The Pleasant Ridge Globe
• Spring 2023 • ***TONIGHT'S COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY 4/3 BECAUSE OF WEATHER. STILL HELD AT 7PM IN THE PR RECREATION CENTER*** Hello to you and the spring season from the Pleasant Ridge Community Council. We hope our quarterly finds you well as spring has sprung Pleasant Ridge. Read on to find out more of just some of the goings on in our neighborhood, including annual events, action taken down as city hall, and spotlights on our history and local business. To spread the love of "the Ridge," please share with friends and family, near and far! If you have a flair for marketing and communication, and would like to take the reigns of our outreach efforts, PRCC is looking for a communications chair. Please email information_prcc@pleasantridge.org if you are interested! |
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The Easter egg hunt at Community Happens Here. |
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Pleasant Ridge Garden Club Plant SaleMay 18th4p to 6p |
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The Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, May 18th from 4pm to 6pm at 6331 Grand Vista Avenue, 45213, rain or shine. A wide variety of plants will be available to buy, some common and some not-so-common. Most of the plants will be perennials, and most will cost $5, though a few selected plants higher priced. Truly a bargain price! Cash, check, or Venmo accepted. Raffle tickets will be sold ($5) for a variety of garden and non-garden items. The PR Plant Sale is always a good time and we hope to see many friends and neighbors on May 18th! |
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Please take this PR Pedestrian Safety Survey! |
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Nominations Closing - Community Council Elections 2024 President The new President of the Pleasant Ridge Community Council will be elected at the Election meeting on May 7th. Vice President The new Vice President of the Pleasant Ridge Community Council will be elected at the Election meeting on May 7th. PRCC is accepting candidate nominations for these positions until the Council meeting on April 3rd. Nominations can be made in person at the April Public meeting (date above) or contact details can be emailed to the Council at president_prcc@pleasantridge.org until 7pm April 3rd. These roles are both voting members of the PRCC Executive Committee. The roles are largely built around the representation of the community in working with the Cincinnati City Council and the administration of the City of Cincinnati (Police, Traffic & Engineering, Legal department, Invest in Neighborhoods, etc.) |
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Greenspace to Become New PR Pocket ParkContributed to by Barbara DidrichsenThose of you who've lived here for a few years may remember the work we were doing pre-COVID to bring a pocket park to Pleasant Ridge in the garden area next to St Peters Church on Ridge (old photo of that space above. We even worked with an architect on a vision of what it might look like.
I've been waiting to say anything until we nailed a few things down, but I'm very pleased to announce that if all goes well, we hope to bring a much scaled back version of a green gathering place to Pleasant Ridge by the end of May. I am working with several people and organizations within the community (PR Development Corporation, PR Community Council, potentially PR Business Assn. and St Peters United Church of Christ, plus individuals) to create a community pocket park. This parklet adjoins St Peters United Church of Christ, a property enclosed on 3 sides by the church and Architectural Stained Glass on Ridge, and in the back by Café Alma. The pastor, Derek Terry, is on board. We are hoping to have a minimal design set up within the next month or two. Erin Fay, a local realtor and the chief organizer of the PR Tour of Homes, has dedicated most of the proceeds from last fall’s Tour of Homes to this effort. We’re also looking at other funding opportunities and whether it’s possible to transfer this separately titled property from the church to another nonprofit.
There's much work to be done, and we're going to be reaching out to the community for help in the coming weeks. If you are looking to get involved with our new parks committee, please reach out to prccparks@gmail.com. Speaking of... A new sub-committee for Pleasant Ridge - PARKS With the new pocket park and continuous work to revitalize 1000 Hands Park (below), there are spaces for those who want to get involved with existing and new park spaces for our community. In parallel with many other city neighborhoods, PRCC felt that the time is right to create our own 'PARKS' sub-committee. Thank you to Erik Brueggemann of Pandora Ave for stepping up to be our inaugural Parks Committee chair! Erik has volunteered for over 100 combined hours in 2023 with Great Parks of Hamilton County and Cincinnati Parks. He is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist and help leads the Nature program the Pleasant Ridge Library holds with Kennedy Heights Community Council at Kennedy Heights Park. |
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Pleasant Ridge Runners: Then and NowSubmitted by Clint Bourgeois, Running Man |
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Getting ready for the Flying Pig? Looking for a running group? Come run/walk/trot with the Pleasant Ridge Runners group! |
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The PRR group currently meets on Saturday mornings at 8:00AM in front of The Coffee Exchange for a three mile run. Over the years they have welcomed runners and walkers of all abilities. The members still train together, carpool to races, have a post-run coffee, and share neighborhood camaraderie. Pleasant Ridge Runners was formed in 2012 by Julie Olberding and Molly Blenk to give social runners a way to share the joy of exploring our neighborhood on foot. Mostly the group met to get some exercise, socialize, and grab a lite breakfast at the, then, Pleasant Perk. Two of their members, Sarah and Joe Peters, eventually took over that business and renamed it to The Coffee Exchange. |
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PRR would always do a three mile route, but some members would meet earlier to get some extra miles before the full group run, if they were training for a race like the Flying Pig Half or Full Marathon. For a few years, the group led by Doug Olberding hosted the PR3, a three mile race in March welcoming spring weather. The photo above is from the 2014 PR3 race heading north on Ridge starting at Montgomery. Message the PRR FB group for more info |
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Update: The Caring Place finds a New HomeAdopted from the March 9th Facebook post by The Caring Place |
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Originally posted on the March 5th Facebook post by Woodford Academy We reopened March 21st and continue to serve our neighbors in need on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-2pm. Anyone in need of service will need to park on Montgomery Rd in front of the church. Please DO NOT enter the parking lot or enter the glass doors. There will be plenty of signs to direct you to the right place. Due to the preschool's student drop-off and pick-up times, we accept donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays at these limited times: 8am-8:45am, 9:30am-11:45am, 1pm-2:30pm. Park in the parking lot and bring your donation up to the glass doors. The desk volunteer will let us know and one of our volunteers will come to assist you. We are in a much smaller space so at this time we can accept nonperishable food, toilet paper, personal care items, household cleaning items, clothes (***limited to two bags***), pots/pans/baking dishes, silverware, toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, linens for bed/bath/kitchen. Please email caringplc@gmail.com or call (513) 841-1499 for more info. |
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A Little Pleasant Ridge History: The Yononte Inn Submitted by Jim Cundiff, revered unofficial historian of Pleasant Ridge |
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The Cincinnati Enquirer - 13 Sep 1988, Tue - Accessed via newspapers.com As warmer weather approaches Cincinnatians may already be making plans for a summertime escape from high temperatures and humidity. It might surprise some to know that once upon a time such ‘escape’ destinations included a swanky hotel right here in our own backyard – the Yononte Inn. Named for a legendary Native American princess of the Miami tribe – she was supposed to have married on the hotel’s site – the Yononte Inn was located on Davenant Avenue, south of Woodford Road, between Red Bank Road and Kennedy Avenue. Opening in June of 1888, the Inn was a short carriage ride from the CL&N rail line, which at that time was the center of commercial activity; before long streetcars and automobiles would mean the business hub would be moving to Montgomery Road. According to an account from a 2017 Kennedy Heights garden tour guide, the Yononte “was advertised for its ‘continuous breezes’ and 'health-giving and revivifying atmosphere’ and exuberantly described as ‘an oasis in the caloric desert of Cincinnati.’” An 1888 ad in the Cincinnati Enquirer proclaimed that “…the building is new and picturesque. Magnificent views may be had from every window and all parts of two hundred feet of broad piazzas. There are billiard-rooms, ten-pin alley, tennis courts, fine drives, etc. Already there are applicants for rooms enough to occupy them all, and the restaurant patronage promises to be large.” This prognostication proved a bit too optimistic. The Inn was initially intended to serve only shareholders in the Kennedy Heights Loan and Building Association, but this business plan quickly went awry. From the garden tour guide: “Six months after the housewarming the Inn’s owners applied for receivership because it did not pay as an investment.” In 1889 the Inn was advertised for sale at auction. Despite this early stumble the Inn did enjoy a brief popularity. Again, from the garden tour guide: “The Inn’s ‘glory days’ were in the early 1890’s and in 1898 the Inn was listed as one of 32 local ‘noble buildings’ built over a forty-year period.” A 1988 Cincinnati Enquirer retrospective said this: “By 1907 the Yononte had become obsolete. It survived briefly as an exclusive dance hall, and then was closed. Owners of the Yononte tried to have the grounds and buildings converted into a sanitarium, but village council denied their request.” In 1909 the Inn suffered a devastating fire, probably caused by a defective flue. Remarkably, a remnant of the Inn survives to this day. The stone pillars which marked the entrance to the Yononte still stand on Davenant, and can be recognized by the capital letter “Y” on one pillar. |
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Undoing Past Mistakes: Removing Invasive Callery Pear Trees in PR |
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You may have noticed some of our trees along Montgomery and Losantiville have been cut down. While that is always a jarring sight (it is never pleasant to see/hear any tree in Pleasant Ridge cut down) these specific cuts are actually going to help the greater Cincinnati forest ecosystem. Some time ago, our streets were planted with invasive Callery/Bradford Pear Trees (the ones will all the pretty white flowers this time of year). They have now spread out-of-control (see along I-71). The Cincinnati parks are now working to remove these trees where they can, including PR. |
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While we anticipate more trees along Montgomery and elsewhere coming down, they will be replaced (slowly) with native trees. Some of this has already been done on the south side of Montgomery in the business district. |
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Below is the recent posting from Cincinnati Parks/Urban Forestry about the Callery Pear Tree. Click here for the original article. It's spring, things are blooming, and we're happy! But not all things blooming are good for our native plants and flowers. There's a tree in particular that can be seen blooming all over Cincinnati right now, including in people's yards and lining city streets. If you guessed Callery Pear Tree, you're correct! Let's get into the details about why this tree is highly invasive in our area. This tree is native to China and Vietnam and boasts pretty white flowers in spring. A not so attractive characteristic of this tree is its smell. Although a portion of the trees were once planted by people, the majority of them are spread every year by birds and animals. These trees can grow in almost any kind of soil and are spreading from urban areas to the countryside, far away from where they were originally planted. That is scary! As with most other invasive plants, these trees choke out native plants, take over and are hard to control. In 2023, this tree was deemed illegal to buy or sell in Ohio. Better late than never, but these trees will still present a huge problem in our area even once they are banned. So how can you manage them? For starters, DO NOT plant them. Seedlings and shallow-rooted plants can be pulled or dug out when the soil is moist. Medium to large trees should be cut down and the stumps treated with a systemic herbicide such as glyphosate or triclopyr. Do you have a Callery Pear in your yard that you want to replace? Consider planting Serviceberry, Redbud, or if slightly shaded Flowering Dogwood. These native small to mid-sized trees also have stunning spring flower displays that will add a splash of color to any area! |
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Cincinnati Street Sweeping 101 |
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Did you know that the city has scheduled street sweeping monthly (except when temps are below freezing)? Neither did we! | | |
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The Department of Public Services (DPS) is asking residents to “Show Their Pride, Move Their Ride” on their scheduled sweeping days. You can go to the site below and find out your next scheduled date by going to this website and clicking on the Search Dates by Address button. On that date any cars that normally park on the street should be moved to allow the sweeper to do its job. Given the infrequency of the service, it's easy to forget this. But if the state of your street bothers you, at least you have a way to find out when the next street sweeping will be. Street sweeping plays a critical role in keeping Cincinnati’s streets, air, and water clean. A clean street keeps storm drains clear of debris, helps prevent localized street flooding due to clogged catch basins, and prevents pollutants from reaching the waterways. Street sweeping works best when the sweepers can sweep from curb to curb. Basketball hoops, garbage cans, vehicles, and trailers left in the street prevent the sweeper from hugging the curb and performing the most effective sweeping possible. DPS’ sweeping program consists of five street sweepers and five dirt trucks, sweeping City streets once per month on static routes. The sweepers simultaneously mist the street, while rotating brooms sweep debris and dust into the hopper (unit). When the hopper is full, the contents are transferred to a dirt truck to be taken to a landfill. Scheduled routes are subject to changes due to weather, staffing, and equipment. |
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Pleasant Ridge Branch of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library: Updates and Upcoming EventsSubmitted by Erik Brueggemann, CHPL |
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The Pleasant Ridge Branch of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library will be open Monday and Tuesday from 10AM-8PM and Wednesday through Saturday from 10AM-6PM. Available services include curbside service, browsing, research questions, computer access, and assistance with faxing, scanning, copying, and printing. Visit our website at www.chpl.org to access all our eBranch offerings and for the most current information on the services and programs offered through any of the branches. Registration required for some events. Call the branch at 513-369-4488 with any questions. Monday, April 8, 2024 Pleasant Ridge Eclipse Viewing Party, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM It's a total eclipse of the sun! Join us for a party to celebrate the total solar eclipse on April 8. Come learn about solar eclipses and experience this once-in-a-lifetime event together. Eclipse glasses for safe solar viewing will be available at CHPL locations only on April 8, while supplies last. Saturday, April 13, Human Library, 11:00am–3:00pm Unjudge someone! The Human Library is an event where you can borrow a real human for honest, respectful conversations to break stereotypes and stigma. This event is suitable for ages 16 and up. Volunteer to be a 'book' at the library. |
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PRCC Committees (always looking for volunteers!) |
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Committee Spotlight: Beautification
Submitted by Denise Reynolds, Beautification Committee Chair |
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Have you noticed to gorgeous planters that line the main roads of Pleasant Ridge? Those are maintained by the Beautification Committee and our partners at The Plant Trolley. |
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More than ensuring the neighborhood is full of blooms, this committee organizes litter clean-ups and works with the City to advocate for street trees. In the winter months, the committee hangs beautiful holiday décor, and fills the streets with cheer. Whether you're a green thumb or not, this committee can always use more volunteers! Reach out and make wonderful new friends. |
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Get in Touch! Here is How |
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1. Attend our monthly first Tuesday community meetings at Pleasant Ridge Community Rec Center! 2. Volunteer with one of our active committees! 3. Send us an email simply by clicking the contact us button. |
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