Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 8, 2015
By Pat Edwards

It seems as though I’ve had to report sad news quite a bit in this column over the past month. I have another to report, and then we’ll try to get back into the things that don’t tend to pull so painfully on our heartstrings.

Two weeks ago, I learned of the passing of one of my very favorite people from the Crow area. I had not known Lovina Ford long, as so many others in the Crow area have. We became “table-mates” with Ruth Teafatiller at the Crow Grange bingo nights about 3 years ago. Lovina had been attending the twice-a-month sessions with her young great-grandson, Brendon, for several years before that. It was obvious how much she enjoyed Brendon’s company. It was only one of many activities they did together, one-on-one. You could see the strong bond that connected them. I was told that Lovina volunteered at the Applegate Elementary in Brent’s classroom on a regular basis and was adored by not only the children, but the teachers and administrators, as well.

She always had a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face and she obviously enjoyed life. Like Charlotte Mitchell, who also recently passed, there was a lot of use of the word “spit-fire” in the stories told about her. Unfortunately, Lovina suffered a massive stroke about a year ago and had been in rehab centers and under the care of caretakers since then. She passed away on September 21.

I attended a standing-room-only memorial service for her at the Eugene Elks Lodge last week and learned about the phenomenal life this beautiful, vibrant lady lived on their ranch with her husband Steve, a rodeo cowboy, and how they raised not only their own 3 children, but a good many of the neighbors’, as well. Brenden was at the service with the rest of the close-knit family and a recording that he made, singing one of their favorite songs, was played. Apparently, following her stroke, Brenden loved to visit his great-grandma, and brightened her days by singing to her. Brenden is immensely rich in having had her in his life, as are we all, and I can only imagine how much he will miss her. Rest in peace, Lovina!

I missed telling you about the first in the 2015 Rural Art Center Movie Series at the Lorane Grange. This year’s theme is “Public Domain” and features a group of oldies-but-goodies. The October movie was “Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948).

According to a RAC promo: “We’re serving soup (including a vegetarian choice) and bread before the festivities.  After all, it’s about more than entertainment; it’s about rubbing elbows with far flung neighbors, getting in out of the cold and damp, supporting local organizations, door prizes, popcorn and coffee, the surprises and the good movies. Gather at the Lorane Grange at 6:00 p.m. every second Saturday of the month, October through March.”

The November 14 movie will be “Royal Wedding” with Frank Sinatra (1951). In addition to dancing with his sister (Jane Powell), and his new love (Sarah Churchill) Astaire dances with a hat rack, and on the walls and ceiling of his room in this romantic musical comedy set in London at the time of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding. (93 min). The shorts and entertainment accompanying it will be a vintage dance shorts collage and a mystery guest dancer. It’s pie night – bring a pie to share. The non-profit beneficiary will be the RAC scholarship fund.

The full schedule and all the information you might need about this series can be found at http://www.ruralartcenter.org/#!movie-night/ck0q.

The next Spaghetti dinner and bingo night at the Lorane Grange will be Friday, October 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Just a reminder. Now that the Lorane Deli is closed, there is a regular group meeting for coffee, muffins and conversation each Wednesday morning at the Rebekah Lodge from 7:00-9:00 a.m.

The free Ukulele Club is starting up on October 15 at Crow Middle/High School. I believe that it’s open to all ages who want to learn how to play the ukulele. Contact the district music teacher, Pat Dixon, at pdixon@cal.k12.or.us or Lisa Livelybrooks at ruralartcenter@gmail.com for more information.

Volunteers are needed to help artists teach K-6  half day art classes.  Contact ruralartcenter@gmail.com or call Alyssa -541-556-8151.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Crow Booster Club’s Annual Sportsman Auction to be held on October 24. Classes K-12 will participate with projects and the Crow Middle/High School will have themed baskets to auction in addition to the other many spectacular items that will offered. This event has proved to be highly successful and helps support the Booster Club’s funding of the C-A-L School District’s student activities, athletics and other projects benefiting all age groups from K-12.

Thanks to Lil Thompson for providing me with these school activity reports. We’re hoping that someone will come forward who can write a column specifically for the C-A-L schools! Interested? Contact the district office at 541-935-2100.