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.
Also, just a reminder - Greendale first opened to residents on May 1, 1938
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
GREENDALE REVIEW – Saturday, June 17, 1939
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE PLANNED
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The 4th of July parade will assemble at Catalpa and Broad Street at 8:30 a.m.
Each child will be presented with a flag and a refreshment ticket. The floats that can be entered are buggy, coaster, scooter, tricycle and bicycle floats. Each entrant in these divisions will receive an extra ticket.
Large organizations and business floats are asked to register with Archie McCosh, at the barber shop.
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FIRST CLASS GRADUATES
The graduation program presented Thursday night, June 15, in Greendale’s Community Building marks another milestone of achievement in the village’s history.
Departing from the traditional graduation program, the ninth grade presented a pageant depicting the school day of a ninth grade student in the Greendale School in the first year of its organization. Included in the pageant were scenes from classes and three programs in which the ninth grade took an active part.
Peggy Anne Neely was the general chairman of the program. Every member of the graduating class took a part in the presentation. The following students participated: Beatrice Bierle, Betty Jane Corren, Betty Jane Cowell, Lloyd Gordon, Fay Gove, David Haertel, Mavis Hooper, Anna Janka, Ervin Kuglitsch, Clifford Johnson, Patricia Moran, Harry Olsen, Lorraine Paull, Betty Jane Reed, Lorraine Sprague, Lois Mae Stark, Pauline Weimer, Grace Werner, Lois Whyte and Vivian Wilson.
The program was given under the supervision of Miss Edith L. Guyor, Miss Gertrude Meyne, Miss Dorothy Dettman and Mr. Harry Rostkowski.
After the program, Mr. John R. Ambruster, Principal of the Greendale School, presented certificates of graduation to the class
Seated on the platform with the graduation class were the members of the School Board including Mr. Thomas Berka, Mr. Ervin Zillmer, and Mr. Martin A. Paust.
On Wednesday night, June 14, the graduating class were honor guests at a buffet dinner given in their honor by the Greendale School faculty.
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GREENDALE REVIEW – Saturday, July 1, 1939
ANNUAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION BEING PLANNED
VILLAGE PREPARES FOR SECOND HOLIDAY PICNIC
An excellent program has been planned by the Recreation Committee, in cooperation with other village organizations, for Greendale’s 4th of July celebration. Everyone in invited to attend.
One of the main features will be the parade, with Mrs. R. Burnside, chairman; Archie McCosh, in charge of floats; and Al Werner, parade marshal. Dale Folsom is chairman of the events committee and Norbert Dobner is chairman of the athletic committee, in charge of ball games. Chief Paradowski, of the fire department is responsible for the firemen’s exhibition.
Prizes, consisting of refreshment tickets will be awarded winners and to all children participating in the parade.
Alonzo Hauser announces the completion of the flag pole base and it will be dedicated Tuesday.
The complete program of activities for the 4th is as follows:
9:30 a.m. – 4th of July parade assembles in front of the mercantile building on Broad Street, children’s decorated vehicles, organization floats, etc.
10:00 a.m. – March begins, up Northway, to picnic grounds south of Apricot Court.
10:30 a.m. – Competitive events for children up to 21 years of age.
12:00 a.m. – Picnic lunch and relaxation.
1:30 p.m. – Boy’s softball game, men’s horseshoe tournament, men’s competitive events.
2:30 p.m. – Men’s softball, women’s horseshoe tournament, women’s competitive events.
4:00 p.m. – Firemen’s exhibition at the fire station.
4:45 p.m. – Dedication of the Flagpole – announced by bugle call – prominent speaker – community singing – directed by John Sullivan!
The recreation committee has recently appointed Tom Miglautsch as publicity chairman and he is being assisted by John Sullivan, co-chairman.
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OLD STYLE TAVERN OPENS FOR BUSINESS SATURDAY
The one and only tavern in the entire Greendale project will be run in the old fashioned way – a place where visitors may come in for something to eat and drink and then stay to gossip with their neighbors, according to the manager, Fred L. Staub.
The tavern, subleased from the Greendale Cooperative Association, opens about July 1.
George Brinkman, village president, said several months ago, “We want a clean, decent tavern, one where we can go of an evening with our family and enjoy a glass of beer. No other kind of tavern will be tolerated.”
Apparently Staub intends to give the people just what they want. He is planning on a family tavern and restaurant, serving lunches, Sunday dinners, fish and chicken fries.
He will make his place of business available to clubs and organizations who wish to have card parties, socials and lunches. Women’s groups are invited to use the tavern’s facilities for afternoon card parties.
The Greendale tavern kitchen will have as chef a true master of the culinary art. H. Mueller was formerly chef at the Astor and Ambassador Hotels of New York City. He learned his trade in various countries of Europe, and experienced in both pastries and meats.
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Variety Store Opening Attracts Large Crowd
The term “a great success” is too mild to describe the opening of the new variety store. Such words as “huge” and “colossal” and “stupendous” will have to be borrowed for the occasion.
According to Harvey A. Wegner, manager, almost everyone who entered the store was able to find the particular item desired. “Although our stocks are practically complete, it was impossible to anticipate every wish of the customer’s, and in a few cases we had to order items not stocked. However, as soon as we learn the customer wants and needs in this territory, we will make every effort to secure every article that can be carried in a store of this kind,” said Wegner,
The variety store sent out advertising fliers to surrounding communities and was visited on the opening day by people from Hales Corners, St. Martins and West Allis. The first customer to make a purchase was Mrs. A. L. Crippen, 5730 Clover Lane.
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Next week – Telephone installed in a home on Municipal Square!
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
Steve Peters
