(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — Sept. 20, 1995
Editor Nila Aamoth, in her Soapbox entry, discussed the Grand Rapids Press report about lawmakers who send their children to charter schools. “If charter schools are as desirable as we are led to believe, are they ready then for the influx of student who would surely stampede their doors? Or will they be permitted to turn students away because of lack of space or staff, as no public school can?”
Mary Martin of Moline, in a letter responding to critics of her willingness to let her husband die, remarked, “He smiles when asked if he’s grad his daughter Melanie died and his mother has throat cancer.” She insisted he didn’t write out a Patient Advocate form because that option wasn’t available in 1987.
Fire destroyed the Wildlife Studio at Gun Lake, despite the best efforts of the Middleville, Hastings, Orangeville fire departments.
Kirby Goodwin has been named the county’s traveling court magistrate to handle tickets and civil infractions.
The Village of Hopkins has decided against reserve officers and instead is hiring part-time officers. There is still controversy over whether they should carry firearms.
Dorr Township voters rejected a proposal for a new township library. Meanwhile. Leighton voters a levy of up to two mills per year for a new township facility.
A special committee is being formed to study the space shortage in lockers at the Hopkins High School and Junior High hallways.
The Watson Township Board has approved the purchase of 30 acres on M-222 across from the end of 20th Street with an eye toward building a township park.
Brian Swanson broke Jason Young’s school record time in cross-country by turning in a 16:50 performance at Yankee Springs State Park.
Melanie Heslinga did a triple double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 steals in Hopkins’ win over Kelloggsville.
Kevin Bala’s two touchdowns were the only points scored in Wayland’s 12-0 upset win over Forest Hills Northern.
Kristin Fraaza and Millie Kruzel are the ringleaders of the Martin girls’ basketball team’s 5-1 start for new head coach Joe Orr.
Wayland is 4-1 despite scoring ace Angie Farmer’s recent bout with the flu, thanks to supporting roles by Jessica McEwen and Margie Reurink.
Gina Garza is 11-1 and Kim Nieuwenhuis 10-2 as the Lady Wildcat tennis team is 4-0-1 thus far.
Martin let Marcellus overcome and eventually steal a 31-28 double overtime verdict. Hopkins blasted Comstock Park 41-0.
William Welty, longtime farmer, insurance salesman and usher for Detroit Tigers spring training games, died at age 94.
50 Years Ago — Sept. 16, 1970
Patti Krup, who earned the Miss Wayland title in August, was second runner-up in the Harvest Queen pageant at the Allegan County Fair. Billed as the top entertainment at the fair this year was a musical variety act with Michael Landon of “Bonanza” fame.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre: “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” starring Jane Fonda, Michael Sarazin and Gig Young.
Twenty-three members of the Detroit-area motorcycle gang “The Dictators” were bound over to Allegan County Circuit Court on charges of kidnapping in the Saugatuck area.
Wayland High School senior Cathy Siefert has been named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition.
The Wayland Board of Education heard complaints from parents of male students who were being disciplined for earing their hair too long. Principal JC Clyma said, “If hair style is used to gain attention, we have no place for that in this school.”
Mrs. William Peterson, the former Kathy Parish and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Smith of Wayland, has been named to the Michigan State University faculty to teach interior design.
Steve Hoyt and Jack Hendrixson were pictured hauling away litter they picked up at the downtown site in Wayland.
Wayland High School students Beth Kessler, Jane Kessler, Leslie Koster, Cathy LaValley and Nannette LaValley showed off their “Romney Girls” garb at the County Fair, expressing support for U.S. Senate candidate Lenore Romney.
The Rev. Scott Price of the Christian Church Disciples has accepted the offer of pastorate at the Three Oaks Congregational Church.
Head varsity football coach Gerald Omness will make his debut at home Friday against Bloomingdale. Star running back Jim Hendrixson, however, is out with a separated shoulder.
Allen Lettinga received the junior showmanship award at the District Four Black & White Show at the Allegan County Fairgrounds.
Diana Ross topped the nation’s music charts with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
75 Years Ago — Sept. 21, 1945
Sgt. William Hooker, who took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy Beach in France, has been honorably discharged and is on his way home.
Candidates this year in the Wayland High School student council election are senior Robert Hendrixson and junior Russell Hanlon.
Wayland’s football season opener this Friday night will be against Allegan.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Towne have purchased the Bodine Florist business on Cherry Street. Owner John Bodine has been in ill health of late.
Jean Gillette of Sgelbyville has been selected to be one of the “Senior Sisters” for the fall semester at Western Michigan University.
John F. Dumaresq, 86, died at his home. He has been a longtime collector of Indian artifacts.
A total of 619 students attend Wayland schools this academic year.
England native William Harness died at age 86. He was a longtime farmer and insurance agent and he was active in the United Methodist Church.
Marine Pfc. Jack Milesis home on leave after being wounded in the Battle of Okinawa. He remarked, “They (the Japanese) were all kids just like myself, only many of them were younger.”
Kenneth Robison, a soldier from the Percy Jones Hospital, was killed in a traffic accident just south of Bradley. Authorities said he fell asleep at the wheel and his car collided with a truck.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
- William Gargan and Ann Savage in “Midnight Manhunt.”
- Charles Starrett and Tex Harding in “Both Barrels Blazing.”
- Robert Cummings and Lizabeth Scott in “You Came Along.”
- Judy Garland, Robert Walker and James Gleason in “The Clock.”
100 Years Ago — Sept. 17, 1920
The two newest teachers at Wayland High School are Miss Corrine Pitcher, history, and Miss Rachel McKinstrey, English and Latin.
Enrollment at Wayland High School is 80 students, including 16 seniors.
Alto Dell has been elected president of the WHS senior class, Russel Hilbert is secretary and Ethel Williamson treasurer.
The Freshman Reception, which has been getting to an annual tradition, was held Thursday night, including a weenie roast and insistence the frosh perform stunts.
A shortage of fertilizer has been noted, and the Farm Bureau sent a message indicating it, “is a service organization. We are not speculative. We do not buy from our members and sell to the trade. But we buy for the members and sell for them.”
A canning demonstration was held at the Wayland area home of Mrs. C. Edwards and there was a presentation on the food value of milk at Hopkins.
The barn of Jacob Joldersma of Leighton Township was destroyed after it was struck by lightning.
The Dixie Inn, managed by E. Fox, “is doing a fine business. Every room in the house is full most of the time.”
Glenn Clark has left for Louisville, Ky., to take a position as singing evangelist with the Rev. John T. Brown.
More than 100 autos are routinely parked in downtown Wayland on weekends because of the successes of the Regent Theatre and “courteous merchants with good stock and reasonable prices.”
Ralph Bides of Fennville and Thomas Woodford of Montana, both 17, both were recaptured near the town of Babylon after the escaped from the Allegan County Jail. They had been accused of robbing a general store in Fennville.