A TRIBUTE TO HANDLEBAR RANCH   

Remember HANDLEBAR RANCH?  If you do, that’s good, because your memories are all that is left, except for a gate and the many rocks that must have been too much for the bulldozers.  Despite being on the Ohio Historic Inventory, Anna Gay Ritter’s ranch was sold by the trustees of her estate as part of a 30 acre sale to the landfill for $6 Million ($200,000 per acre).   

Anna Gay and husband Percy Ritter moved to the 30 acre farm on Hughes Road in 1940 even before the landfill existed.  Percy started a bicycle rental business until insurance costs forced them to close that business and move into hayrides.  Percy built his home as well as the ranch from the rocks and timber available on the land.  He built the miniature buildings, horses and picnic tables which were decorated by Anna.  Based on an interview with Anna and Percy in 1985, the Ohio Historic Inventory describes the property as follows:  “This unusual complex consists of a number of log buildings, stone shelterhouses (some featuring tile roofs), large open stables, numerous stone planters, terraced landscape, and a small, man-made creek.  The complex is highly significant as an early and unusual recreational area.  The owner reports that she and her husband created the ranch.  It is now rented out for parties, reunions and other special events”.   

Percy Ritter died in 1990. Anna kept the hayride business going for many years after.  Anna passed away in February 2007 at the age of 95.   The entire 30 acre property was sold in November 2007 by the trustees of Anna’s estate.  The demolition of Handlebar Ranch occurred in December 2007.  It does not appear any of the buildings, wagons or statues were salvaged or preserved.   We can only guess everything was destroyed.   

Thank you Anna and Percy for the legacy of Handlebar Ranch and for the fond memories you helped create for thousands of Hamilton County residents.  While the physical elements of your ranch are gone, the “magic” of Handlebar Ranch will not be forgotten.

For more information see “ A Way of Life” by Keith Kleeman Click Here

RECYCLING VIEWS & NEWS

RECYCLING in 2007
The 2007 Recycling Statistics reveal that Colerain Township residential recycling rates are less than 5%, ranking 36th out of 44 communities who received funds from the Hamilton County Residential Recycling Incentive.  The higher the recycling rate, the more dollars per ton received. According to the Hamilton County Solid Waste District, residents in Green, Springfield and Colerain townships pay for recycling; however, Green Township aggressively promotes their free recycling drop off centers.  What do YOU believe is the key to increasing recycling rates in Colerain?  Shouldn’t Colerain be at least GREENER than Green Township?

REUSABLE BAGS
Re-usable cloth bags are a green gift that keeps on giving.  Here are just of few of many places you can find re-usuable bags (and other green gifts).
Reusable Shopping bags
Park and Vine Cincinnati's first green general store

See our Resources & Links page for Recycling ideas and locations.

WHAT IS THAT ODOR?
Last summer (2008) several Colerain residents noticed an increase in landfill odors.  We learned that Rumpke had a contract with Montgomery County, Ohio and was taking in an ADDITIONAL 1500 -2000 TONS of garbage PER DAY.  According to the Hamilton County Health District this 25-35% increase in tonnage was a contributing factor to the increase in odors. 

There IS something that YOU can do about odors, but it is CRITICAL that you call in all odor complaints as soon as possible so the Health District can identify the source and more importantly determine the actions that can be taken to eliminate/minimize this impact on our air quality and quality of life. 

Please add the hotline numbers to your cell phone.  If you would like magnets with the numbers for yourself, friends and family, let us know and we will provide them free of charge!
HAMILTON COUNTY ODOR HOTLINES:
 Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:00pm 513-946-7879
Weekends/Evenings 513-946-7777

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

NEW HOTLINE FOR ODOR COMPLAINTS
The Hamilton County Health Department now has 2 odor hotline numbers for odor reporting anytime day, night or weekends.

By reporting odors WHEN YOU SMELL them, officials can identify the source of the odor AND determine what should be done to ELIMINATE odors.

Add these numbers to your speed dial:
513-946-7879 Mon-Friday 7:30am - 4pm
513-946-7777 Weekends, Weekdays after 4pm

UNDERGROUND FIRES AT COUNTYWIDE LANDFILL IN STARK COUNTY, OHIO
Learn about underground fires, testing for toxic release, EPA fines.
Learn about the risks associated with Aluminium Dross and Saltcake.
www.ohiolandfills.org