Local History – Page 2

Yes It Is, It’s True: Loss of ‘Pete’ will be loss of history

April 20, 2019

Lee Dale "Pete" Arnsman Good Lord, I miss Pete Arnsman. No, Lee Dale "Pete" Arnsman of Hopkins has not not passed away, but last December he suffered a stroke and has been homebound and struggling since. I am told he does not recognize anyone, except perhaps his son Mel, and...

Bygone Days: A look at the past in NE Allegan County

March 20, 2019

(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr) 25 Years Ago — March 23, 1994 Local history buff Kathy Hamman Miller found this photo of Johnny Cash reveling at the North Dorr Tavern, later to become the Countryside Inn. Cash occasionally came to the...

Memo to City Council: Be open, avoid backsliding

February 18, 2019

ACHTUNG: This is not a "fair and balanced" story. It is an editorial by the editor. The dictionary on this computer defines backsliding as "relapse into bad ways or error." I hereby accuse the Wayland City Council of doing just that. In bygone days, too many council members were socializing...

Write It Right: Fifelski’s hasn’t bought Then & Now

February 4, 2019

Townbroadcast this past weekend published an editorial that included incorrect and misleading information. In an opinion piece about saving local history, the author incorrectly indicated that Fifelski's Marathon gas station and towing service has purchased the Then & Now Historical Library next door. Billy Fifelski, in a letter to the...

‘High school yell’ nearly lands WHS student in jail

January 29, 2019

EDITOR'S NOTE: Townbroadcast will be unable to publish the weekly "Bygone Days" feature Wednesday, as customary, because of the cold and snowy weather. Efforts will be made to publish Thursday. In the meantime, enjoy this historical tidbit: David Britten Former Pine Street Elementary principal David Britten recently came across a...

Bygone Days: A look at the history of NE Allegan County

August 22, 2018

(Taken from the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr) 25 Years Ago — Aug. 25, 1993 Martin Class of 1893, including Jim Brown, Jay Wylie, Jim Fenner, Ross Robins, Ruth Robins, Gertrude Chase, Wilma Stayman, Jennie Smith, Elsie Burt, Almeda Pike, Marian MacVean, Lillian Roberts,...

Bygone Days: A look back at the history of NE Allegan County

July 25, 2018

25 Years Ago — July 28, 1993 Julie DeBoer was abruptly terminated as director of the Allegan County Emergency 911 program by the Board of Commissioners. She received about $25,000 in severance compensation. Board Chairman David Babbitt would not say why she was ousted, but inside sources said officials were...

Then & Now days numbered with property purchase

March 22, 2018

The Then & Now Historical Library near the corner of 18th Street and 142nd Avenue in downtown Dorr may have only a couple of years to vacate the building in which it operates. The Township Board Thursday night disclosed a letter from William Fifelski Jr. of the Fifelski Marathon gas station and...

Bygone Days: A look at the history of NE Allegan County

March 21, 2018

(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr) 25 Years Ago — March 24, 1993 Highway A-42, aka 129th Avenue in Allegan County may get some extensive work done this year if the State Legislature passes a Heritage Road bill to provide more funding. The...

City, Lumberyard Events Center continue parking talks

March 5, 2018

Mark and Mart Shepard. New City Manager Josh Eggleston Monday evening told the Wayland City Council that talks continue with the Shepard family, which is remodeling the old Smith Lumber building on West Maple Street into Lumberyard Events Center. Eggleston said the biggest hurdles to clear are securing the minimum...

Tag: Local History