Honoring My Dad, Our Logging Roots, and the Community That Helped Shape Us

Every June, as the Deming Logging Show approaches, I find myself reflecting on where I came from, the people who shaped me, and the community that has supported my family for generations.

Thirty-five years ago, when I was just 8 years old, my life changed forever. My father was killed in a logging accident. Losing him at such a young age was something no child should have to experience, and the impact of that loss is something I still carry with me today.

While the pain never completely goes away, I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by a strong and resilient community. The people of Deming, the logging families, neighbors, and friends who stepped up during difficult times showed me what it means to support one another. They demonstrated the values of hard work, perseverance, and community that continue to guide me today.

Logging isn’t just part of my family’s history—it’s part of who we are. My father, my uncles, my grandfathers, and my great-grandfathers all worked in the logging industry. The mountains around us helped provide for our family for generations. Their dedication, sacrifice, and work ethic built the foundation for the life I have today.

Those experiences have also shaped the way Jason and I operate Ritter Dirt & Asphalt. Safety, integrity, hard work, and taking care of people aren’t just business principles to us—they’re personal values rooted in our family’s story. Every project we complete and every customer we serve is done with those values in mind.

That’s one of the reasons the Deming Logging Show holds such a special place in my heart. It’s more than an event. It’s a celebration of our community, our history, and the people who built this area through generations of hard work.

To honor my father’s memory and support the Deming Logging Show, we’re once again offering our limited-edition Rainier-inspired Ritter Dirt & Asphalt shirts. Rainier was my dad’s favorite beer, and creating these shirts is a small way for me to celebrate his memory while supporting an event that means so much to our family.

When you purchase one of these shirts, you’re doing more than supporting a local business. You’re helping support a community tradition, honoring the legacy of logging families, and helping keep the spirit of the Deming Logging Show alive for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our family, our business, and this community over the years. Your encouragement means more than you know.

I hope you’ll join us at this year’s Deming Logging Show Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th, as we celebrate our past, appreciate our present, and continue building a strong future together.

Live Beautifully,

Alysha Ritter