(Taken from the archives at the Then & Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — July 26, 1995
The Globe’s front-page photo for this edition was of 3-year-old Michael Dykstra and his mother, Celia, later to become owner of Simply Celia’s, at the first-ever Hopkins Car and Truck Show.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in the weekly Soapbox, suggested more avenues for walking opportunities for the annual Wayland Summerfest. She added her firm belief in insisting all new subdivisions and infrastructure improvements include sidewalks.
Irene Wright, retired reporter for the Cincinnati Inquirer, wrote a letter to the editor relaying the entertainment talents of Allegan County Commissioner Gary Melvin. He and his wife joined Wright and others for a trip touring Europe.
Amy Jo Frigmanski and Daniel Robert Francis were declared winners of the American Legion Award at Wayland High School.
Jeffrey Alan Fenton, 21, of Wayland, was the sixth person arrested in connection with a party at Gun Lake that got out of hand. He was charged witb malicious damage to police equipment. Others arrested included Steve Sevigny, 18, for assault; Tim Kopp, 19, resisting and obstructing; Shane Towne, 19, resisting and obstructing; Dougla Oele, resisting and obstructing.
Wayland Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd was master of ceremonies at the 50th reunion of the WHS Class of 1945. Twenty-one of 26 living members attended. Another seven of the original 33 class members had died.
Scott Sullivan wrote a feature story about Dallas Henke and Mariel Versluis, artists, who downsized their lifestyles to go back to the earth in rural Hopkins Township.
50 Years Ago — July 22, 1970
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that schools must provide free textbooks and supplies to students. Area superintendents were interviewed for reactions and they all said the decision will financially hurt already strapped public schools. Editor-Publisher Irv Helmey asserted it was the political “socialization of Michigan’s public school system.”
The Louis Miedema family of Moline is host to Jennifer Sansome of England as part of the 4-H foreign exchange program this summer.
Jack Smith was elected president of the Hopkins Board of Education at its reorganizational meeting.
Pvt. Dennis Roxbury of Hopkins has earned a special award for heroism in Vietnam for helping a fellow serviceman who mistakenly got too lose to a detonated mine.
The 25th annual Wayland Community Fair will take place Aug. 21-22 at the Wayland High School boys’ gym.
The Allegan County Republican Party will be host for a “meet the candidates” barbecue July 30 at the fairgrounds will special guest Elly Peterson, vice chair of the national GOP committee.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Halls of Anger.”
Congressman Ed Hutchinson (R-Fennville) has introduced a bill requiring the President to cut off aid to countries that fail to curb the flow of drugs into the United States.
Walter Winchester, past master of the Dorr Masonic Lodge, died at Central Lake at age 76.
Joseph Keena, formerly of Wayland and son of former Wayland Trooper Harold Keena, has decided to join the Michigan State Police cadet training.
The annual Wayland Queen Contest is planned for Aug. 15 at the Wayland High School girls’ gym. First prize is a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.
Mrs. Ken Bruursma wrote a letter praising the two full page ad published by Irv Helmey and Wes Warren the previous week, contending, “We watch America’s youth falling in line behind left-wing nitwits.”
Alex Liceaga of Shelbyville received a citation for gallantry in military service Vietnam.
75 Years Ago — July 27, 1945
Rollo G. Mosher, in his weekly “Observations” column: “We have it on no less authority than a local dry goods merchant that men are beginning to buy women’s panties as substitutes for unpurchasable men’s underwear.”
Mosher also reported, “Lately, fish have been biting ravenously, especially small ones.”
Gordon Cole, 21, who was wounded Dec. 21, has rejoined the Fifth Army and was stationed at Innsbruck, Austria, when word came that war in Europe was over.
Eldon Millheim was home on leave after serving in the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, engaging in five major battles.
Pfc. Hubert Niemchick has arrived home after serving with the Third Army. He was wounded in battle and lost a buddy on the same day. After his hospital stay he served with the Occupational Unit in Germany.
Pfc. Bill McElwee was wounded by a Japanese bullet in Okinawa and was awarded a Presidential Citation and Purple Heart.
Aviation Metalsmith Arthur House is home on 30-day leave from Alaska.
N.C Thomas, auctioneer for Wayland Rotary and a real estate dealer, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids not long after handling a Rotary auction. He was 73. He had been manager of the Dorr and Wayland creameries and half owner of the Thomas and Vincent General Store in town, besides serving at one time as postmaster at Caledonia.
Richard Lutostanski is home after 22 months serving as an aviation engineer on Ascension Island.
Peter Varanoff of Russia, a graduate of the Odessa Technical School, will be guest speaker Sunday evening at the Church of Christ.
Classified advertisement: “Miles Live Bait close. No stock, no help.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Robert Lowery and Phyllis Brooks in “Dangerous Passage.”
- Charles Starrett in “Cowboy from Lonesome River.”
- Veronica Lake, Sonny Tufts and Eddie Bracken in “Bring on the Girls.”
- Alan Ladd, Gail Russell and Spring Byington in “Salty O’Rourke.”
100 Years Ago — July 23, 1920
Wayland Township and Village voters approved by a margin of 87 to 41 a proposal to consolidate rural schools into one larger unit. The State of Michigan will pay such schools $200 per vehicle for transportation and $600 annually. The issue now goes to residents in surrounding areas.
The Grand Junction Farm Bureau is the latest of many to form a local agricultural cooperative in Allegan County. Meanwhile, the home demonstration program visited the East Wayland home of Mrs. Charles Latrourette.
Donovan Wilson, 8, died at Butterworth Hospital of lockjaw after stepping on a rusty nail and his knee becoming infected.
Gary and Hattie Mason of Wayland and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stebbins of Martin were identified as victims of a car theft rings headed up by M.E. Merrifield and his brother, Ed, of Walloon Lake, Delton.
The Commercial Club will continue to make plans for the Aug. 13-18 Chautauqua at the Dixie Inn south of the village. Flights are being arranged and passengers will land on the Couch place west of Wayland.
Among the attractions at Regent Theatre will be the films “The Willow Tree,” “”Overland Red” and “Revelations.” The heralded film “The Price of Peace,” examining the World War, also will be presented.
H.J. Ross of West Gun Lake is reporting that several thousand smallmouth bass are being planted.
COVER PHOTO: Dorr School students in 1931.