(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Feb. 14, 1996
The first public school academy, also known as a charter school, in this area is being established at Byron Center by Mark Dixson of Hopkins. The school, which will be associated with Grand Valley State University, is scheduled to open Aug. 21.
The Allegan County Road Commission’s top priority in 1998 will be 142nd Avenue in Leighton Township.
The Hopkins Village Caucus, billed as the last of its ilk in Michigan, will be held Monday, Feb. 19, and candidates are being sought to show up for nominations.
Editor Nila Aamoth, in the weekly Soapbox, turned her attention to reports some boards, councils and school officials plan to limit citizens’ comment time because some go on too long or disrupt meetings. She wrote: “Real citizens show up so infrequently that board members, instead of encouraging participation, begin to believe they (the citizens) don’t have a right to be there.” She insisted boards and councils follow Robert’s Rules or Order and have the presiding officer gavel down those who commit the infractions.
Jason Geers, in a letter to the editor, suggested Leighton Township officials leave the Fuzzy’s Video business alone, noting that even to enter the adult film store one must be at least 18 years of age.
The spring elections for the city promise to be lively, with Council Members David Miller and Mary Reno and former Mayor Don Shafer seeking the mayor’s post, Incumbent council members Dallas Strong, Paul Kaczanowski and Marie Hall will be challenged by Gary Smith and John Noordyk.
The Wayland Board of Education was told by school bus drivers that morale is low and stress is high. It was noted that drivers are reluctant to travel down 143rd Avenue in Leighton Township because it is dangerous.
Tim Kisner scored 32 of his 34 points in the second half as Hopkins won a double overtime contest against Wyoming Lee, 87-80. The Vikings have been in a lot of overtimes games of late.
Marian A. Brooks, 89, died at Blodgett Hospital. She and her husband, Earl, briefly owned the Brooks Grocery and Restaurant at Gun lake.
50 Years Ago — Feb. 10, 1971
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey wrote an editorial exhorting local citizens, businesses and civic groups to band together to save the Wayland Theatre, which is scheduled for demolition in April because of a lack of business. Helmey wrote, “If the theater goes, the community will lose a place that provides good entertainment for young people and adults alike.” The theater has a long history in Wayland, going back 50 years.
Suzi Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Smith of Bradley, has been named Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow for Wayland High School.
Wayland High School Principal JC Clyma outlined for the Board of Education plans for split sessions of five class hours apiece for high school and junior high students for the 1971-72 academic year. There isn’t enough space and three efforts for bond proposals to build a new high school have failed.
Robert Calkins, a 1955 graduate of Wayland High School and former employee of Alflen & Sons, has been promoted to financial supervisor at the General Electric Willoughby Quartz plant in Ohio.
Hopkins School District voters rejected a $1.48 million bond proposal to build a new elementary in its worst showing thus far in four attempts, 425 to 326.
Lee Buck of Hopkins was re-elected president of the Allegan Health Center Board of Directors.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Frank Sinatra in “Dirty Dingus McGee.”
Five enthusiastic couples helped launch the Newcomers Club, including Mrs. And Mrs. Richard Chapple and Chamber of Commerce President Walt Wenzel and his wife.
Junior guard Jim Hendrixson scored 20 points, Mark Schipper added 14, with 15 rebounds and Tom Lanning grabbed 13 caroms as Wayland hiked its season record to 8-4 by cruising past Kelloggsville.
The Wildcat wrestling team upped its dual meet record to 6-2 with a 29-17 victory over Caledonia.
75 Years Ago — Feb. 15, 1946
The Wayland Village Caucus will be held next Monday evening for the purpose of nominating candidates for local offices.
The Allegan County Health Dept. is reporting a shortfall in its budget and asks the County Board of Supervisors for an increase from $13,339 to $17,000 annually. The county turned it down.
Rotarians’ request for permission to have fund-raising dances at Allegan High School also was rejected.
The Wayland Catholic Ladies Club will have an all-game card and bunco party at the American Legion Hall.
Col. H. I. Wang, chaplain and advisor to Gen. Chiang Kai-Shek of China, will be guest speaker at the Congregational Church.
Former Wayland High School agriculture teacher Jack Prescott has returned stateside after three years in the military and is working on his master’s degree at Michigan State College.
Prominent Hopkins businessman Manual Brenner died after suffering a stroke while playing cards at Wayland Recreation. He had been a livestock dealer.
Lloyd Fales earned a bachelor of science degree at Western Michigan College.
The Wayland chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was holding a fund-raising chop suey dinner at the Masonic Hall.
Clara Hall dropped in 21 points as Hopkins scored a 27-21 girls’ basketball victory over Byron Center. Hopkins remains undefeated.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Vincent Price and Lyn Bari in “Shock.”
- Allan Lane and Helen Talbot in “Corpus Christi Bandits.”
- “Abbot and Costello in Hollywood,” featuring Frances Rafferty.
- Joan Crawford, Jack Carson and Ann Blyth in “Mildred Pierce.
100 Years Ago — Feb. 11, 1921
George O’Dell of the Ethical Society of Grand Rapids presented a lecture to the Ladies Library Club on “Arts and Ethics of the Photoplay Theater.” He maintained that movies are replacing church for young peoples’ activities and actors, directors and producers must observe the highest standards or morality. He cited two films, “Birth of a Nation” and “Humoresque” as examples of quality and wholesomeness.
The Musical Memories Contest’s third week features Wagner’s “Pilgrim Choruis,” Schubert’s “Moment Musicale” and McDowell’s “To a Wild Rose.”
“Professor Pepp” will be in town for Inauguration Day March 4 for Warren G. Harding.
The Father and Son Banquet will take place Feb. 18 at Yeakey’s Hall. Fathers with son at least 10 years old are invited. Speakers will be three young men from the University of Michigan.
The Commercial Club will meet Monday evening at the Dixie Inn south of town with the promise of an out-of-town speaker.
Clare Hoffman has been elected president of the Allegan County Republican Party.
The local plant of the Helvetia Milk Condensary has resumed operations full time after being down for three weeks.
John Meyers plans to install a gas station at the corner of North Main and Maple streets in the village.
The Village Council approved the bid from John Slattery of Kalamazoo for a new storm sewer along U.S.-131 north of town.
Mrs. Charles Wilcox won the debate staged by the Northeast Hopkins Club on the topic: “That there should be one pocketbook and he should carry the burden.” Fred Baker was the unfortunate loser of the competition.
The Wayland Village Council adopted a resolution to allow its members to collect one dollar per meeting apiece, beginning at the close of the annual spring elections. They had been serving gratis until now.