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The Giving Town Podcast is dedicated to sharing stories of hope and generosity in Newberg, Oregon. We interview the amazing people who are dedicating their lives to make Newberg and the surrounding area an amazing place to live. The Giving Town Podcast is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local, family-run real estate team dedicated to serving the Newberg community and beyond.
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Send us a text 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, George shares some of his favorite stories and characters from Newberg's past along with the inspiration behind the seri...
Send us a text 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 scholarships to students, hosts youth inspiration camps, and supports families facing medical crises — i...
Send us a text 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 superintendent from June through October 2024. She led the district through deep budget cuts, worked to balance...
Send us a text 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 the year. Baker also sits on numerous national commissions and committees, and is widely recogni...
Send us a text 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 worksHow Clay’s background in planning will help in his new roleCurrent timelines for projects like the Bypass Trail, The Ewing Young Bridge, Renne Field, and Dundee’s new park with a splash padWhat’s ahead for Chehalem Glenn golf course, inclu...
Send us a text 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 workWhat it’s like being behind the wheel of a patrol carWhat it was like in the wake of the “defund the police” movementThe department’s overall philosophyHow new technology makes officers more effectiveCommon misconceptions and m...
Send us a text 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 afternoonThe “Science of Hope” framework she outlined in her TED Talk—hope, pathways, agencyKey lessons from scaling an at-cost, volunteer-powered operation to 50 states and 27 countriesLife-saving testi...
Send us a text 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 familiesHow early intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s lifeThe long-term impact of untreated childhood trauma on communitiesCommon misconceptions about child abuse—and the real statistics behind...
Send us a text In this episode, Di Endicott and Peggy 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 BreakfastHow the prayer breakfast worksThe importance of prayer in bringing the community togetherHow the event promotes unity despite differing beliefs and perspectivesStories of how prayer has tangibly impacted the lives of community membersThe vision for the future, ...
Send us a text 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 Wine by Joe Why giving back is a core value of their companyHow they engage employees in the giv...
Send us a text 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 episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Danie...
Send us a text 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 helping others find hope and a path forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: • The struggles Jack faced g...
Send us a text 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 learn: What a CASA is and the critical role they play in a child’s lifeHow the CASA program started a...
Send us a text 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 money on bottle costs. In this episode you will learn: The history of the reusable bottle indust...
Send us a text 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 electionsInsights from the local candidate forums in Newberg and DundeeHow disagreements can be a gift when approached with the right mindsetWhy local elections are so importantThe pros and cons of ranked-choice votingHow staying inform...
Send us a text 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 it was like growing up in Yamhill, OregonHow he got started in journalismWhat it was like cov...
Send us a text 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://newberghistory.com/ If you have questions, have historical stories to share, or would like to get involved...
Send us a text 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 Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To learn more about the Living ...
Send us a text 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 Newberg become an even better community. You can learn more about Phil's books at https://www.a...
Send us a text 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, some exciting new projects coming up, and some newer programs to help more families in Newberg. You can le...
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