Newberg Community Advantage Magazine February 2023

Taxes With A Personal Touch

By Tyler Francke, Contributing Writer

Photos by Kara Langley Photogaphy

Many local business owners boast about being a familyowned and operated institution, but for Kevin Olson and his small group of H&R Block offices in Yamhill County, it could not be more true.

Olson literally grew up in the McMinnville office he now owns on Highway 99W, at the feet of his mother, Patricia Olson-Fries, who opened the location in 1967 and worked for decades to build its clientele and reputation.

“My first job was working as a receptionist in that office when I was about 15,” says Olson, whose company also includes offices in Newberg and Lincoln City. “It was a great environment to grow up in and learn the business that I love.”

Olson started managing the McMinnville office in 2004, then worked under a new owner for 10 years after his mother retired. He purchased the location in 2018, adding Newberg and Lincoln City in 2020.

One quirk of a familyowned tax office is that Olson now has a number of second-generation clients — and many of his clients have a second-generation tax preparer.

“Your clients are more than just your clients when you’ve known them for so long,” he says. “I have clients that have known me since I was born.

They saw me grow up. Some of them, I’m now doing their kids’ taxes, too. It’s almost like they’re part of our family.”

The closeness has made for some emotional moments in the office, he admits.

“When I have a client and someone has recently passed away, I’m crying right there with them, you know?” he says. “That was someone I had seen every year for 12 years. It’s very personal.”

When asked what appeals to him about the work he has done his entire adult life, he doesn’t hesitate.

“Working with people,” Olson says. “It’s a needed service, to help taxpayers make sure they are paying the correct amount of tax — nothing more and nothing less. And to be able to turn what can be a very stressful event into an enjoyable experience, it’s very rewarding.”

Math has always come naturally to Olson, and he regards navigating the myriad codes and provisions of the tax law as just a form of problem-solving.

“It’s really just about the relationships,” he says. “It’s about being involved in the community. I always tell people you can mention my name anywhere in this county and you’ll find someone who knows me or at least has heard of me because of what I get to do for a living.”

While they specialize in small business services, which they have found to be a growing area of need, Olson’s H&R Blocks are full-service tax offices — in every sense of the word.

“There is nothing we don’t do,” he says. “We do payroll, bookkeeping, corporate returns, all business services, estates, trusts. We have over 150 years of experience between all of my tax pros, so there’s nothing that can walk through my door that I’m not able to handle.”

H&R Block McMinnville is located at 865 NE Highway 99W, Suite F; Newberg is located at 2504 East Portland Road; and if you’re at the coast, the Lincoln City office can be found at 2413 NW Hwy 101. You can also find more information and get your return started today by visiting hrblock.com.

Mia, H&R Block Intern

Wedding Singer (1998)

One of my alltime favorite Adam Sandler movies, this is absolutely drenched in ’80s pop culture–movies, cars, fashion, and music. The story follows a talented, funny, and likable wedding singer (Sandler) living in his brother’s basement and who’s terribly in love with the wrong girl. His heart gets broken (of course) and he plunges into a deep pit of despair but refuses to quit working–singing for couples in love–to much expected comedy. Eventually he meets his dream girl (a very cute Drew Barrymore) who’s in love with the wrong guy. Hilarity, flirting, and crossed signals abound, it also stars Alexis Arquette, Christine Taylor, Allen Covert, and more, plus a cameo by Billy Idol. It’s bright and cute and wacky. Rated a strong PG13 for language and mature content, save this for the older kiddos.

Trolls (2016)

With pure blissful technicolor and heart-thumping pop music by Justin Timberlake, the Trolls movie skywrites in bombastic sparkly letters the message of love, joy, happiness, and positivity. A classic Us vs. Them, the meanie ogre Bergens threaten to capture the Trolls once for all–to eat the Trolls one-by-one and finally feel happy. Surely, there’s a better way to find happiness! And through conflict, trial-and-error, and lessonlearning, the Trolls teach the Bergens how to be happy WITHOUT eating others. On a smaller scale, there’s a classic love story: the untrusting hermit, Branch (Justin Timberlake), meets the happy-go-lucky girl-next-door, Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick). Their relationship very much parallels the Bergens vs. Trolls in their quest to conquer grumpiness and trust. And shocker, they fall in love. There’s singing, dancing, love, good feelings, and colors you’ve never seen before! Rated PG for mild rude humor and the threat of being eaten (I did tell you).

Eternal Sunshine Of The MindSpotless (2000)

This mindblowingly original sci-fi drama romance came barreling out of the early 2000s with an Academy Award for Best Writing and a slew of other awards. One of Jim Carrey’s earlier dramatic roles, his and Kate Winslet’s characters have a bad breakup and opt to have their relationship erased from memory by an experimental doctor, played by Tom Wilkinson. Also starring Kirsten Dunst and Elijah Wood. It’s surreal, quirky, indie, funny, sad, and far too relatable. As chaotic as it is, it’s utterly human with a heartwarming ending. Rated R for language, drug and mature content .

Available to rent from Reel Hollywood Video in McMinnville.

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

STAN KERN: CELEBRATING 60 YEARS AS A NEWBERG ROTARIAN

IN HONOR OF SIX DECADES OF SERVICE TO ROTARY AND TO THE NEWBERG COMMUNITY, STAN RECEIVED APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION FROM THE CLUB.

HE WAS INTERVIEWED ABOUT HIS TIME IN THE CLUB AND WHAT ROTARY MEANS TO HIM. THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US, STAN!

How did you come to be a Newberg Rotarian?

Stan Kern moved to Newberg in 1963 where he practiced medicine for 43 years. Once he began his practice in Newberg, another local doctor invited him to be his guest at a Rotary meeting, where Oregon Governor Mark Hatfield was speaking. Stan was so impressed at the members, the meeting, the speaker, and how the meeting was conducted, he decided to join the Club. His membership was accepted on January 14, 1963, marking his 60th year in the Club and making him Newberg Rotary’s longest serving member. Stan later served as president of the Club in 1975.

What does being a Rotarian mean to you?

In Rotary, the idea of service is big, in the community and internationally. In the medical community, serving others is crucial to their work and to Stan, being a Rotarian felt like a natural fit. It provided a means to do good for people in the community and to get to know others who put “service above self” (a key Rotarian mantra). If you know any Rotarians you will likely know them as people who put service above self and make that motto a real part of their lives and habits—to Stan that is the most important part of being a Rotarian.

What special Rotary memories come to mind over the years?

Stan remembers all of the great meetings over the years, though he did occasionally miss a meeting here and there if he was scheduled for surgery or patient care during meeting times. He recalled many of the great speakers over the years, from Oregon Governors, State Senators, and many people speaking about how service enriched their lives in the local community. Stan also recalled one meeting where a member, during singing the national anthem, suffered an acute myocardial infarction, from which he lost consciousness. Stan performed CPR, and subsequently took him to the hospital, saving his life right in the middle of the meeting! The meeting ended early that day.

What projects have you served on over the years?

“As Rotarians, we do the things we do because we love our community and we love fellowship.”

- Stan

Stan recalled being involved in the process of coming up with and putting on the First Annual Newberg Rotary Auction (this past October we successfully put on our 50th Annual Rotary Auction). He noted that the Club was involved in many community projects including building new parks, for which the Club created the auction in order to help pay for these many projects and for necessary maintenance costs associated with the Rotary Funded parks around town. They brought in someone with auctioneering experience and they successfully raised $460.

Stan also remembered putting on the Rotary Pancake Breakfast at the Berrian Festival, now known as the Old Fashioned Festival. This project began in 1966, shortly after Stan joined the Club. The Newberg Noon Rotary Club and Newberg Early Birds Rotary Club partner on this annual event to this day! They have had many other fundraisers over the years including selling hamburgers at the St. Paul Rodeo, participating in fruitcake sales, putting on pumpkin contests, and many others.

There have been so many amazing projects that Stan has been a part of over his 60 years in the Club. In recent years, as noted in a previous Newberg Advantage Article, Stan has been an active volunteer serving meals for Senior Meals at the Senior Center.

Kern

MEET YOUR LOCAL NEWBERG REAL ESTATE AGENT

Chase Willcuts

Chase Willcuts, a native of Newberg, descends from a long and proud family heritage of farmers, educators, and… realtors!

Having worked in a funeral home, as well as having obtained both his B.A. (George Fox University) as well as his M.A. (Gonzaga University), it is of little wonder that Chase desires to bring his rich life experiences to the community that he loves and cherishes. Chase firmly believes in the importance, depth, significance, and reality of the home – where dreams are fulfilled, where relationships are created and sustained, and where legacies are made.

Chase’s number one goal is to bring that sense of home into the lives of all of the clients that he looks forward to journeying with.

I PROMISE TO:

• Communicate clearly and respond in a timely manner.

• Attend to the needs of my clients as much as I possibly can.

• Provide expert knowledge concerning the local real estate market.

• Build a trusting relationship with my clients.

WHAT TO DO IN A DENTAL EMERGENCY

It’s important to take action quickly in emergency dental situations. Below are a few tips on how to handle tooth injuries and pains:

KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH

Find the tooth immediately and place it in a glass of slightly salted tap water or cold milk without first cleaning or scrubbing it. Take the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes of the injury, and he or she may be able to replace it in your mouth.

BROKEN TOOTH

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and soothe the tooth. Place an ice pack on the cheek nearest the injury to help keep the swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.

TOOTHACHES

Keep food away from the tooth that hurts. Rinse your mouth with warm water after eating and floss your teeth. If your jaw is swollen, place an ice pack on the cheek that hurts. Do not put heat or aspirin on the painful areas.

Toothaches can have a number of causes, such as an unnoticed cavity, gum disease, a crack in a tooth, or a new filling that doesn’t fit right. See the dentist as soon as possible, particularly if swelling is present.

MOUTH SORES

Avoid acidic foods, such as oranges and pineapples, which can “sting” the sores. Often, sores in the mouth are canker sores, which are small ulcers. Call your dentist if your mouth sores persist for more than two weeks. If you notice any lumps or white patches in or around your mouth, you should see your dentist immediately, as they may indicate a more serious problem.

Whenever you have a tooth injury or pain, it’s important to seek care from your dentist as soon as possible. Keep your dentist’s phone number handy!

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