Fern Ridge Review                                    
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
September 17, 2015
By Pat Edwards

I guess that I’ll start off with a report on our first annual Lorane Celebration that was held on September 12. Despite a lot of work by a lot of community members, there was a very low attendance. As the date approached we all knew that the fact that neighboring communities were also having big events that same day might affect our attendance. In spite of that, however, I think that many of us are encouraged and are hoping that, with a few changes, we can give it another try next year.

I didn’t get to participate in all of the activities and events. I had rented two tables from the Lorane Grange – one for book sales and another for garage sale items. I sold several books – mostly to other vendors – but nothing from my other table. There was a good representation of items offered for sale, quite a few vendors and several other private garage/yard sales happening.

I also went on the early morning walk, too. There were only four of us, but I enjoyed meeting Leslie, Shirley and Dave, none of whom I had previously met. The route of the walk was five brisk rotations around the “track” behind the school.

I didn’t get to go to the outdoor John Wayne movie that was shown on the side of the Rebekah Lodge, but I heard that for those who did attend, it was a huge success. The pizza that was served was delicious, the movie was very “John Wayne,” and everyone enjoyed a good time.

I hope that the light attendance won’t dampen the spirit to try it again next year. By looking at what works and what doesn’t work, I think that this can be made into a fun time for all. Thank you to the committee that worked so hard to make this happen!

We are working hard to get the new Groundwaters 2015: An Anthology ready for publication. I’m hoping that by the time you read this column it will be in the review process and we can send for our first order of books. It definitely will be ready before our big Groundwaters Live! event that has been scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fern Ridge Library. Thank you to the generous staff at the FRL for hosting it! We are also planning a similar event in Eugene a bit later. For more information and updates, go to my website at https://allthingslorane.com/portfolio/groundwaters-2015-an-anthology/.

We have invited some of our local contributors to do some readings from the book. Following the readings, we will have some light snacks while we distribute books to those who have pre-ordered them. It’s open to the public and if you want to pick up a copy of the new book at that time, be sure and let us know how many to order for you, so we’ll be sure to have enough on hand (edwards@groundwaterspublishing.com).

The book has grown to at least 221 pages and now, counting those who sent us vintage photos to include, there are a total of 61 contributors – authors, poets, artists and photo submitters. Several of them are from the Lorane area – Norm Maxwell, Bridgett Johnson-Elliott, Alice Ford, Hayden Larsen, Gene Conrad and me.

We hope to see a big turnout to recognize the exceptional talent we have in our area.

Fern Ridge Review                                    
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
September 10, 2015
By Pat Edwards

I’m writing this column on a day that holds tragic memories throughout the world – “9-11.” As with so many memorable, and many times, traumatic, events throughout history – i.e. the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Kennedy’s assassination, the first moon-walk – almost everyone remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. For most of us, including me, September 11 has become a day of mourning. I can remember getting ready to go to my job at the UO when one of our kids called to tell me to turn on the TV. I stood with tears running down my cheeks in total disbelief as I watched the disintegration of the Twin Towers and knowing that I was witnessing the demise of much more than two buildings. The memory still sends chills down my spine.

Despite that, however, there are many family and friends in my life who make a special effort to fill this day with happiness each year – especially since 2001. My email inbox is filled with special wishes in recognition of my birthday on September 11… this year, my 73rd. Thanks so much to each of you!

I was at the Lorane Grange this morning to set up the two tables that I’m renting for the community-wide garage sale that is part of the first-annual Lorane Celebration. I’ll have to report on it next week, but there are a lot of people working to get everything set up for our big day. We’re really hoping that we’ll have a good turnout.

While I was there, Gary Thompson asked me to let everyone know that the once-a-month Lorane Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo nights will be resuming. They are usually held on the 4th Saturday of each month, but because of conflicts with Duck and Beaver football games and occasional overlap with the Crow Grange bingo, they have decided to schedule the first three on the 4th Friday nights instead. After the November event, they will resume a Saturday schedule. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. and bingo will follow at about 6:30 p.m. It’s a family fun-filled evening; children, accompanied by an adult, are welcome to play, too. Please plan on joining us for good food, good company and a lot of laughs.

One of the reasons that the Lorane Grange felt it could schedule their dinner on Friday nights has some sad connotations. Normally, Friday nights are reserved for Crow High School football games. Unfortunately, Crow had to cancel this year’s football season due to a lack of players. Some may think this is not such a big deal, but the boys who did want to participate have been conditioning, practicing and looking forward to playing this traditional sport for years before entering high school. To them, it is tragic. Whether you are a fan or not, team sports are a big part of the high school experience for many students. For some, it’s the reason and incentive that they need to keep them in school. I’m sorry, guys!

Mark you calendars! The Rural Art Movie Nights return on Saturday, October 10 starting at 6:00 p.m.  It will be a family movie night and the Lorane Grange will serve. I’ll find out what the 2015-16 line-up is and let you know more about them in upcoming columns.