Sweet Lorane Community News, May 28, 2015

May 28, 2015Newspaper ColumnsAva Linder, Groundwaters, Lorane Deli, Lorane General Store, Marge Wickwire Parry, Muriel Linderpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
May 28, 2015
By Pat Edwards

I’m having a bit of a problem this week in coming up with some news for my column. I think it all ties in with the beautiful weather, warm days and plans for a busy summer. I’m sure it’s the same with most of us. We’re preparing to put our lives into a higher gear with the approach of summer. Our heads are full of the various activities that affect our lives – the end of the school year, vacation plans, gardening decisions, barbecues and outdoor living, fishing, summer team and water sports and other similar “gears.” Our lives are picking up speed, if that is even possible. I should know… I’m learning that the older I get, the faster it goes.

Jim is already noticing the increase in business at our store… the nicer the weather, the more people are out-and-about, whether they are heading to Carpenter’s Bypass to ride their mountain bikes or stopping by for a rest break from a long bicycle road ride. Motorcycles are pulling up to the gas pumps where we have always been very careful not to allow even a small drip from the nozzle to land on their highly polished gas tanks. Winery visitors occasionally stop by to chat and our local residents seem to be switching their own gears, too.

The Lorane General Store aka The Lorane Deli

For those who haven’t discovered it yet, the Lorane Deli has been closed for the past month or so. The closure is due, apparently, to family health issues. That’s not to say that Lorena Mitchell will not be back behind the counter again soon. She’s a human dynamo who has been a community leader for more years than either of us care to remember. For now, the sign on the door says that it is “closed indefinitely.”

A heartfelt “Get Well Soon” message is being sent out to Marge (Wickwire) Parry. According to family, even though she suffered a stroke, she is doing well with less dire after-effects than many stroke victims have. We’re very grateful for that and hope that she makes a full recovery in record time.

For those who have been regular readers and submitters of Groundwaters’ magazine for the past 10+ years, I wanted to let you know that our staff has begun working on the first annual issue of our local literary journal now that we are no longer publishing it quarterly. Although the deadline for submissions is not until September 1st, I’ve gotten the layout designed and a number of early contributions set up. I’m quite pleased with the new format and I think you will be, too.

We’re hoping that those of you who plan on sending us your fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photography and art submissions will get them to us before the September deadline. It will make my life much easier in trying to have it ready for publication by mid-October. The annual issue will encompass the equivalent of 4 full quarterly issues – 150 to 200 pages – in a professionally-published paperback edition that will be available for sale on most on-line booksellers and at local distributors. Contributors are asked to supply us with a photo of themselves and up to a 100-word biography that we will include with their work(s). Those whose material is used will get a 40% discount off the $12.50 selling price. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer them for free to the public as we once did.

We are also planning a “Best of Groundwaters” anthology that will include stories, essays, memoirs and other prose (and possibly poetry) that we have published in the past issues. It will be offered once the 2015 annual issue is out.

You might keep an eye out for a new book by a local resident that we have just published. Muriel (Ava) Linder of Elmira just released her first full-length novel called The White Man’s Brother. I am very impressed by the knowledge and the research that Ava put into the book and I believe that the storyline is quite good. Members of the Ridge Writer’s group are in the process of reviewing it currently. I think that you’ll enjoy it. Even better, a sequel called The Rainbow Chasers will soon follow.

Sweet Lorane Community News, May 21, 2015

May 21, 2015Newspaper Columnspaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
May 21, 2015
By Pat Edwards

What a beautiful, busy spring we’re having this year! It has especially been kind to the local schools’ track athletes… and spectators. I can remember spending many track seasons huddled under an umbrella with my shoes soaked within the first half hour while watching our kids and grandkids compete.

I’d like to recognize our Crow-Applegate-Lorane students who earned a place to compete at the 2-A State Meet to be held at the UO’s Hayward Field. Among the boys qualifying were Montana May (Lorane), Rylan Larsen, Kaelen Recca, Sam Sowanek and both of the boys’ relay teams. Amber Von Essen and Regan Grube represented the girls. I have no doubt that Tom Page will have his usual comprehensive report in this week’s Fern Ridge Review on how well they faired at the state meet (which is taking place the day I am writing this), but just qualifying for state is a huge accomplishment. I want to congratulate each one of these student-athletes.

Jim and I spent this season at our granddaughter, Hannah’s, Creswell Middle School meets. She had a good year with the turbo-jav, the discus and the 100-meter hurdles; we are so very proud of her! She comes from a long line of “spear-chuckers.” Her dad threw the javelin in high school and was a member of the LCC track team when he injured his shoulder. Hannah’s cousins, Stephanie, Linsey and Hayley Kau, were competitors at Crow High School and Linsey competed for the UO and has been the throwers’ coach for LCC this year.

Congratulations to not only Hannah, but to all of her teammates at Creswell Middle School who we enjoyed watching compete. Good job, all of you!

You might want to mark your calendars for the Crow High School graduation to be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 5. It’s a good time to get out and honor the hard work and accomplishments of a particular graduating senior or, even better, all of the Crow graduates… some of whom are from Lorane.

For quite a few years, Crow High School has been known for hosting exchange students from all over the world. These students attend school throughout the school year and live in the homes of host families. There are a number of students wishing to participate in the program for the 2015-2016 school year and host families are needed. If you are willing to host an exchange student, please contact the local coordinator, Tressa Miller at Tressamiller@lanefire.org.

We hosted a young woman from Puerto Vallarta one year during the 1980s when our own children were attending Crow. It was a fantastic experience and it resulted in our making the trip to Puerto Vallarta a few years later to visit her and her family. We recommend it highly!

I hope all of you had a great Memorial Day weekend and enjoy our beautiful weather.

Sweet Lorane Community News, May 14, 2015

May 14, 2015Newspaper Columnspaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
May 14, 2015
By Pat Edwards

The Lorane Grange has discontinued its monthly spaghetti dinner and bingo nights until September. According to Lil Thompson, “With other commitments, work on our grange roof, and vacations, there weren’t enough members to get the meal prepared and served.” It will be scheduled for the 4th Saturday each month when it resumes on September 26.

The Crow Grange will be taking a break from its bingo nights, usually held the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. The last one this spring will be held on June 6 and it will probably resume the 3rd Saturday in September.

Anyone who wants to reserve a craft or sale table at the Lorane Grange for the September 12, Lorane Celebration 2015 should call Lil Thompson, 541-942-5701. She can also schedule advertising, for a moderate fee, if you want to list a yard sale at your own home that day, too.

The Rural Art Center, with funding from the Lane Library League, will be hosting a series of workshops to build two “Little Bitty Libraries” and stock them with books. They will be meeting at The Blue Rooster Bed & Breakfast, on Territorial, 1/4 mile south of Gillespie Corners, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on four Tuesday afternoons this summer (June 23 to July 14) to screen, label, and repair books. They will also construct, paint and erect two tiny libraries that will be placed in strategic areas around the Lorane area. On Saturday, September 12, 2015, the libraries will be dedicated at 4:00 p.m. at the Lorane Celebration.

RAC needs volunteers of all ages to help. Donations of new or used books, especially children’s books, can be left at the Lorane Family Store. Building materials (6″ x 8′ treated posts, 2″x6″ sections at least 3′ long, 2″x4″ at least 3′ long, shingles, a very large old microwave, nails, screws, cement) are being solicited, as well. Contact RAC at ruralartcenter@gmail.com to find out if what you have is what is needed.

Volunteers are also being asked to bring their building skills to the workshops. A host is needed for one Little Bitty Library along Siuslaw River Road. There is already a site chosen for Cottage Grove-Lorane Road. The host provides space where it is easily accessible to the community, and looks after the books, restocking it as needed.

Help is also needed to install the libraries – dig postholes, set posts and position the Little Bitty Libraries. This sounds like a fun project that will allow you to meet with your neighbors while providing an exciting new community feature!

We have a new business in Lorane, too. Torrie Thompson and her husband recently purchased the Lloyd Counts Stables on Territorial Road, about a quarter of a mile from the Lorane Deli. They have named the property “Little Slice Ranch” and they will be offering services including children’s riding lessons, photo shoots and pony parties. You can get more information on their websites (http://www.dazzlingponyparties.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/LittleSliceRanch).

Jo-Brew and I had an eventful week, visiting both Oregon City and Milwaukie to give presentations on our Highway 99 books. We don’t have any more talks scheduled for out of town until late June now, so I’m looking forward to planting the garden boxes that Jim made for me as well as enjoying being at home to soak up the sunshine and fresh air. Home is certainly where this heart is!