo Ritchie provided the squad car for the scene.
Diane Cowles Butler was elected president of the Wayland Board of Education. New Trustee Robert Wiersema proposed the board meet at various locations in the district, but Supt. Robert Brenner said that had been tried before, with little, if any, interest.
The school board hired Allen Alsup as new boys’ soccer coach succeeding Loren VanPortfleet.
Painter Mariel Versluis of Hopkins has one of the entries selected for the 68th annual Muskegon Museum of Art regional exhibition.
Scott Sullivan, in the “Soapbox” column, admitted it would be a cold day in Hades before he could oppose any library millage proposal. He offered moral support for the 0.75-mill request for a single Dorr Township Library.
Watson Township has purchased a 30-acre parcel on M-222 at 20th Street for $600 an acre with an eye toward using the land for recreation.
DDA Chairman Dennis Reno has announced a brick replacement program for street crossings in Wayland.
Community activist Roz Nicholson has signed a lease on the Porter Hall for use as a local “Hopkins Area Teen Scene” site.
Williams Tool & Manufacturing on 142nd Avenue west of Dorr was granted an industrial facilities exemption certificate, making it eligible for potential tax abatements.
The Leighton Township Board will consider petitions from local citizens to construct a Leighton Township Library building northwest of the Moline ballfields.
Martin High School graduate Tracey Smith plans to continue her athletic career playing softball for Aquinas College.
Donald Weick, 84, of Hopkins, caught the biggest fish of his lengthy angling career when he landed a 50-lib. Salmon in Alaska.
50 Years Ago — July 8, 1970
Pam Pratt of Hopkins, a graduate student at Michigan State University, will explain her professor’s thesis on an “aggressive dating” technique on the Mike Douglas variety television show.
Bob Williams, an employee of Kessler’s, has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Wayland City Planning Commission, succeeding David Miller.
Report Alyce Rewa insisted that the annual Dorr Fourth of July celebration this year attracted its largest audience ever.
R.G. Chapple has been hired as the Wayland City Superintendent of Public Works.
William Ritchie, 27, of Orangeville, was killed in an explosion while using dynamite to clear weeds in England Lake.
The Wayland Community Band, made up of local adults and junior and senior high school students under the direction of Steve Working, will present a concert at City Park.
Dr. A.B Dangremond has taken the gavel as president of the Wayland Rotary, succeeding Dr. Emil Morlock.
Spec.-4 Albert Decker of Dorr has received an Army Commendation medal for heroism in action in the Vietnam Conflict.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Guns of the Magnificent Seven.”
The Wayland City Council decided to take an option on 30 acres northeast of the city limits for use as sewer lagoons and the site of a wastewater treatment plant.
Ronald E. Frank wrote a letter to the editor taking issue with a two-age advertisement published the previous week by Irvin P. Helmey and Wes Warren. They outlined how America should avoid sinking into a communist dictatorship. Their ad, however, earned the praise of another letter writer, Mrs. Kenneth Bruursema.
Barry Brower, a 1963 graduate of Wayland High School serving in Vietnam, acknowledged in his weekly column that there have been many technical and electrical difficulties “over there,” but noted that he will become a civilian in 51 days.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey, with a sense of humor, reported the Globe received an anonymous letter charging the newspaper had “no guts.”
75 Years Ago — July 13, 1945
The school election was a spirited affair, noted Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher in his “Observations” column. Incumbents Clifford Pike and Harry Elenbaas prevailed in a five-way race, but Howard Clark finished a strong third, despite not getting elected.
Dr. Arthur Larson announced the Wayland Board of Education has hired an architect to come up with plans for a $43,000 addition to the school.
“Due to food shortages, the early buyer is on hand to get his share almost as soon as the trucks get their produce unloaded,” Mosher observed.
Glenn Selby of Burnips was featured in a full-page photo in Life Magazine, operating a caterpillar bulldozer on Guam.
Frank Krulac has been honorably discharged after serving for four years in Australia, Papua, New Guinea, Luzon and the Philippines, earning three Bronze Stars.
Servicemen Chester Brevitz and brother Keith Brevitz have met up in Germany after serving separately all thse years.
Joe Radimak, serving in the Merchant Marine, has come home after recuperating from a lengthy illness in the Marine Hospital.
The Globe published a photo of popular Detroit Tigers’ first baseman Hank Greenberg, who has returned to the ballclub from serving overseas.
Joan Baugh sang “God’s Tomorrow” at the outdoor Sunday evening service of the Methodist Church, which was attended by an estimated 150 people.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Charles Starrett and Joan Stevens in “The Return of the Durango Kid.”
- Robert Amstrong in “Gangs of the Waterfront.”
- Joel McRea and Gail Russell in “The Unseen.”
- Jennifer Jones, William Eythe and Charles Bickford in “The Song of Bernadette.”
100 Years Ago — July 9, 1920
Accredited delegates from 75 farmer cooperatives attended the Michigan State Farm Bureau convention at Michigan Agricultural College in East Lansing. Among the attendees were co-ops from Wayland, Martin, Moline, Allegan and Hopkins.
Male members of the Wayland Grange were to answer roll call to the question, “When to cut mixed clover and timothy.” The women were to answer to, “Best methods of sweeping.”
Clarence Oetman of Leighton was taken ill suddenly and rushed to John Robinson Hospital in Allegan, where he underwent surgery for appendicitis. He is recuperating and feeling better.
Charles Yeakey was among the members of the Grotto Band of Grand Rapids that performed at a gig in Muskegon.
Wayland defeated Leighton 7-5 in a baseball contest, with Blaine and Leggett the battery. The local boys will take on Byron Center next Sunday at the Wisniewski farm.
Republican Congressional candidate John C. Ketcham will stop in downtown Wayland Wednesday and if the weather cooperates, he will speak to citizens from the bandstand.
An ancient carriage wheel is credited with saving the life of Murry Harper after his car overturned and plinged into the Thornapple River near Middleville. The wheel was protruding above the surface of the water, saving Harper from drowning.
Sheriff Hillman and Prosecuting Attorney Montague have been spending a lot of time enforcing delinquent payments of taxes for dog licenses. “Several dogs have been killed, and many more will be” if local citizens do not take the new dog license seriously.
Milo Crofoot is recovering from a broken shoulder as a result of a runaway.
The Wayland High School Class of 1916 reunion and potluck was held at the home of Miss Myrtle Chamberlain. Esther Calkins was elected president of the group.
