25 Years Ago — Sept. 25, 1991
The Allegan County Board of Commissioners issued an ultimatum to county employees, telling them they must accept a wage freeze or expect layoffs. The county, because of difficult economic times, is trying to deal with an anticipated $1.2 million budget deficit.
Plans were presented to the Dorr Township Planning Commission for a proposed residential development north of 142nd Avenue. The Dorr Meadows project , not far from the Open Door Church, would include 24 single-family homes on 17 acres.
Editor Nila Aamoth noted the 107th anniversary of the first publication of the Wayland Globe. She said it was interesting that the Globe had only four owners during its existence for more than a century — George Mosher, Rollo Mosher, Irv and Helen Jane Helmey, and Aamoth and Ron Carlson.
Several letters to the editor from Hopkins residents expressed dismay over the shooting death of Dennis Roxbury. One letter asserted, “Dennis was not a hardened criminal. He was a multiply decorated Vietnam veteran who needed help.”
Reindeer Hoeksema, who has owned Hoeksema Hardware for more than 50 years, was to be honored for his 80th birthday, his business retirement and longtime service to the community in a special gathering Oct. 5.
The Wayland Downtown Development Authority has accepted the low bid of Diversco of Grand Rapids for the downtown beautification project. The cost will be $315,867.
Butch and Lynne Cleveringa have opened a Pizza Ranch franchise on the east side of South Main Street.
In football, Wayland grabbed the coveted cowbell from Caledonia with a 33-13 victory, Hopkins smashed Saugatuck 52-6 and Martin took its third straight shutout, 31-0 over Bloomingdale.
The Wayland High School tennis team, led by Kristy Nieuwenhuis, Becky Bouwens and Missy Bratsburg, moved into second place in the O-K Gold Conference standings.
Angie Permoda is being touted as perhaps the first female harrier from Wayland to qualify for the state championship cross-country meet. Her latest time was 21:12 for 5,000 meters.
After an awful start, the Lady Wildcats basketball team has won three straight. They are led by Ann Iciek, Joanne Lodenstein and Heather Moreau.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 21, 1966
The Wayland Village Council met for the last time Monday, Sept. 19, and decided to table all issues for action by the new City Council that will meet for the first time on Monday, Oct. 3.
Patricia McKee, guidance counselor, has reported that 119 Wayland High School students are taking part in a work study program to get a preliminary look at careers and occupations.
Richard A. Camen of Cassopolis has been appojnted vice president and cashier of the Wayland State Bank.
The Allegan County chapter of the Young Democrats will have a meeting Monday, Sept. 26, at the Griswold Auditorium in Allegan.
The Wayland 4-H Clover Club is working on a project to send Christmas box gifts to military personnel serving in Vietnam. Mrs. David Whittredge is group leader.
The new Wayland Union school district is reporting a record enrollment of more than 1,950 students, thanks to the reorganization of rural elementary districts. Teachers at those districts have been rehired by the Wayland Board of Education.
Plainwell defeated Wayland 31-10 in the football season opener. Lee Pankratz tossed a TD pass to Rick Middleton and Dave Sebright kicked a field goal to account for the Wildcats’ scoring.
The Wayland Christian Reformed Church was the winner of the Moline Slow-Pitch softball tournament.
South Christian, which only is playing its second year of football, showed Hopkins how fast it has learned how to excel in the sport with a 44-0 triumph over the Vikings.
Kathy Smith was elected president and Norma Bredeweg vice president of the local chapter of Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA).
Frankie Avalon was starring in “Fireball 500” at the Wayland Theatre this weekend.
The Church of Christ Disciples is welcoming as guests a quartet of Korean children who will sing Sept. 21.
75 Years Ago — Sept. 26, 1941
“There is a strong possibility that a Rotary Club will be organized here shortly,” said Editor-Publisher Rollo Mosher.
The new kitchen equipment at the new Wayland School on Pine Street has been installed, ready to serve as many as 400 students.
Mosher waxed eloquent about the anniversary of the first Wayland Globe to roll off the presses exactly 57 years ago, Sept. 25, 1884 for his father, George A. Mosher. The press was moved to what in 1941 was the Malmstone clothing store on South Main and Globe offices were moved to the east side of South Main.
Pastor Walter Ellis was slated to present a sermon Sunday at the Church of God on “The Aurora Borealis and the Second Coming of Christ.”
Allegan County Clerk Esther Warner and Allegan City Alderman Louis Hettinger were wed. She succeeded her father, Carl, in the clerk’s job after he died.
The local American Legion’s installation service and “Feed Nite” has been set for Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Reno and daughter Ruth traveled to Three Rivers, where he was to take part in the Eighth District Bankers’ Convention.
Ardelia DeGlopper, 25, of Byron Center, was killed in a traffic crash two miles west of the village when the car, driven by her older brother, she was riding in struck a bridge abutment and overturned.
Now showing this week at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in “Sunset in Wyoming.”
- Greer Garson, Walter Pigeon, Marsha Hunt and Faye Holden in “Blossoms in the Dust.”
- Double feature — Lloyd Nolan, Mary Beth Hughes and Sheila Ryan in “Dressed to Kill” and Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes in “Bad Man of Deadwood.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 22, 1916
Fire caused by a gasoline engine destroyed the elevator in Moline owned by Charles Smith. The loss was estimated at $2,000. A bucket brigade helped contain the flames and save nearby buildings. Charles Fisher of Leighton said he lost 93 bushels of timothy seed.
A Sunday School orchestra of eight instruments was being organized for the Christian Church to enhance Sunday evening services. The orchestra was to include a violin, a cello, trumpet, flute, clarinet and trombone. Fay C. Wing is pastor.
Donna Bell Standish, not yet 11 years old, died at the home of Thomas Tobin of appendicitis. Surviving are her mother, Clara, and brother, R.D.
The Allegan County was getting under way Sept. 26-29, featuring horse racing, animal and vegetable exhibits, farm equipment, daylight fireworks, the midway and carnival. Robert Dunbar is Fair Board president.
William Sommers has purchased the Barnhart Markey and “will be pleased to meet all the old customers and people of this vicinity.” Sommers and his family have moved into a bungalow constructed by Dr. Hanlon.
It took a couple of hours for a group of volunteers to gain the upper hand against a fire at the Towsley Farm southeast of the village. Sparks from a thresher ignited an oat stack. The barn was saved.
The Leighton Male Quartette was slated to sing at a graduation exercise for a teachers’ training class.
Mrs. Nellie Lewis had a frightening experience when her horses were spooked by a passing motor van and threw her infant child out of the buggy. The baby was not harmed.
Mrs. D.W. Pierce now is in the care of a physician after she was injured at the foot of Indian Hill east of Bradley when her buggy overturned.