This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Greendale Review Newspaper - Revisited Week 20 - 4/22/39 to 5/4/39

The Greendale Review was Greendale's first newspaper and through 2013 I will post stories every Thursday from the early days of Greendale taken from the paper.

 

With this year being the 75th anniversary I thought it might be interesting as well as fun to look back at Greendale’s beginnings from the viewpoint of its own residents and local news stories of the day. Every Thursday through the end of the year, I will be posting humorous, relevant or just interesting stories from Greendale’s original newspapers.

The following selected stories are copied exactly as they were originally written (including some misspellings) unless otherwise noted. Some may be shortened with “…”. They will be in bold and italicized type.

Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also, just a reminder - Greendale first opened to residents on May 1, 1938

Greendale Review - Saturday, April 22, 1939

Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

GREENDALE BUS SERVICE EXTENDED FOR 60 DAYS

   The Transport company has been ordered by the Public Service Commission to continue bus service to Greendale for 60 days, after the expiration of the six months trial period which ended April 10.

   The village government officials are preparing a brief summarizing the position of the community in this controversy. This brief will be presented to the commission at the next hearing in May.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dedicated Edition - GREENDALE REVIEW – Thursday, May 4, 1939

Many Seek Jobs As Village Police

   Thirty-three young men aspiring to become Greendale’s first policemen reported for the written examination held in room nine of the Community Building last Saturday afternoon. Those who successfully passed the written exam will be given a physical examination next week to be followed by oral interviews by the three-member examining board.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Community Pledge

“I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO MY VILLAGE,

TO ITS IDEALS, ITS INSTITUTIONS AND

TO ITS PEOPLE, WITH THE FIRM KNOWLEDGE

THAT THEIR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS, AND

BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL MAKE GREENDALE

A BETTER COMMUNITY IN WHICH TO LIVE.”

--A RESIDENT

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phone Committee Makes Survey

   With over 500 families included in the recent telephone survey, approximately 275 have gone on record as desiring direct phone service to Milwaukee at reasonable rates. Not included are 50 families interested in direct service at a later date.

   Less than 30 families now have phone service.

   The average bill paid by 112 families in Greendale who had phone service before moving here was $2.75 per month.

   While a telephone questionnaire was sent to the residents last fall, less than 20% reported, and the results did not give a true picture on the telephone needs of the residents so the telephone committee decided upon a new questionnaire to be picked up by its members.

  Stephen Gminski, chairman of the committee, says, “Our committee is appreciative of the splendid and whole-hearted co-operation we received from the residents during this survey.”

   Other members of the committee are George Brinkman, Raymond Miller, Clement Donnelly, Carval Lawder and Earl Needham.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

VILLAGERS ADMIRE NEW THEATRE

   Saturday night, April 29, was a big event for the residents of Greendale, with the opening of their new theatre.

   The villagers turned out en masse along with visitors from Milwaukee and Hales Corners to enjoy the latest on sound and screen.

   Manager Erwin Koenigsreiter, extremely pleased at the attendance says, “I’m more than satisfied at the wonderful turnout of the residents for our gala opening. I’m especially pleased at the interest and pride the villagers have shown in their new theatre, and I pledge my cooperation in making our theatre the finest in cinema entertainment.

   Boasting of the latest in design, and fireproof construction, as well as having the finest projection and sound equipment available, Greendale’s theatre ranks with the nation’s best. The screen is exceptionally clear and affords a non-tiring evening’s entertainment.

   Besides the projection equipment the theatre has the latest and most complete in air conditioning for both summer and winter.

   According to the early reports of a survey being concluded by the theatre the patrons favor double features to single ones.

   The foyer of the theatre was banked with plants and bouquets sent to the proprietor, Erwin Koenigsreiter, by friends and business associates, to whom he wishes to express his sincere thanks on behalf of himself and his wife.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

DRUG STORE STILL POPULAR

   The Greendale Drug Store, operated by Kendall Des Jardin, continues to be a favorite spot with Greendale residents.

   The grill room has often been taxed to capacity, particularly on Sunday afternoons, when a great number of sight-seers tour the village. Additional help has had to be acquired to take care of the customers.

   The prescription room has done its share toward making life easier for the residents, who now may have their prescriptions filled here instead of traveling several miles to surrounding cities for this service.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Village Facilities Provide Activities

   Greendale has unusual social, recreational, and educational features. Because the age of adult residents is lower than the average, and most families have children of school age or below, particular interest in the problems of young people has been shown.

   The Community Building, which houses the school, has adequate provision for 650 pupils from kindergarten through the ninth grade. This structure is built to make use of all natural daylight. It is scientifically designed and air conditioned. It is fully equipped for shop work and domestic science, and has adequate laboratory facilities for junior scientific studies. Its large library and study hall serves both the school and the adult population. The auditorium and gymnasium likewise are for the use of the adult population for games, meetings and class instruction.

   Community activities in the summer center around the athletic field, tennis courts, wading pool, and numerous small parks and play areas where children have the opportunity for games and supervised instruction. Mothers send their children to these small neighborhood playgrounds where they know they will be safe and happy.

  Athletic teams, dramatic organizations, and numerous social gatherings have a prominent part in the community life. A small newspaper on a voluntary basis has been organized to keep residents informed of activities.

   During the first summer, over 50 per cent of the residents took advantage of the opportunity for allotment gardening. The gardeners, with the aid of Greendale’s agricultural guidance, found their efforts profitable.

   Although no churches have been built on the project, meeting places have been provided and services are held regularly by several denominations. Church structures may be built by congregations later where the membership may warrant their so doing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN

   One of our prominent west end citizens was about to enter his front door—at this same moment his wife attempted to leave the house by the same door.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRST GREENDALE FAMILY STILL LIKES HOME HERE

   First on the list of families approved as tenants were Mr. and Mrs. Allen G. Koschin, and their two daughters, Marilyn, 8 and Gloria, 6.

   Although the Koschins were the first approved, they were not the first to move into Greendale. It was not until June 1 that they moved to 7001 Grange Place.

   The Koschins, one and all, enjoy living in Greendale and would not care to move back into the city.

   Mrs. Koschin said, “Now that we have been here almost a year, we like it so well, we wouldn’t leave Greendale. I think everything is just grand.”

   The Koschins have found hobbies to which they devote their spare time. Mrs. Koschin is the organist at St. Luke’s Evangelical church and is also treasurer of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Men’s Forum. “Al”, as most people know Koschin, is a drama enthusiast and is treasurer of the Greendale Little Theatre.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Next week – Franco adopts Greenbelt home idea for Spain!

Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.

Steve Peters

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?