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, December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021Newspaper Columns, , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
December 16, 2021
By Pat Edwards

One more week until Christmas! Time seems to be rushing by these days… For me, at this time of year, that’s a good thing because when the holidays have passed, it usually means that spring is not that far in the future. I am only too well-aware, however, that Mother Nature frequently has surprises up her bountiful sleeves. Some of our worst winter weather—snow, ice storms, electrical outages, downed trees—have occurred after the new year has put in its appearance and I know that this could be one of those years.

I used to consider fall my favorite season. The slowing down of the busy days of summer into the indoor warmth and coziness of fall has always been welcome, and I still do love it. But spring has taken over the number one spot for me. It’s the season of awakening when the ugliness of winter’s naked trees, mud and dripping branches begin to change and take a back seat to the renewal of life in so many shades of green. It’s when I plant some of the seeds I harvested last fall from my favorite flowers into starter pots so that by the time they have sprouted, grown and acclimated to the spring, I can add them to the flower beds that await my attention.

Spring also challenges my aged body to become active again after the months of idleness during the winter. On those first days of relatively weak sunshine without rain, I can sense the stirrings of life and energy not only returning to the trees and plants outside, but to my own spirit, as well. I look forward to it; I welcome it.

So, winter, do your best… or worst, if necessary. We have always been able to deal with whatever Mother Nature hands out, knowing that spring will be just around the corner at some point.

May each of you enjoy your own, special holiday celebrations in these coming weeks. Gather with your family and friends in love; count your blessings and put aside any shortcomings you feel that life has dealt you. Share your good fortune with others. Dwell on the good things in life and offer your thanks to those, including yourself, who are responsible for them.

Sweet Lorane Community News, December 9, 2021

December 9, 2021Newspaper Columns Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
December 9, 2021
By Pat Edwards

I was able to check off one more thing on my “to-do” list this past week. Jen Chambers and I, as editors of Groundwaters Publishing, distributed over 230 copies of our newly-published, 2021 edition of our annual anthology at a drive-up event at the Applegate Regional Theater. This anthology, which contains the stories and poetry of over 70 local writers and poets, is to be my last one. I can feel my abilities to multi-task and focus slipping a bit these days and I don’t want the quality of our popular publication to begin to slip. The seven annual anthologies and the literary quarterlies that preceded them have been an on-going labor of love for us for the past 15+ years. Even though the publication of an annual anthology will cease, the business itself will continue. I will continue to take on a limited number of manuscripts to prepare for publication and Jen is hoping to come up with other on-line ways to showcase our local talent.

It was so much fun to see and visit with many of those who have been strong supporters of our publication for many years. They have all expressed sadness that the publication is coming to an end, but continue to support the decisions we’ve made. Thank you to all who have become such close members of our Groundwaters family. We love you!
By the time you read this, I will have already participated in the 2021 Authors and Artists Fair at the Lane Country Fairgrounds that was held on Saturday, December 11. I was invited to participate this year by the Lane Library League and agreed to bring my books, including the 2021 Groundwaters anthology. Thanks so much to Bill Sullivan and the LLL for their continued support of local authors and artists.

Now it’s time to get into full holiday mode. We celebrate Christmas at our house. I put up the tree and lights yesterday and will finish hanging the ornaments today. Many of my ornaments are rather old and not nearly as stylish as most decorated trees these days. I no longer put popcorn garlands or tinsel on our tree as I once did, but there are still handmade ornaments done by our children or family members as gifts. One year, my sister sent me several beautiful, white Christmas tree balls embroidered with French knots; then there are the stained glass candlesticks made by one of our children. Some of the older ornaments are missing paint and showing their age.

Last year, I told you about the ornament that has always held a place of honor on our tree, but it still rings true today, so I’m going to repeat it…

“I carefully opened the royal purple bag and took out the very fragile, faded Santa Claus that had adorned so many of our trees over the years. It had been given to me by my mother many years ago. This Santa had belonged to her when she was a little girl in Long Beach, California… and I realized that he was now over 100 years old. Just placing that special ornament on the tree brought back not only the love of the angel who has been sitting on my shoulder since my mother passed in 2011, but the peace and goodwill that I’ve always felt at Christmas time.”

This holiday season is accompanied by inconveniences, strained relationships, fears, injustices, hardships and uncertainty for many, but it is a time of the year when we can try to focus on the goodness in one another and the positive things we can do to ease the burdens being carried by others that are greater than our own. By trying to take the focus off of ourselves and our own problems, maybe we can carry over this renewed shared respect and appreciation for others year-round.

Happy Holidays to each and every one of you!

Sweet Lorane Community News, December 2, 2021

December 2, 2021Newspaper Columns Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
December 2, 2021
By Pat Edwards

Post-Thanksgiving greetings, all… Our “turkey day” was wild and wonderful this year with seven of our twelve great-grandkids, ranging in the ages from 2 to 6, very much in evidence. Our family hasn’t been able to sit at one table in years, so after gathering around my big dining room table and saying grace, we filled our plates and dispersed throughout the dining, living and family rooms to eat and visit. We even set up a children’s table next to the big table this year.

Has everyone cleared their refrigerator of Thanksgiving Day leftovers yet? Jim and I just finished the last bowl of the turkey-noodle soup I made from the scraps. I was able to get a good “do” on it this year so it went pretty fast. Our house has always been the venue for our family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I love having them here, but I’ve always had problems with the large amount of leftovers that I have to deal with afterwards. As I mentioned earlier, I bought cardboard takeout containers this year and no one was allowed to leave that evening without at least one carton in hand, and all remaining pies and desserts had to be taken away, too. We were left with a manageable amount of leftovers to enjoy for only another meal or two. How nice that was, since Jim and I eat so much less than we used to.

Connie Suing of the Crow Grange has asked me to let you know about the upcoming Holiday Community Potluck they are hosting. It will be taking place on Thursday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. The Grange is providing turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes and is asking folks to bring side dishes, salad, and dessert to share. There will be crafts for kids to create and take home and also photos with Santa. Contact Connie at 541-556-2609 for more information.

The Lorane Community Association put up their Angel Trees at the Lorane Family Store and Applegate Elementary for area children last week. One of the Holiday Helpers, Rozlyn Fox, shares this information with us about the Angel Trees:

“If you come for a tag and they are all gone, please check back in a couple of days; families are still reaching out for assistance and tags will continue to be added as requests filter in.

“Families, it’s not too late to request assistance with gifts for your kiddos! We ask that kids be 18 or under and either live in Lorane/Crow or be enrolled in C-A-L School District… the ‘littles’ and kids being homeschooled or attending school in a different district can receive gifts too! All information is completely confidential.

“You can sign up by either sending me (Rozlyn) or Marissa McNutt-Cooper a message on Facebook or by calling or texting Marissa at (541) 517-6608 or Paula May at 541-729-3999. Please share with us your child’s age, an idea of some items your child has on their wish list, their clothing sizes and any particular items they’re in need of. We’ll ask for your contact information in case we have follow-up questions and to arrange drop off.”

They would like to have the information by December 8, if possible.

Boxes for the community food drive have been placed at the Lorane Family Store and the post office. Also, a drive-through collection for the annual Lorane Community Food Boxes will take place in front of the Lorane Deli on Saturday, December 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be another drive-through collection at the Crow Grange on Sunday, December 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as well. If you or someone you know could use a food box, please let Jennifer and John Long (785-806-5262) or Pam Kersgaard know, or contact one of the Holiday Helpers listed as contacts for the Angel Tree, above. They stress that it’s helpful for them to know if you have any particular requests of items your family prefers or food allergies so they know what foods to include or avoid when packing.

Happy Holidays, everyone!