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 – January 21, 2016

January 21, 2016Newspaper Columns, Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 21, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Whew! We’ve rounded the corner on winter and are heading towards a much-looked-forward-to spring. Sadly, for me, the holidays seem to be more stressful each year. I love being with our family to celebrate all that we share, but the preparations and busy-ness tend to wear down my reserves of energy. The rest of my year is spent with normally quiet days at home with the dogs and cats as my companions and the afternoons and evenings reserved especially for Jim.

Oh, this past year was more active than usual with the number of presentations that Jo and I were asked to give, culminating with the Holiday Market booth to sell our books, but my comfort zone is at home where I spend the mornings working on book projects and, when the weather is nice, spending some time outside. I acknowledge that I’ve become somewhat of a recluse.

It didn’t help, either, that I had a bout of stomach virus before Christmas and a sinus infection and respiratory congestion this past week. They seem to have gone through about 90% of our whole extended family… sometimes more than once. We jokingly place the blame on our designated little “Typhoid Mary” who seemed to be the center of both maladies in not only our family, but the in-laws, too.

So, in the next month or two, I’ll be looking for some sunny breaks in the weather and gentle showers instead of downpours to indicate that spring is on its way. Turning that corner into a new year always brings a renewal of optimism and a reawakening of life’s promises as it always seems to.

The Lorane Christian Church is hosting a special 6-week taped study with popular nationally-recognized Pastor Rick Warren called “Purpose-Given Life” from his “Daily Hope” series. Those interested in participating will watch video presentations each week that are supplemented with a textbook and workbook. It’s described as a study in “What Am I Here For?” They are being held each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The first introductory session was held last Thursday and the next class will be on January 28, so new participants are welcome and encouraged to get on board right away. There is a $7 charge for the workbook.

Lloyd and Jeri Porter have asked me to express their appreciation for all of the community support that has been given to them during Lloyd’s recovery from a major stroke last year. Jeri stressed that Lloyd’s motor skills have returned and he is no longer having physical therapy; he is also making progress with the remaining after-effects. They feel that they live in the most caring community possible and send their thanks to everyone who has helped them over the obstacles they’ve faced.

A group of local people are interested in putting together a resource directory of people with Lorane businesses, services and special skills. I have offered to host the directory on my personal website (http://allthingslorane.com) and put together a printed version when it’s complete. For those interested in being included, please send me your contact information and a description of your business, service or skill. Anyone else wanting to help can gather the information and send it to me at paedwards42@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook message. The information can also be left at the Lorane Family Store. If you nominate someone for inclusion, however, be sure that they have given their permission.

The Lorane Christian Church will also be hosting its annual Friendship Dinner at Sizzlers on Gateway Blvd. in Springfield on Sunday, February 21. Be sure to mark your calendars.

Also, the next Lorane Grange Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night will be held on Saturday, February 27.

The sun’s peeking out behind a cloud right now, so the dogs and I are going to head out for a walk… Talk to you next week!

Sweet Lorane Community News – January 14, 2016

January 14, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 14, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Our most exciting news in Lorane this week is the re-opening of the Lorane Deli. It is once again providing breakfast and lunch and a place to meet with friends and neighbors over a cup of coffee. Local residents, Peggy and Jesse Tindall, will open at 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. five days a week, probably closing on Sundays and Mondays to begin with. The announcement on the Lorane Facebook page brought many cheers and good wishes this past week. Margie McNutt offered the first testimonial to the re-opening: “Just had lunch there with Jenny and Marissa and our two littlest grandbabies. It was great to see it open again! Good food too!”

I hope that everyone will come out to support it. It’s been sorely missed by many.

Last week, the Crow High School Junior Class had a fundraiser at Papa’s Pizza for its upcoming Prom Night. If you weren’t able to make it to Papa’s last Wednesday, I’m sure that they’d welcome a cash donation. That’s what Jim and I will do as I’ve been dealing with a sinus infection and cold and we weren’t able to make it out for pizza.

We received the news this week that former long-time Lorane resident, LaVerne Brissler, passed away recently. She and her husband Elmer lived on Fire Road for many years. Our condolences to the Brissler family.

The Lorane Rebekah’s are still collecting cans and bottles and have a metal recycle bin at the lodge hall for collection of your scrap metal. They are fundraising to supplement the grants they recently received in order to complete the planned upgrade to the old Lodge building. According to Sande Maxwell (541-942-5083), “We really appreciate your support.”

The Lorane Grange is collecting pop and beer can tabs to contribute to a drive to provide funding for much-needed dialysis to patients throughout the state. Either call a grange member or drop them off on the front porch of the Grange. You can also drop them off at the Lorane Family Store if you prefer.

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Board will be meeting at Crow this month instead of Lorane due to a conflict at the Lorane Grange. The meeting will be on Thursday, January 21 at Applegate Elementary at 7:00 p.m. following an executive session. The February meeting will be moved to the Lorane Grange.

Mark your calendars in advance… It may seem early, but the Rural Art Center and the Lorane Grange want to remind everyone to begin thinking about participating in the annual Talent Show at the Grange. It is usually held the first Sunday in April, although a definite date has not yet been announced. They’re hoping to book some of our amazing local talent early. Polish up your tap shoes and get your comedy routine worked out. If you’ve got a talent for anything, amazing or bizarre, they want to recruit you!

A reminder of the next Grange Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo night: Saturday, January 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bring the whole family!

Sweet Lorane Community News – January 07, 2016

January 7, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 7, 2016
By Pat Edwards

I’m baack!! I didn’t intend to abandon you for 2 weeks, but I guess that’s what I did. The holiday season is so packed full of “busy” that I am always glad to get back to a normal – or what’s “normal” for me – routine.

I hope that each of you had a joyous season and are looking forward to a positive and eventful New Year. It’s fun to start off with a relatively clean calendar. Oh, there are the dental and eye appointments that were made months ago, but it’s a luxury to look at whole weeks where nothing is planned other than what catches my fancy each day. I’m working on an interesting book project right now, but that will be completed within the next two weeks. I’ve got others waiting in the wings as soon as I complete that, but my goal this year is to begin traveling with my husband… nothing lengthy or major until fall, but we both want to take time to visit some of the places in our beautiful country that we haven’t seen together.

Jim will officially be out of the cattle business next week and I’ll have to do some creative thinking to keep him occupied with things we both enjoy. We have plans to fly down to Arizona for a week to visit our youngest daughter and son-in-law, and hopefully take a car trip to Missouri this summer to visit Jim’s namesake nephew and his family with some side trips to some of Jim’s childhood homes in Nebraska. Then, this fall, our whole extended family is hoping to gather for a group Hawaiian cruise.

Our grandson Kevin is back in the area and he will keep an eye on the store and home front when we are away. Oh! It’s good to have him home. We’ve missed him these past few years while he’s been in Klamath Falls.

I hope to continue my columns each week… maybe giving you a bit of a travelogue on our adventures, but always to share the activities and news of our wonderful hometown of Lorane.

Now on to some of that news… The Lorane Grange’s monthly Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo nights will resume on Saturday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. If you haven’t been to one of these, I strongly recommend it. It’s good food and fun for the whole family. The dinner always includes a large helping of spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad, beverages and a variety of desserts. Bingo games for the whole family begin at about 6:30. Our entertaining caller is Randy Eschleman and his sidekick Marty. The prizes alternate between items from the prize table and increasing amounts of cash as the evening proceeds. The last blackout game, if won within a specified amount of numbers, is over $100 with a guaranteed payout of $25, I believe. The biggest payoffs, though, are the laughs and camaraderie that we all enjoy. Come join us!

Crow Grange hosts a similar evening each 1st and 3rd Saturdays beginning with dinner at 6:15 p.m. (…and throughout the evening.) They also offer two choices of dinner entrees as well as a wonderful selection of pies and beverages. Dan and Connie Suing are the bingo hosts/callers. The bingo games are also a lot of fun and families are welcome. Both granges depend on the proceeds of these offerings to help maintain their buildings and activities. It’s a fun way to help support them.

The Lorane Rebekah’s are still accepting and collecting scrap metal.  There is a container at the Lodge or call  Sande Maxwell (541-942-5083 or sandemaxwell@wildblue.net) if you want to schedule a pick up.

Local Lane County deputy-on-medical leave, Michael Matchulat, spent some time in the hospital this past week with an infection. He’s had some major surgeries to try and stem the spread of cancer and he continues to need our positive thoughts and prayers. His Facebook account is under the name of Mychel Matchy and I know that he enjoys hearing from all of his friends. He has been posting updates on his battle with this horrendous disease and I hope that you’ll send him your special wishes and prayers.