A Little Bit Ritchie Ritchie Community League

In the final episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, host Lydia Neufeld is joined by members of the Ritchie Community League Board to reflect on the past, present, and future of this dynamic neighbourhood. Community members share their perspectives on what makes Ritchie unique and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the neighbourhood. Throughout the series, A Little Bit Ritchie has delved into the stories and experiences that define Ritchie. Join us for this celebratory finale as we bid farewell to the Centennial Celebration and look forward to the next chapter in Ritchie's vibrant history. https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-09 

On September 17th, 2022—Community League Day in Edmonton—Ritchie celebrated its centennial anniversary with live music, food trucks, and historical walking tours. Join us on this episode, where we’ll introduce you to 13 of Ritchie’s historical hotspots.
Head to https://www.ritchie-league.com/wanderroundritchie to access an illustrated walking tour map by Scott Carmicheal that will guide you to each location. Tie on some walking shoes, grab a pair of headphones, and join us on a two-hour adventure to Wander ‘Round Ritchie. To begin the tour, head to the Ritchie Community Hall.

In this episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we look at three community transitions, each shaped by the community’s needs and desires and marked by a collection of buildings: the shantytown of Ross Acreage, Wartime Housing Limited homes, and Redeemer Lutheran Church. A key theme throughout is the movement towards modernization, which so often occurs after periods of upheaval. This episode was produced in collaboration with local popular historian Dane Ryksen, who shares the history of a Redeemer Lutheran Church.




To learn more about the topics discussed in this episode and to read a transcript of this episode, visit our show notes https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-07 
 
Our theme music is Twin Ponds by Hemlock 
https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/twin-ponds
License code: EILTV5BS5BQL2QHR

In the early days of the twentieth century, city dwellers across Canada and the United States learned of a new phenomenon that pledged to reduce crime, increase morality, and improve public health—playgrounds. In this episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we uncover how and why playgrounds and park spaces became essential to the health of our neighbourhoods, children, and society.
To learn more about the topics discussed in this episode and to read a transcript of this episode, visit our show notes https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-06 
 
Our theme music is Twin Ponds by Hemlock 
https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/twin-ponds
License code: EILTV5BS5BQL2QHR

Tune into the fifth episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, to learn about the history of Gainers Meatpacking Plant, guts and all! The site of the 96th street condos, which overlook Mill Creek Ravine, was once home to the gigantic Gainers slaughterhouse—a keystone of Ritchie’s economic and social landscape. In this episode, We discuss Gainers success within the greater context of meatpacking and in relation to the Ritchie community. Further, we delve into the infamous 1986 Gainers strike. The story of Gainers is a tale of business, community, and the tensions that can arise when greed obscures ethics.
To learn more about the topics discussed in this episode and to read a transcript of this episode, visit our show notes https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-05
 
Our theme music is Twin Ponds by Hemlock 
https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/twin-ponds
License code: EILTV5BS5BQL2QHR

Today on a Little Bit Ritchie, we dive into the secrets of Mill Creek Ravine. Mill Creek Ravine lays quietly below a bustling urban center. The ravine, a routine escape in many of our lives, holds tightly to vital stories of Edmonton’s industrial past and perhaps is to thank for the city's early economy. However, Mill Creek Ravine, and the overgrowth below, conceal one of Alberta's most polluted creeks and green spaces. This episode addresses how the history of Mill Creek, as told in the popular past, contradicts itself. Additionally, we question the value of environmental activism when viewed through a colonial lens. This episode explores the stories told within the context of Mill Creek Ravine and the public perception of these stories. What voices have shaped the area as we know it today? Through this discussion, we ask: how can the community interact with these places in ways that promote reconciliation?
 
To learn more about the topics discussed in this episode and to read a transcript of this episode, visit our show notes https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-04
 
Our theme music is Twin Ponds by Hemlock 
https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/twin-ponds
License code: EILTV5BS5BQL2QHR