Meet Your Lead Baker
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Rita Ross
My name is Rita Ross, Head Baker of the Red Wagon Farm Bakery. I want you, our customer to meet your Red Wagon baking team. You may never see us, but we will be there each day baking you fresh treats to enjoy!
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With the last name of Ross, my connection to the Red Wagon Farm may be a little obvious. I have been a Ross since July,1988 and I couldn’t be happier or more proud of being part of the Red Wagon Farm. The Red Wagon was established in 1965 by Richard and Bess Ross (sadly no longer with us but they will live forever in our hearts). Craig, the eldest son, is my husband. We have one son, Shane, married to Brittany with one child, Emma. Craig and I ran the strawberry fields of Red Wagon for 25+ years and have retired from that. Realistically, though, family members never retire 100% from a family business. I try to help when needed and seem to be always around the farm with no regrets!! I am also a retired CPA and someone who struggles to sit still.
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Bottom Line - I LOVE to bake. The Red Wagon expansion gives me the opportunity to provide our Red Wagon customer delicious baked goods daily. Thank you for supporting our family farm, bakery and brewery. Hope to see you at the farm soon.​
Kathie Pawuk
Kathie has been a resident of Columbia Station for 37 years, with her husband Terry . They have two sons Mick & Drew. Both are married and each have given them precious grandsons, Ollie and Finn. Kathie has been a hair stylist for 49 years. Just recently she has decided to slow down and enjoy her new grandchildren, crafting & baking! Kathie has always enjoyed baking! There are always goodies to be had in her home. And, Kathie is always trying new recipes and loves sharing with family and friends.
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Kathie and I have known each other for over 25 years. We met jazzercising and our kids played together in the babysitting room. Kathie has worked at the “U-pick“ strawberry farm and the Pumpkin Festival as did her sons. Kathie tells everyone that The Ross family & Red Wagon Farm has been a constant in Columbia. She loves stopping in at our local family owed Farm Market, for fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Kathie states, “What a great addition the Red Wagon Bakery, Red Wagon Scoops and the Red Wagon Brewery will be. So when Rita contacted me to join her baking team, I was thrilled! Rita has shared some wonderful recipes with me over the years, that I still enjoy! Looking forward to baking delicious “FreshBaked Goods”, with Head Baker Rita and the team, for Red Wagon Farm customers to enjoy!”
Denise Wauschek
Denise grew up in Youngstown, OH and moved to the Cleveland area after marrying her husband, Scott, in 1983. Denise and Scott have 3 children, Michael, Megan and Robbie. Denise has spent most of her time over these past years being a stay at home mom and volunteering with the schools, her church and the community. Their children are all grown now and 2 out of our 3 children have children of their own, making Denise and Scott lucky grandparents of five: Lilly, Bentley, Carter, Lola and Avett!
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After a lifetime of loving to bake, Denise is excited to add the title “Baker” to her life resume. She is looking forward to baking in the new Red Wagon kitchen this 2023 farm season and also creating the delicious goodies that we display at the farm, along with some new yummy surprises!
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Denise states, “I feel very blessed to be so welcomed by Rita Ross and all of the employees at Red Wagon Farm and look forward to working with them and making our customers happy with all of our baked treats.”