(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 27, 1993
“Good Neighbors” was the theme of the special edition of the Globe and Orbit for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. A front page feature story and photo appeared on the front page about Lori Tripp and Melissa Harper. There were many photos and features of other “good neighbors” inside the edition as well.
A consortium of 52 communities using the Grand Rapids law firm of Varnum, Rittering, Schmidt and Howlett was negotiating for better cable service and prices with C-Tec, according to Wayland assistant City Manager Barb Van Duren.
Under the Banner, “It Happened in ’93,” the Globe published a survey of the top stories of the now fast departing year.
Winter campers are invited to partake of the services of the Yankee Springs State Park at $8 per night.
One of the bridges slated for repair by the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1994 is located on 133rd Avenue over the Rabbit River at a cost of $164,000.
Linda Hutchings wrote a feature story about the growing popularity of snowboarding, particularly on area ski slopes.
Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce President Jody VanHuizen has announced the launching of a local Toastmasters International Club for public speaking.
City of Wayland officials have indicated they plan to flood the tennis courts at the city park once again for use as an ice skating rink over the coming winter.
The Wayland High School wrestling team will take a 1-2 dual meet record into the holiday break. One bright spot was freshman Jason Kopp, who stepped up to win two of three matches at 119 pounds.
Hopkins staged a heroic comeback, but ran out of gas against Fennville in a 70-56 loss. Freshman Tim Kisner scored 16 points and Rich Dame added 11.
Sophomore Richie Guerrant netted 23 points and gathered 12 rebounds in Martin’s victory over Saugatuck.
Scott Sullivan penned a feature story about the local Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall and congregation on 137th Avenue. It was explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not recognize Christmas as most others do because they believe it wasn’t possible for Jesus Christ to have been born in December.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 25, 1968
The first-ever Wayland Invitational Wrestling Tournament was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 28, with coach Eugene Knobloch’s Wildcats to be joined by Fennville, Caledonia and Gull Lake.
Gull Lake defeated Wayland’s varsity basketball team 57-48. The Wildcats, who fell to 2-2 overall, led by one point at halftime because of a 13-for-13 performance as a team at the free throw line. Tom Latondress scored 16 points and Randy Rairigh 10. Key factors were getting outrebounded by a small Blue Devils’ outfit and a terrible 15 for 50 in field goal shooting.
Wayland Junior High instructor Dale Collins wrote the third in a series of “Our Teachers Speak” columns, this one taking up the topic of youth and respect.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: Doris Day and Brian Keith in “With Six You Get Eggroll.”
Mental health services now will be available twice a week at the Episcopal Church in Allegan.
The Ken Anderson film, “The Family that Changes the World” will be shown at 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve at the Wayland Calvary Church’s annual Watchnight Service.
The Congregational Church will have the annual candlelight service with the Christian Church Disciples with pastors James Smith and Fred Dunbar sharing duties.
The Wayland Quiz Bowl team now has won three televised matches on Channel 13, WZZM. The foursome of Lesley Wakeman, Don Borgic, Shona Middleton and Joanne Gresezak defeated other quartets from Newaygo, Sparta and Hart. Coach is Fred Comer.
Airman Randy Mankin and his wife, the former Linda Talor, a 1966 Wayland High School graduate, were visint the Frank Taylor family over the holidays. Mankin is scheduled to be transferred to Greece.
Mrs. Emma Plott, Wayland’s oldest citizen at 105 years, was taken by ambulance to the Allegan Health Center for treatment.
Mr. and Mrs. Art Miller entertained 26 members of the Hopkins Lions Club for their annual Christmas party.
Marvin Gaye spent the third consecutive week atop the nation’s music charts with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
75 Years Ago — Dec. 31, 1943
Judge Irving R. Tucker of Allegan spoke to members of the Wayland Rotary Club about the necessity of having a will.
The Southwest Michigan Parish Association had its annual business meeting in Wayland with 60 in attendance. One member, Clarence Cook of Berrien County, again referred to Wayland as the Cow Town of Michigan,” and suggested it be featured on the cover of Life or Look magazine.
Naman Frank has secured the Paramount news reel of the U.S. Marines’ invasion Tarawa and will show the film at the next Rotary meeting.
Ruth Brouard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K.H. Brouard of Shelbyville, has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s medical department. She is a 1931 graduate of Wayland High School.
Richard Hines, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hines of Wayland, has been promoted from corporal to sergeant.
Pfc. Russell “Jack” Perry penned a letter to the Globe from Italy, where he is serving in the military. He wrote, “We’re going to keep pushing the Nazis right back to their Munich beer hall.”
Howard Clack was installed as worshipful master of the James Fenton Masonic Lodge No. 244. Home on furlough from the service, Guy Smith was presented with his Master Mason degree.
The Silvers-Rich firm in Hastings published an advertisement, “Wanted for essential war work, women to candle and break eggs for drying plant. Those employed in defense work need not apply.”
There will be a New Year’s Eve midnight show at the Wayland Theatre.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- William Bendix, Grace Bradley, Max Baer and Alan Hale Jr. in “The McGuerins from Brooklyn.”
- Bobby Readick, Frank Craven and William Gargan in “Harrigan’s Kid.”
- Charles Coburn and Marguerite Chapman in “My Kingdom for a Cook.”
- Sonja Henie, Jack Oakie, Cesar Romero and carol Landis in “Wintertime,” featuring Woody Herman and His Orchestra.
100 Years Ago — Dec. 26, 1918
Billed as “Dad’s Christmas Letter,” Globe Junior Editor Rollo G. Mosher sent father George Mosher, editor of the Wayland Globe, a lengthy letter from France, where he was serving in the military. He outlines his activities and impressions of the European host country. He wrote, “When we landed in Liverpool, there was a bunch of newsies who were down to meet the ships. It was fun to watch their fight over the pennies that were thrown to them.”
There was a column written by Phillip T. Colegrove of Hastings, president of the Michigan Good Roads Association, talking about the need to get ahead of having quality roads for the growing number of motor vehicles.
The Christian Church on West Superior was packed for a Sunday night service that featured the use of a moving picture machine. Pastor Fay C. Wing insists that moving pictures soon will become a tremendous asset to church services, an invention whose time has come.
L.P. Reno informed the Wayland Village Council that the sheds at the Congregational Church either must be repaired or torn down. A committee was formed to have them repaired.
George Johnson has arrived home after being called to the air service in the war overseas. He was no longer needed because the armistice was signed.
Among those discharged from the military overseas and arriving home are Francis Hooker, Edgar Wallace, Harold Hanlon, Zeke Smith and Norman Frank.
