New Knuth kitchen honors decades of dedication

 

Last updated 9/6/2018 at Noon

KNUTH KITCHEN. Members of the Knuth family, Wheat Land Communities’ Fair board members and area residents gathered on Aug. 30 for the dedication of the new kitchen in the Knuth Building on the fairgrounds. The remodel project also included the installation of a heating and cooling unit. -Journal photo by Katelin Davidson

Area residents and family members of Wilma Knuth gathered on Aug. 31 for the unveiling of the newly remodeled kitchen in the Knuth Building on the Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds.

The project started with the construction of the building in 1991 in memory of Wilma Knuth. Donations collected over the years helped make improvements to the building, but a recent grant from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) moved the project into the final stages of completion.

Wilma Knuth moved to the Ritzville community in 1955, and she worked as a local school teacher for many years.

In 1963, the Ritzville Business and Professional Women named her the Working Woman of Achievement, and in 1990 she was selected as Grand Marshal for the Ritzville Community Parade.

She also received the Woman of the Year award from the local Beta Chapter in 1964. She died in June of 2003.

The WSDA Capital Improvement Grant was for $35,000 with the WLCF Board responsible for matching funds, which they completed through donations, revenue from hay ground on the property, and in-kind labor and services.

Lori Williams spoke on behalf of the WLCF Board and explained the process behind the project, which stems back over 20 years ago.

“This vision started in 1995 when this building was originally built when Wilma Knuth wanted a gathering place for our community. Since then it’s always been a dream to finish the kitchen,” Williams said.

The project also included the installation of a heating and cooling unit, allowing events like Wampum to be more comfortable for attendees.

It also provides the Fair Board with an opportunity to rent the building during the offseason, or allow more community events to be hosted in the building.

Kysar Mechanical completed the project electrical work and installation of the HVAC unit, while Wolfcreek Contracting completed the renovation of the kitchen.

Williams explained a future project will be completing the ceiling and finishing projects in the main room. The hope is to install a false ceiling in the kitchen.

Damon Roth, grandson of Wilma, spoke on behalf of the Knuth family.

“I know this was a long time dream for my Granny to see this building completed. I know unfortunately it took a little bit longer than anticipated. I’m sure she would be very happy with how the kitchen turned out,” he stated.

“This is a great facility that enables not just activities this Labor Day weekend but events throughout the year on the fairgrounds to be one of the keystones and fabric of our community,” Roth continued. “I’m happy to see this done and any additional improvements would be great.”

Megan Undeberg also attended the dedication ceremony to represent the Pots ‘N Patterns 4-H group. The club had donated a silver set to the fair in 1992, and it is now on display and ready for use in the newly remodeled kitchen.

“This kitchen is wonderful and I hope for many, many years it serves as a great facility for 4-H cooking and judging,” Undeberg stated.

The kitchen hosts interior storage cabinets, as well as a three-basin sink and two stoves. The sink was purchased from Sunny Spot’s surplus sale, and Williams said Connie Miller was happy to see if would be used within the community.

Jim Tate donated one of the stoves and attended the ceremony, where Williams recognized him for his donation and continued support of the fair.

To honor the completion of the kitchen, a sausage contest was held immediately after the dedication.

The dual stoves allowed multiple entrants to cook their homemade sausage at the same time, and the room provided adequate space for onlookers to watch the contest.

 

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