These are the times that try men's souls

These famous words of Thomas Payne, written in December, 1776, might well describe life in 2020. Our souls are certainly being tried in these days of COVID-19, social distancing, furloughed jobs, masks, hand sanitizer, pick-up and delivery only from our favorite restaurants, special senior citizen grocery shopping hours, no hospital or nursing home visits, no school, graduation ceremonies, or parties, and particularly hard are no or limited attendance at funerals and graveside services. But, just as we can read about the trials and tribulations faced by past generations, we will be able to pass on our experiences to future generations. We would like to thank you all for your understanding and patience during these unique and frustrating days. We regret that we had to cancel our annual Spring fundraiser, Death by Chocolate & Wine. We have also made the tough decision to not hold our annual Fall fundraiser, History Walk at Green Ridge Cemetery. We certainly hope these events will return in 2021! Stay safe; we hope to see you in the post-COVID-19 future!

2019 History Walk a Success!

We had approximately 160 individuals walk through the cemetery to hear the story of the lives of 3 pastors, The Sisters of St. Mary, and an anti-religion humbug! It was a perfect fall day to walk the beautiful cemetery grounds. A big thank you to each of our actors: Ray Nowak portrayed Rev. Lawrence Siersbeck, a Danish Lutheran pastor at St. Mary's Lutheran Church, who over the course of his career, entertained three generations of Danish royalty. Larry Rowe portrayed Lewis Knapp, a self-proclaimed infidel who posted rantings against organized religion throughout the city and in the cemetery. Some 50 years after his death, the stone carvings were taken out to Lake Michigan and unceremoniously dropped in, never to be read again. Viki DuMez represented The Sisters of St. Mary, the Episcopalian order that ran Kemper Hall from 1871 to 1975. Todd Eaves reenacted Rev. Adolph C. Buenger, a Lutheran pastor who, along with his father, Rev. Carl Buenger, expanded Christian education at both Friedens Lutheran School and Shoreland Lutheran School. Lynn Philyaw reenacted Rev. William Foster, who pastored the First Congregational Church in Kenosha. Foster was also an accomplished Karate instructor, establishing the Yin Yang Do Karate Associations in Kenosha.

2018 History Walk Is Just Around The Corner!

Happy Holidays

Thank you for supporting Green Ridge Cemetery by purchasing a cemetery wreath from us. We install and provide American flags for veterans. Happy Holidays to everyone from the staff and board of Green Ridge Cemetery. Our condolences to those who have lost friends or loved ones this year.

HISTORY WALK, 2017

Due to a technical glitch, photos from the History Walk, 2017 were not posted, but better late than never, right?  So, here are photos of our reenactors and short bios on who they represented.

Almost all of Kenosha's inventors were somehow tied into the automobile industry; Arthur Kneibler was the exception!  Arthur Kneibler worked for Cooper Brothers, now known as Jockey, International.  His invention of the Jockey brief was an innovation in men's unmentionables.  He caused quite a stir at a industry show in Chicago with the "Cellophane Wedding," in which two models were in their underwear, covered in see-through cellophane.

Martin Winther and his brother Anthony came to Kenosha as young boys, and the city was very good to them, giving them their start in the automotive industry at Jeffery-Nash.  Both boys liked to tinker, and soon it paid off when Martin helped develop the four-wheel drive truck for JefferNash.  They went on to start their own business, Winther Motors, Inc.  They had 80 patents between the two of them!  They went on to become the founders of Dyna-matic, Inc.

Although Richard Welles was more famous in his lifetime as the wife of Beatrice Ives Welles, 

the first woman to hold an elected office in Wisconsin, and as the father of the famous actor/producer, Orson Welles. But he was quite an inventor, creating Badger Brass to manufacture his various headlamps, brackets and other parts.

Mrs. Stanton Palmer told how she and her husband came to Kenosha when he was hired by Snap-On Tools.  His innovation of the Snap-On truck going directly to the shops for mechanics to have hands-on experience with the tools was a new concept and one that paid off well for Snap-On.  The Depression hit, and the stress of keeping the business afloat possibly led to an early death 

by heart attack for Mr. Palmer. 

Nicholas Demos immigrated to Kenosha from Greece; he and his brothers went into the candy business.  Later, some brothers moved to Chicago and started a Greek restaurant.  Nicholas and his brother John started Kenosha Auto Transport, driving Nash cars to dealerships in other states.  This led to Nicholas's invention of the auto transport trailer, which at that time could carry up to 5 trucks.  Today's transport trailers can haul up to 10! 

MEET THE REENACTORS:

Ron Mace (N. Demos), Philip Jaeger (A. Kneibler), Viki DuMez (Mrs. S. Palmer), 

Andrew Anderson (M. Winther), Art Dexter (R. Welles)

History Walk, 2016 is Just Around the Corner!

A DYNAMIC DUO!

We appreciate the fantastic job this mother/daughter duo did in weeding the 

garden area around the cemetery office.  Thanks Emme & Jenn!!