Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
August 06, 2015, 2015
By Pat Edwards
I promised to give you a report on the Pancake Breakfast fundraiser that was held at the Lorane Grange last week for Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Matchulat who has been diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer. It was a huge success! Over 250 people showed up to eat pancakes, eggs and sausage and to visit with friends and, best of all, to give Michael a hug and assurances of many prayers. The large turnout was comprised of not only Lorane community members, but many other friends, co-workers, family and perfect strangers who opened their hearts and their checkbooks for this young man. There was a large group of volunteers who stayed for the whole four hours to set up, prepare the food and clean up afterwards. I volunteered to wash dishes, but since paper plates were used, I was handed a spatula so I could man one of the three large pancake grills under the watchful eye of pancakologist, Bruce McDonald, throughout the morning. By doing so, I got to see and talk to so many people I haven’t seen in years as they passed through the line. Michael’s mother, Trish, worked next to me and we were so touched at the outpouring of love and concern shown towards her son. In the end, when the donation canisters were emptied and counted, Michael was able to deposit over $6,200 into his medical fund for the breakfast alone. From what I understand, the garage sale that was held for Michael in Eugene was also a big success. Thank you to each one of you! It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we all have a common goal.
Have there been more activities than usual this summer? It seems that Lorane has been the site of several events. This past Saturday was the “Cruise and Ride” Benefit for the Paralyzed Veterans of America in which granges around Lane County, including Lorane’s and Crow’s, were visited by a large contingent of cruisers. In addition, the Lorane Community Potluck and the Ice Cream Social was held on Sunday. I will need to give you reports on those next week as my deadline takes place before the events. Then, on September 12, we’ll be having the Lorane Celebration for the first time.
I want to thank those of you who sent well-wishes and kind thoughts to Jim when I posted a picture of him lying on a hospital bed in preparation for one of three epidermal steroid injections that he’s scheduled for to try and locate the source of a lower back problem that has been causing him quite a bit of pain and discomfort. It’s slowed him down considerably in the past few years and has now begun affecting one leg, so it’s time to get something done.
Thank goodness the weather has cooled down. Even the few, scattered drops of rain I felt one morning last week, felt good. We need a lot more to help out with the forest fire situation. Fern Ridge Lake looks so desolate and muddy with the water level being so low. Summer’s quickly sneaking by, so be sure to enjoy what’s left. Here’s a little reminder how a quiet summer evening in the country, away from city lights, can be spent…
A Bit of Lorane History:
“Willard Gowing recalls the friend that the children of Lorane had in George Budington in the 1930s. Mr. Budington was a bachelor who lived by himself in his home on Old Lorane Road. On warm summer evenings, the children, tiring of playing “Hide and Seek,” would drift over to George Budington’s house. He came outside and talked to the kids about the stars in the sky. ‘He was hard of hearing, so it was hard to ask him questions, but we watched and listened as he pointed out the stars…'” (From Sawdust and Cider; 1987; 2006)
All Things Lorane 