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, March 10, 2022

March 10, 2022Newspaper Columns, , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
March 10, 2022
By Pat Edwards

The welcome cessation of the mask mandate this week and the approach of Spring are bringing with them a reawakening of social activities in the Lorane area. Although the world’s economy is struggling mightily right now and our hearts are breaking whenever we see the news of what’s happening currently in Eastern Europe, we can count our blessings that a little bit of normalcy is creeping into our daily lives.

The Lorane Grange is hosting a “Community Communications Forum” on Thursday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m. Regional internet options will be presented by representatives of AT&T, Douglas Fast Net, Lane Fi and Verizon to give area residents an idea of their respective availability, reliability, cost and other features to help us each make a decision on which will work best in the conditions and locations of our individual homes. This is something that many residents have been asking about with the new cable and satellite systems that are now—or will soon be—available in the area. Let’s make sure there’s a big turnout so we can all get some of the questions answered that many of us have.

After the hiatus of the past 2 years, the Rural Art Center and the Lorane Grange will be hosting their always popular Community Talent Show. It will take place on Sunday, April 3, at 3:00 p.m. Talent of all kinds will be featured… not only singing, dancing, playing an instrument and comedy on-stage, but also visual talent will be on display by local artists, woodworkers, crafters… and maybe even authors. Help drum up some participants if you can; after such a long time in hibernation, we all need to begin emerging again. To sign up, or if you are interested and have questions, call or email Lisa Livelybrooks (ruralartcenter@gmail.com), or Lil Thompson (541-942-3401; lilyhillthompson@gmail.com). It’s always a fun experience to come and view in person the hidden and not-so-hidden talents of our friends and neighbors.

Here are some school updates, thanks to Lil Thompson:
Spring track practices have officially begun at Crow Middle/High School. Twenty students have already signed up and they are still welcoming more participants. All paperwork, proof of insurance and info on updated sports physicals must be turned in before the first track meet is held at Thurston High School beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 19.

The Freestyle/Greco wrestling offered to students of the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District for grades K-12 by the Cougar Mat Club will continue until April 24 at Crow Middle/High School. Practice for K-6 is held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.; for 7-12 graders, it is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time. There is a $51 fee for a USA card, but scholarships are available and no club fees are charged. Contact Troy Jentzsch, 541-520- 9276, for more information.

We’ll officially be welcoming the first day of spring on March 20. I figure that’s close enough to wish each of you a Happy Spring!

Sweet Lorane Community News, March 3, 2022

March 3, 2022Newspaper Columns, , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
March 3, 2022
By Pat Edwards

Last Monday, February 28, Jim and I signed the final paperwork on the sale of the Lorane Family Store, ending the long run of almost 45 years since we purchased it from the Mitchell family in December 1977. People are asking me, “How does it feel?” or “What are you going to do now?”

To be honest, my answer to both questions is, “I don’t know.” There are so many memories and emotions swirling around in my head and heart right now. Jim seems happy that it’s finally a “done-deal,” but even after 58 years of marriage, I’m not sure if that’s how he really feels or whether it’s how he thinks he’s supposed to feel. Regardless, we must condition ourselves to look ahead at the possibilities that remain to us instead of looking back at what life used to be—what we had always imagined “retirement” would be—and begin to mine for the nuggets of those “Golden Years” that we have all been promised.

We have so many blessings tied up with family. Among the exciting nuggets we have already found is the fact that some of our great-grandchildren are reaching the age when we’ll be able to attend their soccer and t-ball games; their ballet recitals and school pageants. We’ll get to watch them show their 4-H projects at the fairs and treat them to camel rides at Wildlife Safari… and, there is always one of our favorite family group adventures—the jetboat rides on the Rogue River—to share with them. We may no longer be up for the high-energy, “lots of walking on cobblestone streets” kind of travel destinations we had always dreamed of taking some day, but we still have a lot of options available to us.

So, my answer to those questions is still “I don’t know,” but Jim and I will take the time to let life settle into a sense of “normal” and to let time direct us through the maze of possibilities the future holds for us.

Meva Singh with Jim and Pat Edwards

As for the store… we were finally able to meet and acquaint ourselves with the new owners and we are pleased with their excitement and plans for giving it some much-needed updates. They’ve already shown their desire to connect with the community by announcing that the little community library we’ve had at the store over the years will continue to have a home there. The father and son team have already begun remodeling with the help of our crew that they are retaining. Meva and Balmeet (aka

Balmeet Singh with Jim and Pat

“B”) Singh are good people who, we are confident, will be a great addition to the community and will fit the tradition of the Lorane Family Store, even if they decide to give it another name.

I’ve been thinking of the Mitchell family a lot in these last few weeks, especially Estelle Mitchell Counts, their daughter who chose Jim and I to carry on for her parents, Bill and Hattie Mitchell, at the store. We were especially close to Stell, and we pray that their light shines on the new owners as it did for Jim and me. They taught us so much about what “community” is and I will forever cherish the legacy that they entrusted to us.

Godspeed to each of us on our respective journeys.

Sweet Lorane Community News, February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022Newspaper Columns, Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 24, 2022
By Pat Edwards

Sadly, Lorane lost another of its long-time residents. Lou Dell Doughty Hayes was born and attended grade school in Lorane; she later graduated from Crow High School in 1960. She married Walt Hayes in 1963 and they were married for 46 years before he passed in 2009. The Hayes family had lived in the Lorane area since 1897, so, between the Hayes and the Doughtys, their roots went deep in the rich Siuslaw Valley soil.

Walt and Lou had three children—Kimberly, Laurie and Bradley—and their son Brad is now raising his own family in Lorane on a portion of the Hayes property where he grew up.

The Hayes were actively involved in many community organizations over the years. They gave their time to the Lorane Grange, the Lorane P.T.C., the Crow High School Booster Club, and the Lorane Centennial Committee, among just a few. They were also members of the Lorane Christian Church. Lou spent many years on the Lane County Elections Board, Lorane precinct when we all voted at the local school or grange; she worked for the U.S. Census Bureau from 1964-1990, was a teacher-volunteer for the Lane County Home Extension Study Group and had several at-home businesses. Both Walt and Lou were 4-H leaders and were licensed foster parents in the mid-1970s. In addition, they also hosted several Spanish exchange students through the Crow High School exchange program. According to Lou, “It was a most wonderful experience for our family!”

To many, one of her most notable contributions was the organization of the Lorane Old Timer’s Picnic held each year in August for many years.

Lou was a friend to many and one of those people you knew you could count on to get any job done. She will be missed by so many friends that she left behind. Our condolences go out to the Doughty and Hayes families of Lorane.

Another loss has really rocked the world of the Edwards’ family. A young woman who we have known for many years died tragically about two weeks ago. She was a star athlete who played basketball against our granddaughter in high school and a good student; she was an “unofficial” part of our family during those years and while attending the LCC Dental Assistant Program. She worked at our store for awhile, and eventually moved on with her life. She was beautiful, inside and out, and she was happy, intelligent… and loved. We saw little of her the last 10 years or so, but we knew that she had become a mother. The last time I ran into her in town, about 5 years ago, she had her little girl with her and it was easy to see how proud and happy she was. Those are the memories that I want to remember her by.

Our daughter posted her obituary the other day, and one of the comments on it struck a chord. “There are things in life that will never make sense; this is one of them.”

The memory of the woman we once knew will live on in our hearts.

Rest in peace, Shauna Allen (1987-2022).