The Hose Tower and the Witness Tree

Long before there was a Ferch’s, long before there was a Greendale Village Hall, there was Oak. 

This Oak – as we have grown to expect in Greendale – is above average in every way. It was an All-State Acorn. It won Class AA “Best Leaf” 7 years in a row. It’s Bio, “My Bark is Not Worse Than My Bite” won a Participation Ribbon.  This is not just another tree.

Greendale Historical Society President Ted Mainella explained that this somewhat towering Oak is a “Witness Tree”. Being a “Witness Tree” is a fairly big deal. In its life – from a crazy little nut, to a gangling sapling and eventually to the strong hulk of tree you see today – this Oak has seen it all.

This Oak witnessed the birth and the growth of Greendale. As a tree, it helped put the ‘garden’ in the Garden Community.

Oak - aka Witness Tree - is a branch length from the historical Hose Tower. It knows more about this red-brick, Depression–era built beauty than most people – with the possible exception of Mainella, the aforementioned Historical Society President.

Seeking knowledge – and armed with a Kodak camera, a Bic pen and my trusty ‘Oak to English’ dictionary - I went to Witness Tree. The following are excerpts from my conversation with Oak, a conversation cut short when suspicious authorities strongly suggested that “I best be on my way”.

MV: So, Witness Tree, you are a White Oak, correct?

OAK: Oaks, unlike Maples, do not play the race card. 

MV: Those stupid maples – am I right? Let’s talk Hose Tower. When did you first notice this 2,200 square foot facility?

OAK: 1939. I will never forget it as its construction ended what we trees called “The Dark Time of Wet Hoses”.  You see, that adjacent building – a squirrel’s jump away  - was the original Fire Department. This Hose Tower gave the fire fighters a place to store – and more importantly – dry their hoses. Even the lowly Cottonwood can see the tower is a great example of the modern architectural principal ‘form follows function’.

MV: Um, yes… that is quite evident. Say, do you know Ted Mainella?

OAK: I consider Mr. Mainella a close friend. We text.  

MV: So you know of the Greendale Historical Society’s effort to preserve and re-purpose this facility?

OAK: Oh yes. If I could, I would applaud the Society’s dual efforts to 1) preserve an important piece of Greendale History while 2) providing a gathering place for Greendale’s various groups – from the Cub Scouts to the Greendale Woman’s Club. The whole concept of a true community center stays true to the tradition of Greendale.

MV: Excellent point, Oak. Let me remind readers that Greendale is one of the three Greenbelt communities built during the Great Depression. And we do need a good place for our community groups to gather, especially that risqué bunch of Garden Gazers.

OAK: That is a wild bunch, to be sure. They love me – especially after they learned I once provided shade for Eleanor Roosevelt. 

MV: Oak and Eleanor up in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, First comes love… 

OAK: Stop it. You are embarrassing yourself. Back to the Historical Society.  They have been working with the village, school district, business community and residents to make the community center idea a reality. They architects have been hired. The plans have been drawn and renovation has commenced.

MV: Nice. When do they plan on being done?

OAK: The goal is to have substantial completion of the work done by August – in time for Village Days. This year’s Village Days will be all about Greendale's 75th anniversary. Be sure and include – with your column - the rendering of the outdoor portion of the renovation. I plan on providing some cool shade on that terrace.

MV: Will do, Witness Tree. I hear – in addition to the meeting area and that terrace – there will be a kitchen, a special entrance for caterers – and, big for any community with a large percentage of aging males, public restrooms.  I do love a good, clean public restroom. 

OAK: So much better than using me when the Beer Tent is open for business. 

MV: Let's wrap this up Witness Tree. Give me a close…

OAK: Well, be sure to invite readers to visit www.thegreendalehistoricalsociety.org  - where they can get more information, see some cool pics and – importantly - give a donation to this worthy project.  Also, acknowledge the Team Members who made this all possible.

MV: Good thinking, Oak. Team members include Lee Paulus, (Project Engineer), Al Sikorski (Bradley Corp), Jane Kerwin (Kerwin Homes, LTD), Jim Read (Project Architect), Kathleen Hart (Board Member), Al Emmons (Creative Construction), Bob Prindiville (Board Member), Jack Reichl (Reichl Construction, Project Manager), Ted Mainella (Greendale Historical Society President), Bill Kewan (Board Member), Josh Neudorfer (Sigma Group), Chris Caskey of Arrow Millwork & Cabinetry, Inc.

OAK: My good friend Jane Kaczmarek – you know, the Hollywood actress and Greendale native - serves as an honorary fundraising chairwoman for the project. Ah Jane… you know she used to climb me back in the early 60’s?  Lovely girl.

MV: First Eleanor, now Jane – for a deeply rooted individual, you sure get around, Witness Tree.

OAK: When it comes to Greendale, I truly have seen it all.