95 Years Ago – November 7, 1929

The members of the Owen Legion have all plans completed for their big annual Armistice Day dance which will be held at the Idle Hour Theatre next Monday evening. Rasmussen’s Harmony Kings of Marshfield will furnish the music.

William Bradford, the Clark County Sheriff, turned Paul Peterson over to the warden of the state penitentiary at Waupun on Sunday, which closed one of the most tragic murder cases ever tried in a Clark County court. Found guilty by a jury of shooting his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Riggs of Greenwood on the night of August 26, Paul Peterson, 27, was sentenced by Judge E.W. Crosby on Saturday to spend the remainder of his natural days at the state penitentiary at Waupun. The judge ordered that August 26 of each year, which will be the anniversary date of the shooting, shall be spent in solitary confinement.

85 Years Ago – November 9, 1939

Merry Ol’ Gardens, the popular dancing pavilion located one-half mile south of Longwood on Highway 73, is undergoing extensive remodeling this week. The interior of the building is being made ready for winter use, a fine new hot air heating plant is being installed this week and it is hoped that by the end of the week the place will be in readiness and comfortable for those who enjoy dancing and roller skating.

75 Years Ago – November 10, 1949

Mrs. Francis Bender, a former resident of this city opened a new restaurant business in the city on Friday, November 4. The establishment will be known as “Fran’s Eat Shop” and will be located in the building that formerly housed the eating spot known as the Cozy Corner.

Pvt. Harry Bonk, of route 1, Withee, a member of the Military Police Detachment 1-D, 1977 ASU at Camp Kilmer, was rated a pistol sharpshooter as a result of recent firing on the pistol range at Fort Hancock, NJ.

65 Years Ago – November 5, 1959

A surprise party gathered at the home of Mrs. McNitt to celebrate the birthday of her son, Bill, on Tuesday evening. Lunch was served at a late hour and the evening passed pleasantly for all.

55 Years Ago – November 6, 1969

A new recreational service that should have some appeal to retired male adults of the community is now being made available through the courtesy of the Owen Fire Department. Now that they’ve moved into their fine new quarters they are willing to share them with the public and announce the meeting room at the west end of the building will be open as an afternoon ‘club room.’ Beginning Monday, November 10, the club room will be open daily, except Sunday, during the afternoon and the firemen will provide tables, cards, and reading materials. There is also a radio and TV set in the room to be enjoyed.

The public attention is called to the October 13 adoption by the Owen-Withee school board of a policy which will require that pupils entering the kindergartens of the district in 1970 and beyond will have to have attained their fifth birthdays prior to September 1 of the year in which they are presented for enrollment.

45 Years Ago – November 8, 1979

David Hatlestad and Terry Pawlukiewicz, Phillips 66 dealers at Withee 66 Service in Withee have been named the Minnesota District’s winner in the “Look of Pride” service station service and appearance program sponsored by Phillips Petroleum Company. Withee 66’s service station has been judged the top Phillips service station among 439 competing dealers in service and appearance standards in this marketing area.

35 Years Ago – November 9, 1989

Gone is the elementary two-story, red brick grade school building located on Third Street in Owen. Demolition crews arrived on Tuesday, October 31 and began work at 2:30. By nightfall, all brick, wood, and glass lay on the ground and was hastily trucked to the dump.

25 Years Ago – November 10, 1999

Area dairy farmers were recently honored by Foremost Farms USA for producing quality milk during calendar year 1998. Robert and Darcy Ciszewski, Withee and Roger and Ellen Niemi, Withee, were honored at the cooperative’s annual district meetings in September.

15 Years Ago – November 11, 2009

On November 1, 2009, the Roosevelt Rod & Gun Club of Lublin restocked Spruce Lake with fish. Over the past five years, the club has released 4,000 rainbow and brook trout at area fishing spots, including Otter Lake and Diamond Lake, according to President Ray Lewan. The club also donated $500 to help restock Owen’s Mill Pond after it was dredged.

A daughter, Delanie Rhyen, was born to Wade and Katie Hatlestad, Withee, on October 25, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. The baby girl weighed 8 pounds, and measured 20 inches in length.