25 Years Ago — June 26, 1991

The Allegan County Board of Commissioners chose Connie Holbrook of Dorr Township to succeed the late Ralph Sytsma on the Fifth District seat. Others seeking the appointment were Kenneth Fein and Wallace Pitsch. She and at least two others now are eligible to seek the position in a primary election Aug. 13 and a general election Sept. 10.

The Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission has tabled a request from Thompson McCully Construction for a variance to resume gravel mining operations.

Former Kessler’s owner Tom White was sentenced to four months of home detention for evasion of customs duties. The Kessler’s manufacturing was shuttered and filed for bankruptcy.

Two 13-year-old Wayland boys sustained injuries when a bottle bomb they constructed exploded.

Dawn Kemp has left the Penasee Globe to take a reporting job with the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Consumers Power and the Wayland Downtown Development Authority are planning to work together on an underground utility cable for the downtown area.

Kathy DeYoung, 39, of Martin, died at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo while giving birth to her third child. DeYoung, a first grade teacher at Baker Elementary, suffered a blood clot in her brain.

Paul Jackson wrote a feature story about Wayland High School graduate Jerry Staley, who tossed a perfect game for the Wildcats in 1963 and his daughter, Heather, who hurled a no-hitter in the Lady Wildcats’ tournament victory in 1991 over Plainwell.

Alle Peereboom of the Netherlands has joined brother George in the Peereboom floral and garden business in Leighton Township.

Karen Kay Keyzer of Wayland won the national baton twirling competition in the Midwest Pageant in Chicago.

50 Years Ago — June 22, 1966

The Rev. Bernard Randolph has assumed duties as past of the United Methodist Church, succeeding the Rev. Forest Crum, who left to take a pastorate at a church near Midland.

A parade and a horse show will be featured in the Wayland Fourth of July celebration.

Longtime Wayland area farmer Melvin Thede died at his home. He was 72.

Erwin Doublestein, a graduating senior at Wayland High School, has been selected to take part in an Honors Band Clinic at Ferris State College.

Republican Ben Lohman has thrown his hat into the ring to challenge State Rep. James Farnsworth for a two-year term. He, Farnsworth and Congressman Ed Hutchinson all hail from Fennville.

Martin Public Schools have begun a summer reading program funded by a $6,700 federal grant. Instructors will be Mrs. Bertha Kelsey and Mrs. Doris Hutchinson.

Gordon Arbuthnot, 56, of Wayland, died unexpectedly. He had been district manager for the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7581 had its 20^th anniversary observance with a potluck Saturday evening. Special guest was Michigan Dept. Commander Clarence Shoemaker and master of ceremonies was local policeman Eldon Milheim.

A front page photo of Wayland High School teachers Robert Kerley and Vince DeJong and senior Mary Lou Eylander (now Niewenhuis) showed off new equipment that was to be used in the reading and cultural development classes to be offered during the summer.

The Wayland Village Council has tabled requests for oil drilling permits within the village limits.

Howard Thomas, Jerry LaValley and Wayne Lapham have just returned from a Hoosiers’ basketball camp in Angola, Ind.

A group of Wayland High School and junior high girls took part in a Mail-O-Graphic girls’ tack and field meet. Taking firsts were Robin Shaffer in the 100-yard dash in 11.5 seconds and Wanda Lemons with a record-breaking soccer ball throw.

The Beatles replaced the Rolling Stones atop the music charts with “Paperback Writer.”

75 Years Ago — June 27, 1941

“Following in line with the numerous retail stores that close Thursday afternoons during the summer, the local post office will close, but the lobby will be open until 6 p.m.”

An anti-chain banking bill has been vetoed by the governor, but Editor-Publisher Rollo Mosher predicted the State Legislature will have enough votes to override.

The local American Legion is planning a fish supper, with area anglers encouraged to bring their fish to Gurney’s by 4 p.m. June 30 or by 6 a.m. to the Gun Lake roller skating rink.

Wayland Hotel landlord Fred Bennett is recuperating at Blodgett Hospital after having surgery for ulcers.

Elmer W. George, 72, of Hopkins, regarded as one of Allegan County’s most respected fruit farmers, died at his home.

Mr. and Mrs. Eli Frank opened their new movie theater in Galesburg and brother Naman was on hand, temporarily leaving his duties as manager of the Wayland Theatre.

George Dwight, 87, referred to as an esteemed resident of Martin Township, died at the home of his daughter.

The First United Methodist had a huge and festive welcome celebration for new pastor Robert Geiger.

Martha Japinga was elected president of the Ladies Library Club and will begin duties in October.

At the movies:

Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy, Ian Hunter, Mary Howard, Gene Lockhart and Lon Chaney Jr. in “Billy the Kid;” Judy Canova, Bob Crosby, Susan Hayward and Jerry Colonna in “Sis Hopkins;” Bob Steele, Claire Carleton and Milburn Stone in “The Great Train Robbery,” and Mary Beth Hughes and George Montgomery in “The Cowboy and the Blonde.”

“Fish are ripe! Time to stock up and go after ‘em. You can buy a stell rod and 50-yard silk line here, $2 and up.” Harry D. Allgeo, Rexall Store.

Miss Hazel G. Nelson and Irving W. Russell were wed at her West Superior Street home. They will live in Caro, where he is school principal.

Grandma Neuman, one of the earliest setllers in Dorr, died after a lingering illness at her home.

“Don’t miss that entertainment at the Gun Lake church Friday, June 30. You will be sorry if you do.” The Wayland High School Orchestra was scheduled to perform with young musicians from the church.

Two autoloads of people from Three Rivers came to Sunday morning worship services at West Gun Lake Church to see their old friend, the Rev. J.W. Gibson.

Former local banker and postmaster (1889) John A. Turner died at the Petoskey home of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Henika. The Henikas brought him to the area for burial in Orangeville Cemetery.

A “Road Bee” is being planned by state officials and locally there are arrangements being made for businesses and auto owners to work together to fix roads leading into Wayland and Gun Lake.

Barnaby’s Orchestra will furnish the music for a Saturday evening dance party at Streeter’s Resort, Gun lake.

August Hardy of Wayland traveled to Detroit to see son Dr. George Hardy, who has been serving in Mexico under Gen. John Pershing.

John Jeffries of Moline is erecting a pavilion at Green Lake for use for Saturday night dancing parties during the summer.

It was a gruesome scene on the interurban when a horse broke loose and touched his nose on the third rail. The contact burned off the horse’s head.

PHOTO: This old Wayland High School building was coming down in the summer of 1941 to make way for a new building.