(Taken from the archives at the Then & Historical Society in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 2, 1995
Hopkins farmer Orville Miller was taken to his final resting place by a horse-drawn hearse to Sacred Heart Church cemetery. He died at the age of 82.
Pat Staley wrote a feature story about Margaret Weber whose 50-year career including toiling at the Blood Brothers business in Allegan and later at Dorr Farm Products, which formerly was Salem Co-Op.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her most recent “Soapbox” entry, urged citizens to do everything they can to protect the Allegan County Park at the east end of 124th Avenue. A special interest group was threatening to take it over.
Chris Rice penned a letter complaining about the lack of taste of a strip-tease style lip-sync contest entry during the Summerfest celebration. Festival Chairwoman Candy Mohn promised a similar problem will not occur again.
The Globe absorbed criticism from letter writer Constance Holbrook for lack of coverage of the Dorr Fourth of July celebration. Newspaper representatives explained that the 4th of July edition was combined and went to press before the festival took place.
George Grevenstuk was installed as new pastor of the Open Door First Reformed Church.
Agriscience teachers Robert Brown and Cindy Conley attended a professional development seminar at Sault Ste. Marie.
Maude Steeby, wife of 69 years of longtime Wayland Union Schools Supt. Rudolph Steeby, died July 29. Her service was scheduled at Leighton United Methodist Church.
50 Years Ago — July 29, 1970
Mrs. Paul Slater (Karen Fifelski) and Mary Lee Hayes have earned certification as nurses. Mrs. Slater has ben hired at Butterworth Hospital and Miss Hayes at a hospital in Madison, Wisc.
The Wayland Community Band’s second concert of the summer season at the City Park. Selections will include “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Spinning Wheel” and selections from the movie “The Sandpiper.”
Wayland High School freshman Hermie VanBelkum was High Point Youth at the National Apaloosa Show in Huron, S.D.
A better than average turnout is expected for the Aiug. 4 primary election for governor, state representative, state senator, U.S. Congress and a variety of township offices.
Arthur Burnash, former owner of Art’s Tavern in Dorr, died at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. He was 64.
Wayland City manager John Hefner has reported the Planning Commission is working on improving recreation plans for the city.
Letter writers Bonnie DeKraker and Mr. and Mrs. Josius DeKraker wrote separate letters praising Editor-Publisher Irv Helmey and Wes Warren for their two-page advertisement criticizing left-wing activities and anti-war demonstrations. Though former Board of Education President Wallace Wakeman called the ads a slide back into John Birch Society material, they thanked Helmey and Warren for “the terrific issue of the real truth.”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Walt Disney’s “King of the Grizzlies.”
The Globe was chock full of ads from local businesses for the annual Sidewalk Sales July 31-Aug. 1. One political ad was for Lewis “Butch” Schmidt for Dorr Township constable.
The Congregational and Disciples of Christ churches, which recently agreed to merge, held their first joint service at the Disciples Church on West Superior. There was a number of guest speakers for the occasion.
The Hopkins chapter of the FFA has been chosen as one of the top 16 in the nation at a convention in Columbus, Ohio. Chaptr president is Dennis Miller.
The Carpenters scored their first in a long line of No. 1 hit songs with “Close to You.”
75 Year Ago — Aug. 3, 1945
Consumers Power workers are constructing new power lines from Battle Creek t Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, promising better industrial service.
The Conservation Service has released maps of the Gun Lake area, showing the deepest water is in East Lake. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher quipped, “About the only information missing is just where those huge blue gills have gone in the last few weeks.”
Cousins Loren Mauchmar and Gene Tanner met up at the Marshall Islands July 20 while serving in the Pacific Theatre.
Richrd Overmire was promoted to first lieutenant while serving in southern France, where he was quartermaster for the Colored Service Troops.
Cpl. Joseph Pavlak has been serving at Casablanca in North Africa for what is being hailed as the “greatest air transport movement in history.”
Lt. Richard Hines is home from Austria and soon will be sent to finish his military service in Arkansas.
Former local Pet Milk Manager Clyde Pierson, now manager at the Belleville, Ill, plant, was in town visiting Rollo G. Mosher and family at Gun Lake. Pierson’s son, Air Force Sgt. Donald Pierson, had been a prisoner of war, but has returned to the U.S.
Capt. Edward Smith received a Silver Star with the Third Army in Eurpoe.
The Wayland Bakery is closed because of a shortage of sugar and shortening.
Le Otis Fox, born in Bradley in 1868, died at the Carpenter farm. He was 77.
Fred Zollings has reported the Pines Lunch has reopened after completing a remodeling project.
Sgt. Albert DeVries earned his Silver Star posthumously for service in the Sama campaign.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Ann Miller, Roy Rogers, William Wright, “Eve Knew Her Apples.”
- Gabby Hayes, Dale Evans in “Bells of Rosarita.”
- Dennis O’Keefe, Eve Arden and the Woody Herman Orchestra in “Earl Carroll Vanities.”
- Betty Grable and Dick Haymes in “Diamond Horseshoe.”
100 Years Ago — July 30, 1920
A spectacular fire that destroyed or severely damaged a business block in downtown Hopkins was reported to have started in the rear of the Watkins Department Store. More than $100,000 worth of damage was estimated. Also included in the fire were the Adams Store, Hopkins State Bank, Citiznes Telephone Co., Punches Meat Market, F. H. Watkins, J.H. Baxter & Son and John Maloney’s implement business.
It was reported to the Globe that “Hopkins has practically no fire protection,” so heroic efforts were made by citizens’ bucket brigades in a losing battle. Though Allegan sent a chemical truck and Wayland and Otsego departments assisted, it was too late to salve much of the business district.
Mrs. Helen Clack, formerly of Dorr, fell from a streetcar in Glendale, Calif., broke her hip and was hospitalized.
The Dorr Progressive Farmers Club net at the home of W. DeVries with a reportedly large attendance.
Miss Alice Edwards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Edwards, is home from studies in Ann Arbor Medical College.
Earl H. Hipple, “Wizard of the Xylophone,” and his concert company, will be included in the Redpath Chautauqua at the Dixie Inn south of the village. Dramatic orator Brooks Fletcher also is on the bill.
A plan for organizing Farm Bureau women was explained at a recent meeting in Hopkins Township.