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, May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021Newspaper Columns, Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
May 13, 2021
By Pat Edwards

Yesterday, Jim and I were ecstatic to hear the announcement from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), that our country has reached the point in our continued fight against COVID-19 where all of us who are fully vaccinated will no longer be expected to wear masks or socially distance except in certain situations (i.e. assisted living centers, medical offices and hospitals, on public transportation, etc.) where masks might still be mandated. This was personally wonderful news, but we realize that there are still many who are holding off in getting the vaccine until they feel more confident in its safety. I respect legitimate concerns. Looking at the fact of how many doses have been administered in the U.S. and how few serious allergic reactions have occurred, however, my hope is that our nation is able to reach its projected goal of 70% vaccinated by July 4.

For me, this has never been a political issue. Over my 78 years, I’ve seen the benefits of other vaccines that have controlled, or even wiped out, polio, smallpox, HIV, diphtheria, measles and so many other diseases that threatened our population. Wearing masks have not been fun, but they have proven effective in protecting those of us who have used them. Now that it’s available, we have chosen to be vaccinated and we are taking that first big step back to normalcy… we no longer have to wear masks. That, in itself, is worth the one or two pokes in the arm that will ensure that, as a nation, we can gain control of this terrible disease that has killed so many in just a year’s time.

Please get vaccinated. Don’t do it for me—I’m protected. Do it for yourself and for your loved ones who’d like to keep you around for awhile longer. Yes… most likely you’ll survive COVID-19 if you get it, but are you really willing to take that chance?

Sweet Lorane Community News, May 6, 2021

May 6, 2021Newspaper Columns, , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
May 6, 2021
By Pat Edwards

This past week has been a difficult one for those of us who are long-time residents of Lorane. One of our own special people who was raised in Lorane and went to school in the Lorane and Crow schools was admitted to the intensive care unit at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital.
Following graduation and the military, Bud White moved to the East Coast, married, and raised his family there, but always kept in touch with his Oregon roots. He returned to Oregon about 5 or 6 years ago and settled in Eugene.

After being admitted to the hospital, his sister, Jodie Smith, began posting daily updates on his condition on Facebook which I shared on the Lorane page. Bud was diagnosed positive for the Covid-19 virus and was soon put on a ventilator. Love, prayers and special memories were sent to Bud and his family as we followed his progress/regression through the days. We cheered as Jodie reported that he had been taken off of the ventilator and was able to breath with the help of a BiPAP machine, but his lungs were not able to take in enough oxygen, so he was ventilated once again. Sadly, his quiet passing on May 3 was announced with Jodie’s words:

“It is with a broken heart that I must update you all about Buddy’s evening flight to heaven. It went smoothly and as easy as can be. He was blessed to have loving care at McKenzie Willamette Hospital including the beautiful people who comforted his wife Myrtle, daughter, Anne Melien, and grandsons Joey, Zack and Jaylin. They all shared his final moments.”

In the photo that she shared of Bud and Myrtle, Jodie pointed out “the kind eyes and smile that reflect the generous, wonderful, loving, hard-working and devoted person that Bud practiced being in every step of his life. To find a more kind, gentle, loyal, brave and patriotic friend, family man, volunteer fireman, veteran and pure-hearted soul is a feat in and of itself.” Celebration of life plans will be announced as soon as they are known.

Our condolences go out to the White family including his sister, Jodie, of Eugene and his brother, Corky, of Lorane.

The Territorial Highway Project at Stony Point north of Lorane is entering a new phase. This week’s newsletter informed us that, beginning on/or about May 10, the travel route over Stony Point will be a gravel surface. “The traveling public is encouraged to use alternative routes. People driving should drive slower through the area and motorcycles and bicycles should use extreme caution.”

The Lorane Grange has tentatively set its annual Grange Cemetery Clean-up for Thursday, May 13. Those interested in becoming grange members or volunteering to help with the project are encouraged to contact Lil Thompson at 541-942-5701 for more information.

Vendors are being sought for the upcoming Applegate Regional Theater’s Community-Wide Yard Sale to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the theater grounds (the former Central Elementary School) at 87230 Central Road—the corner of Central and Fleck Roads—between Eugene and Veneta. It’s 2-miles south of Fern Ridge Lake at Perkins Peninsula and sits next to the Central Grange. To reserve a 10′ x 10′ space, email art-inc@hotmail.com. The current COVID-19 protocols at that time will be observed.

It’s good to see some activities beginning to blossom again in our communities.

Sweet Lorane Community News, April 29, 2021

April 29, 2021Newspaper Columns, , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
April 29, 2021
By Pat Edwards

Spring Greetings!

Connie Suing of the Crow Grange has asked me to announce their upcoming Mother’s Day breakfast with this message:

“Enjoy a Mother’s Day breakfast Sunday morning, May 9th from 8:00 to 11 a.m. at the Crow Grange, 85994 Territorial Hwy, for a suggested donation of $5 each. Our menu includes pancakes or biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, fruit, coffee and juice. We plan to provide take-out but, depending on our county’s Covid-19 status, we hope dining-in will be available by that time. Please check our Facebook page for updates.”

Like everyone else, our big family has been getting antsy and longing for a family gathering where we could safely reconnect. Our solution was to reserve two beach homes in Depoe Bay for 3 nights last weekend. Jim and I, as well as our adult offspring and their spouses, have all been fully vaccinated, so we opted to stay in a beautiful home that sits right on a sandy beach. I dubbed it the “Old Folks’ Home.”

The other house was not as nice, but it was large enough to accommodate the families of 3 of our adult grandchildren which included 7 of our great-grandchildren. All of the younger adults very carefully prepared for our mini-vacation by avoiding exposure to Covid… wearing masks and social distancing. During the times we all got together, most were usually outdoors, walking on the beach, flying kites, exploring nearby tidepools, picking up interesting stones and shells, and sitting in the hot tub. Despite occasional rain, very little time was spent indoors by the younger set, except to eat dinner. The cousins merrily led their mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles on chases through the sand and played together with abandon while GiGi and Papa watched through the big picture windows of the house.

The first full day that we were there, we all signed up to tour the wonderful Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport as a 6th birthday celebration for our oldest great-grandaughter, Harper Lorane Furlong. Jim drove a scooter while the rest of us took charge of one of the 7 great-grands who ranged between the ages of 8 months and 6 years as we made our way through the exhibits of colorful and interesting kinds of fish and marine life. The kids and adults alike were mesmerized by the jellyfish tank, and the bright orange starfish, beautiful sea anemones and sea urchins that swayed gently with the water currents in each exhibit.

Walking through the huge Passages of the Deep tunnel and being surrounded by ocean fish, including sharks, swimming beside, above and below us was surreal. We were able to view them all through clear walls, floors and ceilings and strangely, we felt part of our surroundings. Upon exiting the tunnel, we encountered a pool with wonderful sea otters lazily floating on their backs next to the windows where we could easily view each whisker. We visited the harbor seal and sea lion exhibits, the sea bird aviary and, finally, we ended up at the gift shop to treat the littles to a small stuffed animal of their choice.

Each day we spent on the coast etched into Jim and me how very blessed we are to be able to claim each of these amazing people as family. It was a time we needed to be together—to reconnect. They are our world.

My wish is that each and every mom, dad, grandpa and grandma will be able to reconnect with their own families as we did very soon, in their own ways. For great-grandparents, each day and week away from our family is a huge loss to not only us, but to the littles ones who might never get to bond with our generation and those who love them so very much.