(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Aug. 16, 1995
Editor Nila Aamoth wrote a couple of Soapbox pieces clarifying comments she made the week before about County Commissioner Gary Melvin and Yankee Springs Township’s opposition to fruit and vegetable stands. She noted Melvin’s entertainment exploits were done in a trip not paid for by public tax dollars and she supports fruit and veggie stands as a matter of free enterprise, but understands why some businesses complain they don’t pay taxes or need to obratin permits.
The old rusted bridge, built in 1916, over the Rabbit River on 133rd Avenue has found a new home in Van Buren County at no cost to Hopkins Township.
James Hegel, 24, was killed when the truck in which he was a passenger overturned on rth Street near 133rd Avenue in Wayland Township. The truck driver may face charges.
Martin Township’s bill of $6,300 for 21 calls in fire services in Watson Township will be the subject of an inter-governmental meeting to discuss how Watson can better recover the costs.
Wayland schools are getting ready to start the academic year anticipating between 100 and 120 new students, which means a hefty increase in state aid under Proposal A passed in 1994.
Six portable classrooms will greet students at Hopkins this fall after millage failures for building a new elementary school.
John Flannigan has been selected as new principal at Brandon Elementary in Martin. He hails from Owosso.
The Great Lakes Soccer Club, which includes many players from Wayland and Middleville, has returned from a summer tour of Ireland.
Wayland High School graduate Chad Coffman, now a freshman at Western Michigan University, has made the football squad, punting an average of 43 years per kick.
The Globe published a feature story and many photos about historic barns in Allegan County.
Floy G. Hoffmaster, longtime elementary school teacher in Byron Center, Dorr, Moline and Grand Rapids until retiring in 1970 died. She was 89.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 12, 1970
German foreign exchange student Dieter Maier, who stayed one year in 1954 with the Rudolph Steebys, paid a visit to Wayland with his family. Maier now is superintendent of a junior high school in Germany.
Wallace Wakeman was honored for his 10 years of service on the Wayland Board of Education, the last several as president. He was succeeded in his post by Don Lapham.
Wayland Board of Education members are still trying to figure out what they should do about materials such as pens, pencils and paper in the wake of the Michigan Supreme Court ruling.
The next Wayland Union Schools millage request to build a new high school will be held in a special election set for Dec. 7. The request already has been turned down twice.
Five World War II servicemen, all brothers Jack, David, Kay, Morris and Harold, met for a reunion at Selkirk Lake with their mother, Mrs. Rosalee Shanks.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Easy Rider,” starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. No one under 16 years of age will be admitted.
Mrs. Alvin Belden, who taught Sunday school for many years at Monterey United Methodist Church, died at the Allegan Health Center. She was 71.
Edith Parks, a missionary to Africa, will be guest speaker Sunday at the Martin and Shelbyville United Methodist Churches.
“The Newports,” with a big band sound, are featured Saturday and Sunday nights at the Middle Villa, Middleville.
The ninth annual Wayland Globe tennis tournament will take place on courts in Wayland and Middleville, with Spriggs TeRoller as director.
The barn on the Moline farm of Wayne Helmhold was destroyed by fire, along with equipment, hay and antiques.
A film scheduled for Sunday night at the Green-Lake Drive-in Church is “Fast Way Nowhere,” focusing on teens who worship at the altar of money rather than God.
75 Years Ago — Aug. 17, 1945
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher, noting a recent shortage of soap in stores, waxed eloquently about how Grandma in long-gone days would use wood ashed, lye water and waste fats to creat soft soap.
A striking headline at the top of the Globe’s front page edition declared, “War is Ended!” because of the news of the surrender of Japan after two atomic bombs were dropped. Mosher said, “With V-J Day the bloodiest and costliest conflict in history has come to an end.”
Robert LaTourette reported that while he was serving in Guam, he ran into two Wayland boys, Dick Clack and Don House.
Pfc. Fellx Ambrose, who had served in the military since 1941 in France and Germany, was welcomed home.
Cpl. Robert Reidlinger remains in Germany helping to repair the Temple Hoff Air Drome in Berlin.
Charles Uptown and the Uptowners, also known as “The Bomb Serenaders,” will perform for the roast beef dinner and festival at Gun Lake.
The Pines Lunch will have a special on its rabbit dinner Sunday downtown.
A special meeting is planned for Aug. 29, when Hopkins Public Schools will try to sell the Fractional District No. 1, District No. 2, No. 6 and No. 7 buildings and the grounds of District No. 9.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Robert Lowery and Phyllis Brooks in “High Powered.”
- Charles Starrette in “Cyclone Prairie Rangers.”
- John Wayne and Ann Dvorak in “Flame of Barbary Coast.”
- Peter Lawford, June Lockhart and Nigel Bruce in “Son of Lassie.”
100 Years Ago — Aug. 13, 1920
The Allegan County Fair three weeks hence is anticipating as many as 2,500 people to attend. The Allegan County Farm Bureau Cooperative cautioned everyone to beware of “smooth tongued” gents who are selling inferior beef and called for everyone’s help in combatting the scourge of the Hessian fly.
The community of Corning is the latest to look into the possibility of forming a farmers’ cooperative.
Gubernatorial candidate Milo D. Campbell will make campaign stops Friday, Aug. 29, in Burnips, Dorr, Moline, Bradley, Shelbyville and Martin.
Noah Beilhearz, impersonator, will appear on the last night of the six-day Redpath Chautauqua, featuring a debate on “Bald Heads vs. Whiskers.”
Lida Conrad will teach this year at District No. 7, Ida Edwards at No. 8 and Rose Fifelski No. 9 in Dorr.
Moline Boy Scouts, under the guidance of Commander Ben Beard, have just returned from a week-long excursion to Crystal Lake.
The American Girls, among the acts featured in the Chautauqua, “don’t attempt to give the ‘classical’ selections, seeking rather to feature popular and laugh –producing songs and instrumental numbers.”
The road at Watson Corners is being constructed and extended east toward Dixie Highway.
Mark Harvey, candidate for U.S. Congress from Centreville, says he “has no big promises to0 make. He is not an agitator. Neither is he a railroad attorney. His platform is simply the Republican platform.”
(COVER PHOTO courtesy of Tom Carter)