(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Jan. 31, 1996
The Globe’s front page was chock full of photos of the 15th annual Winterfest celebration, including the ever-popular Polar Bear Dip.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in the Soapbox, took to task the hype and over promotion of the Super Bowl.
“The game was OK to watch, regardless of which team was being cheered on, but the trappings of the were Super Bowl were too much to endure.”
An open house has been scheduled for Feb. 4 for community residents to see the changes in the Wayland Union school district as a result of the $23.3 million bond project. Citizens were to get a good look at the new high school auxiliary gym, computers, and a new cafeteria at Steeby Elementary.
Henika Library Director Lynn Mandaville wrote a letter expressing appreciation to community and school people who helped with the library’s transition and facelift.
Anita Otis of Orangeville Township was charged with causing the deaths of three horses at her stable.
Hopkins remains tied with Allendale for first place in the O-K Silver Conference basketball standings, but lost a nonleague contest to Godwin. Tim Kisner scored 29 points in the 68-57 defeat.
Jackie Merrill and Shanda Jager both served at 100 percent efficiency, but the Clippers volleyball team lost to Lawton to fall to 1-15-2 overall.
Sophomore Zeth Bowerman, at 171 pounds, had a spectacular debut for Martin winning by pin and a 19-4 superior decision.
The Wayland varsity basketball team has improved a lot from the previous year’s 3-18 record, sporting a 5-5 mark. The Wildcats lost to unbeaten South Christian, giving the Sailors a ballgame and got 21 points from Walter Smith and 15 from Jason Burgess.
Rich Guerrant broke the career scoring record held by Dan Herp, netting 26 points in a victory over Fennville, bringing his total to 1,418.
The Wayland varsity volleyball team continued its success on the court, beating Forest Hills Northern, which tried an unsuccessful strategy of triple blocking on Jessica McEwen.
Randy Mandaville had a terrific week at the Wayland High School pool, breaking the Wildcat records in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle.
50 Years Ago — Jan. 27, 1971
Ralph Mallett has been selected to join the board of directors at Wayland State Bank. He has been a cashier at the bank for the past two years.
Phillip Quade of Saugatuck was elected chairman of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners and Jerry Lohman of Hamilton was elected vice chair.
Hopkins Public Schools plan to have a public forum Jan. 28 on the Feb. 11 bond election for a new elementary school and facility improvements, costing $1.48 million.
Ellert Hendricksma has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the board of directors for Moline State Bank created by the retirement of Albert Gietzen after serving 41 years. Also on the board are Chairman Joe Haveman, Victor Fleser, Dr. Wesley Jackson and Glenn Kaechele.
The Allegan County Head Start program has been awarded a federal grant of $70,050.
The Globe published a photo of 1966 Wayland High School graduate Walter Messer working with a military radio for the U.S. Navy.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “Funny Girl,” starring Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif.
Navy Petty Officer Terry Sturman has returned stateside after a seven-month deployment at the Gulf of Tonkin.
Art Shade wrote a letter to the editor in support of the newly-formed snowmobile club in Wayland.
Butch Hinckley, head chef at Wayland Schools, was shown in an advertisement for the start of the weekly Monday night pancake suppers at the high school cafeteria, sponsored by the “W” Club.
The Wayland varsity basketball put a scare into state-ranked undefeated Wyoming Lee, but lost 69-64. Mark Schipper had 17 points, Boyd Heckert 16 and Jim Hendrixson 10.
Katie Wieringa bowled the highest three-game series ever at Airport Lanes, coming up with a 188, 232 and 210 for a total of 630.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 1, 1946
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher reminder readers in his weekly column to set out bird food for cardinals, blue jays, tufted titmice, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and their ilk during these cold and blustery days and nights.
The deaths of two Hopkins area brothers were reported, less than a week apart. They were Walter Gilligan, 78, and James Gilligan, 81.
Walter Ellis Jr., has returned home after serving in the signal corps in New Guinea, Manila and Okinawa.
Sgt. Kenneth Kugelard has returned from the service and immediately has begun working the night shift at Wayland Bakery.
Myron Wilde has open a new radio shop on South Main Street.
The local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star published a resolution of respect for Florence Sias, who died Jan. 16.
The Wayland Boy Scout troop enjoyed a hamburg fry and drank milk. They will be entertained by Scoutmaster Dr. Arthur Larson, who will show them his moving pictures.
The young people at the Congregational Church had a sledding party and lunch at the church and later in the week took part in a hamburg fry.
HELP WANTED: Pin boys to work at the bowling alley located at 130 W. Superior St.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Richard Conte and Faye Marlowe in “The Spider.”
- Wild Bill Elliott as Red Ryder and Robert Blake (Little Beaver) in “Vigilantes of Dodge City.”
- John Garfield and Eleanor Parker in “Pride of the Marines.”
- Bing Crosby, Betty Hutton, Dorothy Lamour and Veronica Lake in “Duffy’s Tavern.”
100 Years Ago — Jan. 28, 1921
Wayland Schools Supt. Fred Boughner went to Allegan one day this week to judge a debate competition between Allegan and Hudsonville high school teams. Allegan won.
Northeast Hopkins Club members had a spirited debate on whether farmers should plant smaller acreage this year because prices received have fallen. Fred Hilbert took up the affirmative case and John Baker the negative. Hilbert argued that the farmer cannot control prices, but he can control output in the game of supply and demand. A bountiful chicken dinner was shared.
Mrs. Mattie Beall presented Ladies Library Club members with a paper on “Tuberculosis,” maintaining the best ways to prevent the disease was fresh air and cleanliness. The music program featured “O By Jingo,” with Lawrence Broughner on the drums and Mrs. Charles Yeakey on piano.
Fay C. Wing was elected president of the new Commercial Club, which has its first meeting at the Dixie Inn south of the village. Homer Brown was chosen vice president, Rollo Mosher secretary and Louis Reno treasurer.
“Probably the most tragic and pathetic death that has ever occurred in this community,” was how the suicide of Arthur Cridler, 45, of Middleville, was described. He was said to have been despondent over failed business ventures with the Chicago Board of Trade and had undergone treatment in Ann Arbor.
About 40 members of the Leighton Farmers Club enjoyed a dinner of baked trout, oyster soup and baked potatoes.
The Globe has lost the services, at least temporarily, of printer Ernest Sigler, who is laid up with appendicitis.
The Yeakey Auto Co. plans to have an automobile show at its garage in the village Feb. 10, 11 and 12.
The Wayland unit of the League of Women Voters is forming, and its first meeting will be Feb. 1 at the library.
James F. Jackson, 65, described as having a “genial and charitable disposition, which endeared him to all,” died at his Wayland Township farm. He was a native of Lancashire, England.
COVER PHOTO: Allegan County Sheriff’s Dept. volunteers, 1982.