During the 1980s, Rip supplied the Bear Lake community newspaper with monthly accounts of the history and growth of the area. In his column entitled "Crooked River Chronicles," Rip tells many stories as one of the pioneer residents of the Crooked River community and details construction of both railroad and the Hart Highway. Thanks to Rip, there now exists an entertaining written record of the lifestyle and industry of earlier residents of the area just north of Prince George now more widely known for Crooked River Provincial Park.
In addition to his publication detailing the development of the Crooked River area, Rip is also being recognized for his contributions to local heritage organizations. From his restoration of early farm equipment and other work around the popular heritage site to his service on its Board of Directors, the last 20 years have seen Rip contribute in many ways to the work of the Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society. The Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum has also benefited from Rip's generous donation of time, effort, and expertise.
For his publication "Crooked River Chronicles" and for his support of local heritage projects, Rip Kitchen received the Jeanne Clarke Memorial Local History Award on February 16, 2003.