Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The event featured a number of speakers from the village, state and county commemorating Greendale's 75th Diamond Celebration and National Historic Landmark designation.
Greendale kicked off its 75th anniversary in style Wednesday. The village not only commemorated its own birthday but also its National Historic Landmark designation, which it received last fall. A number of village, county and state representatives spoke at the event. State Senator Mary Lazich and State Rep. Jeff Stone presented a plaque with a proclamation to the village in honor of its anniversary. Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Anthony Staskunas also presented the village with a proclamation plaque. Other speakers included Greendale Historical Society President Ted Mainella and representatives from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the National Park Service. Wednesday was just a taste of the celebration. A bulk of the festivities…
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Week No. 34: Hawaiian Summer was the theme for the 2013 winter event on Broad Street. And the Greendale Ice Rink is gaining a lot of fans.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! On Saturday Feb. 9, the Greendale Village Business Association held its annual winter event on Broad Street. The events name, ‘I Left My Heart On Broad Street’, refers to its date always near or on Valentine’s Day. This year the theme of Hawaiian Summer added some fun entertainment and warmth to the days’ activities, including: Ice Sculpting contest with the Hawaiian theme for the sculptures. Chili cook-off (Hawaiian Chili with Spam???) Ice skating on the Greendale Ice Rink Penguin Bowling for the kids (Penguins in Hawaii???) Store and Restaurant specials Hawaiian-style wedding vow renewals Hawaiian dance and entertainment …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Week #36: Since 1940 the Greendale Community Church has continued to grow, expanding its facilities and its service to the greater community.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! Greendale Community Church, United Church of Christ - 6015 Clover Lane, Greendale 53129 An Open House this past Sunday, Jan. 27, celebrated the completion of the Education Wing at the Greendale Community Church. This wing provides a new main entrance more accessible to parking, nine new classrooms, a new nursery, and accessible bathrooms. Starting in the spring of 2002 the congregation expressed a desire for higher quality space for programs and education. History has shown that when this congregation believes in something they make it happen. Now, slightly over a decade later, the new Education Wing is a reality. I toured …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Week #37: In 1935, the government's order to create three ‘Greenbelt Towns’, their selection, and the purchase of farmland for the one eventually to be called ‘Greendale’ was accomplished.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! On April 30, 1935 President Roosevelt signed the executive order authorizing the creation of ‘Greenbelt Towns’. The Resettlement Administration (RA) was created to supervise the projects. The concept was very controversial and many political, social and economic compromises had to be worked out before starting. As many as 100 cities were considered for first three communities to be built. The area southwest of Milwaukee fit the criteria established by the RA. It was near a major city (10 to 15 miles) that could provide jobs, had enough available land for purchase to accommodate developing a Village Center, shops, community …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Week #39: The partying has begun! Greendale’s 75th Anniversary year is finally here. Community organizations, churches, schools, along with the Public Celebrations and 75th Anniversary Committee have activities planned throughout the entire year.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! The story of the Greendale is truly a unique one. Three Greenbelt towns were built as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal projects following the Great Depression. They were Greenbelt, Maryland, Greenhills, Ohio and Greendale, Wisconsin. The most important aspect of these towns was to provide low income families with affordable housing to raise their children in a safe environment and have large open "green" spaces. In May of 1936 construction began on the 366 buildings with 572 total living units for Greendale. Public interest during the building of this planned community was phenomenal, with over a half …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Week#40: If you don’t know where or what the Steakout is, that’s because there is no advertising for this neighborhood hideaway. Also, does anyone remember the Red Barn Hostel?
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! What do Bob Buhl, Warren Spahn, Lou Burdette, Johnny Logan, Eddie Mathews and Bob Lombardo have in common? Well, they loved to play baseball, and all of them except Bob Lombardo played professionally with the Milwaukee Braves. More interestingly, they all spent an afternoon at the Steakout restaurant talking baseball, just like they were in the dugout at County Stadium. Bob Lombardo was there by virtue of working that day. The Braves were there because several of the players on the team lived in Greendale, and they spread the word that it was a friendly neighborhood restaurant with great food (See Week#69). These Milwaukee …
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Week#41: There are only three remaining silos in Greendale, a reminder of the farm land origins of the building of this Greenbelt community.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. Historic Houses in Greendale! The third house in the series of historic Greendale houses is quite a marvel. “A man’s house is his castle”, but how many castles do you know that also have a silo? Silo House - 5630 Gatewood Ln, Greendale, WI 53129 - Owners: Greg & Judy Turay This beautiful, executive style 3,000 square foot house is in the "G" section between 84th Street and 92nd Street South of Grange Avenue. At first glance it looks like a typical, charming home for this section until you look to the west side of the house, behind the garage, and see an unusual cement capped silo rising above the roof line. A closer look reveals that the house …
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Week#42: Greendale Historical Society’s Third Annual Halloween Walk Through the Woods at the Hose Tower bring ghoulish but wholesome talent with Accompany of Kids. Community Volunteers support the event. Hose Tower Memories.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! Breathing life into the Hose Tower and Grounds Building for the community is a major effort of the Greendale Historical Society. Ghosts and goblins of Halloween Past are already meeting quietly, so if you imagine you see a mist in the woods or a veiled face peering from the windows of the historic building don’t be alarmed – they’re just preparing for the society’s Third Annual Halloween Walk Through the Woods at the Hose Tower on Saturday, October 20 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Children from K4 through 4th grade must be accompanied by a parent. At $1.00 admission it’s the best show in town! While your children are enjoying …
Monday, October 15, 2012
Week#43: The Health Department’s slogan is: ‘Public Health: Prevent, Protect, Promote’. And no community does it any better than right here in Greendale.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! There is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson “The First Wealth is Health” in the reception area of the Greendale Health Department (GHD). That says it all. If you don’t have your health, not much else matters. That’s why I think this week’s story is the most important one in the 75th Birthday Countdown series. We take good health for granted when we have it, and we should not. Sometimes disease and sickness is unavoidable, unpredictable, and unfair. Most times however, a conscious effort to follow some simple rules leads to better health. In either case, the Health Department plays a significant role in everyone’s health in the …
Monday, October 8, 2012
Week#44: Ray & Dot’s has been a social gathering spot in Greendale since 1957. The Jeremiah Curtin House dates back to 1846.
History records and explains past events, while folklore preserves what people widely remember. History and Folklore! If you’re reading this story and live in Greendale, raise your hand if you have not been to Ray & Dot’s on Grange Avenue. I don’t see too many hands. That’s no surprise, since Ray & Dot’s has been one of Greendale’s main social spots for over 50 years. The American Legion moved to the Basse farmhouse on Grange Avenue in 1948 (see Week#69). In 1957 the Legion advertised for someone to operate a tavern on the first floor. Ray & Dorothy (Dot) Koepsel answered the ad, opened up Ray & Dot’s Tavern, and the rest is as they say ‘history’. When in 1969 the American Legion moved into their new building on Grange Avenue and tore down…
Jason Dembosky
7:16 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
A big Thank You to all that attended! I had fun myself, being a volunteer (there were many of us!). It was quite a sight to see all of the dignitaries show up and speak to the public. It is you, the citizens of Greendale, that make this Village so enjoyable to live in. Making the National Historic Landmark is something only you can make happen. Look for a small video clip of Wednesday's event … more ›