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, April 3, 1940
NOTICE
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Greendale Dry Goods and Variety Store plans to hold a sportswear style show at the Greendale theatre in the near future.
All garments will be modeled by Greendale folks. Anyone interested in entering is requested to register an application at the Variety Store.
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KEEP GREENDALE CLEAN!
All pupils in the Greendale school have been supplied with badges bearing the inscription, “Give the grass and Shrubs a Chance. I Walk on Sidewalks.”
Posters have been made and are to be driven into the ground at points throughout the village where people have been particularly careless of the grass and shrubs.
These things are being done in an effort to awaken a feeling of responsibility for our growing things among the children and adults of the community.
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Easter Hunt
Greendale’s first Easter egg hunt was held in the school woods on Easter Sunday in spite of the cold and deep snow. Although suggested by the Greendale Men’s Forum, the hunt was to have been conducted with the help of the recreation department. However, it was exclusively sponsored by the Men’s Forum.
There were plenty of bags containing chocolate eggs and jelly beans distributed and most of the two hundred seekers were well rewarded.
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GREENDALE REVIEW – Wednesday, April 17, 1940
Just Watch Us Grow!
Population of Village Goes Over 2,600 Mark
According to the population records maintained in the management office by Roy B. MacAfee, Greendale’s population is now 2,601.
MacAfee stated that there are no vacancies in Greendale at the present time, but, he added, this should not discourage families interested in moving into the community.
He explained that vacancies occur from time to time. Interested families may file applications at the management office and will be notified when a vacancy occurs.
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Vote Cast for Gracie; Other Ballots Favor Mickey Mouse, Hitler
Gracie Allen’s campaign for the presidency has at least one supporter in Greendale.
The screen and radio comedienne was credited with one vote in the election April 2. Other celebrities for whom ballots were cast by light-hearted electors included Daniel Boone, Hitler and Mickey Mouse.
Village election officials were not too jocose about the unexpected write-in campaigns. They emphasized that the votes had been wasted and tended to slow up the count.
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ANNIVERSAY DANCE
The village’s second anniversary and installation dance will be held at the Community building, Saturday evening, May 4.
Details of the program will be published in the next issue of the review.
Manager Warns of Increase, Asks Help of Tenants
… A final appeal to avoid over-consumption of electricity was laid before the Citizen’s association Monday night by Community Manager Sherwood L. Reeder.
The manager told an overflow crowd at the Community building that electrical consumption exceeded the quota on which present rates are based by 50 per cent. He said he believed rates must be increased but added that the amount of increase could be reduced by economy in the use of power. …
… Reeder told the association that rates might be increased by increasing flat rates, by pro-rating each month’s electric bill on a community or area basis or by installing individual meters. He invited an expression of opinion on what system might be desired.
Advocates of a meter system said such a system would discourage overconsumption by charging house-holders for any abuse for which they might be responsible. Those who argued for a flat rate or a pro-rata arrangement said that installation of meters would require an increase in wholesale electric rates. Reeder added that use of meters would entail an investment of $11,000 and annual funds for maintenance.
Several citizens exhorted Reeder to evict tenants who abused their electricity privileges.
John P. Schroeter, a retired engineer who had been associated at Washington with the project, pointed out that no provision had been made for power required to operate the furnace blowers. He expressed the opinion that blower operation might be responsible for much of the overage.
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Stones or Shots Break Six Street Lamps Here
Within the past week six street lamps have been broken by stones or air rifle shots. This is the first time that Greendale has experienced this type of vandalism, and it is hoped that everyone will endeavor to do their part to see that it is stopped without further damage. The cost of repairs necessary to the lamps damaged last week amounts to about $50.00. In addition to the street lamps a number of windows have recently been broken in the water softening plant. The cooperation of everyone is requested in putting a stop to this type of wasteful destruction.
Two accidents resulting from discharge of B.B. guns have been reported to the local police within the past week. Fortunately neither was very serious, according to Safety Chief Robert Taylor. He added that B.B. guns are dangerous at best, and all children would be safer if there were none of them in the community.
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REMEMBER BAKE SALE APR. 27
A bake sale for the benefit of St. Luke’s Sunday School will be held in the lobby of the Theatre on Saturday, April 27.
At 10:00 a.m. a delicious assortment of home made goodies will be offered to appreciative Greendale housewives. The assortment will consist of cake, bread, rolls, pies, cookies, baked beans and potato salad. The sale will continue until all is sold.
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Greendale Marble Tournament, Apr. 20
All boys of Greendale 15 years of age as of March 1, 1940 are eligible to compete in the Milwaukee Journal-W.P.A. State Marble Tournament. Greendale will hold a Sectional Tournament for boys who live in the village. Winners of the Greendale Tournament will compete in the County District Tournament and the winners of that tournament will compete in the State Final Tournament.
All contestants must enter on the official blank which may be obtained from copies of the Milwaukee Journal or from the Greendale Recreation Dept. The Greendale local tournament will be held on Saturday, April 20, 1940 at 9:30 a.m. Get your blanks in as soon as possible. Mr. Reis and Mr. Sullivan will be in charge of the tournament.
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Next week – Greendale to Observe Its Second Anniversary With Dance Saturday - Advisory Group Inspects Village
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
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Also, please check out my new Greendale history book:
'Greendale, Wisconsin - Then and Now'
See some of it here:
Contact me if you are interested in purchasing one or more copies. They will make great Christmas gifts!
Thanks,
Steve Peters
