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, September 10, 2015

September 10, 2015Newspaper Columns Leave a comment

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.

Sweet Lorane Community News, September 3, 2015

September 3, 2015Newspaper Columns, , Leave a comment

Awww… the wonderful scent of the first rain-drenched morning following a long dry summer! The rain was so welcome this past week as well as the cooler temperatures. Best of all, maybe our weary fire crews can get a handle on the long battle against forest fires they’ve been fighting around the western states. It’s been a long, hot summer. Welcome, fall!

Lorane community members have been contacted recently by Becky Taylor, Senior Transportation Planner for the Lane County Department of Public Works with an update to the proposed Territorial Highway Corridor Plan. In her report, she tells about the status of the sinking Stony Point curves and the possible solutions that are being investigated.

“We have been collecting information about wetlands and geology – investigating what it will take to implement the preferred design alternative that was supported through the public process. There are design solutions for mitigating wetland impacts; however, the geological findings at Stony Point prompted further analysis of the preferred design alternative.

“The results of our geotechnical readings over the past several months indicate movement at the active slide at Stony Point. The stabilization needed to construct the preferred design alternative could be cost-prohibitive and would have a significant footprint. We have identified a range of possible alternative solutions, such as structural anchoring and terracing. It may be necessary to consider alignment adjustments for cuts into the hillside…”

Becky and members of her office will be meeting with the three primary landowners whose properties will be most affected by the proposed changes and updates will be issued as more information is available.

The Lorane Celebration is right around the corner, on Saturday, September 12. An early morning walk-about is being planned at 8:00 a.m. If you wish to participate, wear your walking shoes and meet at the fire hall. All other events, sponsored by our local organizations, will begin at 10:00 a.m. – garage/yard sales, craft tables, quilt show, lunch, baked goods, children’s activities, including a bounce house and carnival games, and an emergency preparedness program at the fire hall. There will be a barbecue beginning at 5:00 p.m., and an outdoor movie will be shown on the side of the Rebekah hall at dusk. Please plan on attending. A lot of volunteers have joined together to make this happen, and it should be a fun day for everyone.

As I write this, our family is gearing up for the first home UO game of the season. The six season tickets have arrived and it’s been determined which of us will be using them. I gave mine up several years ago… I’d rather watch the games at home where I can actually see what’s happening. The trend is now for everyone to stand through most of the games. We’re all Duck fans, but I’m also a Beaver fan when they’re not playing the Ducks… So, “Go Ducks AND Beavers!”

Volleyball season started early for the Creswell High School teams. Our granddaughter, Hannah, is playing on the JV team and Jim and I are going to start wearing red Bulldog shirts on Wednesdays. So, in addition to “Go Cougars!” (we’ll be supporting daughter/coach Michele’s, Crow team, too), we’ll now add “Go Bulldogs!” to our repertoire.

The deadline for submissions to our first annual Groundwaters “issue” has passed and I’m putting the final touches on the 200-page paperback book that we’ll be publishing in early October. Our youngest granddaughter, Natalie, has written a couple of amazing Halloween stories that we are including in it. So, kudos to Nat! Her grandpa and I are looking forward to watching her play volleyball for her first year at Creswell Middle School, too.

So, come on Fall… we’re ready for you!