(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 24, 1996
Some homeowners insist there are too many docks on the south side of Gun Lake, resulting in eyesores and liabilities.
New construction values in Dorr Township have risen by 48 percent over the past year, indicating residential growth.
The City of Wayland has decided to hire a fourth police officer to serve besides Chief Dan Miller rather than contract with a deputy from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department to give 24/7 cverage.
Meanwhile, Sandra Parr of Middleville has filed suit against two Wayland city officers for use of excessive force and injuries she claimed she suffered during a traffic stop for drunken driving by her husband.
Wayland Township Supervisor Don Black has announced he will not seek another term on the Township Board, but instead will seek a two-year term on the Allegan County Board of Commissioners.
Wayland High School’s most famous alum, Major League pitcher Phil Regan, was in town to attend a dedication of the newly renovated Wildcat baseball field that is being named in his honor.
Wayland City Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd is asking the City Council and Wayland Township for permission to buy a new fire truck, with cost estimated at $230,000.
Allegan County Circuit Judge George Corsiglia has issued an injunction ordering the Fuzzy’s adult video store in Leighton Township to return to the business it was formerly, at least temporarily.
The Dorr Township Board has rejected a proposal to permit large farm machinery businesses operate on land zoned agricultural, insisting they located where zoning is commercial.
Jessica McEwen and Keri Anguilm spearheaded the Wayland High School championship outing in the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Invitational. It was the Lady Wildcats’ third tournament title in four tries thus far this season.
After a fabulous start, the Wayland varsity wrestling team crashed, losing three consecutive dual meets, to Byron Center, Wyoming Park and Cedar Springs, bringing its overall record to 11-6.
Martin’s Rich Guerrant scored 20 and 19 points and Robert Mitchell had 14 and 25 in consecutive victories on the court over Saugatuck and Decatur, evening the Clippers’ season record at 5-5.
Tim Kisner missed a basketball game against Fennville because of illness, but came back to notch his 1,000th career point in a victory over defending O-K Silver Conference champ Allendale.
Bertha Krulac, former worthy matron of the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, died at age 57.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 20, 1971
An Allegan County Recreation Plan was presented to the Wayland Chamber of Commerce by County Commissioner Ellis Wykstra of Martin.
Paul Burkhart was elected president of the newly-formed Wayland Snowmobile Association and the City Council indicated it would craft a local ordinance. Jim Hackett was chosen vice president, Don Miller secretary-treasurer.
Mrs. Richard Chapple is heading up an effort to form a Newcomers’ Club on behalf of the Wayland Chamber of Commerce.
In a periodic column, Hopkins Schools indicated they would need to add six classrooms to accommodate 142 private and religious students if their schools were closed.
State Rep. Michael Dively of Traverse City told fellow Republicans from Allegan County the party “must be oriented toward solutions and problem solving” in order to continue to be successful.
Wade Greenawalt told the Wayland City Council the local Lions Club plans to buy seven pieces of playground equipment and install them in the City Park.
William Hooker, William Mauchmar and William Hayes were appointed to open seats on the Wayland City Planning Commission.
The Allegan Health Center has approved installation of 19-inch television sets in patients’ rooms and set policies on noise.
Cecil Davis Studios had a regular featured ad focusing on its Baby of the Month, with the winner for November being Kimberly Brown of Hopkins.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Kelly’s Heroes,” starring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas and Carroll O’Connor.
This week’s Globe recipe feature was former Wayland Board of Education President Wallace Wakeman showing off his “Pork Rice a la Wally” as a glamorous leftover dish.
Wayland’s varsity basketball team clawed its way to a 64-58 victory over Caledonia, as Boyd Heckert scored 23 points, Mark Schipper 15 and Dan Hall 11. Junior guard Jim Hendrixson held high-scoring Scot Kent Marsh to just two field goals. The Wildcats now are 7-2 overall and 5-2 i9n the O-K Blue Conference.
75 Years Ago — Jan. 25, 1946
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher announced the hiring of Wayland High School graduate and returning serviceman Robert Riedlinger as printer. Riedlinger, a former employee at the A & P Grocery, underwent an apprenticeship program through the Michigan Press Association after he left the service.
Cpl. Harol Frank has been discharged from the Army after serving in the Quartermaster Corps in Hawaii and Okinawa.
Former Wayland Schools teacher Horace Bennett has taken a job as supervisor of education at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek after being discharged from the Navy.
Longtime local farmer Fred Adelbert, a member of the United Methodist Church and the Dorr Farmers Club, has died. He was 79.
Joseph Kuhtic, discharged after 31 months of service in the Navy in the Mediterranean, has been discharged honorably.
Merle Peffley was elected president, Chet Brevitz vice president, Naman Frank treasurer and John E. Ward secretary of the newly-formed Wayland Chamber of Commerce.
Miss Fannie Hoyt presented a program on the work of the Ladies Library Club in Juneau, Alaska, to the Wayland chapter of the LLC.
John Nagel suffered a serious injury to oen of his hands, losing a finger while working on a pump at the Moline School.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Gabby Hayes in “Don’t Fence Me In.”
- Chester Morris and Nina Foch in “Boston Blackie’s Rendezvous.”
- Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotton in “Love Letters.”
- Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young in “The Enchanted Cottage.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 21, 1921
The Ladies Library Club is sponsoring a Musical Memory Contest “to provide music of the better type for the community.” The selections in the contest include Dvorak’s “Humoresque,” Rubenstein’s “Melody in F,” Schumann’s “Tranmeri,” Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and Verdi’s “Il Travatori.”
Samuel Renshaw from Western Normal College in Kalamazoo presented a lecture, “Educational Tests and Measurements,” at the community night at Wayland Schools Friday.
Wayland High School sophomores enjoyed a skating party on Doan’s Lake south of the village Friday evening.
Students Ellis Tooker and Harold Deitiker have not been absent nor tardy throughout the first semester of the academic year.
Miss Pauline Smith performed on the piano “Minuet” by Paderewski and “Narcissis” for members of the Ladies Library Club.
The Wayland Farm Bureau elected seven directors, three for one year, two for two years and two for three years. Earning the three-year terms were E.M. Ring and F.D. Cutler.
The Forrest Lewis Post No. 266 of the American Legion now is moving into its new headquarters, a former barber shop owned by Mrs. D. F. Fox.
Mary Heydenberk, who was born in Leighton Township in 1863 and married at only age 15, died at age 57. She was characterized as “a sufferer for about five years.”
A prowler entered the garage and home of John Stockdale and apparently hid somewhere in the house when Mrs. Stockdale arrived home. He managed to exit sometime after the family retired that evening. Nothing was reported missing.
Burglars attempted to steal an automobile owned by George Mitthofer on Cedar Street, but were unsuccessful.
James F. Jackson, one of the pioneers of Wayland Township, died at his home after suffering a stroke.
The fire bell rang insistently in the village during a snowstorm, indicating a fire at the home of D.G. Clack. Though volunteers dutifully answered the call, there was no fire.
The Allegan County Farm Bureau annual meeting was attended by representatives from 24 townships. O.E. Harrington of Martin was elected vice president, Robert Montieth of Martin secretary and M.E. Pardee of Hopkins treasurer.
COVER PHOTO: A celebration by the Beall Brothers Dry Goods and Grocery Store, South Main Street.