Sweet Lorane Community News – July 30, 2015

July 30, 2015Newspaper ColumnsLorane Community Potluck, Lorane Fire Department, Lorane Ice Cream Social, Matchulat, Michael Matchulat, Pancake Breakfastpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
July 30, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Because of so much other Lorane news lately, I haven’t yet mentioned the upcoming Lorane Community Potluck and Lorane Ice Cream Social events that are being planned for Sunday, August 9. Doors at the Lorane Grange will open for the Lorane Community Potluck (the name was changed from the “Old-Timers” Picnic so people will know that they don’t have to be an “old-timer to attend..) at about 10:30 a.m. for those who want to drop off food or come early and visit with their neighbors. The potluck dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m. Historically, the food has been plentiful, not to mention delicious, and quite a few of our Lorane friends who no longer live here attend each year to catch up on news and share their stories.

Following the meal, the Lorane Fire Department’s Annual Ice Cream Social will be building up steam. It will feature exhibits, rides on fire engines, carnival booths for the kids, probably a dunk tank and most important of all, delicious hand-churned ice cream and homemade pies. Be sure to plan on making it a full day for the family!

This past week, the whole community has come together to plan and participate in the benefit fundraisers for Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Matchulat whose family has lived in Lorane for many years. The Papa’s Pizza benefit was well attended and the garage sale benefit and Lorane Grange’s Pancake Breakfast took place this past weekend. I’ll have to give you a report on those in next week’s column. The on-line “YouCaring” fund has reached almost $6,000 (http://www.youcaring.com/michael-matchulat-388090#). Michael’s sister, Melinda, wrote in her recent update on the site that (at the pizza benefit), “Michael got to visit with Steve Grube, a stage IV cancer survivor from Crow. Steve is 10 years past his date of diagnosis and cancer free. They joked about Michael’s new career as a “professional patient,” and remarked about how well Michael was doing handling his Monday treatments – serious case of the Monday’s, but every career has its bad days. Steve continues to be a source of inspiration and knowledge for Michael.” I know for a fact that former Crow High/Middle School teacher, Steve Grube, has been an inspiration to all of his friends and neighbors over the years.

Other Matchulat funding sites for direct donations have also been set up including a Selco account and the Lorane Grange. Information on each of them can be found on the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page.

Speaking of the Facebook page, we are nearing 600 members who are following and sharing our Lorane news. Thank you to everyone who takes an active interest in spreading news about what is going on in Lorane… lately, that has been considerable. I have recently asked Lil Thompson to help administer it with me. Our focus is to keep it Lorane (and Crow) oriented and we thank everyone for respecting that.

The Lane Fire Authority has notified us that because of the extremely high fire danger to not only our area, but all of Lane County, no fires of any kind (including fire pits) are allowed. Gas and charcoal barbecues are permitted only if they are in a protected area away from dry grass, brush or trees. No one should be using a chain saw, lawn mower or other “spark-emitting” machinery on dry grass, trees or brush. Lawn mowers can only be used on green irrigated lawns.

We’re in a really bad spell of hot weather. Last Wednesday, Jim and I took our granddaughters to Hayward Field where our granddaughter, Hannah, planned to compete in the last all-comers’ meet of the season. When we left home, our car digital thermometer read 104 degrees. When we left Hayward Field, a couple of hours later, it registered 108 degrees. Fortunately, by the time we turned in our driveway, the temp was registering a few degrees below 100 degrees. Waaaaay too hot!!

… Oh yes, despite the heat and the fact that she has never thrown the regulation javelin in competition, Hannah, as an incoming freshman at Creswell, threw 70+ feet. Good job, Hannah! That was worth a stop at Dairy Queen afterwards with your dad and Miss Natalie who was with us in the stands, supporting her sister in that terrible heat!

Sweet Lorane Community News – July 23, 2015

July 23, 2015Newspaper Columns4-H, Chris Howell, Crow Chicken 'n Pickin, Lane County Fair, Lorane Grange, Matchulatpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
July 23, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Does this summer seem to be one with many-too-many entries in the “bad news” column? Just reading the Register-Guard has become extremely depressing with all of the crime going on in Lane County. Then for the community of Lorane, we’ve had very special families experience major health issues and the passing of special young people, especially. It’s difficult to keep a grip on all of the good things that we get to experience in life these days. So, it’s even more important for us to concentrate on our blessings and embrace our loved ones and know how very fortunate we are to have them in our lives.

Lorane’s latest loss was the accidental death of 26-year-old Chris Howell who grew up and went to school in Lorane until he moved to Texas with his mother and siblings in his junior year at Crow High School. Chris was the son of Alan and Debbie Howell. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation in Texas and attended Texas Tech University after serving one tour of duty in Iraq. He was apparently 4-wheeling off of Gowdyville Road when his Jeep rolled over, pinning him beneath it. He passed away the next day while undergoing a second surgery. His death has shocked our whole community and we are all grieving for his parents, brother David and sister Rachel (Rush). Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Howell family.

I’ve already talked about the community fundraisers that are being organized for another young Lorane man, Michael Matchulat, who is undergoing treatment for Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Here are some dates and times that I’d like to remind you of…

On July 27, Papa’s Pizza on West 11th in Eugene has issued a flyer that will earn 50% of your purchase that day which will go to the Michael Matchulat fund. Check the Lorane Facebook page to download a copy of the flyer.

On August 1, the Lorane Grange is hosting a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Michael from 7:00 -11:00 a.m. at the Lorane Grange. They are hoping for a large turnout, so please consider starting your day on a positive note!

In addition, an account has been set up on YouCaring for Michael at http://www.youcaring.com/michael-matchulat-388090# for those who wish to make a cash donation to his considerable medical expenses.

The annual Crow Grange “Chicken n Pickin” BBQ is also coming up on Saturday, August 1 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. They will be serving a chicken dinner consisting of a half of a BBQ chicken, fresh corn on the cob, baked beans, roll, lemonade or coffee and ice cream. Your dinner will be accompanied by the “Poodle Creek Pickers” old-time fiddler group. The cost: $10.00. For information, call Connie Suing at 541-556-2609 or Ruth Teafatiller at 541-935-3119. You’ve got your day’s meals taken care of… breakfast at the Lorane Grange and dinner in Crow!

Now, to end my column on a really good note… at least for our family. Our granddaughter, Hannah Edwards of Creswell, won the 4-H Intermediate Reserve Champion Sheep Showmanship Award at the Lane County Youth Fair this past week. Congratulations, Hannah! We are so proud of you!

Sweet Lorane Community News – July 16, 2015

July 16, 2015Newspaper ColumnsArt in Vineyard, Jentzsch, OPVA, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America, Steampunkpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
July 16, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Because of the dry spring, it seems as though we’re having an awfully long summer this year. For me, summer always zips by after the 4th of July celebrations, but I’m actually ready for a few days of summer rain to freshen things up a bit.

Jim’s still trying to get those last few big round bales of hay done, so I guess I can’t wish too hard yet. He’s had nothing but problems with his equipment (both mechanical and physical) this year and it’s going exceedingly slow. I was hoping that we could hit the road for a couple of weeks when he does, but we have some rental houses to clean up and refurbish first before we put them on the market. We’ve found that downsizing our lives after 70 is extremely difficult. The transition is sometimes painful, but occasionally, circumstances step in to force the issue.

I want to send our congratulations to Sam and Ashley Jentzsch who were married on Friday, July 11. Sam’s parents are Troy and Coleen Jentzsch of Lorane and the wedding took place on Coleen’s birthday. What a way to celebrate! Congratulations and best wishes, Sam and Ashley!

Jo-Brew and I had an enjoyable, but hot day at the Art in the Vineyard event at Alton Baker Park on the weekend of July 4. Thanks to those of you who stopped by the Oregon Authors’ Table to say hi. We’ll be at the Lane County Fair’s Oregon Authors’ Table this Thursday, July 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., too. I’ll be there the first half of the day and Jo will “hold down the fort” until closing. Come by and see us… it’s Senior Day!

The Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America (OPVA) and several Lane County Granges are hosting a drive or cruise for all street-legal motorized vehicles including new and vintage automobiles, motorcycles, RVs, and even senior buses representing senior centers. This is a drive to help raise awareness and funds for OPVA as well as a bit of publicity for the local granges. It will be held on Saturday, August 8, beginning at the Crow Grange from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Participants pay an entry fee of $10 per vehicle.

The route will go from one grange to another and should end around 3:00 p.m. Various granges are hosting different activities and events along the way to entice the cruisers and riders to linger a bit longer at their sites. At Crow, you’ll be encouraged to stop and play a game or two of bingo; then on to the Elmira Grange which will host a show and tell about “Steampunk” (I know… I had to ask, too! **) and will have some vendor booths; from there, the cruise will head for the Central Grange on Central Road which will have Old Time Fiddlers to entertain; at Spencer Creek Grange, they’ll have an old-fashioned Saturday Market. The last grange visited before heading back to Crow to disband will be the Lorane Grange where they will be hosting the Lane Pomona Picnic. Another activity is still being considered but hadn’t been finalized in time for my column. Cruise participants will be able to purchase raffle tickets there for the Lorane Grange basket that will be filled with all kinds of goodies (including one of our Highway 99 books). Each grange has put together a similar basket and all will be displayed at the Crow Grange during the cruise and raffled off immediately following it. The winners of each basket will be announced at 3:00 p.m.

It seems like it will be a very interesting and innovative day for everyone! For more information, contact Laura Wyant at CruZintoGranges@aol.com.

** Give up? Ok… Here’s how Laura Wyant explains “Steampunk”: “With a backdrop of either Victorian England or America’s Wild West at hand, modern technologies are re-imagined and realized as elaborate works of art, fashion and mechanics. If Jules Verne or H.G. Wells were writing their science fiction today, it would be considered “steampunk.”