(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 13, 1995
Leighton Township Supervisor Dar VanderArk and local zoning officials are examining potential zoning violations at the Fuzzy’s adult video business just north of the Wayland city limits on North Main Street.
Martin school bus drivers now will be tested for drugs and alcohol use in compliance with new state regulations.
Wayne Ritz of Ritz’s Farm Orchards is reporting that the early arrival of a lot of snow this fall is taking a bite out of the annual apple harvest.
Arden Thede, in a letter to the editor, maintained that at as long as they do no harm, runaway dogs should be spared being shot by farmers.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox entry this week, said, “An adult video and materials store is under scrutiny, not for the product it sells, but allegedly because there’s been a violation of Leighton Township building ordinance. It is wondered, however, if the same diligence would exist if the business was selling Zondervan books.”
Allegan County judges George Corsiglia and Harry Beach have called 13 jury duty no-shows on the carpet. Most were assessed $100 fines, but one was slapped with a $350 fine of 30 days in jail.
Byron Center State Bank has acquired the former Moline State Bank, which had become a First of America Bank before. It was reported that all current employees will be retained.
Pipp Community Hospital in Plainwell has nerged with Borgess Hospital of Kalamazoo. Borgess officials promised there would be no major changes at Pipp.
Walter Smith, Boone McEwen, Jason Burgess and John Fearnow led the attack as Wayland opened its basketball season with a convincing 71-38 victory over Kelloggsville.
The Martin boys’ basketball team hoped to match the success the girls while the Hopkins boys’ basketball team would like to continue the success of the football squad.
Longtime Hopkins Elementary teacher Jessie Sebright died. A member of the Henika Public Library Board, she was 94.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 9, 1970
Wayland High School graduate Rhoda Edwards Short was awarded a doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Michigan State University.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual Christmas lighting contest, with prizes of $25, $15 and $10.
The Wayland school bond proposal to build a new high school and ease overcrowding troubles was defeated by 27 votes, 10 more than in the June annual school election. It was third time the tax increase had lost in two years. Supt. James Thomas commented, “We are troubled because of the needs of this district.”
Mrs. Daisy Chlebana, who operates a Gun Lake-area nursing home, suffered broken ribs and Mrs. David Dewey a broken sternum in a traffic crash at the corner of 124th Avenue and 10th Street, Shelbyville.
Hopkins High School graduate Seth Baker Sr., son of Hopkins pioneers Mr. and Mrs. Truman Baker, has retired after teaching for 30 years in Dallas (Texas) area schools.
First Sgt. William Morgenstern has received an Army Commendation Medal for service in Korea in 1969 and 1970.
Two 15-year-old boys have been apprehended by authorities in connection with the Thanksgiving weekend vandalism that included broken windows. Their bond was set at $1,000 apiece and they were taken to the Allegan County Youth Home.
An all-vocal holiday concert is scheduled for Dec. 14 at the boys’ gym, under the direction of Lorna Clyma and Gary Mihalek.
Clement Rodanhisler, father of Dorr area Globe correspondent Mrs. Wilbert Fleser, died at age 79.
Wayland High School graduate Jim Levandoski was spokesman for an effort to secure toll-free long distance telephone service from Wayland to Grand Rapids and presented Wayland City Council members with petitions bearing 2,200 signatures. Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey said new, lower rates just went into effect and local residents can direct dial for as little as 4 to 8 cents per call.
Max Barnes has been appointed to a seat on the Wayland City Council, filling the vacancy left by the departure of William Conwell Sr.
A Christmas weekend extravaganza was being offered at Wayland Theatre, featuring “The Three Little Pigs,” “Peter Pan” and “Nature’s Half Acre.”
The Wayland varsity basketball team had a bad week with losses to Otsego and Class C powerhouse Wyoming Lee, falling to 1-2 overall.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 14, 1945
Henry Packer was elected worshipful master at the James Fenton Wayland Masonic Lodge.
Paul Keyser of Chicago, who had planned to move permanently into his summer home at West Gun Lake, died of his second heart attack. He was 46.
Sgt. Ted Niemchick has returned home from military service in Algiers. He had been tasked with making military maps terrain models.
John Rugaber has been promoted from lieutenant to captain at the Fairfield Air Technical Service Command.
Benny Strong’s “Band of the Moment” will perform Dec. 19 at the Dixie Ballroom south of town. Strong was advised to take up bandleading by Kay Kyser.
Sgt. Halden Hudson has returned home from Japan, where he was stationed after serving for three years in the Philippines.
Richard Lutostanski was honorably discharged after being stationed at Ionley Ascension between South America and Africa during the war. He has returned to work at Lutostanski’s Meat Market.
Miss Helen Hilbert is back in the Wayland area, spending time with brother Frederic and family after being discharged from the WAVES.
When the Wayland Theatre reopens from remodeling on Christmas Night, it will offer a special presentation of the comedy “Guest Wife,” starring Don Ameche and Claudette Colbert.
Roscoe French was home on leave after serving for four years in the European Theatre. He will return to the military base at Great Lakes, Ill.
100 Years Ago — Dec. 10, 1920
Mrs. Dode McConnell sent the Globe a letter about her family’s automobile trip to Florida. She was far less controversial than the letter sent the week before, mostly confining comments to conditions of the roads and appearances of the towns along the way.
John Meyer published a legal notice informing everyone he is selling his draying business to Glenn Jordan.
Ladies Library Club members answered their meeting roll call by commenting on “My Wedding.” Mrs. Homer Brown presented “Wedding Customs and Costumes of Different Countries.”
Wayland School continues to struggle with an abundance of absences as a result of an outbreak of the measles.
Avelyn Allen’s group at Wayland High School is planning to perform two plays and put together other attractions in efforts to raise money to purchase a Victrola.
The Northeast Hopkins Community Club continued its advertising campaign, “For Health’s Sake, Use Butter.” The effort is to help area farmers struggling with low milk prices.
The Rev. A.G. Beard of the Bradley Congregational Church exchanged pulpits Sunday with the Rev. Bushbrook of the Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo.
Mrs. Fred Burleson died after undergoing an operation at an Ann Arbor hospital. Her remains are being brought back to Wayland.
The Community Club of Leighton will meet with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Doty, and Miss Woodworth will present a program in favor of starting a Women’s Farm Bureau.
The Helvetia Milk Condensing Co. published another communication with readers attempting to explain the reasons for the worldwide slide of milk prices.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Mary MacLaren in “The Weaker Vessel” and Katherine McDonald in “The Beauty Market.”