(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — May 18, 1994
The Wayland Union school district will ask voters to approve a three-mill $23.4 billion bond project to construct a new middle school near the current high school site in a vote scheduled for Sept. 24. If approved, the current junior high would be transformed into the Pine Street Elementary for fifth- and sixth-graders.
A large crowd of people showed at a hastily called special meeting on a proposal to have an entertainment amphitheater established the intersection of U.S.-131 and 142nd Avenue.
Globe reporter Pat Staley, in her Soapbox entry, lamented the lack of civility by citzens attending the meeting, reporting a lot of booing, catcalls and rude behavior.
Harry Smit concurred in a letter, saying, “Moline and Dorr will not turn into Sodom and Gomorrah because of an amphitheater.”
On the other side of the issue, Paul and Joanne Marvin insisted Dorr citizens were here first and didn’t deserve to have their lives turned upside down by such a facility.
A Court of Appeals upheld Allegan County Probate Judge George Greig’s ruling that severely brain damaged Mike Martin had a right to die by removal of a feeding tube in a nursing facility. Martin was critically injured in a car-train accident in 1987 and his wife, Mary, had insisted he told her he wouldn’t want to live like this.
Former local residents Randi and Dennis Nickels wrote a letter praising Wayland schools for properly preparing their daughter after she graduated with honors at Okemos High School.
Jose Blanco of Shelbyville has announced plans to run as a Democrat against State Senator William VanRegenmorter, who is seeking his second four-year term in Lansing.
The Hopkins Board of Education had a spirited discussion about what kind of person is desired to succeed James Cooper as superintendent. Cooper will leave in July to become school chief at Harbor Springs.
Sophomore Heather Postma has been tearing up the track in the high jump, 800, long jump and 1600 lately for the Wayland girls and she’ll lead them into next week’s regionals. For the guys, Matt Barghahn has been invincible in the shot put and discus.
Jenny Stratton pitched a no-hitter for Martin in an 18-0 triumph over Bloomingdale.
Wayland Board of Education has agreed to hire an athletic trainer to add boys’ and girls’ soccer to its sports offerings.
Wayland’s baseball is 7-3 in the O-K Gold, a game behind South Christian, and is 16-6 overall.
Hopkins’ big showdown with Allendale was a disappointment, as the Vikings gave up 38 walks while being swept in a doubleheader.
The Hopkins baseball team under Mark Austin also is 16-6 overall and leading the River Valley Conference with an 8-2 mark.
Chris Holben belted a homer and two singles in a 6-5 Lady Wildcat victory over Otsego, improving the team’s overall record to 16-9.
50 Years Ago — May 14, 1969
Harold Keena was chosen for the Gerstacker Award as Michigan State Police Trooper of the Year. He was praised for starting up a youth baseball team, helping launch the local Rocket football program and for capturing a walkaway prion inmate and a murder-robbery suspect.
David Keena and Jeff Hampel were identified as Wayland High School representatives at Wolverine Boys’ State at Michigan State University.
The Allegan County Road Commission has announced construction on two bridges in northeast Allegan County, at 136th Avenue and 12th Street and on 138th Avenue.
Dr. G.A. VandeVoord will be challenged for his school board seat by Robert Hendrixson. Dorothy DeWeerd is the only candidate to finish out the partial term left vacant by the resignation of Clara Durfee.
The Wayland Board of Education in a 5-2 vote agreed to offer driver education instruction to children of residents who live here only in the summer. The board also was reminded that henceforward baccalaureate would be regarded as a church rather than school function.
A two-car collision at 138th Avenue and 8th Street took the life of Mrs. Al McDonough of Middleville and left Edward Bilski of Hopkins in serious condition at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Wayland High School graduate Dr. Robert Andringa has been hired as a staff consultant for the U.S. Committee on Education and Labor.
The next fiscal year budget for the City of Wayland estimates revenue and expenses at $108,500 with a local tax levy at 10 mills.
Six Wayland High School students, Mary Predum, Chuck Landon, Carl Blue, Gary Doublestein, Rita Belka and Lynn Gulch, were featured in front-page photos of General Motors’ “Preview of Programs.”
During Michigan Week festivities, Wayland will have Mayor Exchange events with Walkerville.
Mrs. Gloria Jurrians penned a letter pleasing for the continuance of the Easter Egg Hunt, asserting there were may happy parents and excited children at the most recent celebration at the City Park.
Mrs. Kenneth Bird now is president of the Ladies Library Club and Mrs. George (Evelyn) Hampel is first vice president.
Eugene Knobloch has been named head football coach at Wayland High School, succeeding Lyle Berry, who is the new athletic director. Knobloch, a four-year football letterman at Central Michigan University, was Berry’s assistant for the past three years.
John Wilson tossed a no-hitter for Hopkins in a 10-1 victory over Saugatuck. The Vikings are 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the All-Van League behind Martin.
State Senator Gary Byker was scheduled to talk about Parochiaid to members of the Wayland and Pomona Granges.
The Fifth Dimension spent their sixth and final week atop the nation’s tunes list with “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine.”
75 Years Ago — May 19, 1944
The Pet Milk Co. is reporting a severe shortage of manpower in handling the seasonal extra flow
of surplus milk as cows are turned out on grass. Adding to problem is the need for labor for shipment overseas.
Sgt. Oliver Dreier sent an orchid home to his mother for Mother’s Day from serving in the Reconnaissance Squadron.
Erwin Doublestein has entered the service, joining brothers Robert in the Coast Guard and Charles in Italy.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Panyrek sent a cablegram from England to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Panyrek.
The Catholic Youth Council, Sts. Cyril & Methodius, is planning a Springtime Dance May 21.
Carl Sprague held a hard-hitting undefeated State High (Kalamazoo) baseball team to just four hits in a nine-and-two-thirds inning 2-2 ballgame at Wayland. The contest was called because of “some of the poorest sportsmanship on the part of the visiting team that has ever been observed. Every decision (by umpires Rev. John Miles and Lloyd Winslow) was contested.” A return game has been scheduled for May 31 at Haynes Field. Wayland defeated Byron Center 8-7 and Hopkins 8-2 earlier in the week.
Author-lecturer Peter Varanoff, who spent 12 years in Soviet Russia will speak at the Moline Congregational Church on “Russia, God and Victory.”
The Village Council received a petition with 62 signatures of citizens asking for reduction of the local tax rate from nine to seven mills. However, because only one of the 62 bothered to appear at the meeting, President Rollo G. Mosher suggested they attend a meeting Friday night.
Lee Greenawalt, son of Fred and Effie Greenawalt, enjoyed his best birthday ever with 14 friends on the grounds of the Rod and Gun Club for a weenie roast.
An advertisement posted by Clayton Baugh said these would be the last two days customers could buy children’s shoes without the requirement for ration stamps.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Wally Brown and Alan Carney in “Rookies Burma.”
- Harold Perry and Billie Burke in “Gildersleeve on Broadway.”
- Rosalind Russell and Brian Aherne in “What a Woman.”
- Marsha Hunt, Alexander Knox and Henry Travers in “None Shall Escape.”
100 Years Ago — May 16, 1919
Amy M. McLean, “an esteemed resident” and former local school teacher who moved to Wayland in 1905, died at age 53.
A general church business brotherhood referendum meeting May 17 at the Wayland Methodist Church will take up the question, “How Shall We Cooperatively Secure a Larger and Better Wayland?”
Former Wayland youth Frederick W. Graham now agricultural agent for the Northern Railway Co., has been appointed state director for war savings in the State of Washington.
“Dolls Ball,” including folk games, songs and dances, will be offered at the Yeakey Hall May 28.
Christian Church Pastor Fay C. Wing is inviting servicemen from all wars to take part in a patriotic service Sunday evening. The two-reel motion picture, “The Story of the American Flag” will be shown.
Harold Fox and John Feighner, two veterans of the recent war overseas, gave presentations about their experiences in France to students at Bradley School.
The local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union met at the home of Mrs. Mark Beall and Mrs. Louise Hanlon was elected president. White ribbons were presented to seven new members.
Bradley merchant E.S. Allen is the proud new owner of a seven-passenger Monroe touring car made in Indianapolis.
The Allegan County Sunday School 36th annual convention was being planned for next month at Overisel Reformed Church.
Mrs. E.G. Watson is manager of the Michigan State Telephone Co. in Wayland.
Miss Esther Calkins of Wayland is one of four Butterworth Hospital nursing graduate who will go to New York City for graduate course work.
