95 Years Ago – January 16, 1930

Norwood Farms, four miles south of Owen, which are under the ownership of Sorenson Bros., are making steady improvements in the poultry raising business, and this year will see these farms double their capacity for the raising of chicks. Sorenson Bros. entered the poultry business eight years ago, and since then have grown to be the second largest breeders of poultry in the country. A new 3,200 egg Jamesway incubator will be placed in operation the first week in February.

85 Years Ago – January 18, 1940

The latter part of last week saw workmen beginning the annual task of putting up the summer’s supply of ice for the expected hot months of 1940. According to Nick Grimes, owner of the Owen Ice Company, the work of putting up 4,000 cakes will be completed about the latter part of the week.

75 Years Ago – January 19, 1950

Miss Imogene Knaack, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knaack, Sr., Owen, became the bride of Eugene Mertens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mertens, Withee, when the nuptial vows were read by Father Raymond Bornbach, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen, at nine o’clock Saturday morning, January 14.

65 Years Ago – January 21, 1960

Harry Lencz, 43, Town of Lublin, was injured in two automobile accidents in the same day Sunday. He was driving a car that left the road and struck an iron bridge near Bellinger early Sunday. Ed Burzynski, of Thorp, arrived at the accident scene shortly after and offered to drive Lencz to Victory Memorial Hospital. The two men started out and a short distance east of Stanley, Lencz lurched against Burzynski causing the driver to lose control of his auto. The car ran off the road and overturned. This time an ambulance transported both men to the hospital.

55 Years Ago – January 15, 1970

The Outstanding American Foundation announced that three students from Owen-Withee High School have been selected as Outstanding Teenagers of America for 1970. Named were Jack Barager, a senior, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Barager, city; and juniors, Clarence Schultz, route 1, Curtiss and Brian Mahoney, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Mahoney Jr., city. These students, nominated for this honor by their school, will compete for state and national awards in the Outstanding Teenagers of America Program.

45 Years Ago – January 17, 1980

The Owen-Withee Fire Department were called at approximately 6:30 p.m. last Saturday, January 12, 1980 to the Arnold Awe farm in Green Grove Township, where they fought to control a barn fire. On arrival at the Awe farm, the barn was already partly burned down. They did attempt to save the lower level of the barn with their hoses, but were unable to do so. They did save the milkhouse and equipment within, and for most of the night they poured water on the other buildings, including the shed, the house and outlying buildings to prevent them from burning, as ashes from the fire were blowing.

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Gehrke, Owen, announce the engagement of their daughter Lisa Kay to Kim Pomputis, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Pomputis, RR, Withee. The wedding will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen on Saturday, June 7, 1980.

35 Years Ago – January 18, 1990

Equipment for the new high school weight room was sponsored in part by the O-W Booster Club. Coach Laube said the new machines would help athletes build strength, endurance and agility.

Kay Zukowski, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Zukowski, Owen, has been accepted for second semester study at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education, Cartrefle, in Wrexhame, Wales.

25 Years Ago – January 19, 2000

Amy Lilla and Seth Barna were united in marriage on August 7 at the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels in Winona, MN. Rev. Kurt Farrell performed the ceremony joining the children of Bette and the late David Lilla of Winona and John and Linda Barna of Owen.

Elizabeth and Heine Peinke, Cloverdale Road, Owen, announce the birth of their daughter Natasha Lizanne on January 8. Little Natasha weighed in at 5 pounds and is 18 inches long. Natasha is the first in the Peinke family to become a U.S. citizen. The family recently came to the United States from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

15 Years Ago – January 20, 2010

Carson Bryce VanWinkle was born on Friday, January 8, at 6:30 p.m., weighing 6 lbs. 7 oz., and measuring 19½ inches long. Parents are Luke VanWinkle and Megan Siemek. Grandparents are Rory and Lynn VanWinkle, of Withee, and Lindy and Julie Siemek, of Jump River.

The Withee Village Board met with a number of items on the agenda. Excitement prevailed as President Everett Lindgren announced the pending purchase of the Community Insurance building for the new home of the Village Hall and Library.