AUTHOR’S NOTE: The author apologizes most sincerely to readers for the delay in this week’s edition. He was in Colorado for the past eight days being introduced to his first grandson.

(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)

25 Years Ago — Dec. 15, 1993

The Wayland post of the Michigan State Police has announced it will reduce the number of office hours open to the public, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Commander Steve DeBoer insisted, however, that hours for patrol and coverage via police vehicles will remain at 24-7.

Allegan County Alliance Director Barb Kaarlie says she’s optimistic about chances the former Kessler’s building on South Main in Wayland will be sold, despite reports negotiations with ITC have not produced an agreement.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has approved a scaled-down plan for a boardwalk, though area citizens continue to oppose the project because of potential negative environmental impact.

Gene and Pat Knobloch wrote a letter to local citizens expressing their appreciation for the kindess of friends and community members in the wake of the tragic traffic crash death of their son, Kris, an employee of Starr Commonwealth near Albion.

Dale Kraft penned a letter recalling Kris Knobloch as a good friend and teammate, fierce competitor on the gridiron and compassionate human being.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Bender penned a letter to add to the previous week’s story about the Aukema family’s struggles with effects of what they believe to be stray electric voltage in the Martin area.

Martin Township has decided to share the duties of building inspector with the village by using Professional Code Inspections to succeed the resigned Gary DeKeokkeok.

Wayland Union Schools Administrative Assistant Tom Tarnutzer announced students’ scores this in the annual Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) showed significant improvement.

Romie Belka and David Stabelton were inducted into the Dorr Business Association Hall of Fame.

Steeby Elementary students finished 10^th in the state among 260 schools in the Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl competition. The students were Heather Lewis, Jessica Thompson, Neal Fryling, Chris Blanco, Matt Tuinstra, Tim Nyenhuis and Aurora Koch.

It was new varsity basketball coach Mike Hudson’s debut, and the Wildcats, led by 6-5 Jon Ainsworth and 6-3 Matt Barghan, came through with an impressive 78-30 pasting of Kelloggsville. Wayland lost its second game, however, 81-58 to perennial powerhouse Godwin.

Freshman Tim Kisner scored 16 points and Rich Dame added 15 as Hopkins opened with a 62-53 victory over Martin. Kisner then tossed in 20 points as the Vikings defeated Bloomingdale and matched the two victories they had for the enrire previous season.

The Wayland High School boys’ swim team finished second at the Hudsonville Relays, helped by the return of Sebastian Blanco from spending a year as a foreign exchange student in Germany.

Tim Kopp and Mike Westfahl were champions in their respective weight divisions at the Jenison Invitational, where Wayland finished fifth as a team.

Kenneth L. Palmer, a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School, was presumed dead after his airplane went into Lake Michigan. Palmer also was a graduate of Western Michigan University and a flight instructor.

50 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 1968

Lesley Wakeman, Shona Middleton, Jeanne Grzesak, Don Borgic, Patricia Adams, Kris Mellen, Cindy Miller and Joan Lautenschleger were members of the winning team competing the WZZM-TV Quiz Bowl, defeating Newaygo.

Arthur Lett of Antigua, West Indies, was a special guest for 10 days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sipkema Jr.

In a new series published in the Globe, “Our Teachers Speak,” high school social studies instructor Dick Miller wrote about “The Negro in American History.” He said, “The seeds of racial prejudice are planted in early life, especially in all-white communities.”

A dairy barn and its equipment, owned by James Gilder, was destroyed by fire in Hopkins Township.

Chief Petty Officer Cliff Packer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Packer of Hopkins, has been chosen U.S. Naval Recruiter in Port Huron.

The Wayland Board of Education has agreed to purchase mobile classrooms to try to alleviate overcrowded conditions and the middle school and high school. The cost was $46,000. The board also has taken an option on purchasing 40 acres south and west of 135tn Avenue for $27,000.

The tragic death of two-month-old Adrene Arbanas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Arbanas, was reported. Requiem mass was held at St. Therese Church.

There is a serious need for AB positive blood to help former Wayland resident Mrs. Charles Doublestein, who will undergo heart surgery in Grand Rapids.

Ken Merren, Les Tap, Jerry Merren, Mike Norlin and Tim Permoda recorded pins in Wayland’s 44-8 dual meet wrestling victory over Fennville. The Wildcats now are 2-0 for the season.

The Wayland offense was horribly frigid in a 52-26 loss to Caledonia. Randy Rairigh had eight points.

The Wayland High School Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) won four of five volleyball matches at Byron Center. The two teams also enjoyed a potluck supper together.

John Wilson scored 20 points, but Hopkins lost 65-41 to Lawrence.

Wayland Calvary Church Sunday School Supt. Harvey Bredeweg has announced the church’s annual Christmas program will be Dec. 15 with Mrs. Marvin Karsten directing.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre, “Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith and Karl Malden in “Hot Millions.”

Marvin Gaye began a long run as No. 1 on the music charts with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”

75 Years Ago — Dec. 17, 1943

High Winds were featured in a blizzard the past weekend. The mercury plunged to just about zero, causing ray Clack to have the village plow operating frequently.

There will be about 400 names on the proposed military honor roll. The next step is raising the necessary public funds for the project.

Help was so scarce that Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher was soliciting for “a young lad who will not be grabbed by the Army for at least a year or two to learn the newspaper printing business.”

The local Red Cross chapter reported that 256 packages for servicemen were delivered at Fort Custer before Christmas.

Community Church School of Hopkins will present the holiday pageant, “When the Light Shone,” Dec. 20.

Mrs. Guy Fales, who came to live in Bradley in 1912, died at her Leighton Township farm. She was 51.

Past Grand Rapids Rotary President Don Carey spoke to Wayland Rotarians and Rotary Anns about community service in the Christmas season.

Wayland edged Byron Center in a basketball contest, coming from behind in the last two minutes. The girls’ team won in overtime.

By means of a public address system in the tower of the Methodist Church, Christmas music will be broadcast downtown Sunday through Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Miss Margery Sebright and Mrs. Harry Sutton will perform on the organ.

Effie Greenawalt, Marian Gillett and Genevieve Shook will perform a one-act play, “Beau of Bath,” for the Ladies Library Club.

The Wayland chapter of the FFA has launched its scrap paper drive to help the war effort.

Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:

• Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Freddy Martin and Ann Mller in “What’s Buzzin’ Cousin?”
• Dennie O’Keefe and Jean Brooks in “Leopard Man.”
• Richard Quinn, Noah Berry Jr. and Ann Burgoyne in “We’ve Never Been Licked.”
• George Sanders, Brenda Marshall and Phillip Dorn in “Paris After Dark.”
• William Boyd, aka Hoppalong Cassidy, in “Bar 20.”

100 Years Ago — Dec. 13, 1918

Miss Hazelle Nelson wrote a letter published on the front page of the Globe about her overland trip to Florida. She said she tried to get a boy in Kentucky to sell his possum for a meal and “Nearly everyone chewed tobacco of their own growing.” She added, “A couple of colored men visited us and told us stories of spooks and strange animals they had seen.”

Miss Lovina Birchard married Sgt. Otto Schnorr at the Maple Street Methodist Church in Wayland with Pastor A.A. Geiger officiating.

Dr. E.O. Hanlon, local health officer, has announced a decision was made at a state-wide health convention that an absolute quarantine be imposed to stop the spread of the influenza virus. He remarked, “Breaking quarantine by any person is a violation of state law.”

The Christian Church is taking steps to include moving pictures in services, in hopes that as a result, “It is expected the church will become a regular beehive of social, educational and religious activity.” Fay C. Wing is pastor.

The “Good Cheer Circle” met at the home of Annabelle Norton Saturday. In spite of inclement weather, 16 were in attendance.

Homer Orton and Ignac Yid entertained the “Wood Buzzers.” “Homer is trying awfully hard to keep warm now.”

Earl W. Green, Leon Schuh and Ed Wallace have been discharged from military service.

Margaret Hanlon has overtaken Mary Burchardt in first place in the Wing Furniture Store contest.

Mildred Chrisman presented a program to the Ladies Library Club on the coal situation in war time and Mrs. Rose Nelson talked about “Economy in the Home. Elizabeth Clark sang, “Sing Me to Sleep.”

Rosannah Williams Fox, widow Dr. U.R. Fox, died the home of Mrs. A.W. Deuel, her daughter. She had eight children.