(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 11, 1995
Licensed Practical Nurse Suzanne Allman of Gun Lake penned a letter about the continuing controversy about removing the feeding tube for Michael Martin of Moline. She wrote that removing the feeding tube may indeed prolong his life, but at the same time may prolomng his agony.
Wayland Union Schools Supt. Bob Brenner has reported that the district is welcoming 122 more students than a year ago, which now makes it the largest school district in Allegan County.
The Wayland Board of Education has approved use of a breathalyzer for students suspected of being under the influence of alcohol on school property, hoping it will serve as a deterrant.
Wayland Junior High School Principal Jon Jensen has resigned his post, effective at the end of this academic year. After completing seven years as an administrator, he plans to return to the classroom as a social studies teacher.
The Allegan County surcharge of $25 annually will be reduced to $15 for Dorr Township, the Township Board has learned.
The Dorr Township Board had lengthy discussion about installing sidewalks along 18th Street in the wake of the death of an 11-year-old girl on her bicycle. The biggest obstacle, to no one’s surprise, is cost.
The new Wayland High School baseball field will be named after its most well known alum, Major League pitcher Phil Regan.
A 53-year-old Stanwood truck driver told troopers from Michigan State Police, Wayland post, that he was robbed at gun point when stopped at the Shelbyville exit off U.S.-131. He said the robber took his wallet and personal items.
Juan Carlos Cortez, 13, was killed in an accident while riding in a front-end loader near a farm in Dorr Township.
Rick Middleton, 45, rolled a perfect 300 game at Airport Lanes. Owner Doug Flick said it was only the second time a perfect game had been bowled at the local establishment, the first being Mike Davis in January 1994.
The Wayland girls’ basketball is getting ready for another showdown against Kenowa Hills, the only team to beat the 11-1 Wildcats. Hopkins girls now are 6-5 and Martin’s hardcourt win streak was halted by Lawrence.
The Wayland varsity football team lost 27-6 to Belding, but Hopkins won its homecoming game 40-0 over Kelloggsville. Scott Langlois and Emily Sizer were selected homecoming king and queen.
Wayland High School golfers have been on a roll in the late season, winning a tri-meet and finishing second in the O-K Gold meet. Scores in the tri-meet were Nate Adamczyk 40, Zeke Fletcher 41, Andy Graham 42 and Matt Meeuwsen 43. Meeuwsen was named to the all-conference team.
Margaret Doxey, matriarch of the very athletic Doxey and Kidney families, died at the Sandy Creek Nursing Center. She was 101.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 7, 1970
Trooper Robert Piziali of the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police received a meritorious citation in his role in the capture of at least five suspects in as many as 55 burglaries in Allegan and Van Buren counties.
The Wayland Township Board is wrestling with two requests for mobile home parks, by Mrs. Charles Chlebana and Stora’s Hill Lake subdivision.
The City of Wayland is buying six more acres of land owned by Mrs. Freida Lotz for water wells on the southeast side of the city. Price is $750 per acre.
Bernadette Nicolai penned a feature story about Mr. and Mrs. Lester Myers, who spent two years in the Air Force, between 1968 and 1970, in Japan.
Paul Davis has been promoted at Pet Inc. to director of quality control, grocery division. He and his family, as a result, will move to St. Louis, Mo.
City Manager John Hefner wrote a letter to the editor telling residents the new service for curbside leaf pickup is an attempt to reduce or eliminate burning of leaves within the city limits.
Gerald Scobey, who was forced to retire from Kindle Furniture because of ill health, died at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. He was 59.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Richard Harris in “A Man Called Horse.”
The United Church of Wayland will have Laity Sunday service, coordinated by local optometrist Dr. John White.
Boyd Heckert and Chris Mauchmar were selected king and queen at the Wayland High School homecoming, where the Wildcats defeated Byron Center 22-12. QB Mike Longstreet passed for 195 yards, including two for TDs to Mark Schipper. Joe Koperski had 10 tackles and Jeff Arnold and Dan Hall nine apiece.
Mrs. Eugene Modreski and her Great Dane, Thunder Leon of Rotim, won first in class honors at a dog show in Wheaton, Ill.
Neil Diamond took over the No. 1 slot among the nation’s tunes with “Cracklin’ Rosie.”
75 Years Ago — Oct. 12, 1945
Pfc. Donald Shafer had a speedy return to the U.S. from Scotland where he was stationed, taking a C-54 luxury liner after being discharged. The trip took only 18 hours.
Tech Sgt. Thomas Belka was on furlough after serving and being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.
Anna Smith was chosen worthy matron and Wellington Jackson worthy patron at the Order of Eastern Star annual meeting.
Lt. Richard Hooker received his commission and came home for a 19-day furlough, at which time he saw his brother William for the first time in quite a spell.
Clara Upson, who was born in Hopkins Township in 1859, died in Plainwell. She lived at her family’s farm for 82 years.
Jim Carpenter has been released from a prison camp at Nippon, Japan, where he had been imprisoned since 1942.
Staff Sgt. Harley Truax finally has arrived home after serving without furlough in the European Theatre for four years and nine months.
Navy Seabee J. T. Willis wrote a letter indicating he had met up with three Wayland Marines, Tom Bartell, Jack Smith and Walter Ellis, on Okinawa.
The Wayland Ladies Library Club will meet with Betty Keifer and there will be a book review of “Home to India” and a musical presentation by Wayland High School students.
The Wayland Fire Department extinguished a blaze at the home of Melvin Johnson. Firefighters were challenged by the metal roof in their efforts to get inside the structure.
A huge display ad reported that General Motors Stamping Division in Grand Rapids had plenty of job openings for press operators, tool and die, millwrights, electricians, gun welders, hand truckers and journeymen.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Jen Sullivan and Phillip Dorn in “Escape in the Desert.”
- Wild Bill Elliott as Red Ryder, Bobbie Blake as Little Beaver in “Great Stagecoach Robbery.”
- Don Ameche William Bendix, Jack Benny, Fred Allen in “It’s in the Bag.”
- Rosalind Russell and Jack Carson in “Roughly Speaking.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 8, 1920
The much anticipated Fall Festival and Homecoming turned out to be a disappointment because of cold and windy weather. Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher insisted the development was “demonstrating that indifference and lack of cooperation and enthusiasm surely determine success or failure of a community effort.”
Wayland High School senior class members are starting a learning unit on the League of Natiuons with materials supplied by the University of Michigan.
WHS students participated in the Fall Festival with a “Back to the Farm” pageant.
New large cream separators have been installed at the Helvetia Milk Condensing plant.
A chicken pie supper was planned at the Bradley home of Rev. Warren and Mrs. Warren of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with proceeds going to the church.
Mrs. Sylvia Dean, widow of Nicholas Dean, died in Grand Rapids age the age of 84. She had been an invalid for the past two years.
Austin J. Bowman was appointed to seat on the Common Council left vacant by the removal of William Sowden to Grand Rapids.
Harold Chapple and Harold Hanlon are continuing studies at Ann Arbor, the former in electrical engineering and the latter in the medical department.
The Rev. Harry J. Rood is the new pastor at the Wayland United Methodist Church, succeeding Rev. Jensen, who now is pastoring in Pellston.
Representatives from Western Gas & Oil met with a group of Wayland businessmen to discuss plans for a cooperative drive-in gas and kerosene station. Dr. I. L. Slater, who is championing the effort, said subscriptions would be needed for the service.
Former Wayland physician E. H. Ryno died at his farm outside the village.