Owl spotted

This snoozing predator was spotted in the parkette on Remembrance Day. Keep an eye out for it in the trees in the back corner above the ping pong table.

Park meeting rescheduled - exciting things are happening!

After having to cancel the previous meeting due to hurricane Sandy, on November 13th, 2012 we will be holding a second meeting to go over some possible opportunities and improvements to Ritchie Parkette (rain or shine). The meeting will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Ritchie Parkette. Councillor Perks, Ray Stukas (Parks Manager) and one of the City’s landscape architects will be on hand. Subsequently, to get us further alone, PFR has been kind enough to draft some potential landscape design options we can talk about (although additional ideas are more than welcome).

Link here: http://www.gordperks.ca/park_post/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ritchie-parkette-landscape-options1.jpg

Please come and join the conversation as this is our chance to have a say in the future of our Parkette.

Sod delayed

I know we were told that new sod was to have been installed this fall. Here is the explanation as to why it has not and will not happen this year from Michael Butler of Gord Perks' office:

I have chatted with ray and other parks staff and I am told,

 

"The problem is predicting the weather. Ideally sod needs a few weeks to knit under ideal growing conditions. We would need the area fenced off until the roots penetrate the soil underneath otherwise foot traffic, bicycles etc will ruin the job. If it gets cold quickly this will not occur until the spring.

Also if we do it now and fence off the area until the spring we won't have access for the other work."

 

As well they also highlighted that in terms of some of the options we are looking at and could possibly choose,

"It would be smarter to do the other work such as bring in a ping pong table (which probably needs to be brought in with a forklift), relocate the water fountain (which will require trenching), install the light pole(which will also need trenching for electrical wiring) and grade the back corner before we sod."

 

I hope that answers your question sufficiently and I look forward to chatting with you and the rest of the ritchie folks at the upcoming meeting about the improvements.
 

Gourds Galore

Thanks to all who braved the weather.  See you next year.

Pumpkin Parade

Last year's inaugural Pumpkin Parade was a small and intimate affair. Just how we like it in this neck of the woods. No need to drag your pumpkins and kids for miles in the rain and wind when Ritchie Parkette is much closer to be dragged to.

The pumpkin dropping off action starts at 7PM, November 1st. Or anytime that evening which suits you. That's how our pumpkins roll in the G.S.R.H.M.D. triangle. Please place your vegetables along the walkway from the park entrance back to the rear of the park.












insert pic of Gord Perks crouching beside pumpkins

Meeting tonight cancelled

From the Councillor's office:

From the Councillor's office:

After speaking with City Staff and some of the members of Friends of Ritchie Parkette, we have decided to cancel the meeting for tonight. Sorry for the late notice but it does not look like the weather will be cooperating. We are planning to re-schedule for November 13th, 2012 at 6:30 with Councillor Perks and the same city staff being present. Please let your neighbours know about the cancellation.

Batten down the hatches and stay dry.

Take care and let me know if you have any questions.
----------------------------------------
Michael Butler
Councillor Perks
100 Queen St w Suite A14
416-392-7919
4163920398
mbulter2@toronto.ca

The Spooktacular Halloween Party has been postponed until Sunday October 28th at 2pm.

If it is raining on Sunday then unfortunately the party will be canceled.

Loot bags will be delivered to all the homes on Sunday the 28th if it is raining

sorry folks!

Park meeting - Monday 29 6:30pm

From Councillor Perks' office:

On Monday October 29th, 2012 we will be holding a second meeting to go over some possible opportunities and improvements to Ritchie Parkette. The meeting will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Ritchie Parkette. Councillor Perks, Ray Stukas (Parks Manager) and one of the City's landscape architects will be on hand. The landscpae architect is working on some potential designs right now and will hopefully have some drawing available to you before the week is out; I will send these along once I receive a copy.

Come with you ideas and please let your neighbours know if they are not on the mailing list. If you unable to attend please send me your suggestions prior to the meeting for review and I will share them with Parks.


Take care and let me know if you have any further questions.

- - - you can contact Michael Butler at the Councillor's office at: mbutler2@toronto.ca

It's time again. Time for the 2nd annual

Extravaganza Bonanza Spooktacular Halloween Bash 

at Ritchie Parkette!

So slap those costumes that set you back $39.99 on to the kids and come on down!

Saturday October 27th at 2pm (rain date Sunday the 28th at 2pm)

There will be face painting, a haunted house, costume swap, spooky crafts, loads of food and drink and general merriment and running around.

How can I help?
Here's what we still need:
food-anything you'd like to bring will be happily accepted
drink-see above
Stuff for the loot bags-We need Halloween trinkets, generic trinkets/small toys and small bags of chips to fill 51 loot bags.

So plan to be here on the 27th for a frightening good time!!

A shout out to Laura MacMahon who has spent a lot of time knocking on shopkeepers' doors trying to get them to sponsor our little party.

 We'll be sure to let everyone know about any of our sponsors.

Questions? Please email
Lillian Canini-Almonte  at lillian.canini@gmail.com

or Laura Hurst at laurahurst@rogers.com

Save The Date!

Our 2nd annual Extravaganza Bonanza Spooktacular Halloween party is next month

Saturday October 27th at 2pm (rain date is Sunday October 28th at 2pm)

We have already secured (fingers cross) media and local politicians as well as soliciting Loblaws for some freebies (toes crossed!)

We hope to make this event as spectacular as last year. More information to follow in the coming weeks but please save the date

And as always, this is a community event so we need everyone to make it a success. We'll be asking for snack foods, appetizers, heading up kid's games, drinks, and Halloween trinkets and treats for the loot bags

We will send out a wish list soon

Until then, pencil it into the calendar and stay away from goblins!

Laura and Lillian are co-chairing this event again so feel free to contact either of us. 

lillian.canini@gmail.com

laurahurst@rogers.com

Potluck success!

It was an awesome Sunday - good call on the rain date!

Thanks everyone for coming out and bringing all your delicious yummies and appetites! I think I actually tried everything! Stand-outs for me were the simosas, lasagna, Queen Elizabeth cake and those round balls of heaven masquerading as potatoes. Oh and the chinese mountain green tea to watch it all down. It was a total success and Laura and Sonia deserve a big round of applause.

Also, thanks to all those little hands helping us welcome our new neighbours, Lorena, Gord and Bryan, of the soon to be finished 96 Ritchie Ave.

If you have any pics online that you want to share just leave a comment with the link.

Fall Potluck!

Saturday September 8th. 4pm-7pm

Rain date Sunday September 9th. 4pm - 7pm

Let's get together and tell tales from our summer adventures and ring in the school year. 

Laura (#19 Golden) and I (#24 Golden)  are your hosts (a.k.a. organizers/suckers) for this year's get together.

Pass the word on. 

Food: Bring enough to feed 10 people. We need everything. If you are on the evite please select something. If not, just bring anything you wish!