Alex Paul
She’s a familiar face among community volunteers and Sue Olson has added another civic chore to her list.
Olson is the newest member of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
A 20-year Sweet Home resident, Olson and her husband Rick, moved here from Brownsville. Rick is a chemical mixer for Synthetech in Albany.
An Omaha, Neb. native, Olson moved to California at age 19. The Olsons have four grown children: Eric, 33; Patty, 30; Tim, 25; and Debbie, 20.
She has worked at A and W Restaurant for 10 years, the last few under the ownership of her daughter Patty and son-in-law, Josh Hankins.
Olson has been instrumental in the annual Singing Christmas Tree for 17 years, the last 10 as event manager.
“I love everything about the Singing Tree,” Olson said without hesitation. “It gives opportunity to so many people of all different ages and talent levels.”
Olson said her appointment to the Chamber board comes after attending meetings because she was interested in “seeing how the Chamber works.”
Her goal is to “see a more united downtown business district.”
Olson enjoys living in Sweet Home, especially because of its small town atmosphere.
“I also like the way our town can come together in a time of need,” Olson said.
In addition to her duties with the Singing Tree, Olson enjoys cooking and sewing and “if I had time, I’d do art things…I love to draw.”
For many years her family was very involved in Scouting programs.