(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Nov. 1, 1995
The Hopkins High School varsity football team was pictured on the front page of the Globe after becoming the first area grid tem to qualify for the post-season playoffs. Coach Rex Weaver’s Vikings went 9-0 and will meet up with Niles Brandywine, also undefeated, in the opening round of the Class CC tournament.
Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller has reported a troubling uptick in the number of bicycle thefts. In one case, Aaron Scaturro, 11, had his bike stolen in front of Harding’s Market, but a custodian later located it in a dumpster near the middle school.
Wayland High School teacher Jeff Salisbury use the weekly “Soapbox” feature to rebut claims made by State Senator Bill Schuette the week before about his Schools of Choice bill introduced in the State Legislature. He maintained that the bill does not have provisions to ensure quality education.
Rumor has it that discussions about state cutbacks reducing the number of state police posts in Michigan include the Wayland and Hastings posts.
Angie Farmer pumped in 22 points, Jessica McEwen added 13 and Margie Reurink 11, as the Wayland girls’ basketball team ended a mild slump of three straight games to beat Forest Hills Northern. The Lady Wildcats now are 12-4.
The Martin girls’ basketball team now is 15-2 overall, with its only losses to Lawrence. The Lady Clippers won three games last week, led by a career performance by Bethany Hunderman and quality efforts by Kristin Fraaza.
The Wayland boys’ varsity cross-country team qualified for the state Class B meet for the first time in school history and the girls just missed by one place in regionals. Jason Moore and Brian Swanson led the harriers by finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. Lady Wildcats Anna Seif, freshman Sara Grygiel and Jamie Blain all qualified as individuals.
The Wayland varsity football team ended the regular season a sour note, as star running back Kevin Bala suffered a broken leg and the team went down to defeat against a 2-7 Middleville Thornapple Kellogg squad. The ‘Cats ended the season at 3-6 and Bala finished with more than 1,100 rushing yards.
50 Years Ago — Oct. 28, 1970
The Globe published front page information about Proposal A to authorize bonds for low-income housing and Proposal B to lower the minimum age for voting to 18 years, but most of the talk was about Proposal C to prohibit all public funding for private or religious schools.
The Wayland Board of Education held a meeting with 200 in attendance to discuss Proposal C, with the audience consensus asking how the public school could handle an influx of students from St. Therese.
Three letters to the editor appeared on the Proposal C issue, from Bill Conwell, Tom Bruursma and George Jenkins weighing in. Jenkins indicated he supported the proposal to cut off public dollars to private schools.
Also on the November general election ballot are the governor’s race between Republican Bill Milliken and Sander Levin, the U.S. senator’s contest between Phil Hart and Lenore Romney and a liquor by the glass proposition in the City of Wayland.
Bev Kloska of Hopkins was pictured receiving a U.S. Savings Bond by winning the Democratic Party of Allegan County. Pictured with her was Mike Wilde, of Wayland, chairman of the Allegan County Teen Dems.
Henry Blaauw of Wayland was elected of the Community Fair Board.
Wayland State Police Trooper John Kool is chairing this year’s Fraternal Order of Police Halloween Party in the park for kids, featuring cider and doughnuts.
Fred Brewer of Hopkins has been elected president of the Eastern Michigan University chapter of the Michigan Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
The Gun Lake Snowmobile Club completed its cleanup day and reported items recovered included a TV set, barbed wire, a $10 bill, wire fencing, a dozen mufflers and full cans of beer.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?”
Staff Sgt. Albert Barrett of Bradley, a 1959 Wayland High School graduate, received a Bronze Star as an administrative non-commissioned officer at Cu Chui, Vietnam.
Pvt. Richard Middleton, a 1968 graduate of Wayland High School, won the combat infantryman badge at Cu Chi.
Viola Carroll and Mrs. Charles Lyons are directing this year’s senior play next month, “Alas Babylon.”
Jeff Ross and Lori Weber are the officers for the safety patrol at Steeby Elementary, which is having a cookout.
Wayland defeated Comstock Park on the gridiron 22-8, with QB Mike Longstreet and Larry Lawrence and A.J. Predum scoring touchdowns. The Wildcats, 4-2 on the season, are preparing for a big game against Middleville.
75 Years Ago — Nov. 2, 1945
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reported a flock of geese hovered over the downtown for an inordinate amount of time, speculating the birds were confused by the village lights.
Mrs. Alfred Snook was scheduled to give a book review to members of the Anti-Can’t Club at the Congregational Church.
James Carpenter finally is back home after spending a grueling three and a half years in a Japanese POW camp. “He will wear the marks of the brutality of the Japs all his life.” Captured after the fall of Corregidor in May 1942, he served in a work camp on an island loading and unloading ships for about a penny a day.
Mrs. Claud Smith, mother of three military servicemen and matriarch of a well-known local family, died of a sudden stroke at her home.
Orange Fales, born in Leighton Township in 1858, died at his Wayland area farm of 65 years.
Bernath McBride has entered the Western Michigan College of Education in Kalamazoo after being discharged from the U.S. Army in September. He served in the Battle of Ardennes and was wounded overseas.
First Lt. Jack Rugaber has re-enlisted with the Air Service Command at Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio.
Sybil Leydendecker was installed as worthy matron of the Dorr chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.
Elmwood Cemetery Sexton Edward Russell posted a help wanted ad seeking men or women to rake leaves at the cemetery.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Ruth Terry and Robert Livingston in “Tell It to a Star.”
- Wild Bill Elliott as Red Ryder and Bobby Blake as Little Beaver in “Cheyenne Wildcat.”
- Linda Darnell, Barbara Britton and Greg McClure in “The Great John L.,” a biopic of boxer John L. Sullivan.
- Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes and Jeanne Crain in “State Fair.”
100 Years Ago — Oct. 29, 1920
The Helvetia Milk Condensary published a lengthy letter to farmers and patrons of the community, explaining its post-war difficulties with prices and availability of product. “The company by July (1920) was selling condensed milk at a lower price than what it cost.” The letter noted the unpleasant choice was between lowering prices paid to farmers or increasing prices for consumers. “We pledge a continuation of the policy which has always been outrs. We ask for your cooperation based on faith in our pledge, feeling that our 35 years of practices gives proof of that good faith.”
Wayland has been accepted as a location for the Michigan Parks Commission’s plans for a state park. The two sites considered arez just south of the village and just north of the Nelson farm near the curve. “At any rate, we seem to be sure of a state park for Wayland to be built soon, and will be one more asset to the town.”
Sylvester Marks, formerly of Wayland, died at Robinson Hospital in Allegan. He entered the facility after a sliver entered his hand and led to lockjaw. He later developed pneumonia, which was fatal.
Mrs. Sherwood finally delivered her promised presentation on “Our Own Indians” to members of the Ladies Library Club. She included information about the missionary Rev. Jeremiah Selkirk. Elizabeth Clark entertained the ladies by singing “Indian Love Song.”
Persistent drizzling rains have hampered political activities, but Democrat Morton Hardy was able to speak to a fair-sized audience at Yeakey’s Hall.
Dore B. Martin, who came to this area in 1863 at the age of 4, died at his home, which was kept by Mrs. Margaret Root, who continued to care for the house after his parents died. He is remembers for his “genial nature and willingness to work beyond his strength and attend strictly to his own affairs.”
