Category: Newspaper Columns

Newspaper columns that I have written for the Fern Ridge Review in Veneta, Oregon and the Creswell Chronicle in Creswell, Oregon. I began writing them for the Fern Ridge Review on August 4, 2010; on December 6, 2012, the Creswell Chronicle began printing them, as well. I am still the Lorane columnist for both papers.

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 18, 2016

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Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 18, 2016
By Pat Edwards

The major Lorane news this week is a large fire that took the barn of the Scott and Tammy Walters family of Lorane last Friday morning. At first, Jim and others at the store thought it was the house that was on fire. From the vantage point of the store, flames could be seen coming out of the roof of what they thought was the house. When Jim spotted it a little before 8:00 a.m., the Lorane Fire Department was already on site and a short while later, a water tanker arrived from Cottage Grove. It was put out fairly quickly, but according to Tammy Walters, “We lost the barn and some animals, but everyone is ok. I am thankful for our firefighters and great community.” We are so thankful that the Walters family and home were not hurt and I know there will many offers of help coming from the community.

Lorane is offering its residents a new activity. The Lorane Health and Fitness Group has recently organized. They even have a Facebook page called Health and Fitness in Lorane at https://www.facebook.com/groups/976090215803530/. According to their first announcement, “We are trying to organize some kind of exercise scene in Lorane. We know of yoga, crossfit and zumba instructors.” Last Tuesday night, they met at the Lorane Grange for the first time to workout to a Richard Simmon’s exercise video on big screen. One of the responses to that was that the evening was a success with lots of laughs and fun. On Wednesday night, they planned a Pilates session and urged everyone to bring a mats.

For those interested, the group is welcoming everyone who wants to participate. They will be spending part of these first sessions in discussing the various forms of exercise the majority are interested in as well as the day(s) and time(s) that would work best. Children are welcome. They are providing a play area for the young kids who come. Call Pam Kersgaard at 541-942-6193 for more information.

Amy Jentzsch of Lorane has posed a question for the area teenagers. After having recently returned from the Oregon statewide high school robotics competition, she wants to know if Crow High School might be represented there next year. She said that there is money available to start a team if there is interest for next year. For more information on Oregon’s robotics competitions, go to http://www.ortop.org/fll/

Saturday, February 27, is the monthly Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo evening at Lorane Grange. Dinner is 5:30 pm and bingo begins at 6:30 pm. No one has won the progressive bingo blackout yet, so it has to grown. There is also a 50/50 drawing.  There’s good food, delicious desserts and lots of laughter to be had at this fundraiser for the Lorane Grange.

The Rural Art Center/Lorane Grange Talent Show is scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd at 3:00 p.m. According to Lil Thompson, it looks like some intriguing talent has been signed up, but they are looking for more. To sign up in advance, contact Lil at 541-942-5701 or the Rural Art Center at ruralartcenter@gmail.com.  You may also sign in that day by coming a little early

Crow High School Seniors, be sure to get your Federal Student Aid applications in no later than March 1. Several local scholarships are being offered.

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District is still looking for District budget committee members.  If you are willing to donate some valuable time to the district, call Lee Ann at 541-686-2100.

Thanks to Lil Thompson for providing many of the updates this week. I am still working through the virus from you-know-where that caught hold of me in January. It’s like a bad dream that keeps reoccurring, but I’m hoping that the doctor’s diagnosis that it also involves allergies I usually get this time of year, that we’ve finally got it figured out. Fingers crossed!

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 11, 2016

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Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 11, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Those of you who love and respect Debbie Davis as much as I do, will be glad to hear that her craniotomy surgery this past week went well and she is recovering nicely. Her daughter, Anna, said that she was expected to go home last Friday… that’s where healing really can begin! Debbie has proven time and again how strong she is and I have no doubt that she will continue to battle the cancer that keeps trying to sneak up on her and one day she will be declared the winner.

It’s strong courageous people like Debbie and Michael Matchulat who are literally fighting for their lives against cancer that make me realize that this world has some amazing people who are daily showing us how precious life is.

Loranian Michael Matchulat has been very open with his fight against the cancer that has invaded his colon, liver and lungs and his words on Facebook are inspiring others who are heading down the same road. Last night, Michael posted an update about the fact that the new meds that he is on are “way more bearable and have eliminated almost every (bad) side-effect.” When someone mentioned his amazingly positive attitude, Michael immediately responded with what I consider a golden nugget of advice for others and their loved ones who are in the same position: “Just remember one rule: Be sad sometimes. Optimism is often confused with positivity. Don’t make cancer fighters be positive; it tells them their emotions are wrong.” I shared his words with an especially good friend in Montana who has just begun the journey down that road and I know that they are so appreciated.

One of our former long-time residents, Walt VanDecar, passed away on  February 7, according to his daughter, Rose. She and Walt’s stepchildren, Susan and Kenny Keeler, went to the Lorane and Crow schools and his wife, Mary Ann, was active with the Lorane P.T.C. for many years. Walt was a sheep rancher and shearer, and after moving from the Crow area, he worked closely with Cleve Dumdi in the Monroe and Junction City areas. Our condolences go out to Rose, Mary Ann and the rest of the family. I know that he will be sorely missed.

Disclaimer: The following is a “proud grandma” alert… I just got word from our son, Rob, that our two Creswell granddaughters, Hannah and Natalie Edwards both came home today with report cards sporting 4.0 GPAs! In addition, Miss Nat was named Student of the Month at the middle school.  Congratulations, girls! Grandpa and I are so proud of you both. Hey! How could I NOT brag a bit?

I’ve got a date with both of my girls for this coming Saturday. We’re all going to get pedis, followed by lunch and maybe some shopping in celebration of Hannah’s 15th birthday on February 3. (You Creswell and Cottage Grove driver’s might want to be on the alert!) Actually, Hannah has a headstart on driving. She’s driven the tractor during haying season and has practiced on her Uncle John’s long driveway in Saginaw for the last couple of years. I have no doubt that she is going to do just fine. It’s so much fun being a grandma… and great grandma!

Ok… back to Lorane… The only other news I have right now are reminders of events that I’ve covered pretty thoroughly in the past couple of columns:

There’s a mandatory parent/athletic meeting scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16 for all Spring Sports at Crow Middle/High School.

Sunday, February 21 is the Lorane Christian Church Friendship Dinner at Sizzler’s in Springfield at 5:30 p.m.

The next Lorane Grange dinner and bingo is Saturday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m.

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the sunshine this past week!

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 4, 2016

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Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 4, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Yuck! Three weeks ago I came down with a cold, and I’ve still got it! It’s like a group of waves that roll in on the beach. When it first hit, the symptoms began to ebb after a few days and then, Wham! I was hit with a few more waves carrying with them an assortment of coughs, sneezes, eternal congestion and now eye infection. Yesterday, I finally broke down and visited the Cottage Grove Walk-In Clinic since my doctor was booked up and they put me on some antibiotics and an inhaler. I’m feeling better today, but I’m holding my breath that there’s not another breaker heading my way. The nurse at the clinic told me that I was not alone… that record numbers of people were experiencing the same type of long, drawn-out upper respiratory infection this winter.

With all of my whining out of the way, I am hanging my head in shame because I’m truly one of the lucky ones. I am blessed with much better health than many others. How can I complain when such beautiful people around me have so much more to deal with, health-wise, than me?

Today, we got word from former Loranian, Stan Davis, that his wife – our wonderful, beautiful, beloved Debbie Davis – is having to undergo a second craniotomy to remove a brain tumor. Stan’s message, while extremely sobering, carried a signature bit of humor passed on from Debbie, herself. In his message, he said, “…It is in the speech center, and she is wondering if I would, maybe, prefer a mute wife?? Hmmm…” The tone is typical Debbie who has always brought sunshine into all of our lives. Our love and prayers are with you both, Debbie and Stan! I’m sure they’d love to have some others sent their way, too.
The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Board is still looking for members for the district’s budget committee. The committee met for the first time last Thursday, February 4, but there will be two more meetings. If you are interested in serving the school district in this way, please call the district office for further information (541-935-2100).

The Crow Middle/High School students who want to play a spring sport (baseball, softball or track) is required to attend the upcoming Spring Sports Sign-Up and Parent Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16 at the high school. Parents will need to attend with the students.

Don’t forget the Friendship Dinner hosted by Lorane Christian Church at Sizzlers on Gateway Blvd. in Springfield on Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Also, mark your calendars for the next Lorane Grange Dinner and Bingo Night which will be held on Saturday, February 27. They are going to try something besides spaghetti this time – possibly an assortment of finger foods as well as those yummy desserts. The blackout bingo pot is up to over $300. Bring the whole family. It’s so much fun.

A Bit of Lorane History (honoring Stan Davis’ family):

In the early 1900s, Frank Davis lived on his homestead, due west of the former Delwin Doughty homeplace. The farm buildings were situated on top of a hill with the barn perched right at the edge of a canyon. One evening about dusk, Chancy, who lived on north Territorial Road where the former Cliff Stevens’ place is located, heard the sound of distant yelling coming from the direction of his brother’s homestead, some two miles away. Because Frank’s wife Elma was due to have a baby at any time, Chancy feared that she might be having complications. He hurriedly saddled a horse and galloped full speed in the direction of his brother’s homestead. Every few minutes he heard a loud yell. Upon arriving, he leaped from his horse, just as another full-throated “holler” rent the air in the direction of the barn. As he ran towards the barn, he was met with the sight of Frank Davis standing next to his barn with his back to the canyon. He was bent at the waist with his head tucked between his knees yelling into the canyon beyond – listening to his own echo. (From Sawdust and Cider; 1987; 2006)