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 – Wednesday, November 1, 1939
RECENT CENSUS TABULATED
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Announcement that Greendale has passed the twenty-five hundred mark in population was made by Village Manager Reeder upon completion of the tabulation of the recent village census. The census, which was conducted for the village by John L. Sullivan, showed a total population, as of July 31, of 2512, including 349 residents of the rural area. Reeder stated that additional families moving into the community since the census, has increased the July total by approximately one hundred.
The census revealed that 70 children had been born in Greendale during its little more than a year of existence. Of this number 36 were girls and 34 boys.
Employment data collected showed 624 persons employed full time, 27 part time and 9 unemployed.
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CHILDREN ENJOY HALLOWEEN PARTY
A thousand taffy apples and a thousand horns, together with outlandish costumes, provided the Halloween spirit and pandemonium Tuesday night when the children of the village were treated to their annual party.
To add to the hilarity, there were parades through the dark woods, with goblins and witches raising havoc with their pranks, and games played in the gymnasium, and for the young high school crowd, a dance in the music room.
The people who worked hard to keep the “kids” occupied and out of mischief were Mrs. Alta Mason, chairman, assisted by Miss Ball, Mmes. Knowles, Liedtke, and Wendlandt and Messrs. Liedtke, Miglautsch, Bennett and Bengs.
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ARMISTICE BALL
Given by the
GREENDALE LEGION POST
NO. 416
At the Community Building
November 11 at 8:00 P.M.
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NOTICE!
We would like to bring to the attention of the men and women’s gym classes again that they wear their street shoes over to the gym then change to gym shoes. Our nice new floor looks pretty bad. We noticed more mud last week again. Let’s give the floor a break and keep the mud and sand outside.
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Greendale Drug Store To Hold One-Cent Sale
On the first four days of November, the residents of Greendale are invited to attend the first One Cent Sale offered within its own area. The original One Cent Sale, was held way back in 1909 in Detroit and met with such public favor, that the United Drug Company adopted the plan. By 1914, it was being held in every Rexall Drug Store over the entire United States. Patrons have clamored to take advantage of these sales whereby they receive two articles for the price of one, plus one cent. These sales, which are limited to two a year, spring and fall, will be held regularly by the Greendale Drug Store. This fall it is a part of the extensive program mapped out by the Greendale Business Men’s Association, for the same four days, as Greendale Greater Value days.
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DRUGGIST TO OCCUPY MODEL HOME
Druggist Kendall Des Jardins and his wife and baby are moving from Schoolway to the former model home on Current Lane.
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IT HAPPENS ONCE TO EVERY MOTHER
There’s a snake sneaking about somewhere in a home on Azalea Court. How did it happen? Well, sir, one of Greendale’s young hopefuls surprised mama with a present the other day. A grass snake, which he was promptly told to take outdoors and turn loose.
But this little fellow knew how to handle mama and he raised such a howl, that he was permitted to leave the snake in a can in the utility room.
But mama was worried. The furnace would need attention and the snake was next to the furnace. So after a while she promised sonny a nice candy bar if he would only take the snake out and release it. Sonny agreed, after all the fun was over, mama had been thoroughly frightened, and she might change her mind about the candy and use a paddle instead.
So sonny went tom get the can and peered inside for a last look at the snake, and low and behold, the snake had disappeared!
And so we know that there is a snake sneaking about somewhere in a home on Azalea Court and a mighty worried mama and a very disappointed son.
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ARMISTICE DAY PROGRAM
The Greendale school children will present again this year an Armistice Day program on November 11. The program will stress living together peaceably without racial, national, or religious prejudices.
The committee of teachers who are planning the program include Miss Scott and Mr. Liedtke.
The program will be held at 11 o’clock in the auditorium and will last one hour. Parents are invited.
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STAUB’S RESTAURANT CATERS TO DINERS
Greendale’s popular place of refreshment and eating has recently provided more privacy for its diners. Hereafter, a dining room will be provided. Fred Staub, the proprietor, has installed portable wooden shields, which are used at mealtime, to set off a portion of the tavern, to form a secluded dining room. By this method it is expected that private parties, clubs, and organizations will use the dining room for enjoyable meals.
Dinners always have had a special place in the tavern set up, but until the installation of the portable dining room, meals were just served anywhere. After mealtime the shields are removed, tables are moved aside, and dancing takes place. …
… Bar Still Popular
Besides specializing in food, the tavern plays host to those who like to imbibe of their favorite drink. Stools of the comfortable type have been added to the bar fixtures. Chairs and tables are provided for those who would rather sit “in a huddle”. In all, nothing has been overlooked to provide the people of Greendale with the best in both food and drink. A large ne sign now reminds the newcomer not to pass up Greendale’s popular tavern, a place where everyone can have a good time.
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NOTICE: This posting (Week 37) was actually supposed to have been posted last week Thursday. This week’s posting (Week 38) will be posted tomorrow – Friday.
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Next week – Safety Device Saves Workman’s Life.
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
Steve Peters
