(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Oct. 18, 1995
St. Stanislaus School Principal Pete Boyd was credited with rescuing third-grader Matt Betterly by using the Heimlich Maneuver to save him from choking on a piece of sausage. Boyd said he learned the procedure from the Wayland Area Emergency Services.
Dick and Rusty Dutkiewicz of Dorr were honored by the State Legislature for being in business as Dick’s Market for the past 40 years.
Kassandra Paradiso penned a letter to the editor in the wake of the death of young bicyclist in Dorr, asking why children “have to get hurt because our town doesn’t have enough money to keep us safe.”
Paul Baker has been named fire chief for Leighton Township, succeeding Wayne Moore, who resigned for personal reasons.
A group of Martin parents complained to the school board about a recent program to replace recess with outdoor education.
The Hopkins Board of Education voted 6-1 to hire a consultant to conduct a public opinion survey on the local district’s needs and wants. Christine Schwartz cast the dissenting vote.
A $4,500 grant from the Allegan Foundation will be used to help with the Hopkins Community Park project.
Scott Sullivan penned a feature story about Larry Kubiak, who has owned the local funeral home for the past 15 years.
The Wayland High School varsity girls’ tennis team, coached by Cheri Ritz, qualified for the Class state meet for the first time school history by sharing second place at regionals. Regional champions were Kim Nieuwenhuis, Brooke Warner, Julie Martin, Brenda Rittenhouse and Becky Boyd.
Caledonia defeated Wayland on the gridiron, dropping the ‘Cats overall season record to 3-4. Kevin Bala surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the season.
Mary Sheltrown has resigned her head girls’ varsity basketball coaching job at Hopkins to become an assistant at Central Michigan University. She is succeeded by last year’s varsity coach Tracy Iciek.
The Martin girls’ basketball team has lost only twice this season, both at the hands of Lawrence.
Josh Conley and Matt Noble both rushed for more than 100 yards and scored two TDs in a 30-20 victory.
Violet Lutostanski, longtime co-owner of Lutostanski’s Meat Market in Wayland with her late husband, Henry, died at age 72, in Clearwater, Fla.
Nellie Mae Kerber, community and church volunteer in Hopkins, died at age 75.
Dorothy Ross, 94, longtime co-owner of Ross Resort at Gun Lake, died.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 14, 1970
Msgr. Adalbert Radowski, pastor of the St. Therese Parish since 1942, retired from his post to become chaplain at St. Anne’s Home for the Elderly in Grand Rapids.
Local pastors George VanderWeit, Leo Bennett, William Kobza, James Smith and Casimir Zawacki were making preparations for the second annual Festival of Faith at the Wayland High School girls’ gym.
Wayland High School science teacher Gerald Nelson represented the local district at the Regional Conference of National Science Teachers in Grand Rapids.
First Lt. James Simpson, a 1964 graduate of Hopkins High School, was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism in action in Vietnam. He is recovering in a hospital from wounds he received during mortar fire.
The new Wayland City sanitary sewer project is expected to result in a population boost. Joe Rood, representing the Equitable Development Corp. of Detroit, told the Chamber of Commerce of plans to build a mobile home park for as many as 400 families on West Superior Street, a $1.3 million project.
However, the sewer project also is causing an increase in costs for the proposed bond for a new high school, up to $2.8 million.
Peace Corps worker Cal Lubbers, a Calvin College graduate, was guest speaker at the Wayland Christian Reformed Church.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Shelly Winters in “Bloody Mama,” rated R.
A grand opening for the new K ‘n K pizza parlor is expected soon at 129 South Main St.
Hamilton defeated Wayland 30-18 to even the ‘Cats overall season record at 2-2, despite unveiling daring plays such as a flea flicker and tackle eligible pass down the stretch. A. J. Predum and Mike Longstreet scored on short runs and Leon Hilaski took in an 11-yard TD pass.
75 Years Ago — Oct. 19, 1945
Mike Genther of Dorr was shot in the face in a pheasant hunting accident. He ducked at the last minute and limited the damage to grazing his scalp.
Guy B. Smith was discharged from the Navy, after serving during the D-Day Normandy invasion and later as a public relations specialist.
Logan Wright served as auctioneer for the Leighton Grange, which elected Ralph Hunt as master.
The crowning of the homecoming queen this year will be on Nov. 8 at halftime of the Wildcats’ game against Martin. Contestants will be Ethel Christensen, Aledline Niemchick, Eleanor Krulac and Juanita Fleser.
Mrs. Harry Elenbaas presented a demonstration of flower arrangements to the adult education classes at Rockford High School, assisted by student teachers Virginia Hazel and Jane Lehman.
Former schoolteacher Mrs. Ida Birchard, 70, died. She had been a rural mail carrier and Sunday school teacher as well.
William Graczyk has purchased the Brooks Market building, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brooks, and the Apex building.
Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Smith, managers of the Leighton Telephone Co., have decided to retire after 14 years.
Mildred Gurney was elected president of the local Legion Auxiliary. Nancy Gurney told the group about her recent experiences at Girls’ State in Ann Arbor.
The Pegeways held a masquerade party at the Congregational Church.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Chester Morris and Lynn Merick in “Boston Blackie: Booked on Suspicion.”
- Robert Mitchum, Barbara Hale in “West of the Pecos.”
- Dick Powell, Claire Trevor ands Ann Shirley in “Murder, My Sweet.”
- Greg Garson, Gregory Peck and Lionel Barrymore in “The Valley of Decision.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 15, 1920
Dr. E.F. Ryno, a physician who began his practice in Wayland Township in 1874, died. He was a member of the board of directors for Wayland State Bank and gave up his medical practice in 1894 to concentrate on his pioneering work as a fruit farmer.
The Wayland High School sophomore class enjoyed a weenie roast at the Sias woods.
Georgia Lyons was elected president of the high school’s Home Economics Club and Mary Lois Fowler was elected secretary-treasurer.
This week’s Chapel program will include currents events, school tattlers and songs by the Glee Club.
Thelma Smith was elected president of the eighth grade class.
Mrs. George VanArsdale gave a presentation on prehistoric America to members of the Ladies Library Club.
The local American Legion is inviting all veterans and service members to an Armistice Day celebration that will include competitions in football, boxing and wrestling, dancing, and a $30 prize for the best drill squad.
The local chapter of Women’s Christian Temperance Union will meet with Mrs. E.O. Hanlon. “At the close of the contests, the losers will entertain the winners in a way to be chosen later.”
A huge advertisement exhorted readers to vote against private school amendment to abolish parochial schools, insisting it would just promote bad feelings among citizens.
“Some say they can’t afford to take the Globe with everything so high. And then there are some who say they can’t afford to be without it.”