under the sun B
>
Volunteer Tax Counselor Likes Tackling 'Figures'
BY SUSAN USHER
Larry Nielsen of Boiling Spring Lakes
could be a role model for younger retirees,
or anyone else, for that matter.
While the billboard that initially drew
his attention to the lakefront community
suggested spending retirement lying in bed,
he's done anything but since moving to
Brunswick County 19 years ago.
Nielsen and his late wife discovered
Boiling Spring Lakes around 1970, while
on a coast-to-coast search for a good place
to live upon his retirement from The
Simmons Company after 42 years of ser
vice.
On their way home to New Jersey from
a exploratory trip to Florida (which they
didn't like), they were headed up U.S. 17
when they saw a sign promoting the retire
ment community. They turned off onto N.C.
87 and took the tour. Not long after that,
they learned that a house they had noticed
on the tour ? a log cabin vacation
home ? was on the market. They bought it,
along with two adjoining lots for privacy,
though at that time the cabin was the only
house on Tate Lake Drive.
Nielsen hasn't slowed down since mov
ing here in February 1971. "I've got to be
busy. I can't be sitting down all day," he
says.
A spry 84 years of age, Nielsen walks
rather than rides the course at Fox Squirrel
Country Club, where he has accumulated a
considerable collection of trophies. He
plays golf and bridge, keeps house, works
in the yard, rides his bicycle, tutors for the
Brunswick County Literacy Council.
And, from February through mid-April,
he volunteers to help people prepare their
state and federal tax forms.
"I love it! I just love it !" the retired cost
accountant said in a recent interview at his
home overlooking a modest but beautiful
Tate Lake. "I could do it all day long and all
year long. I like figures."
Nielson's had the chance to become a
professional tax preparer, for pay. "But I
don't need the money," he pointed out. "I'd
rather do it this way."
It was a genuine zest for living and a
love for working with numbers that led
him to respond nine years ago to a flyer
sent out by the American Association of
Retired Persons seeking tax counseling
volunteers for its Tax-Aide program.
"Most of them are
afraid of the figures.
I'm just tickled to
death to help."
? Larry Nielsen
Volunteer Tax Counselor
Nielsen became the county's first
Tax-Aide volunteer, though the AARP
has offered the program nationwide for
approximately 15 years.
This year he's one of nine volunteers in ?
the program, which offers free tax assis
tance at three locations in the county from
Feb. 1 through April 12.
John Angermayer of Southport recently
took over the program coordinator's post
from Nielsen, on his request "I'd rather do
the actual counseling than all the bookkeep
ing work. I like working with the figures,"
said Nielsen.
However, he does serve as instructor for
the local volunteer corps ? and for a pel
reason of his own. Only the coordinator and
instructor get to go to Greensboro each
December for a week-long training seminar.
The instructor then comes back and trains
the other volunteers. "They keep us up to
date. They go over the tax structure every
year. It's a good deal," said Nielsen.
Presently volunteers offer taxpayers
assistance in Southport and Shallotte two
half-days each week, and by appointment
only, Wednesday mornings at the local
community college.
"We could use more volunteers," said
Nielsen. "If we had more we could have
more days."
Each volunteer in the program receives
training each year and must pass a test "It's
quite elaborate," Nielsen said. "The people
we have are very, very good." Those volun
teers, in addition to Angermayer and
Nielsen, include Norma Buckbee, Charles
Neville, Burt Myers, Charles Saunders,
Jerry Jailell, and in the Shallotte area,
Bemice Ellwood and Eilene Crane of
Calabash.
Volunteers agree to provide 40 hours of
their time, approximately four hours once
each week for 10 weeks. However. Nielsen
and Angermayer put in many more
STA/F rttOTO ?Y SUSAN USHM
TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEER Larry Nielsen likes "figures" and helping people.
For the next 10 weeks, he and eight other volunteers are available to help
explain tax laws and tax forms, and to assist in preparing forms.
hours ? because they enjoy it While most
volunteers work out of one location,
Nielsen makes the rounds ? working in
Supply and Shallotte, and aiso in Southpon,
if needed there
Demand for their services varies. Last
year the group helped 158 people with their
taxes, helping most nil out forms and
answering questions posed by the balance.
Surprisingly, Nielsen said the first few
weeks were the busiest. He has a theory as
to why. "Most of the people we help are
elderly," he said. "I think elderly people like
in gp.t things done in 2dv2r.ee. They wsiu to
get things out of the way."
Still, there are moments when the vol
unteers are incredibly busy. Nielsen recalls
one day when the Shallotte site has had four
or five volunteers working at the same time
and still be "just swamped." Demand for
services is higher in the Shallotte and
Bolivia areas than in Southport, where the
taxpayer turn-out has been disappointingly
small ever since the program began.
Help is offered at a fiist-come, first
served basis at the Southport and Shallotte
sites, and by appointment at Brunswick
Community College. Taxpayers seeking
assistance can expect the work session to
luSl u full hour if both state aim icuciai
taxes are prepared.
Anyone seeking help is asked to have
with them their 1990 state and federal tax
forms; copies of their completed 1989
returns, W-2 forms, 1099 forms and any
other information related to income
received during the past year.
Nielsen said many of the people he's
helped in the past have some knowledge of
the benefits to which they might be entitled
and probably could have prepared their own
returns. "But they're afraid to tackle it;
most of them are afraid of the figures," he
continued. "And I'm just tickled to death to
help."
While most of the forms taxpayers
bring in are the basic state and federal
forms, sometimes the problems are more
exotic. Then, said Nielsen, it's up to the vol
unteer whether to attempt to assist the tax
payer. Shaking his head in admiration, he
added, "Those girls down at
Shallotte ? they will tackle anything.
They're just great!"
So far, when confronted with anything
out of the ordinary the volunteer corps has
been fortunate, he said. "We've had some
one who understood that probicm."
The service is aimed primarily at help
ing older persons understand income-tax
forms and to become familiar with special
benefits available to older persons But
Nielsen said the volunteers help anyone
who shows up.
"Just get more people to come in," he
insisted. "We'd like to be busier."
Starting this week Tax-Aide volun
teers will be available on the following
schedule:
? West Brunswick Branch Library,
Shallotte, Tuesdays and Thursdays,
Feb. 1 through April 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walk-in.
? Brunswick Interagency Building,
Brunswick Community College campus
north of Supply, Wednesdays, Feb. 7
April 11, 9 a.m.-l pan. by appointment
only. Appointments may be scheduled
by calling Debbie Bryant, 754-6900,
Ext 400.
? Main Library, Southport, Tuesdays
and Thursdays, Feb. i- April 12, V ajn.
tu 1 p.m. Walk-in.
For more information about the ser
vice, contact Nieisen at S45-2i2i, or
Angemayer at 457-4973.
"?jiuir?
iiaiiinvuu:
VA1JJH
BARGAIN
"\ r
2.98 3-Pk.
Household Cleaners
l Ecomical refill. 1-qt. k
BARGAIN
OF TH? MONTH
It-Sal. Owelty
See-Through Accessible*
Storage Container ?*?
7huFl/aJ2u?
r
MASTER
MECHANIC
19.99
3/8-lnch n
High-Speed Drill
GOODYEAR HOME SUPPLY
Main St.
Shallotte
754-6792
AT BOILING SPRING LAKES
BRING HOME
THPftWACON
On Sal* At
RANDY'S COOLER
AT SHALLOTTE POINT
BRING HOME
TH&8EAC0N
On Sato At
VILLAGE MART
AT BRICK LANDING
BRING HOME
THEtBEACON
On Sale At
SEA iiiST CAMPING RESORT
^ECHAC^
T3un|e]rilSS^
? ? y- jr<Vv
Serving Monday-Saturday 4 Until Midnight
?HAPPY HOUR 4 Until 7:00*
?Reduced drink prices on all drinks
?23 oz. Draft $1.00
?Drink specials each night 'til closing
?$1.00 Beer Nights
?Long Island Iced Tea-pitcher $9.50
?MENU: superburgers, hot & cold
sandwiches, large variety of finger foods
and light evening specials...
d WO THE 8JHJNSW?C* BEACON
?ENTERTAINMENT
(on selected evenings)
?Two 25" TV's for
all sporting
events
803-249-9488
HWY. 17 AT LITTLE RIVER LANES (Across from Coquina Harbor)
Get the
MAXIMUM
at a Condo-MINIMUM!
TWO BEDROOM FURNITURE PACKAGE
While Stock Lasts
LIVING ROOM/
DINING ROOM
1 Sleeper
1 Love Seat (or 2 chairs)
1 Corner Table
1 Occasional Chair
1 Coffee Table
1 T.V. Cart
1 Dining Table/6 Chairs
MASTER
BEDROOM
1 Queen Bedding Set
1 Queen Headboard
1 Night Stand
1 Double Dresser
1 Mirror
$
BEDROOM 2
2 Twin Bedding Sets
2 Twin Headboards
1 Bachelor Chest
1 Mirror
1 Night Stand
00
plus tax
The above price includes delivery, set-up, and designer consultation. We can also supply
you with window treatments, bedspreads, floor covering, accessories, patio furniture, and
housewares for a totally "turn-key" job at very competitive prices.
Creative Decors
Inc.
94 Hwy. 17 South / O.D. Section / North Myrtle Beach
803-249-5225
Development, Inc.
Your Professional Full Service Construction Company"
Sewage
Disposal
From PERMIT APPLICATION to
| INSTALLATION and MAINTENANCE!
ol CONVENTIONAL and
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS
Meeting Requirements ? Consulting
Drainage Plans
Paving
Specializing in:
HOME DRIVEWAYS
REPAIR WORK
SUBDIVISIONS
SMALL BUSINESSES
PARKING LOTS
NO JOB IS TOO SMALL
Site
Preparation!
CLEARING &
CHIPPING
FILL DIRT
TOP SOIL
GRADING
Ricky Parker - Owner
1 i ,
842-4003 Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. by appointment only ? 754-4502 Nights & Weekends
Hwy. 130, Holden Beach R(M%jriilesJrom j^allotte