(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Sept. 13, 1995
The front page was graced by a photo of Library Director Lynn Mandaville, who with the assistance of Lynn Gulch, was working on a project to archive all editions of the Wayland and Penasee Globes since 1884 on CD-Roms. The project was funded by a grant from the Allegan Foundation.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in the weekly “Soapbox,” discussed recent complaints about less than stellar maintenance of the downtown. She maintained that “watering and feeding the trees that were supposed to transform a dowdy downtown into a smart, chic business district” was important.
Rusty Dutkiewicz of Dorr, in a letter to the editor, defended the Supreme Court’s decision to continue the feeding tube for Mike Martin of Moline, saying, “If we begin to kill people whose lives we decide have no value, we’re on a slippery slope.”
The attorney for Patricia Major and Leeta Martin was critical of the Globe’s “one-sided” coverage of the Mike Martin story.
Hopkins Schools Supt. George Stamos wrote a letter explaining that middle school and high school students do have enough lockers for two students each, but too many are too small to adequately handle their needs.
Dennis Reno has resigned as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, a post he has held since its inception in 1990.
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners voted only 5-4 to renew the contract of Administrator Joanne Jones, with some citing lack of leadership qualities.
Great Lakes Auction and Wonderland Tire are expanding their operations in the Dorr Township Industrial Park.
Blanco Furniture, co-owned by George and Jose Blanco, will close its doors after 49 years of being in business in Shelbyville.
Benjamin Fisher, 11, was in critical condition after he was injured in a car-bicycle accident on 137th Avenue.
Hopkins ran past Hamtramck 54-7, Wayland edged Kenowa Hills 16-14, with backup fullback Joe Moore gaining 136 yards, and Martin lost 34-8 to Lawrence.
Wayland sharpshooter Angie Farmer swished five three-point field goals and scored a school-record 40 points, but the Lady Wildcats lost 63-58 to Kenowa Hills. The school record, which eclipsed the old mark by seven, since then has been tied by Presley Hudson and Stephanie Ainsworth.
Hopkins girls ran past Fennville 69-37 and Martin drilled Saugatuck 58-32.
Led by Gina Garza and Kim Nieuwenhuis, the Wayland girls’ tennis team is off to a 2-0-1 start.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 9, 1970
Former Miss Wayland Lynne Freeman took grand champion strutter honors in baton twirling at the Michigan State Fair.
Attorney Richard Hudson of Hastings will be guest speaker at the next Wayland Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Paul Howard of Dorr, a recent Western Michigan University graduate, recently returned from a special 100-day mini-van tour of Europe while spending just $600.
The new Allegan County Medical Care Facility was to be host for an open house at its new location on the south side of Lake Dumont.
The City Council has approved the purchase of four acres of property for a water well on the southeast portion for $750 an acre.
The first meeting of the Recreation Planning Committee, with Ted Green as chairman, was held at Henika Library.
The St. Joseph Carnivalaires, an 18-member choral group, and the “Tijuana Brats” will be the main entertainment attractions this year at the Allegan County fair.
Roger Walters, 17, of Wyoming, was killed in a car-train crash near Selkirk Lake Road and 125th Avenue. Authorities said foggy weather was a factor.
Gary Welch of Hopkins received an Army Commendation Medal for his service near Chu Lai, Vietnam.
City Manager John Hefner, in his column, attempted to explain the three-mill proposed request for construction of sanitary sewer, the hook-up fee of $250 and the monthly service charge.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Good-bye Columbus,” starring Richard Benjamin, Ali McGraw and Jack Klugman.
Members of the Hopkins Athletic Boosters have been working hard on re-sodding the turf on the football field.
Co-captains of the 1970 Wayland High School varsity football team are Mike Longstreet and Rick Moser.
Women’s volleyball is starting up again at 8 p.m. Mondays at the high school girls’ gym.
75 Years Ago — Sept. 14, 1945
Harvey Zeerip and Jacob Eding went by plane to Detroit to check out the auto show revealing the new 1946 Ford models.
World War II convalescent patients from Fort Custer spent a day of relaxation and recreation at the Yankee Springs State Park.
Music students of Mrs. Harry Sutton and violin students of Donna Jean Blue will present a recital at the United Methodist Church.
Oscar Kaechele of Middleville was the top prize winner at the annual Southwest Michigan Jersey Parish Show at the Village Park.
Sgt. Harris Brower has arrived back home in Wayland from Italy.
Franciscan missionary Fr. Norbert Staslak will be guest speaker during a special series at St. Therese Church.
Charles Iler of Hopkins has been elected president of the Allegan County Rural Letter Carriers Association.
Former Wayland Village Street Commissioner John Hupp died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was 70.
Annie Dumaresq, a native of Germany, died at age 82. She had lived for many years at Bowens Mill before moving to Wayland.
The Rod & Gun Club put out a special invitation to all returning military veterans to attend a potluck at the Wayland High School cafeteria.
Mrs. Grant and Clarence Van Der Kolk are the new teachers this fall at the Hopkins Consolidated Schools.
Mrs. Richard Finkbeiner has returned to Wayland after spending more than six months with her husband in Laredo, Texas, where he is an instructor for the Air Force.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- James Dunn and Sheila Ryan in “The Caribbean Mystery.”
- Wild Bill Elliott and Red Ryder in “The Marshal of Reno.”
- Eddie Bracken and Veronica Lake in “Out of This World.”
- Charles Coburn, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Thomas Mitchell in Darryl Zanuck’s “Wilson.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 10, 1920
A total of 128 people attended the Baker family reunion at the Charles Wilcox farm in Hopkins Township.
The Wayland area was plagued by a series of vehicle accidents the previous Saturday. Donald Carner, 4, was run over by the front wheel of a Willys-Knight touring car and suffered internal injuries. But he fell in soft sand as a result of village workers changing a water main there.
Mrs. Henry Northrup was injured by a car that struck her while she was walking near Maple and Superior streets. The Globe reported the vehicle was being driven by a “green” female who had difficulty negotiating a turn.
Vern Nelson of Hopkinsburg and his wife were injured in their horse and buggy, but their horse fell on concrete next to the Methodist Church, breaking his neck and killing him.
Thomas Wilde and two children were injured when their rolled backward down a steep hill near the farm owned by his brother.
A woman was found unconscious on the side of the road near the Nelson farm. It was determined by Dr. J.S. Bryson that she had suffered an epileptic seizure while attempting to walk to Kalamazoo.
Luell Newman, former telegraph operator for Bradley and Wayland, died of tuberculosis at age 54.
A fire at the farm of Albert Hawley totally consumed his thresher.
A marshal for the Indian Camp meeting at Bradley reported he parked 90 autos at the event.
Elected delegates to the Republican Party State Convention were Frank Chamberlain, Wayland; Earl Briggs, Shelbyville; Claude Hoffmaster, Hopkins, and Charles Ellis, Moline.
Henika Library Director Fannie Hoyt wrote a letter to the editor insisting that Wayland, in light of the recent Redpath Chautauqua series and the approaching homecoming celebration, needs to provide better essential services, such as restrooms, to visitors and guests.