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.
Note: This is the posting that should have posted last Thursday.
GREENDALE REVIEW – Wednesday, December 13, 1939
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
OUR DRUG STORE – PRIDE OF GREENDALE
Greendale’s modern drug store, which is the pride of the villagers, and the envy of other druggists throughout the state, even to our neighboring Chicago, still enjoys first place in the hearts of many people. After eight months of service to the community, during which time every call usually experienced by druggists has been fulfilled, it is not surprising that the villagers take great pride in this business enterprise.
The drug store was the first business establishment in Greendale to be opened after the cooperative enterprises. Starting on April 15, 1939. To date more than a thousand prescriptions have been filled, hundreds of ice cream have been dispensed, and tons of merchandise have been sold, including hundreds of meals. Today the shelves and tables are bulging with fresh merchandise.
The store, of colonial design, is ideally constructed. Many windows and soft bright indoor lamps, supply abundant light. Space is generously allotted and many low tables display merchandise without any crowding.
A soda grill occupies one side of the store and a separate entrance leads from outside. Both summer and winter the grill room is a popular place for the villagers to gather. A modern refrigeration system controls the fountain and a special chamber for cooling bottled refreshments. A kitchen is adjacent to the grill room and modernly equipped. As a result meals and lunches play an important part in the grill room set up.
Off the main arena lies a well equipped, well-stocked prescription room. Each day sees more and more prescriptions being added to the huge collection now on file. No time is sacred as far as the prescription room is concerned. One o’clock in the morning is equally as good as one o’clock in the afternoon to fill a prescription. It never closes.
A separate cigar department offers the best in humidified, fresh tobaccos. It runs second in volume only with the candy case along side. Any hour of the day, sees youngsters, penny in hand, looking for that which interests them most.
The store manager, Ken Des Jardin, who is married and has a son, has been in the drug store business since he was fifteen. The past five years he spent managing and east side store in Milwaukee. Since managing Greendale’s drug store, he has played host to many druggists from all over the northwest, who have heard of Greendale’s magnificent drug store, and who came to see for themselves.
Des Jardin is an expert amateur photographer and is sponsoring a Camera Club in Greendale. His store is the operating headquarters for all camera fans. His photographic stock and equipment is most complete.
The Des Jardins reside in Greendale and think it the best place in which to live.
-----------------------------------------------
PUBLISHING DAY OF NEXT ISSUE ADVANCED
Because of the approaching holiday season the Review staff has decided to advance the publishing day, for the next issue only, to the Saturday preceding Christmas day.
Consequently the deadline will be advanced also and the residents are requested to cooperate with us so that we may enjoy the holidays, free of the responsibility of another issue.
The deadline will be Tuesday noon, December 19 and the next issue will be published on Saturday, Dec. 23.
-----------------------------------------------
UNEMPLOYED TO SELL CHRISTMAS TREES
The unemployed men of the village are selling trees in the business district. Every resident is urged to purchase a tree at home and thereby give our people an opportunity to earn a little money before Christmas.
-----------------------------------------------
SANTY COMING
Festooned with garlands of brilliant red crepe paper, and filled to over-flowing with toys, gifts and holiday goods, the Greendale variety store is prepared to greet old Santa Claus in person on Saturday morning, Dec. 16 between 9 and 12 o’clock.
Manager Harvey Wegner invites all boys and girls to come and tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
-----------------------------------------------
OH DEAR, “WHAT NO TABLE TENNIS?”
In answer to “What, no table tennis” and all others interested in this activity, I would like to say that much thought and planning has been given to the necessary changes that must be made before the basement below the library can be used for table tennis and a general game or social room.
Our village engineers and planners are at present drawing up plans and making estimates of the material needed to make the space suitable for use. It is evident, after studying the problem, that much work will have to be done. The room needs to be painted, partitions installed, ventilating and lighting details must be worked out and installed and the floor should be refinished. As far as I know, the management will supply the material for these changes, but there still remains the problem of supplying labor to make them possible.
-----------------------------------------------
Next week – Progress is made on W.P.A. work.
NOTE: Due to the fact that the Greendale Patch will cease operations next week, the “Greendale Review – Revisited” will continue as a separate blog at this address:
thegreendalereviewrevisited.blogspot.com
The blog is not up and running just yet, but will be soon with past posts as well. Also there will be a link to the blog on the Greendale Celebrations website:
greendalecelebrations.org
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
Steve Peters
