(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 4, 1995
A cover photo of Martin’s Kristin Fraaza showed her carrying a football in a Powder Puff football game before homecoming, where she was voted queen. She also had a big week on the basketball court, where she and teammate Holly Kruzel powered the Clippers to two more victories, hiking their record to 8-1. The football team defeated Lawton 16-8 at homecoming.
Hugh Crowell and Julie Cronk have taken over management of the Ebersole Center, succeeding Paul and Tricia Babldelis, who have left for Costa Rica.
Paul Jackson wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the tobacco sting operations against local businesses, maintaining that the War on Drugs isn’t getting desired results in reducing cigarette smoking.
Vicki Adamczyk and Ania Kerber penned letters discussing continued overcrowded conditions at Hopkins High School and the need for expanding facilities.
Nicole Ringeison, 11, was killed when the bicycle she was riding turned in front of a car on 18th Street near 143nd Avenue in Dorr Township.
The Hopkins chapter of Students Against Drink Driving (SADD) planned to distribute red ribbons during homecoming week.
The Hopkins varsity football team is averaging 46.4 points per game and has outscored its five opponents 232 to 13 thus far this season.
Brian Swanson broke his own school record in cross-country by turning in a five-kilometer time of 16:41.
Despite strong offensive efforts by Jessica Gilder and Melanie Heslinga, the Hopkins girls’ basketball team dropped a pair of encounters during the week and slipped to 5-4 overall.
Kevin Bala now is the West Michigan area’s top rusher with 840 yards gained in 103 attempts. He tallied three touchdowns and ate up 300 yards in a victory over Sparta.
The Wayland girls’ varsity tennis team claimed the title in their own invitational, but them lost dual match contests against O-K Gold Conference foes. Gina Garza is 18-4 and Kristy Hendrick 18-4.
Wayland girls continues to feature a balanced attack while posting an 8-1 overall record and regularly has as many as five players near or reaching double figures.
Gertrude VanderWoude, longtime organist at Wayland Christian Reformed Church and a local piano teacher and member of the Wayland Community Choir, died at age 73.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 30, 1970
City Manager John Hefner explained the installation plans, costs and financing for the awaited sanitary sewer system to members of the Wayland Lions Club.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Guider of Hopkins has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Thailand. A 1942 graduate of Hopkins High School, he is now a math professor.
The police cruiser driven by Wayland Chief Forrest Reichenbach was struck by a vehicle driven by James Tuinstra, 19, who was ticketed for failing to yield the right of way.
Bernadette Nicolai wrote a feature story about Mrs. Bowena Delvin, 88, who knits mittens for Indian children in North Dakota.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers and Phil Silvers in “The Boatniks.”
Voters in the City of Wayland on Nov. 3 will decide the issue of allowing liquor by the glass.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Dept. is reporting troubling increases in major crimes, including breaking and entering, auto theft, rape, kidnapping and robbery.
A special election Dec. 7 will ask voters to approve a $2.71-mill bond issue to build a new Wayland High School facility. The cost has gone up because of unexpected student population increases at Dorr Elementary.
Pastor George VanderWelt, noting a Globe ad that relied heavily on God and Country, criticized the Globe for dropping “with joy and thanksgiving to God” from a birth announcement he submitted.
Denice Kuhtic was elected president of the Girls Athletic Association, Carol Crawford vice president, Kim Baugh secretary and Mary Hooker treasurer.
The Wayland High School varsity football team had its season record evened at 1-1 with an error-marred 32-20 to Wyoming Lee. Mike Longstreet scored two TDs and A.J. Predum added the other, all on short runs.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 5, 1945
All World War II veterans and current military servicemen on furlough are invited to the American Legion potluck at the hall Tuesday evening. The Legion also plans to welcome the County Council for a potluck Sunday at the Wayland High School cafeteria.
First Lt. Jerold Chrisman was home on leave awaiting discharge from the service soon from the Army Air Force. He was in flying missions over the Philippines and New Guinea.
Mrs. Glenna Crofoot performed two violin pieces, “Spanish Dance” and “At Dawn,” with piano accompaniment by Margaret Smith, to entertain members of the Ladies Library Club.
George W. Tanner, former linotype operator for the Globe, Grand Rapids Herald, Grand Rapids Press and Kalamazoo Gazette, died at age 39. A 1925 graduate of Wayland High School, he also was a trumpeter for the local community band and the 126th Infantry Band.
Harry Snyder, 80, former manager of the Hopkins Hotel and a longtime cattle buyer, died at his home in Hopkins.
Mr. and Mrs. Casimer Wisinski, returned to St. Stanislaus Church to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their marriage in that church.
The Leighton Grange was host for seven other area groups for a special Booster Night, with 135 attendees.
The huge ad beckoned local men to help dig Dahlias for the next three to four weeks. Earl Ryno of Wayland Dahlia Gardens promised, “No deductions for bonds,, taxes, Social Security or union dues… Cash!”
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Brenda Joyce and Johnny Weismuller in “Tarzan and the Amazons.”
- Donald Berry and Otto Kruger in “The Chicago Kid.”
- Hedy LeMarr and George Brent in “Experiment Perilous.”
- Betty Hutton, Arturo deCordova and Barry Fitzgerald in “Incendiary Blonde.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 20, 1920
The community is anxiously awaiting the three-day Fall Festival with such events as the Fat Man’s Race, a Three-Legged Race, a Nail Driving Contest, Back to Back Race, Tug of War, Foot Race, Sack Race, Girls’ Race, Wheelbarrow Race, Bicycle Race, 5—Yard Dash, Potato Race and a series of free street entertainment acts.
Wayland High School home economics classes plan to make caps and aprons for participants in the Fall Festival Parade.
Recent Wayland High School graduates Annabelle Norton, Margaret Beall, Bernice Watts, Lucy Andler and Bernice Cutler have left for Kalamazoo to attend classes at Western Normal.
The Moline Farm Cooperative Association is taking an option on the Graczyk Elevator in Dorr for use as headquarters.
George Walsh stars in “The Shark” this weekend at the Regent Theatre, which also will offer the comedy “The Joyous Liar,” starring J. Warren Kerrigan.
J.H. Chamberlain of Barlow Lake got his foot stuck in a sled corn harvester and it almost was severed. He spent treatment and rehabilitation at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Charles Fenton of Wayland was arrested for stealing three bags of buckwheat from George Wait and was given a fine of $10 in Allegan court.
The Bealls Brothers store in downtown Wayland is having a big “Bargain Days” sale in honor of the Fall Festival.
The Rev. Edward Andrews has been announced as the new pastor of the Wayland United Methodist Church.