The Giving Town

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Newberg Public Library Director Korie Buerkle shares how the library serves our community, how it has evolved over the years, and why public libraries continue to play such an important role in helping people learn, grow, and connect. In our conversation, you'll learn:  How Korie's journey led her to become Director of the Newberg Public Library   The ma...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Leo Keelan from Hope Chaplain shares about his world as a Public Safety Chaplain. From collaborating alongside our local first responders to filling the critical gaps in crisis care, this episode will help you understand what it truly means to show up for people when they need it most. In today’s episode, Leo shares: How Hope Chaplain got started and the personal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott Bradley shares the story behind 5Rock Ranch, a nonprofit located on a 108-acre property in Yamhill County that provides a place of healing and refuge for families and individuals facing extremely difficult circumstances.  In our conversation, you’ll learn: How the ranch got started and the vision behind it The kinds of experiences and programs they offer for...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Newberg Mayor Bill Rosacker and City Manager Will Worthey join the podcast to talk about the current state of our city. We discuss what’s going well, what has changed over the past several years, some of the the challenges Newberg is facing, and how decisions are made when it comes to growth, infrastructure, housing, and the city budget. We also talk about the rol...

Send us Fan Mail Chapters Books & Coffee has been a cornerstone of downtown Newberg for two decades, and in this episode, Owner Maureen Rogers shares the story behind it. We talk about how Chapters originally got started, how she and her husband Bill became the owners, and what it’s been like to run a community-minded bookstore and coffee shop while raising a family. Maureen also shares how sh...

Send us Fan Mail George P. Edmonston is a writer and historian who spent years writing stories about Newberg's history in his Newberg Graphic column, "Tales from the Grubby End." He then collected many of those stories and included them in his book, Stories from the Grubby End . He was also the editor of OSU’s alumni magazine, the Oregon Stater for many years. In this episode, Georg...

Send us Fan Mail The See Ya Later Foundation began with a simple phrase from Scott Banke, who would say “See ya later” instead of goodbye during his battle with cancer. His courage and positive attitude left behind a legacy of hope, courage, and faith. After his passing, his mom, Carmen Banke, and their family launched the foundation to carry that spirit forward. Today, the foundation awards schol...

Send us Fan Mail In mid‑2024, the Newberg-Dundee School District uncovered a multi‑million‑dollar budget shortfall and the sitting superintendent went on leave. With the school year looming and finances in shambles, the school board needed someone who knew the community and could restore stability. Retired educator and former superintendent Paula Radich volunteered to serve as interim superintende...

Send us Fan Mail President Robin Baker has been leading George Fox University since 2007 and in that time, George Fox has grown to become the largest private university in Oregon. George Fox is also consistently ranked among the top 3 Christian universities in Oregon.  President Baker has also won numerous awards and in 2023 was named by Portland Business Journal as one of its top executives of th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Clay Downing, Superintendent of Chehalem Park & Recreation District (CPRD), breaks down the upcoming projects for Newberg and Dundee over the next few years. In our conversation, you’ll learn: What CPRD is and how it works How Clay’s background in planning will help in his new role Current timelines for projects like the Bypass Trail, The Ewing Young Bridge, R...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jeff Kosmicki, Police Chief of the Newberg-Dundee Police Department, offers an inside look at what it takes to keep Newberg ranked among Oregon’s safest cities. In our conversation, you’ll learn: How Jeff started his career in police work What it’s like being behind the wheel of a patrol car What it was like in the wake of the “defund the police” movement The depa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amy Wolff, founder of the Don’t Give Up Movement, explains how a May 2017 initiative to place 20 encouraging yard signs around Newberg evolved into a global campaign. In our conversation, you will learn: The origin story: what compelled Amy to act on that rainy afternoon The “Science of Hope” framework she outlined in her TED Talk—hope, pathways, agency Key lesson...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Russell Mark, President and CEO of Juliette’s House, shares about the life-changing work happening at Yamhill County’s child abuse intervention center. In our conversation, you’ll learn: What Juliette’s House actually does and how it supports children and families How early intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life The long-term impact of untreated...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Di Endicott and Peggy Kilburg share about the Newberg Community Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.  During our conversation, you'll learn: The history and origins of the Newberg Mayor's Prayer Breakfast How the prayer breakfast works The importance of prayer in bringing the community together How the event promotes unity despite differing beliefs and perspec...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Michelle Bolliger with Dobbes Family Winery and Wine by Joe shares how they are using their passion for wine to make a difference in the community. Beyond making great wine, they have created a culture of generosity, supporting both local and national causes and making a meaningful impact. In this episode, you’ll learn: The backstory of Dobbes Family Winery and Wi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Seniors Real Estate Specialists John and Karen Roberts share some of the many resources available to seniors in the Newberg area. Many elderly seniors in our community face significant challenges, yet often feel isolated, alone, and are unaware of the resources available to them. John and Karen's hope is that no senior has to face these challenges alone. This...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jack Maxwell III shares his incredible story of resilience, redemption, and success. From a childhood marked by severe abuse, neglect, and addiction, Jack overcame numerous challenges to become a thriving business owner and a true community champion. Today, he owns a successful insurance agency, serves on multiple nonprofit boards, and dedicates his life to helpin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sarah Johnson, Executive Director of Yamhill County CASA, shares how Court Appointed Special Advocates are making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. For many children, navigating the court system can feel overwhelming and lonely, but CASA volunteers provide the stability, advocacy, and hope they desperately need. In this episode, you’ll le...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Revino co-founder Keenan O’hern shares how Revino is transforming the wine and glass bottle industry nationwide. While most wine bottles end up in the landfill or get melted down and turned into new bottles, Revino has developed a bottle that can be reused up to 50 times. This revolutionary approach is set to help protect the environment while saving wineries mone...

Send us Fan Mail Ron Mock from The Civility Project shares how we can improve the political culture in our communities and the importance of treating each other with respect during election season. In this episode, Ron shares: The importance of civility in local elections Insights from the local candidate forums in Newberg and Dundee How disagreements can be a gift when approached with the right m...

Send us Fan Mail A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of multiple books, Nicholas Kristof has spent the last 40 years with The New York Times exposing global injustices and writing about situations many people find uncomfortable to even discuss. Nicholas grew up in Yamhill, Oregon, on a sheep and cherry farm just a few miles from Newberg. In this Episode, Nicholas shares:  What...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Britta Mansfield shares the importance of preserving, presenting, and promoting history with the Newberg Area Historical Society (NAHS). We also discuss some fun and interesting stories about Newberg, talk about her book, Newberg (Past and Present), and dive into many other related topics.    To learn more about Newberg's History, visit: https://newberghistor...

Send us Fan Mail A-dec has long been a major pillar of Newberg's community. In this episode, A-dec's CEO, Marv Nelson, and Head of Communications, Jordan Beanblossom share how A-dec became what it is today, the impact it has had on Newberg and the dental industry, what you can learn from the A-dec way, and some exciting new plans for the future. This episode is brought to you by The Joyf...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, George Fox University professor Phil Smith shares the importance of having a solid ethical framework and treating each other with honesty, kindness and respect. Phil has taught ethics and philosophy for over 40 years and has written several books on virtues and ethics. He currently teaches part-time at George Fox University and is actively involved in helping Newb...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Shannon Selah, Executive Director of Newberg's Habitat for Humanity shares how this organization works to provide affordable housing to Newberg. She also shares how Habitat for Humanity works, how they go through the difficult process of selecting families for the building program, and why the work is so important. We'll also discuss the ReStore location...