Most RCL programs are on summer vacation right now. Here's some info about what's on offer and when the fun will resume in September:
Bridge Club: Play continues at Ritchie hall with up to 25 tables playing every Friday. Doors open 11 am. Games start at noon. Newcomers are welcome. Please note, we play all summer long! Contact Rose-Marie: 780-439-4884 or Stella 780-504-3972.
Fit for Life Classes: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 - 10am. Move to the oldies in this mixed-level class offering exercise for every body! The workout includes components of cardio, strength training, balance and flexibility for a well-rounded one-hour workout! For more information, email Lynn Lindsay: lynnlindsay828@gmail.com or call 780-996-2182.
Bingo: We are taking the summer off but will start back on September 6. Join us every second Wednesday from 6-9pm! For more information, email Joanne: j_niederhaus@hotmail.com.
Cribbage Club: Cribbage is putting the cards down for the summer but will resume play on September 13th. We usually meet bi-weekly at the hall. Doors open at 12:30 pm. and we start playing at 1:00 pm sharp. Come and enjoy our friendly group for cribbage, coffee and snacks. For more information or to let us know you're coming by please call Kate - 780 433-0977 or Maryann - 780 462-8582.
Home-school Playgroup: We are on vacation but please join us in September - every second Tuesday from 1-3pm. The playgroup is for school-aged kids and their younger siblings. Activities include: Lego challenges, free play, drama performances for parents, active games, as well as arts and crafts with our other homeschooled buddies. Homeschoolers from neighbouring communities are also welcome! Email karendwhitehead@gmail.com for more information.
RCL Preschool Playgroup: The (free!) pre-school play group at Ritchie Hall will resume in the fall. Please join us on Wednesdays from 10 am-12pm. Bring your children between the ages of 0-5 years to the Ritchie Community League to meet and hang out with other Ritchie parents, have your kids play together, and enjoy complimentary coffee and snacks as well! For more information contact Stephanie at couture.stephanie@hotmail.com.
Yoga: In September you can join Kristal every Wednesday from 7:15-8:30pm for a fantastic yoga class at Ritchie Hall. All you need is a yoga mat (mats are available or bring your own) and some comfortable clothing. We look forward to seeing you there! For additional information visit the website or contact Kristal at kristalcforrest@hotmail.com.
Zumba at Ritchie Hall: We are taking the summer off but will be back September 11th. Please join us Mondays 7-8 pm. No dance experience necessary, all levels of fitness welcome! Please bring indoor shoes and a water bottle. Email Margareta Jesse: zumbamj@outlook.com. Drop-ins are welcome. Fees apply. Remember: Friends who dance together, stay together! First class is FREE for RCL members so come out and party yourself into shape.
Hall Rental
Hall Rental
Ritchie Community Hall is a great venue for family and community events, large or small.
There are two rooms to rent: one for 150 people, complete with stage and bar. The second room is more suited to intimate gatherings of 60 or fewer guests.
Both rooms have access to a kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, and the fabulous parkland and recreation facilities just outside their doors. The facility has ample parking and is wheelchair accessible. Best of all, rent is discounted for RCL members!
To book a room, fill out the hall rental inquiry form.
RCL Executive Spotlight
RCL Executive Spotlight
Allan Bolstad is a bit of a League expert. In fact, up until his recent retirement, he worked for the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. These days, his efforts have been honed to his local nieghbourhood and we couldn't be happier. Whether it's volunteering on the Board of Directors, setting up tables at our BBQs, planning Community League Day or thinking about how best to fundraise for our new hall, Allan is a great asset. Thanks Allan for your experience and enthusiasm!
1. What is your Role on the Board?
Director at Large
2. Why did you volunteer?
To make some new friends and help the league with its programs and events.
3. How long have you lived in Ritchie?
Eight years
4. Why did you pick this neighbourhood?
Lots of reasons. It was close to the Edmonton Federation of Community League (EFCL) Office, where I worked, as well as the U/A Hospital, where my wife Barb works, had good transit and lots of shops and restaurants along Whyte Avenue, many mature trees and of course the ravine with its bicycle path directly behind our house.
5. What is the best thing you’ve discovered in Ritchie?
How so many people live here because they want to be here and are ready to pitch in with the league and help make the neighborhood a better place.
6. What is your wish for the next 5 years in Ritchie?
That the community league thrives and helps ensure that our neighborhood remains an open and welcoming place.
7. What is your favourite Ritchie Event/program and why?
I’m partial toward Community League Day, as I was instrumental in getting the whole thing started when I was at the EFCL and believe it will help raise the profile of leagues generally.
8. What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
I’ve been travelling a fair bit since I retired last summer (the photo is taken on a road up to an old fort just outside of Jaipur, India) and I serve on the city’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
9. What book did you read last?
Born to Run (an autobiography on Bruce Springsteen)
10. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Going places and doing things with our son Brendan (we’re pretty tight).
Free Community League Swim
Free Community League Swim
One of the perks of your Ritchie Community League Membership is that you get FREE entry at some of the city's outdoor pools for evening swims.
This year we are all getting an extra special Canada 150 gift! Drop in swimming at Queen Elizabeth, Fred Broadstock, Mill Creek or Oliver pool is FREE until the season wraps!
See you guys at the pool!
Ritchie Pub Night
It's taken us 2 years to recover from our last Ritchie Pub Night but we are ready to do it all over again.
On September 29th we will have beer, tunes and snacks at the hall.
Bent Stick Brewing will be fuelling the fun and Sean Brewer and Kimberly MacGregor will be making sure nobody goes to bed early.
Keep your eyes peeled for the poster next month.
Ritchie Gear
Ritchie Gear
The rad red Ritchie merch has arrived and it looks mighty fresh on both kids and adults! If you prefer a vintage blend, we also have older style Ritchie T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mittens and Toques, which we are offering at basement prices.
Check out the online Ritchie Store to take advantage of sweet deals and to see swanky new stuff!
Pop Up Play Program
A Face of ACE
A Face of ACE
Rusty Foerger knows about neighbours - both good and bad. A few years ago, he'd look out his window and see people coming and going from a run-down drug house across the street.
"As tough as it was, it actually brought us closer," he says. "I ended up meeting others in the area who were also concerned about what was going on and wanted to do something about it."
Rusty and a couple of this neighbours worked together, taking down license plate numbers, alerting the landlord and sharing information with the police. Although the problem house has since been torn down, Rusty's desire to strengthen the community remains.
The retired firefighter decided to join Ritchie's Abundant Community team this summer after seeing a call for Block Connectors in the League newsletter.
"I think it is really important to be an active part of the community where you live," says Rusty. "When my kids were younger, it was much easier to meet people because I was coaching soccer or running around with them. Those connections just came naturally."
Over the next few weeks, Rusty will be initiating conversations with his neighbours to learn more about their interests, abilities and ideas for Ritchie.
"Although I wouldn't call myself an extrovert, I'm not afraid to get out there," he says. "I've been on this block for 17 years and I'm looking forward to meeting new people and developing those important community relationships."
Ritchie’s Abundant Community program is continuing to gather momentum. We are still actively looking for local volunteers to fill Block Connector roles. If you would like to learn more please email: ritchieconnector@gmail.com
Rusty and a couple of this neighbours worked together, taking down license plate numbers, alerting the landlord and sharing information with the police. Although the problem house has since been torn down, Rusty's desire to strengthen the community remains.
The retired firefighter decided to join Ritchie's Abundant Community team this summer after seeing a call for Block Connectors in the League newsletter.
"I think it is really important to be an active part of the community where you live," says Rusty. "When my kids were younger, it was much easier to meet people because I was coaching soccer or running around with them. Those connections just came naturally."
Over the next few weeks, Rusty will be initiating conversations with his neighbours to learn more about their interests, abilities and ideas for Ritchie.
"Although I wouldn't call myself an extrovert, I'm not afraid to get out there," he says. "I've been on this block for 17 years and I'm looking forward to meeting new people and developing those important community relationships."
Ritchie’s Abundant Community program is continuing to gather momentum. We are still actively looking for local volunteers to fill Block Connector roles. If you would like to learn more please email: ritchieconnector@gmail.com
Neighbourhood Connector
The Ritchie Abundant Community Support Team is thrilled to officially announce that Amanda Heiford has accepted the position of Neighbourhood Connector.
Amanda brings with her years of directly related professional experience in community engagement and outreach, as well as a strong background in volunteer and project management. This along with her passion for Ritchie, enthusiasm for our community, and ability to foster relationships amongst individuals, will help us grow Ritchie into an even stronger community for all neighbours.
The Support Team couldn’t be happier, and with Amanda we are certain the Ritchie Abundant Community initiative is in incredibly capable hands. We want you to grow with us and help build Ritchie to its fullest potential!
We welcome you to find out more about Abundant Communities Edmonton via the Ritchiewebsite. Here you can learn more about the initiative and even sign up to be a Block Connector on your street!
A Little Horse Play
The ponies are coming, the ponies are coming!!!!
On Sunday August 27 from 12 -3, the Ponies & Unicorns Summer Picnic will take place at Ritchie Park.
- pony rides
- live music
- bike decorating
- a bike parade
- a BBQ catered by Quickfire Cookery and
- much much more!
Thanks Walkable Edmonton, Sara Kalke RE/MAX River City and Stefan Cherwoniak from Quickfire Mortgage Solutions. This is an amazing opportunity to horse around with friends and neighbours. Giddy-up.
Neighbourliness News!
Neighbourliness News!
We're excited to announce that the neighbourliness challenge is in full swing in Ritchie. The first $50 Earth's General Store voucher has been awarded to Dave Whelan who moved into Ritchie about 3 years ago and has been a great friend to his pal across the alley. Here's why Evan took the time to nominate his neighbour:
We couldn't be more lucky to have a neighbor like Dave. He is always quick to offer his help with anything that we need. Two weeks ago, in the blistering heat, he helped us take apart a new refrigerator so that we could transport it into our house. He's driven us to the airport, shoveled our walkways, and always keeps an eye on our house and the other houses in the neighborhood.
Dave has become a very good friend to me and my family, and we love having him over for dinner or a beer on the deck. He truly exemplifies what it means to be a great neighbor, and Ritchie is lucky that he choose our great neighborhood to live in.
We've got more vouchers and we'd love to reward the great community builders in Ritchie. To nominate your neighbour, all you have to do is email ritchieconnector@gmail.com and tell us why you love thy neighbour!
Show Us What You've Got!
Show Us What You've Got!
We're doing it - Ritchie Garden Tours aaaaaaaand a Harvest Market. Here's the dirt:
We want to get a bunch a green thumbs or garden lovers together and tour around some of Ritchie's amazing gardens. The plan is to wrap up the tour with a good old garden swap at the hall. If you've got surplus veggies or plants that could use a new home this is the place to do a little trading!
We've tentatively locked in Sunday, September 10 between 10:00am-2:00pm. But right now we need to figure out where we are going!
If you have a great garden and want to be involved, we'd love to hear from you. Please email julia.dalman@gmail.com.