WLCF groundskeepers find Ritzville as home away from home

Dick Rauscher and Melinda Stanfield found a small slice of paradise when they discovered the Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds in June. In what seemed to be a destined coincidence, the couple stumbled upon the opportunity to serve as groundskeepers for the facility.

For the past 14 years, the couple has traveled from Oregon to Montana yearly. During those trips, they never stopped in Ritzville or paid much attention to the freeway adjacent city until earlier this year.

The couple said they still cannot explain why this year’s trip was different, but they decided to stay overnight in Ritzville. After researching options for RV campsites, they made the decision to wander to the fairgrounds to determine if that is where they wanted to stay.

Even though the grounds were overgrown, they immediately felt a sense of tranquility and could see the beauty of the area. They met with Jodie Esser to pay camping fees, and soon learned the fair board members were looking for groundskeepers.

As a volunteer organization, the fair board members were struggling to maintain the upkeep of the grounds while balancing their other obligations. As fate would have it, Dick and Melinda have extensive experience in serving as groundskeepers and gladly offered to assist with the WLCF facility.

After continuing their trip to Montana, the couple returned to Ritzville to tackle the substantial project of returning the grounds to their former glory. Melinda said the couple started working on the grounds in July, and with the help of local volunteers, the grounds were presentable and ready to accept visitors by fair time.

The couple fell in love with the fairgrounds, the community and the people, and now they are making future plans to return to Ritzville. Dick explain they only return to places that feel like home, and there are multiple campgrounds they assist with throughout the year.

The duo has always shared a love of nature and maintaining a strong work ethic. They also believe in positivity, sustainability and volunteering to better serve the world around them.

Dick and Melinda met in upstate New York over 30 years ago, and they immediately connected based on their common interests and passions. They initially lived on Dick’s family’s homestead, where they lived off the land in a self-sufficient lifestyle.

The couple made the decision to move from the property in their 60s because of being isolated and not being able to maintain the large property. Their children and grandchildren had also moved throughout the United States, and they wanted to be able to spend more time with their family.

They purchased their first motorhome and began their roadway adventure across the country. The duo began accepting roles to maintain park facilities and lived on the property, and they felt a true sense of joy through serving.

For seven years they volunteered for the Oregon State Parks and the forest service in Utah. Every place they stayed to volunteered was locations where they felt a sense of belonging.

They made the decision to sell the motorhome and move to Redmond, Oregon. They settled into the area, but after seven years of having a brick and mortar home, they grew bored and purchased another RV.

The couple will spend the year working for Bureau of Land Management in Utah, Champoeg State Park in Oregon and then return to Ritzville in the late spring. Dick said all of the places they work at remind them of the homestead in New York, and provide the couple with a piece of paradise.

At the Ritzville fairgrounds, the couple is responsible for maintenance of the grounds and collecting fees from campers. They work on improving the landscaping and ensuring all of the public facilities are accessible and functioning properly for visitors.

The couple learned the ropes about the WLCF facilities from former groundskeepers Dan and Leslie Hein. The Heins served as the groundskeepers locally for years, and soon fell in love with the area, which resulted in them buying a home and moving permanently to the Ritzville community.

Dick and Melinda said they are grateful for the guidance and assistance provided by the Heins, as well as Bryce Esser. The volunteer assistance made the transition to the area easy and they enjoyed working with volunteers who shared the same passion for helping others and being a positive influence on the world around them.

The couple said they are impressed by the Ritzville community, and watching residents band together to host such a large four-day event over Labor Day weekend. Dick said Ritzville serves as an anomaly in an otherwise self-centered society, and he truly believes small communities with this strong spirit will have the best chance of survival in the future.

Dick used the Esser family as an example in the chance for a positive future for the community. For years, Bryce has volunteered at the grounds help harvest hay and maintain the facility.

Now as Bryce plans to move on to a future career, his younger brother Blake has the desire to take on his big brother’s projects and continue the legacy. With area youth passionately working to develop skills and trades, Dick said the community should be proud and optimistic for the future.

“It’s nice to know a place like this actually exists,” Dick stated. “We knew this was the place to be and we fell in love with the people.”

The couple is excited to return to the grounds next spring, and they will spend the year volunteering across the U.S. and telling others about the spirit of small town Ritzville, as well as the surrounding communities.