Community Garden Kickoff Party

Ritchie Community League hosted our annual West Ritchie Community Garden Block Party to open the season. It was a fun, busy, energized event that also celebrated the joining together of two gardens! A huge Ritchie welcome to New Grocery Movement and their gardeners. We’re grateful for your energy and enthusiasm for all things plants and food!

Trevon, RCL Volunteer Director and Men’s Shed President fixing one of the garden’s well-loved a picnic table.

The day started at 8:30am with two Ritchie volunteers at the hall loading tables and chairs and tents into cars that seemed just too small to hold it all! Our volunteers really came through for us that sunny Saturday. The 6 folks from Ritchie Community League were joined by Men’s Shed and two Master Composter Recyclers, along with New Grocery Movement’s crew.

We did have amazing weather, a pleasant surprise as the past two years have been rainy and windy. The perfect opportunity to do some garden work while we celebrated. Men’s Shed volunteers wandered over from their gathering at Ritchie Hall to help spread mulch around. They were a welcome sight in their high-vis vests!

Ritchie volunteers Nicole, Erin & Sarah at the RCL table.

The RCL Merch & Membership table was a hit. It’s not only a great opportunity to add a new shirt to your closet, but also to pick up a RCL membership in person. Nicole and Erin were happy to answer questions and help pick out sizes all afternoon.

She shared a table with the refreshments provided by El Cafesito by MEXICÁNADA. Mexican coffee and fancy hibiscus tea, pastries…they were all a huge hit. We’re so happy to have you in West Ritchie.

As gardeners and visitors wandered through the site they were offered some composting tips by Master Composter volunteers. And, a new graduate, and Lisa, a 15 year veteran of the program are both available for answering composting questions outside of events too! Get in touch with the league if you want to chat!

New Grocery Movement arranged a garden blessing by an Elder, and invited all attendees to join in the prayer and smudge. It truly helped start this season off on the right note.

Garden blessing

Hannah and long-time volunteer and community member Ed R. planting some of Ed’s pea shoots in a garden box.

And the second big event within the event was the realization of our Tree Canada Community Tree Grant. We were able to purchase a dozen or so trees and shrubs - many of them fruit-bearing - to add to the garden this year! Hazel - our West Ritchie Director - was busy all afternoon moving trees around and filling holes. This addition to the park space is going to make a huge difference as things take root and start to grow.

Hazel and Hannah (the previous director) have worked so hard over the years to get the park designation and turn this space into a welcoming community hub the neighbourhood needs.

BY THE NUMBERS

Dump trucks filled with soil: 2

RCL Memberships sold: 3

RCL Gardeners this season: 17

Total volunteers: 33

Summer is Calling

Trade the Screen for the Streets. Summer is Calling.

And Ritchie Community League is the answer!

Why even leave the neighbourhood this summer? Ritchie has soooo many things on the go, whether you want a beer, a magic show, pickleball, or a weirdly long slide.

Community BBQ July 1 - Come on down to the hall for free brats and snacks. 5:30pm start, until supplies last. Click here for more info…we’re still looking for a few volunteers!

Green Shack - Open mornings, Monday - Friday from June 29 through August 21. Swing by at 11am on July 23 for a free magic show with Jay Flair Magic c/o Edmonton Arts Council.

Craft in the Park - Mondays at a different park or green space. July and August. Click here for the full schedule including locations.

Garden Meetups - Twice a month our beloved West Ritchie Community Garden hosts a super casual meetup for gardeners and neighbours. Come on down to gossip about bees and berries and basil. 1st Sunday of the month at 2pm and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Click here for more info about our garden.

Seventy Gr8 Entertainment District - This is the first summer for the newly defined “entertainment district” in Ritchie. Businesses along the avenue are hosting a wide variety of events throughout the summer. So far we have seen a night market, a circus show, and Shiddy’s anniversary. What’s next?!

• July 11, 2pm to 8:30pm, Shout Out Out Out Out’s 20th anniversary. Hosted by Blind Enthusiasm.

• July 31, August 28, September 25. Grand Night Market.

Cycling - June is Community Bike Month across Edmonton, but Ritchie folks are always on their bikes.

Public Market - Tuesdays from June through September. Food trucks, fruit, and the new Lucy’s (IYKYK). Click here for more details.

Playgrounds - Ritchie is home to three perfect playgrounds: Lilliput (97 Street and 74 Avenue), Escuela Mill Creek (97 Street and 80 Avenue) and Ritchie Park of course! (7727 98 Street). That last one has a splash deck too, woo hoo!

Courts - We changed the rules this year so you don’t have to be a member to use the courts anymore! Yippee kay yay! Pickleball and tennis, with a half basketball in the back. Located at the hall, enjoy free parking and new bike racks (7727 98 Street)

Patios - Home to Happy Beer Street and a few amazing coffee shops, there are loads of patios to choose from in Ritchie. If you’re also looking to save some money, check out all of the Crew businesses here.

Outdoor pools - Mill Creek is the closest, just across Whyte in Strathcona. Use your RCL membership to get a multi-use pass at a reduced rate. All kids and youth can take advantage of a 30 day summer pass through the City. Click here to purchase the kid’s pass.

Building new skills at Ritchie Hall

WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

These past few months at Ritchie Hall we have been building skills, learning new things, meeting neighbours, and increasing our resilience as a community!

We were excited to host Paths for People in January and learn about their history advocating for people-centered streets. There were a lot of  questions and comments from the audience, and we had a great discussion about some specific ideas and projects. 

Their big idea about the 76 Avenue bridge in Mill Creek Ravine generated a great discussion about how people use our streets right now and how they might want to use them in the future. There were so many thought-provoking questions and the Paths for People volunteers answered them with practiced ease and interest. Ultimately, it will be the city who decides what happens here, but we learned that there are a lot of ways to speak up and have our voices heard.

RCL Secretary Lisa with Paths for People volunteers (Brandon, Cheryl, Shannon, Tania)

Ritchie’s collage workshop hosted by Not Ladylike Community

Neighbourhood group “Not Ladylike Community” hosted an exciting collage workshop, where we all answered the question “who am I?” using colourful paper and old magazines! Everyone made a beautiful collage, and we overheard a lot of fun “getting to know you” conversations.

These workshops have proven to be an excellent place to get to know your neighbours, or made a new pal.

FEEDBACK

We heard you loud and clear, and are already implementing some of your feedback in our upcoming presentations!

• quiet activities for kids so parents can attend

• clear messaging online for easy registration

• more snack options

Thanks to all of the attendees who filled out their feedback form. If you attended a recent workshop or presentation and would still like to offer your feedback, please send it directly to secretary@ritchie-league.com.

COMING UP NEXT

We have almost filled our calendar for the spring sessions! Here’s a bit more information about what you can expect to see over the next two months.

FEBRUARY

While our workshop has now passed, we have a great presentation lined up for later in February, featuring an expert knowledge holder. Daniela Guerrero-Rodriguez is here all the way from BC (virtually) to help you tap into creativity that helps you respond in an emergency. You’ll leave with all the info and skills you’ll need to build your 72 hour emergency kit and stay cool in a future crisis. February 20.

MARCH

Do you have a young person in your life, say from the ages of 18 to 25, who is struggling to launch themself into the working world? Okama Brook from the African Caribbean Heritage Alliance is here to offer tips to create a standout cover letter, efficiently completing a job search online, and empower youth to take charge of their future. March 16.

Edmonton Native Plant Society has put together a lovely presentation for you filled with beautiful photos of native plants and their pollinators. Learn from an experienced Edmonton gardener about what types of native plants he’s been growing in his year - he has over 60 varieties! March 20.

APRIL

Explore your creative side with artist Elliot Rose’s Instapressionism. This workshop will take you through the basics of his technique, help you create an original piece of artwork, and empower you to continue your creativity at home. April 13.

Ritchie gardeners are going to be excited to see more plants on the schedule! Touch Grass Club and Waste Free Edmonton are coming to the hall in April to teach us about:

• how to create an environmentally friendly yard

• the best native plants for your needs

• the history of lawns

You’ll also have the opportunity to get some native seeds started for your garden! April 17.

BBQ Raffle

Win a TraegervPro 780 Wi-Fi enabled Wood Pellet Grill

*Valued at $1350

Tickets:

• 10 FOR $50.00

• 50 FOR $100.00

• 1 FOR $10.00

• 3 FOR $20.00

Ritchie Community League is excited to announce our new hall fundraiser! - Grab your tickets now and enter to win a Traeger Pro 780 wi-fi enable wood pellet grill BBQ!

Ritchie Community League exists to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all Ritchie residents through advocacy, activities, programs, and supporting each other with opportunities to get to know our neighbours and have a sense of belonging within the community. We are based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Funds raised by this raffle will support our long journey to build a new hall! This community need was identified many years ago through direct consultation with Ritchie residents.

The winner will be contacted to claim their prize.

Thank you for your support!

---

Rules

1. Players must be 18 years of age or older, and use a major credit card, Visa Debit or MasterCard Debit.

2. Tickets will be available online and sold at a rate of:

1 FOR $10.00 * 3 FOR $20.00 * 10 FOR $50.00 * 50 FOR $100.00

3. Ticket sales will end on September 22, 2024 at 3:00pm with the draw taking place at the Ritchie Community League Hall 7727 98 STREET NORTHWEST, EDMONTON, AB, T6E 5C9 on September 22, 2024 at 6pm.

4. The winner will receive a Traeger Pro 780 wi-fi enable wood pellet grill BBQ *valued at $1349.99 retail

5. All ticket numbers will be emailed to ticket purchasers by the registered Electronic Raffle Supplier (ERS) (Rafflebox). A physical ticket will not be mailed out for this draw.

6. The winner will be determined by a random draw using a registered Electronic Raffle Supplier (ERS) Random Number Generator (RNG).

7. The winner will be contacted by phone and email. The winner has 7 days to claim their prize, a second draw from the same numbers will occur after 7 days if the prize goes unclaimed.

8. By playing you consent to having your name and winning numbers published.

PRIZE DESCRIPTION

TraegervPro 780 Wi-Fi enabled Wood Pellet Grill

All-natural hardwood pellets fuel the fire and add incredible flavor. Pick the temperature you want, then Set It & Forget It®. 

• 780 sq. inch grilling area - Enjoy enough grilling space to hold up to 24 burgers or 9 racks of ribs.

• WiFIRE® Controller - Adjust temperatures and monitor food on your smartphone with the WiFIRE® controller and Traeger App.

• Porcelain Grill Grates - These grates are non-stick and easy to clean no matter what you cook

• 18 lbs. hopper capacity - Enjoy hours of cooking without needing a refill thanks to this spacious hopper size.

• D2® Direct Drive - The D2® Direct Drive drivetrain features more power, precision and durability for better wood-fired flavor.

• Pro D2 Direct Drive improves searing and allows low and slow cooking with broader temp ranges

• TurboTemp allows ultra fast startup and rapid temperature changes

• Exterior storage hooks for extra grill rack

• Traeger's easy-to-use controls make wood-fired cooking simple. Just set your grill temperature like you would your oven and let your Traeger do the work for you.

• Consistency - Get consistent results thanks to consistent temperatures every single time. Traeger makes mastering your BBQ easy and reliable.

• Taste - Traeger grills are fueled by 100% all-natural hardwood pellets that infuse amazing wood-fired flavor into everything you cook.

• 6-in-1 Versatility - Traegers aren't just for grilling, you can smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ food too, from ribs to apple pie.

Traeger's all-natural hardwood pellets ensure you get only the highest-quality pure hardwood flavour, and nothing else. Whether you're grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, braising, or barbecuing your food, the Traeger hardwood pellets got you covered. Note: Pellets sold separately

Community League Bike Month Challenge

We've got some exciting news for this year's Community League Bike Month Challenge. Our pals at EFCL are taking over administration of the challenge! We've collaborated on a swanky new toolkit, and are looking to recruit even more leagues this year. The challenge starts June 1.

Are you a cyclist who wants to help Ritchie defend our title? Find - and join - the Ritchie United club on Strava.

You can also email your weekly totals to ritchie-united@ritchie-league.com each Sundays.

Do you want to bring the Bike Month Challenge to your community league?