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Sennetts' Defied Number “13”

    The Sennetts, Publishers of The Lowden News from 1927 to 1975 were not superstitious of the number 13.

     For years the post office box number was 13; the safe deposit box at the bank was number 13; and the telephone number was 13.

     My mother, Hedwig Sennett, editor of the paper from 1927 to 1949 had thirteen letters in her name. My father, Sidney Sennett, publisher for thirty years, also had thirteen letters in his name as well as the newspaper title The Lowden News.

     My wife, Dorothy and I were married on Friday, May 13th, again defying the superstition. We were editor and publisher of the paper from 1949 to 1975. Our children, Karen K and David D each had thirteen letters in their names.

     Looking back over the years, I can see no bad spell of luck under the number – thirteen! In fact, I feel it may have been a factor in our many years of friendly relationships and business success in this town of Lowden.

              Richard “Dick” Sennett

Picture of Former Home of The Lowden News
    The above photo shows the building which was the home of THE LOWDEN NEWS from the late 1920's to 1972 to the right. The other building to the left was the American Trust and Savings Bank in early days.

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Fond Memories

    As I remember living in the Lowden community, I shall always recall the great community spirit of a small town, where people young and old really worked together for a common cause. I still recall the ice cream socials in the downtown park area and a white elephant sale sponsored by the Zion Evening Circle whereby we accumulated several old cook stoves!

     Now, I marvel at the beauty there at Christmas Time with all the tiny twink- . . .

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. . . ling lights of the season.

     Of course the Lowden Centennial was a highlight for many of us, and we have pictures to prove it. Elmer with a full beard. The Lowden Park Day and the Chicken Barbecue of which I helped with the first one; also the talent shows and that “Beauty Shop Quartet”! I still can't figure out why they never made it in the Big Time??? - like the “Pointer Sisters” did!

     Of course the Kiddies Parade was always a great highlight to Memorial Park sponsored by the Amvets Auxiliary. I am so glad to see they are still continuing it. I always enjoy reading about it and I know it's a great experience for the children and parents of the community. We still get the Sun-News so we keep up with the many activities in your area. Although many names are new and unfamiliar now, that's also a good sign of new people moving to the community and sharing their lives with the wonderful people of Lowden.

              Mrs Elmer (Ina Kahl) Hack

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As Time Goes By

    It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and, as I look out of our picture window, I see a city block of relatively new homes. It set me thinking how this area has changed during my life-time. This parcel of land has a special significance to me.

     My first recollection of this area, now known as the 900 block on McKinley Avenue in Lowden, was only a pasture for several cows, sheep and horses. The land from the east boundary of the Memorial ball park extending to the alley behind the Victor Mensing residence and from 9th to 10th street in addition to the lot south of us on which the Robert Kroemer home is located, at one time belonged to my father, Reinhold Breuer. He acquired it in 1912. In 1918 he sold it to Mr and Mrs Charles Conrad. A small house on the extra lot was moved to another lot next to my childhood home on 5th street. After several renovations it is now owned and occupied by Mrs Erma Esbaum. The Conrads erected their new home which is now owned by the Kroemers.

     In 1933, the Conrads and their son-in-law and daughter moved back to their farm south of Lowden, and my husband's parents moved into the Conrad home on McKinley Avenue. After several years on the farm the Conrads returned and lived there till they sold all of this area to the C. W. Paulsens in 1951.

     It was sold as lots and four new homes soon sprung up. The Paulsens sold their home and the adjoining lot to the north to the LeRoy Luepkers in 1965.

     During this passage of time, I had grown up, married and farmed till 1966, when we sold our farm.

     Two lots remained vacant on McKinley Avenue and the one on the west side of the street seemed to us to be the ideal place for us to build our new home. The Luepkers sold us the lot and we erected our new home ten years ago.

     Little did I dream, when I was a little girl, that this piece of land owned by my father over sixty years ago would some day belong to me and be the spot where I would spend my retiring years surrounded by lovely homes and a beautiful Memorial Park view from my backyard.

              Mrs Floyd (Tillie Breuer) Hansen