Author: paedwards

Sweet Lorane Community News, February 8, 2018

February 8, 2018Newspaper Columns, , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 8, 2018
By Pat Edwards

Lorane Country Cafe

Goodbye to the Lorane Country Cafe. Thanks for the memories!

 

We had a major event take place in Lorane this past week. We said goodbye to a piece of Lorane’s recent history when the Lorane Country Café was used for a practice burn by the Lorane and South Lane fire departments. I think that most agreed that although it was sad for those of us who have such good memories of stopping by for a delicious meal, usually cooked by Bette Giles or her son Dale, it was time. It had sat vacant for several years now, only being used occasionally by a private individual. Then the property was sold to Brian and Doug Coombs and veteran brewer, Matt Van Wyk of Alesong Brewing and Blending who built a nice new brew-pub building on the hillside above it. The café was deteriorating rapidly and when representatives of the fire groups contacted Alesong about using it for a practice burn, the owners felt it was the best option. In doing so, it provided the Lorane and South Lane Fire Departments much-needed practice on procedures they may face in real-life situations. There are pictures of the burn posted to the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page. Thank you to the participants for giving its demise a sense of purpose.

Mark your calendars: The Crow Booster Club is having a Bingo and Soup Dinner Fundraiser at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. Everyone is invited to attend.

A Little Bit of Lorane History: Lorane Country Café (written in 2006)
After seven long years of working after work and on weekends, Dale and Bette Giles opened the doors of their new restaurant, the Lorane Country Cafe. They located it next to their home and adjacent to the entrance to King Estate Winery on North Territorial Road. The property that had at one time been part of Bette’s family’s homestead. Dale had always promised Bette that someday he would build her a restaurant if she would run it and after moving back to Lorane from Alaska in 1979, they began the fulfillment of that promise. The bright and airy building seated 45 patrons and the full set of windows on the front overlooked fields and vineyards. They catered to local patrons who preferred good basic foods and in doing so, attracted others from Eugene, Cottage Grove, Veneta and other parts of Oregon looking for a good meal in a beautiful setting. They offered 3 daily specials and homemade pies, biscuits and soups. It was always difficult to find help at the store because of the rural location. Bette employed local people and in the summers she hired high school students. But she always believed that it is important for teenagers to participate in school activities during the school year. In an article for the Lane Electric Ruralite, Bette was quoted as saying, “I hate to see them tied up with work. Their high school years should be a special time in their lives. There is lots of time left for work.”

The Giles ran the restaurant for 17 years with the help of their two sons, Dale “Ben” and David, and their daughter Deeann Giles Brewer and eventually closed it in 2003 after not being able to find a buyer. In 2005, Richard Boyles purchased the land and building and at this writing, it is standing vacant, awaiting a new infusion of life. The Giles sold their home and other property at the same time and moved to Arizona where they have chosen to retire. Their daughter Deeann Brewer remains in Lorane with her husband Jeff and son Christopher Davis Brewer, and Dale, Jr. is currently living in Lake Havasu with his family. Their son, David, passed away in 2008. (From Sawdust and Cider to Wine, 2006)

Sweet Lorane Community News, February 1, 2018

February 2, 2018Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 1, 2018
By Pat Edwards

I can’t remember when the first day of February has been so encouraging. Usually, by this time of winter, I am sick of the rain and the mud. Historically, February has always been my least favorite month of the year and I’m usually ready to seek out some sunshine. We may regret it later, but this year we have been blessed with much less rain, more strings of dry—and sometimes even sunny—days. We’ve had some sub-freezing temps, but not an unbearable amount and no snow or electrical outages.

As I write this, a strong winter sun is shining through the trees on the hill outside my window. The winter blues have not set in this year, and I’m enjoying our lengthening days of daylight… and yes, I know—I may eat those words this summer.

This week, our grandson called and said he had just completed the first of two planters he is building that will reside outside our store in Lorane. He asked me if I would bring home some flowers from town to plant in them. My first thought and comment, was… “This is not the time of year to plant flowers, Kev. If we have a major freeze, they won’t survive.” But, then I thought of the hardy, tough primroses that seem to survive whatever Mother Nature throws at them in my own flower beds. And, even though it’s too late to plant my favorite spring bulbs—daffodils, tulips, crocuses and hyacinths—I found some sturdy-looking potted hyacinths in a garden shop that were ready to bloom. They were outside and looked like they would at least put up a good fight if we have another freeze. I came home with enough to fill the new planter, and we shall see…

So, for me, this is proof that I can feel positive in February. The winter doldrums that frequently rob me of a lot of possibilities are not present this year. I’m thankful for that.

Now, on to some Lorane and Crow news…

The Lorane Christian Church will be hosting its annual “Friendship Banquet” on Sunday, February 11, at 5:30 p.m. This year, it will be held at Izzy’s on West 11th in Eugene, next to Fred Meyer. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come and share a social evening with neighbors and friends.

The Lorane Bread Basket group wants to remind anyone in the community who is in need to contact them as they offer food baskets all year round—not just during the holidays. If you know someone who could use one, please call 541-520-3643 or 541-952-7752. They will be glad to help.

Next week, February 5-9, is Spring Homecoming Week at CHS. Each day will be assigned a theme so students can dress-up each day according to the theme. Thursday is going to be Dress as Your Favorite Staff Member Day, and it ends with Spirit Day on Friday; the Homecoming Dance is that night. I personally want copies of pictures from anyone who chooses to dress up like teachers, Michele or Brian Kau, especially. If anyone does, please send them to me at paedwards42@yahoo.com for a special project I’m working on.

The project is no secret, as I had to tell our daughter, Michele, about it earlier, but I’m working on a 50th birthday album for her and hope to have it printed in time for her birthday on March 7. Anyone who would like to send a birthday greeting, memory or photo for me to include, should get them to me by February 15. I know she’s got many friends and former students out there who have some fun memories that will bring her joy when she reads her book.

Happy February, all!

Sweet Lorane Community News, January 25, 2018

January 25, 2018Newspaper Columns, Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 25, 2018
By Pat Edwards

Community news is a bit sparse this week, but there are a couple of things I’d like to comment on.

I am exceptionally pleased with the direction the Lorane community is taking in recent years. There is a kind of “rebirth” in community involvement happening that I haven’t seen for some time.

When our kids were in school at the Lorane Elementary, there was a strong parental and community involvement. Most of us—young and old—took part in and/or supported the Lorane P.T.C., the annual school carnival, the holiday music programs, the Lorane Tigers baseball and basketball games, the end-of-the school year picnic, to name only a few. In 1987, we held our huge 3-day Lorane Centennial which drew people from all over the country to help us celebrate. All of the clubs and organizations in the area were alive and well. There was a strong Grange, I.O.O.F./Rebekahs, and church presence with their smelt and community dinners, Lane County Fair displays, haunted houses, bible clubs, vacation bible schools, old-timers’ picnic and 4-H, Scouts and community clubs.

Then, things quieted down a lot—especially when we were told that the school would be closed. We seemed to lose much of our identity. Oh, we still had our yearly celebrations and the organizations kept a membership, but much of the vitality seemed to leave when the school, which had been our community’s hub, closed.

Now, I am seeing a new vitality. New groups are forming. The Grange, Rebekahs and, to an extent, the Lorane Deli are supplying much of the space needed for meetings and events. Once again, there is fresh new leadership that has taken on the job of creating interest, excitement and is promoting multi-generational involvement in our community.
The newest group, called “Birth to Beyond,” is only one example of the direction we are taking. It’s credo reads:

“We are a not-for-profit meet up to mentor and bring resources to the children and their guardian(s), parents and families. We seek to bring together circles of multigenerational interaction for play, conversation, encouragement and nourishment. We saw a need in our community and this is our solution. We come together to see the needs and connect resources to those needs. We now open the Grange doors on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or later. We create play spaces for children and playmates of ALL ages! From trains to sewing machines! Clothing exchanges and food boxes… We have recognized the need for a weekly meet-up to share space, time and support. We offer a chance to connect, sit, eat, play and enjoy being together.”

Their first meetings have appeared to be a success and I hope they continue. Contact Misty Burris or the Birth to Beyond Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gatherandalign/ for more information.

I’d also like to comment on the trend our schools, including our Crow-Applegate-Lorane district schools, are taking these days. Instead of making each child feel they are failures in life if they choose or aren’t able to attend four years of college, the tendency is to once again provide some career education classes. These can be in the form of mechanics, welding, computer science, carpentry, business management, early childhood development, robotics, engineering and cooking, among others. These classes are vital in maintaining interest in education among all students—not just the ones heading for a 4-year college and huge student loan debt. More students are going to stay in school and feel confident that they can improve their lot in life. By doing so, we all benefit.