(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — April 17, 1996
The Globe’s front page was graced by Wayland’s oldest building, Henika District Library, which is making plans to have its centennial observed three years hence.
Northeastern Allegan County now is being billed as a residential building hotspot. Area planning and zoning officials report available land is disappearing quickly.
An unusually dry spring season is being blamed for a recent spate of grass and barn fires.
There were many questions and much debate at a public meeting about prospects for a proposed Leighton-Dorr District sewer district along 142nd Avenue.
Middleville Tool & Die is asking for a 30-year industrial facility exemption, paving the way for tax abatements so the firm can work on noise reduction and vibration.
The Michigan Association of Student Councils has announced that Wayland’s Jon Jensen has been named junior high principal of the year.
Barbara Sprik of the Tree Tracers organization wrote a letter to the editor to clarify Henika Library’s removal of the group’s materials from a section of the library. She added that Tree Tracers have a goal of establishing a genealogy society locally.
The Wayland High School baseball team split its first four games of the season and the softball squad won three of four. Sophomore Amanda Dzierczyk tossed a one-hitter and struck out 11.
The Hopkins baseball team won all of its first four games, with stellar mound performances by Jerry Funk, Dan Koperski and Mike Kisner.
Todd Frazee edged Richie Guerrant in a 200-meter race between two of the area’s best speedsters, 23.5 to 23.9 seconds, but Martin defeated Hopkins in a dual meet.
50 Years Ago — April 14, 1971
Classes for Wayland High School and Wayland Junior High will move to split sessions for the 1971-72 academic year because of overcrowded conditions. High School Principal JC Clyma chaired a special citizens’ committee that came up with the plan, in which high school students attend from 7 a.m. to noon and junior high students attend from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day. The plan will be implemented until the end of the 1973-74 school year.
The Northwest Allegan County 4-H District held Achievement Days at the Moline Elementary gym and welcomes the Wayland Clover Club, Moline Christian Club and Ten ‘N Teens.
Gerald Nelson’s high school biology students Conrad Mutschler, Sheryl DeHaan, John Ernst and Diane Borgic, presented a special program to elementary students.
Peter Steendam, retired cement contractor and farmer, died at his home in Shelbyville. He was 92.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Krug of Hopkins was severely damaged by fire. As a result, the family is staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Schwartz, occupied by the Dennis Kennedys.
A coffee-house style program on the Vietnam Conflict will be held April 19 at the United Church of Wayland. Presenters for the affirmative of the war will be Richard Cahpple and Richard Clack. The negative side will be presented by Father William Kobza and Wallace Wakeman.
Editor-Publisher Irvin P. Helmey and the Globe defended its position supporting Lt. William Calley in the My Lai massacre in Vietnam after a critical letter from the Rev. George Vanderweit. Mr. Helmey insisted he did not regard Calley as a hero, but a victim.
Spec-4 Joseph Martin of Hopkins has earned a commendation medal for his military service in Laos, near Vietnam.
The Hopkins chapter of the FFA captured second place in the state broiler contest, with team members Dennis Duryea, Dennis Reynolds, Scott Miller, Randy Thompson, Jim Caywood and Romie Belka.
75 Years Ago — April 19, 1946
Rev. Fr. Adelbert Radowski, pastor of the St. Therese Church in Wayland, joined a group of 11 priests who visited Sioux City, Iowa, to train as a delegation for a new diocese ceremony.
The Rev. John Miles resigned as pastor of the Wayland United Methodist Church after serving for three years.
Capt. Rollin Smith has returned home after serving in Germany, France, England and Holland during the war and its aftermath.
Mildred Smith was elected president of the Ladies Library Club. The group is planning a garden party at Grayce Delp’s cottage.
The Rumery Agency has moved its location from West Superior Street to a new office building that formerly was the site of the Gilger Barber Shop.
Thomas Barnes suffered a heart attack and died at his home at the age of 60. He had been leader of the Wayland Community Band.
Sgt. Harold Doxey, who served overseas in France and was among those who crossed over into Germany in 1944, has some home after honorable discharge.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autrey and Smiley Burnette in “Under Fiesta Stars.”
- Byron Barr, Osa Massen and Keye Luke in “Tokyo Rose.”
- John Payne, Maureen O’Hara and William Bendix in “Sentimental Journey.”
- Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo and Vera-Ellen in “Wonder Man.
100 Years Ago — April 15, 1921
McClaire Osmer of Hillsdale gave a 40-minute presentation on readings from Riley Dunbar Service and songs from Negro spirituals at Wayland school.
L.B. Gilbert of Grand Rapids Junior High presented a program to students on “The Value of an Education” at the Friday night community meeting.
Wayland will play against Plainwell at Allegan April 23.
Some 25 farmers met at Leighton to discuss a community effort to excavate marl sedimentary rock, but limestone still is being used in large quantities.
The high school camp fire group will present “The Call of the Webelo” April 21 at the Regent Theatre. The grammar school camp fire girls performed “The Mystical Seven” recently with Miss Natalie Kurdleska narrating.
Fire Chief J.S. McCaslin and local members of the fire group toured the village hydrants for inspections and some of the men have agreed to look after problems of parking obstructions downtown during incidents.
Carl Lester was attacked by “a vicious critter” in his barn while putting out horses at his Leighton farm. The critter turned out to be angry Jersey bull.
Mrs. Mitthofer was elected president of the local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), succeeding Mrs. Hughes, who resigned.
Mrs. F.C. Wing, wife of the local pastor, was taken to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids to undergo a serious operation.
George T. Hines, born in Bradley in 1860 and a longtime employee of G R & I Railway, died April 7. He was a partner in Hines, Garder & Fox.
The Grange debate was on the topic, “Country life is preferable to city life.”
Viola Dan was starring in “Dangerous to Men” at the Regent.