I’ve spent portions of the past couple months traveling around Clark and Taylor Counties to thank area residents for supporting the mission of the Owen–Withee Area Historical Society. And to listen to their stories and learn from them. I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and I’ve been pleased to hear that the brand of the Owen-Withee Area Historical Society is widely recognized.

This week’s column is one of my periodic “Just Glancing Around” the world of local history.

Last week found me in Neillsville at the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum. That building is listed on the Wisconsin and Federal Registers of Historical Places (since 1978). Until recently, it was a showpiece museum and home of the Clark County Historical Society. The building is now permanently closed to the public because of its deteriorated condition. The museum contents are being moved and disposed. The Clark County group is working with other historical societies to find new homes (including Owen-Withee) to relocate items as may be possible. As part of that, the Owen–Withee Area Historical Society has acquired a 1920s era vintage Barber Shop chair that originally came from the Clark County Health Care Center.

I attended an Owen-Withee Area Historical Society Board of Directors meeting while I visited in Owen last week. The Board decided to sponsor the “Golden Blackhawk” award for 2026 and is presently seeking nominations for a worthy recipient. Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, or from Society president, Allan Hodnett. Deadline for submissions is December 1, 2025.

I stopped at Silver Dollar (rural bar/restaurant in Reseburg, Wisconsin) for dinner last Saturday. Silver Dollar is an iconic bar that has been serving for decades. Best known for its fried chicken, but lots of other items on the menu as well.

I met with Bill Wirtala while on tour. I stopped at his farm home along Black River in the Town of Longwood. I’ve known the Wirtala family my entire life. Bill is a walking encyclopedia of local history. He is the third generation of Wirtala to inhabit his farm, that dates to 1911. Bill drove us in his sturdy Chevy pickup truck to the “back 40” and the bottom lands along Black River. There he pointed out third generation white pine that are gradually repopulating themselves in areas that were logged off over 100 years ago. Thank you, Bill. What an interesting tour.

Three of my favorite local Mennonite stores that I try to frequent when I’m in the Owen-Withee area are Martin’s Fresh Market (grocery), Hene Supply (general merchandise and food), and River Valley Meats (butcher). All of them are very friendly and helpful.

Since April 2025 of this year, I’ve traveled to all corners of Clark County, and southern Taylor County to promote the Owen-Withee Area Historical Society brand. There are multiple local historical societies around the area, including Stanley, Thorp, Medford, Dorchester, Colby, Greenwood, Neillsville and others. All are sustained by only a very tiny corps of dedicated volunteers. Resources are stretched. Communities need to consider consolidating to better share limited resources.

I’ve not personally lived in the local Owen-Withee area since my high school days, many years ago, but as one of the area’s “historians” it’s a pleasure to walk memory lane, as well as meet unknown faces. My most recent history tour of the area focused on the streets of Owen and Withee. Some of the places I visited recently include O-W Sports & Liquor (Jackie Reinke), Woodland Tap Room (Larry Hodnett & Dick Peterson), Withee Library (Janice Arndt), O-W Curtiss Fire Department (Grace Dale & Travis Serocki), River Valley Meats, Martin’s Fresh Market, Prevail Bank (Linda Susa), Jen’s Hair Salon (Jennifer LaRock) and L.A.S.T. Ace bar (Tony Wallace).

Again, thank you readers who share your stories and memories—reach out to Allan Hodnett at ahodnett@aol.com or 414-840-0846. Or find us on social media at Owen-Withee Area Historical Society. Each voice enriches the collective memory and helps write the next chapter of Owen-Withee’s remarkable history.