MCMINNVILLE
McMinnville Community Advantage Magazine
FEB/MAR 2025
Published by
Active Media Publishing Group
PO Box 672, Aurora, OR 97002
info@ActiveMediaUSA.com
503.825.2111
ADMINISTRATION
Matthew Nelson, Publisher Catrina Nelson, CFO
Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant
Raeann Van Arsadall, Business Development
PRODUCTION
Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director
Donovan Darling, Creative Project Manager
Brittany Jungenberg, Director of Marketing
Kate Astle, Copyeditor
Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager
Justin Andress, Communications Manager
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Hilary Berg Sean Carver
Dani DeGraw Brittany Jungenberg
Morgan King Justin Nelson
Shawn Schmidt Kaity VanHoose
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Patti Jo Brooks Olive Gallagher
Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren
Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb
Peter Murphy Edward Novak
Malia Riggs Kelly Romo
Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker
Justin Woomer Kerry Yu
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter
Tyler Francke Angie Helvey
Brittany Jungenberg Malaina Kinne
Lisa Kuhlman Kara Langley
MJ Media Productions Andrew Sambuceto
Henry Schifter Hayley Starkey
ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS
Don Ormsby Bill Kistler
Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs
David Long Chris O’Brien
John Zobrist Brad Marti
Shelley Zeman Tina Toney
Darren Dwyer
Looking to reach local consumers?
We specialize in direct-mail products: community magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more details, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com
$5 OFF $1
$50 OR MORE
-$5 de descuendo en la compra de $50 o más. Deberá presentar este cupón. -$1 de descuendo en burrito hechos en tienda. Deberá presentar este cupón.
Chemeketa Graduates: The Backbone of Our Community
From the paramedics saving lives to the dental assistants ensuring your brightest smile, Chemeketa Community College graduates are everywhere, making a difference.
They are the auto mechanics keeping you on the road, the electricians powering your homes and businesses, and the skilled professionals driving our local economy forward.
Our community depends on their expertise, and so do local employers. At Chemeketa, we provide the training and hands-on experience needed to build a healthy, strong, and thriving community.
Will you be among our next group of graduates?
Explore our diverse career education pathways in healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and beyond. Your future starts here.
Chemeketa Community College
Building Careers, Strengthening Communities.
Anything (1989)
A fresh and modern rom-com that hilariously and awkwardly navigates the cultural clash between two families, the movie follows Ezra (Jonah Hill), who’s Jewish, and Amira (Lauren London), who’s Black and Muslim. While they’re deeply in love they struggle to bring their families together — a task that proves to be heartfelt, relatable, and funny. Ezra and Amira’s relationship, which portrays a love that feels tender and real, is challenged not by their own doubts but by the prejudices and misunderstandings of their families, played brilliantly by Eddie Murphy and Julia LouisDreyfus. This familial tug-of-war adds a layer of complexity to the movie, and suggests that love is shaped and tested by what we can’t control. For Valentine’s Day viewers, You People serves as both a cautionary tale and a celebration of the enduring power of love, with all its imperfections. Rated R for strong language and mature themes.
Dobler (John Cusack) is the prototypical lovestruck dreamer, chasing after Diane Court (Ione Skye), the class valedictorian with a complicated family life. What makes this movie so enduringly romantic is its simplicity: love here isn’t flashy but genuine. Lloyd’s now iconic boombox scene — a serenade to Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” — is pure movie magic and an example of the grand romantic gestures of the past. The movie’s ’80s vibe, with its mixtapes, payphones, and heartfelt rebelliousness, adds a certain nostalgic charm, perfect for those reminiscing about first loves. As a Valentine’s treat, Say Anything reminds us that love is about persistence, honesty, and embracing imperfection, even in a perfectly imperfect world. Rated PG-13 for mature themes. You People (2023)
Few movies capture the essence of young love quite like Say Anything. Cameron Crowe’s cult classic is the perfect combination of passion, vulnerability, and grand romantic gestures. Lloyd
Pixar’s Elemental is a whimsical love story set in Element City, where fire, water, air, and earth coexist but rarely mix. The movie shines as a celebration of love’s ability to transcend differences. Ember, an obviously “fiery” and passionate character, meets Wade, a gentle, free-flowing water elemental, and their connection grows in spite of social rules and personal hesitancy. Their, ahem, “chemistry,” is both touching and playful, and a play on how opposites attract. Pixar’s hallmark storytelling and gorgeous animation bring the relationship to life, from awkward beginnings to heartfelt resolution. Ember and Wade’s journey is a reminder that true love isn’t about finding someone identical to you — it’s about embracing what makes you different. Perfect for kids and the young at heart, Elemental is a Valentine’s Day treat. Rated PG.
Beyond Taxes
Serving the community’s growing needs
as a Featured Franchisee of the Year. Of the 900 franchisees represented, only three of these awards are handed out each year. Based on performance, top growth and top customer satisfaction nationwide, Olson won in the 3-7 office category.
By Patti Jo Brooks, Active Media
Photos by Malaina Kinne, Active Media
We all know that H&R Block is well-established as a personal tax filing company, but are you aware that they offer so much more? As the company celebrates 70 years of service, the business services division continues to grow steadily right along with their tax notice services and audit representation services. Customer service is also a key element as clients are served in the way they prefer and according to their own timeframe. So yes, let H&R Block assist with your personal and business tax returns, but once that’s off the table, take advantage of their year-round bookkeeping and payroll services. You’ll be glad you did!
“We handle payroll, bookkeeping, business tax returns, corporate tax returns, estates and trusts,” says H&R Block franchise owner Kevin Olson. “Clients can work with us in person or virtually,” he points out, adding “We focus on what our clients’ expectations are, how they want to be served and when they want to be served.” Whether you’re an individual who owns rental property, a self-employed driver or incorporated with millions in annual receipts and multiple employees, your H&R Block professional will present all the options and services available for you to choose from.
Owner of three local H&R Block franchises — McMinnville, Newberg and Lincoln City — Olson is an Enrolled Agent with 20 years of experience, a Master Tax Advisor and Small Business Certified. In November, he was honored at the annual convention
As the owner of a family business, Olson cares as much about his employees as he does about his clients. During tax season, he staffs around 35-40 employees and maintains a year-round full-time staff of fourteen. Quick to show his appreciation for all their hard work, he holds an “end of tax season” party for all to enjoy. Winter and summertime celebrations also contribute to the dynamic culture of these H&R Block franchises.
Growing up in McMinnville, Olson spent many hours at the local McMinnville H&R Block office, which was opened in 1967 by his mother. He began working there at age fifteen and took over as manager in 2004. He purchased the McMinnville franchise in 2018, adding the Newberg and Lincoln City locations in 2020.
Actively involved in the local community, H&R Block is a major sponsor for McMinnville Junior Baseball Organization, McMinnville Soccer Club, as well as several nonprofits. They also support the McMinnville Short Film Festival and the Grand Sheramina Food Bank.
Call or stop by any one of Kevin Olson’s three locations! H&R Block McMinnville is located at 865 NE Hwy 99 W, Suite F, phone 50-472-4596; Newberg location is 2504 E Portland Rd, phone 503538-3640; Lincoln City office is 2413 NW Hwy 101, phone 541-9946928. For online services search: H&R Block Kevin Olson.
From the Ground Up
Regenerative farm harmonizes land, animals and people
the farm. The biggest hurdle was finding a water source, but through the purchase of 10 neighboring acres with a well and the development of a water retention permaculture system, Tabula Rasa Farms became official in 2015.
The principles of regenerative farming aim to restore and enhance soil health by treating the operation as a cohesive ecosystem. “What we’re doing is preindustrial age: people rotated their animals through pastures regularly,” Brenda explains. “We use them as tools for fertilization and whatever they do best — the pigs till the earth, the cattle fertilize it, and the chickens add a ton of nitrogen.” With lush pastures and forested land to graze on, all animals are treated with the utmost respect, and the delicious, highly nutritious meat they produce is the true testament.
By Angie Helvey, Active Media
It’s easy to forget how lucky we are to live in a region so rich in agriculture. “Instead of going to the grocery store, you can buy direct from farmers — it’s a cool thing,” says Brenda Smola-Foti. Brenda founded Tabula Rasa Farms ten years ago in the heart of the Willamette Valley, and it’s flourished into a regenerative farming empire that works with the valley’s ecosystem to bring fresh local bounty to your family’s table.
The farm raises forested pork, about 120 hogs annually, around 300 pasture-raised turkeys, and 400 laying hens. It also breeds and raises heritagebreed beef cattle, with about 80 cows on the farm at any given time. Everything is locally processed, and they’ve got all the bases covered in terms of distribution, including direct-to-consumer shipping, herd shares, CSAs, and curated combinations of prepackaged cuts available through their marketplace, Source Farms, at local farmers’ markets and the farm stand. Source Farms was acquired from Chrissie and Koorosh Zaerpoor of Kookoolan Farms, and Brenda continued what they had created, a marketplace for neighboring farmers and ranchers to sell their goods.
A small-town country girl at heart, Brenda is a 7thgeneration farmer who grew up in Oklahoma as the daughter of a cattle rancher. After years of building careers and living in big cities, she finally settled in Oregon. “I owned an old farmstead when I lived in New York, and it reawakened the idea of living closer to the land and raising cattle,” she says. After moving to Portland and becoming a dedicated locavore, she bought 23 acres outside of Carlton in 2008 and began the arduous journey of building
About four years ago, Tabula Rasa added a Market Garden that yields an abundance of fresh, naturally grown produce available in the farm store and as a CSA. “It’s your everyday staples like potatoes and cabbage, but we spice it up with more exotic vegetables,” Brenda says. “You’ll also get online recipes to learn how to cook them. Many vegetables are a bit out of the norm for our society, but they’re delicious and so nutritious.” The Market Garden also grows produce for their farm-to-table restaurant in Historic Downtown McMinnville, Humble Spirit. The culinary side of the business offers catering services, and the team has
plans to open another soon-to-be favorite spot for locals in March 2025. Having a relationship with your local farmer and food producer is priceless in our society. Tabula Rasa invites the public for seasonal farm tours to meet the animals and learn all about regenerative farming. For a true getaway in the countryside, they’ve created three picturesque destination lodgings that provide the perfect opportunity to escape the bustle of the city. These include the estate at Source Farms, the
Farm House At Tabula Rasa, and a ninebedroom B&B called Inn The Ground that’s literally built into a hillside. Brenda’s husband, Frank Foti, sold his business in Portland in 2019 and joined her in Yamhill County, where they’ve both fully embraced country life. What started with Tabula Rasa Farms has grown into a flourishing ecosystem of businesses known as The Ground. At its core, Tabula Rasa Farms reflects Brenda’s passion for regenerative
agriculture. “This planet that we live on— it’s in crisis—and regenerative farming is a way to help address some of those issues,” Brenda explains. “It’s about the ecosystem as a whole. We believe that happy plants and animals equal happy people and bountiful earth.”
The Source Farms’ Farm Stand — Tabula Rasa Farms’ marketplace — is located at 15713 Highway 47 in Yamhill. Please give them a call at 503-730-7535 or visit their website at www.tabularasafarms.com.
Building Futures
Wolves Rising campaign a $20 million effort
By Dave Beasley, Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University recently launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign, Wolves Rising: The Campaign for Western Oregon University. This $20 million effort is broken down into three pillars: Scholarships, Wolves Athletics and Student Success. Each pillar will help the university grow and expand resources to meet the needs of over 3,800 students.
At $10 million, the scholarships pillar represents half of the entire campaign total and with good reason: many Western students rely on scholarships to complete their degrees. Half of Western students are the first in their families to attend college, and 40% are eligible for federal Pell Grants, which are only reserved for students who demonstrate extraordinary financial need. A scholarship can be the difference between continuing to pursue a college education and dropping out.” Wolves Rising will ensure that Western can offer even more need- and merit-based scholarships for deserving students.
The goal for Wolves Athletics, Oregon’s only NCAA Division II Athletic program, is $5 million. Over 430 student-athletes represent the university in 14 NCAA sports. Boasting over 40 conference championships, five NCAA Division II national championships, and over 20 national playoff berths, including one last year by the #23-ranked men’s soccer team, Western has a proud athletic tradition that stretches back over a century. Wolves student-athletes are champions in the classroom too, with an overall GPA of 3.09 for the men’s teams and 3.44 for the
women’s teams. Western can currently fund only 44% of its NCAA-allotted scholarships, with over 40% of student-athletes receiving less than $5,000 in athletic support. Despite the limited scholarship and program resources currently available, Wolves student-athletes are champions on and off the field. Funds raised through the campaign will go towards critical initiatives including a new turf soccer field and enhancing the studentathlete experience through scholarships and programmatic support.
Student Success is at the heart of the university’s mission, and $5 million of the campaign is reserved for initiatives and programs that help students thrive during their time at Western and earn their degrees. In recent years, Western has invested in student resources and support, focusing on first-generation college students and Western’s growing Hispanic/ Latinè student population, which now stands at 25%. These include financial literacy, network building, career readiness, leadership opportunities, and mental health support. Funds from the campaign will also support the new
Student Success Center, which opened in January, will be a one-stop shop for many of these services, allowing students a centralized place to find resources, support, and community.
Western Oregon University recognizes the importance, power and value of education, and is quickly becoming the university of choice for students in the state. With 84% of students from Oregon, Western students and graduates together make a difference in Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties and many other regions across the state. The Wolves Rising campaign will allow the university to do even more to support students who will shape the future of the state.
Join the pack and support the university in exceeding its goal to continue to transform the lives and trajectories of students, families, and communities across Oregon wou.edu/wolvesrising.
Western Oregon University is featured in The College Tour, an award-winning Amazon Prime TV series.
Enjoy Living in Your Body Again.
• Are you tired of feeling like just a number in the healthcare system?
• Frustrated with rushed appointments that leave your questions unanswered?
● Are you tired of feeling like just a number in the healthcare system?
• Told “there’s nothing wrong” when you know something doesn’t feel right?
• Managing symptoms endlessly without finding real, lasting solutions?
● Frustrated with rushed appointments that leave your questions unanswered?
● Told “there’s nothing wrong” when you know something doesn’t feel right?
● Managing symptoms endlessly without finding real, lasting solutions?
Functional medicine and acupuncture offer a transformative way to take back your health. These therapies don’t just manage symptoms—they uncover and address the root causes of your concerns, empowering your body to do what it is designed to do - HEAL. With an approach that bridges cutting-edge science and personalized care, you can unlock a whole new level of well-being.
Functional medicine and acupuncture offer a transformative way to take back your health. These therapies don’t just manage symptoms—they uncover and address the root causes of your concerns, empowering your body to do what it is designed to do - HEAL. With an approach that bridges cutting-edge science and personalized care, you can unlock a whole new level of well-being.
Whether you’re managing chronic pain, recovering from illness, or supporting healthy aging for a longer, more vibrant life, this is the ultimate self-care investment. It’s not just about avoiding symptoms—it’s about optimizing your health so you can thrive. If you’re ready to break free from the limits of conventional care, now is the time to discover the life-changing benefits of this holistic, whole-systems approach. Your future self will thank you.
Whether you’re managing chronic pain, recovering from illness or supporting healthy aging for a longer, more vibrant life, this is the ultimate self-care investment. It’s not just about avoiding symptoms—it’s about optimizing your health so you can thrive. If you’re ready to break free from the limits of conventional care, now is the time to discover the life-changing benefits of this holistic, whole-systems approach. Your future self will thank you. If you’re ready to feel better, book an appointment today!
If you’re ready to feel better, book an appointment today!
Helping Build Future Innovators
Patton teacher earns national recognition
By Kelly Romo, Active Media
Michele Reschly, a STEM teacher at Patton Middle School in McMinnville, has been selected as a teacher ambassador for the Smithsonian’s Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking (NESST) program. This recognition highlights her commitment to innovative STEM education and her role in inspiring students to engage with real-world challenges. Last year, she also received the recognition of Regional Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Reschly is a McMinnville native and former Patton Middle School student. She began her career as a chemical engineer, but due to life events, including the loss of her parents and the responsibility of raising a child with high-functioning autism, she shifted her focus toward education. Ms. Reschly went back to school and earned her teaching credential in chemistry. When a STEM position opened at Patton Middle School, she seized the opportunity and was hired to teach at her alma mater.
Ms. Reschly teaches introductory engineering to 6th graders and elective STEM courses for 7th and 8th graders. STEM classes blend engineering and science, both areas she is passionate about.
These classes also align with high school pathways and help students build foundational skills for advanced learning. STEM education fosters essential problem-solving skills and resilience. Students are encouraged to learn from failure and adapt their approaches to gain technical knowledge as well as life skills. This approach empowers students to take ownership of their education and apply it to real-world problems through student-led investigative learning.
Her role as a NESST ambassador connects her local efforts with global initiatives. The program emphasizes the United Nations’ sustainability goals and focuses on how scientific thinking can address societal issues. These activities also emphasize the importance of teamwork and the potential for science to create meaningful change.
In her classroom, Ms. Reschly guides students through projects that promote critical thinking and creativity. Her students have designed various projects such as water purification systems, disaster preparedness pods and solar ovens. One creative group designed a video game that simulated ocean cleanup.
The McMinnville community has played an integral part in supporting STEM education. Local businesses have contributed resources, collaborated on projects and provided field trip opportunities that have created connections between classroom learning and practical applications. Ms. Reschly also incorporates partnerships with initiatives such as Edible Yamhill. Her greenhouse class grows seedlings and plants for a Farm to Table Unit, and have even adopted a planter box on Alpine Avenue.
Ms. Reschly pointed out she is only part of a broad network of talented, dedicated educators within the McMinnville School District. While this article focuses on her achievements and contributions, countless teachers in the district are working tirelessly to inspire, educate and empower students. Together, they are shaping the future, fostering innovation, and building a stronger, more connected community through their collective efforts — and Ms. Reschly is proud to do her part.
• 30/60/90/120 Mile Services
• Engine Performance Check
• Power Accessory
• Alignment
• Engine Repair & Replacement
• Power Antenna Repair
• Alternator Repair & Replacement
• Evaporator Repair & Replacement
• Power Lock Repair - Electrical Repair & Programming
• Auto Air Conditioning Repair & Service
• Exhaust Repair & Replacement
• Power Steering Repair
• Belt Repair & Replacement
• Filter Replacements
• Power Window Repair
• Brake Repair & Antilock Braking System (ABS) Repair
• Fluid Services
• Radiator Repair & Replacement
• Chassis & Suspension Repair
• Fuel Injection Repair & Service
• Suspension & Steering Repair
• Check Engine Light Diagnostics & Repair
• Fuel System Repair & Maintenance
• Tailpipe Repair & Replacement
• Compressor Repair & Replacement
• Heating System Repair & Service
• Transmission Repair & Replacement
• Computer Diagnostics
• Light Repair & Bulb Replacements
• Trip Inspections
• Cooling System Repair
• Maintenance Inspections
• Tune-Ups
• Diesel Engine/TDI Services
• Muffler Repair & Replacement
• Water Pump Repair & Replacement
• Drivability Diagnostics & Repair
• Oil Changes
• Windshield Wiper Blades & Repair
