(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Dec. 4, 2000
Betty Fockler of Gun Lake, wife of former City Manager Carl Fockler, wrote a letter to the editor praising Nila Aamoth’s Soapbox piece the previous week about politics.
The issue of the Gun Lake Tribe’s proposal to bring a casino to Dorr Township continues to be the main subject of letters to the editor.
Lynn Banaszak of Salem Township penned a letter insisting a casino likely will have more long-term impact on the area than a new trailer park.
Debbie Nol of Dorr maintained that a casino might isolate the Gun Lake Tribe from everybody else locally.
Bonnie Huver penned a letter challenging the notion that the tribe was being open and honest about plans for the casino.
Mandy Sikkema, daughter of Editor Nila Aamoth, wrote a Soapbox noting the Globe has published both sides and more of opinions about the prospects for a casino.
Long Lake in the Yankee Springs Recreation area is the last Department of Natural Resources center of its kind in Michigan.
East Superior Street from Locust Street to the city limits is the next scheduled road project for the City of Wayland.
The committee handling Wayland’s annual Summerfest celebration has decided to disband because the work load has become too cumbersome and no one seems to be stepping in to help.
A hand recount of the election for Leighton Township Supervisor between incumbent Dar VanderArk and challenger Spencer Moore has been scheduled for Dec. 18. VanderArk won in the original count 943 to 695, but Moore insists VanderArk violated attendance rules established for election day.
R & N Management is bringing a General Motors parts distributor to an 11-acre parcel in the industrial park on Reno Drive.
All three local wrestling programs, at Wayland, Hopkins and Martin, are cautiously optimistic about the coming season.
Coach Dennis Anguilm will begin his 22nd season at the helm of the Wayland High School volleyball program.
Longtime star volleyball hitter Sabrina Bird has graduated at Hopkins, but coach Terri Merren still believes she and er Lady Vikings can come close to last year’s 11-4 record.
Marie Carlson of Shelbyville, a longtime special education teacher and consultant, died in Otsego. She was 90 years old.
The Wayland Community Choir will perform George Fredrick Handel’s masterpiece oratorio “The Messiah,” under the direction of Helen Gambee. The group will sing at the Wayland High School gym.
Former State Rep. James Farnsworth will speak at the Wayland Rotary Club luncheon Dec. 10.
50 Years Ago — Dec. 1, 1975
Michigan State Police Commander Col. Jon Halvorson paid a visit to the Wayland post of the State Police under local Commander Lt. William Monroe.
The Wayland Middle School band will perform a Christmas concert in the Pearl Street gym Dec. 18.
Parents and students are reminded that snowball throwing on school grounds is prohibited.
Donna Paquin was elected president of the Dorr Legion Auxiliary.
Nancy Jane Gilder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Gilder of Hopkins, is a member of the Bob Jones University Oratorio Society that will sing Haydn’s “The Creation.”
The regular monthly meeting of the Soil and Health Builders will be at Bradley Hall Sunday, Dec. 14. Yankee Springs residents Cal and Jenny Lamoreaux will demonstrate their historical crafts.
The Globe published a huge list of Thanksgiving activities at local residents’ homes.
Coach Mark Austin beamed when saying “We didn’t make many mistakes” after Hopkins’ season-opening 67-50 basketball victory over non league opponent Mattawan. Phil Arndt and Tom Pawloski led the scoring.
Sports writer David T. Young wrote a column noting that in girls’ basketball, the marketing phrase “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” applies, particularly to Hopkins. “Girls’ sports have come a long way, as have the girls. And high school athletics, thank goodness, will never be the same again.”
“From the Intro and Outro to Slush,” honoring the now defunct group, the Bonzo Dog Band, will be celebrated by thr Ogres at the Standale home of Wayland High School graduate Pat Wilde.
The Wayland High School wrestling team is optimistic about its chances to win the O-K Blue Conference title. They are led by Jim Krick and Andy Warner.
The Wayland City Council, at the urging of Planning Commission Chairman Dennis Reno, decided to file for a second year grant from federal Housing and Urban Development Department.
Mrs. Richard Hooker was injured in a traffic crash and is hospitalized in Grand Rapids. She was a longtime resident of Hopkins.
75 Years Ago — Dec. 8, 1950
Editor-Publisher Rollo G. Mosher wrote in his weekly column, “Christmas cards may be sent at the third class rate of 3 cents if unsealed and contain no other writing than the name of the sender.”
The Chapel of Trinity Lutheran Church, located on Church Street, is nearing completion. Services will be held above the Wayland State Bank until when the new facility is finished.
The Wayland Association of Churches will have an evening service during Universal Bible Sunday at the Church of Christ next Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The association is warning local residents not to buy Bibles being sold door to door “sold at extremely high prices and often are printed on very poor grade material.”
Glenn Duryea, owner of Glenn’s Roadside Market south of the village, died in Elyria, Ohio, while visiting a friend. He had suffered a fatal heart attack at 70 years old.
Frank Niemchick, retired farmer and a resident of Wayland for the past 35 years, died at his home. He was 62.
Mrs. Charles Andringa was elected senior leader of the Wayland Extension Club. Mrs. Don Chestnut was chosen reporter.
The Strong Oil Co. published an ad that declared “We do not let our patrons freeze. We care for you in days like these.”
Hopkins correspondent Mrs. Lena Martin reported that “Dr. Goude was in Detroit for his pre-induction physical exam. Hopkins people are hoping that he will not be called into service.”
Members of the Ant-Can’t and Pegaways had a joint meeting at the Congregational church with 51 present. Christmas cookies, cake and ice cream were served.
Mrs. Harley Schwartz had been suffering for about three weeks with double pneumonia and was in a hospital in Cadillac after becoming ill during a hunting trip up north.
The Wayland Grange, which welcomed eight new members last month, will have its Christmas party and a gift exchange at no more than 25 cents.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- Gordon McRae, Julie London and Rory Calhoun in “Return of the Frontiersman.”
- Dorothy Patrick, Robert Rockwell and James Lydon in “Destination Big House.”
- Dennis Morgan, Betsy Drake and Edmund Gwenn in “Pretty Baby.”
- Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon and John Hodiak in “The Miniver Story.”
100 Years Ago — Dec. 11, 1925
The Leighton Community Club will meet will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Corning church.
The Wayland High School debate team will compete with Martin at 7 p.m. Friday. The topic will be “Resolved: That the proposed Child Labor Amendment to the federal constitution be adopted.” The WHS team includes Clyde Fowler, Carlton Blanchard and Faith Dell.
A Good Fellows organization is being formed in Wayland.
Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Riedlinger entertained the 500 Club with a cafeteria-style dinner at their home. Those in attendance, 28 in number, then commenced playing 500.
Allegan County was one of the first in the state to send in Christmas seals returns to fight tuberculosis.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre: Virginia Valli in “K — The unknown,” the story adapted from the novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Cullen Landis in “Cheap Kisses.”
Charles B. Yeakey wrote an opinion piece for the Globe about radio. He maintained that you can’t get both long distance and quality reception at the same time. And you can’t get both high selectivity and quality. And with radio you are at the mercy of the forces of nature.
The Young Peoples Prayer Band for the Moline Methodist Episcopal Church continues to increase in numbers.
In Library Notes, Henika Library Director Fanny Hoyt noted the passing of Russell Conwell, author and common sense advisor.
Mrs. Douglas Nash, accompanied by Mrs. Naman Frank on piano, sang, “My Isle of Golden Dreams” for members of the Ladies Library Club.
The Business Men’s Paper Press Company’s coal unloader operates very successfully and with only the fraction of the time and labor.
John Dado is recuperating in St. Mary’s Hospital from blood poisoning caused by an accident with a pitchfork.
John Stockdale traveled to Grand Rapids to see an eye specialist to have a piece of steel removed from one of his eyes.
Mrs. Sib Rumery, Mrs. L.A. Williams and Don Ubele were among those who attended the funeral of Gus Woeful in Dorr. His son, Gus Woeful Jr., is a truck driver for Pet Milk.
The Wayland Ice Cream Parlor was selling chocolate bars for 5 cents and 2 for 5 cents.
