Dr. Michael DeWeerd has been selected this year’s Wayland Christmas Parade Grand Marshal.
A spokesperson for the Wayland Chamber of Commerce said, “Dr. DeWeerd has a lifelong heart of appreciation for our community.”
DeWeerd, a 1968 graduate of Wayland High School, was one of the first paramedics in Wayland and has volunteered for the Wayland EMS and its board of directors.
The grandson of longtime local dentist Dr. Arthur Larson and son of longtime Wayland Board of Education member Dorothy DeWeerd and Fire Chief Hugh DeWeerd, he started his dental practice on Plum Street in Wayland in 1976. He renovated the entire building, which included his office in the lower level and his home in the upper level where he and his wife Martha lived.
He moved his practice to East Superior Street where Metro Health currently stands. As Metro continued to grow, DeWeerd started new construction in 2008 at the vacant land next door, where he has been practicing since 2009.
DeWeerd served on the Wayland City Council and was mayor for a two-year term in the 1990s.
The Chamber spokesperson continued, “His goal for the area was to have high quality medical and dental care in the community. He is admired for his strong family values as well as his calm and stable leadership. Dr. DeWeerd believes in volunteering and giving back to others in his community.
“He is also involved with Calvary Church where he served both on the board and as a Sunday School teacher. He has been a part of many mission trips to Guyana, South America, to serve with other local dentists providing much needed dental care.
“Dr. DeWeerd truly believes in serving the Wayland community and is proud to be our 2022 Christmas Parade Grand Marshal.”
The annual parade will get under way downtown at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
Well-deserved, and well-done, Mike and Martha. Thank you for your service to our hometown!