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 15, 2022

December 15, 2022Newspaper Columns, 1 Comment

The Chronicle (Creswell)
Sweet Lorane Community News
December 15, 2022
By Pat Edwards

This year, I decided that I would keep my Christmas holiday decorating to a minimum. The main reason is that, with a new kitten in the house who is experiencing her first Christmas with us, I knew what to expect. So, when I went out to our shed where I have at least 4 tubs of decorations, I just brought in the lights and ornaments for the tree and a few long-time, durable pieces that would help make the house a bit festive. The ornaments that I chose for the tree were carefully selected. The extremely fragile 110-year-old Santa Claus that my mother had as a child was left in the storage unit, safely nestled in its box of cotton.

Gigette watched as I laid down the large, round hooked rug/Christmas tree skirt that I had made when our own children were still at home. I then brought in the 5′ tree and began putting on the strings of lights. Gigette was curious, but seemed strangely content to sit and watch what I was doing instead of trying to insert herself as my helper in every activity I’m involved in around the house. Hmmm… maybe the tree would be safe afterall!

Jim has never helped me with the tree after it was set up, but this year, he actually offered to help me decorate it. He brought his walker into the living room and I filled the basket on it with the less-fragile ornaments that are not used often. By the time we were done, the branches of our little tree were covered with colorful, hanging globes. I plugged in the lights and they brightened up the room with a cheery glow as they always do. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying the spirit of Christmas-coming.

I was amazed at Gigette’s seeming-respect for our creation. That evening, she played in her little tunnels in the family room by Jim’s chair and confronted the older cats, teasing Joey until he licked her for a few seconds before swatting her away. The dogs continue to be fair-game for her, too.

When I got up the next morning, however, as I walked through the dining room and living room on the way to the kitchen, I discovered at least 10-15 ornaments lying scattered across the carpet. Jim even found one in the guest bathroom and a broken one in the kitchen. Obviously, Miss Gigette had just been biding her time and planning her attack until after the lights went out the night before.

Yesterday, our great grandsons—2-year-old Hudson and 4-year-old, Sawyer—came over to visit with their mommy, Linsey Kau. After Sawyer studied and came to terms with the workings and technical abilities of our robot vacuum which was busily doing its job when they arrived, I asked the boys to come into the living room with me to help put the by-now Gigette-caused devastation from the night before to rights. I turned on the Christmas tree lights and they helped me rehang the 20-or-so ornaments back on the tree once again. When we were done, Sawyer, pointed to the top of the tree and asked, “Where’s the star?”

I had forgotten to put the shining star on the tree! The realization hit me that despite of my reluctance to “go easy” on the decorations this year, there are some things that must not be forgotten. Traditions—family traditions, especially—are sacred and observed and expected by even the youngest members of our family.

Thank you, Sweet Sawyer, for helping me to remember the “reason for the season.”
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you!

Sweet Lorane Community News, December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022Newspaper Columns 2 Comments

The Chronicle (Creswell)
Sweet Lorane Community News
December 1, 2022
By Pat Edwards

Pamela Kerns Petersdorf 1952-2022

Today, I want to dedicate my column to an amazing woman who served as the editor and publisher of my weekly columns for the Fern Ridge Review, later known as the Fern Ridge-Tribune News headquartered in Veneta and Junction City. Sadly, Pam Petersdorf passed away on November 14, 2022.

Pam worked, for many years, beginning in 1972, as the receptionist and office manager for the former, very successful weekly community newspaper, the West Lane News, and took on the same duties for its Junction City “sister” publication, the Tri-County News, during the time when Mike and Sandy Thoele owned and published both newspapers. The WLN was sold in 2010, and “later shut down.” It was then that a new publication covering the West Lane area, the Fern Ridge Review, was begun and I was asked to begin writing a Lorane column for it.
In 2012, the new owner of the FRR, who also owned The Creswell Chronicle, asked me if I would allow him to begin publishing my weekly column in the Chronicle, too. I agreed to submit the same column each week to both newspapers.

Pam continued in her established role until she and her family were able to buy both newspapers and, in 2013, she stepped into a new role as publisher and owner. She contacted me and asked me if I would continue sending in weekly columns. Other staff members were equally dedicated to the idea that the area needed its own newspaper, and stayed on, as well.

All during this time, I never met Pam in person, but I was very impressed with her deep love and desire to provide the West Lane community with local news. It was important to her to give parents the opportunity to see their kids’ names in print when Tom Page covered most of the athletic events and other reporters covered other school events at several local high schools in the area. She made sure someone was on hand to report on and cover other local meetings and events including city council meetings—in fact, Sandy Larson, Veneta’s own mayor, was one of the best and most prolific reporters for the newspaper for many years until her death in January 2019.

Every one of us respected Pam for all that she did for the West Lane community through the years. Jeneca Jones, former editor of the West Lane News (2003-2007) summarized it in these words:

“Revived, albeit with a new name, the paper’s tagline became ‘Local News About Local People.’ It encapsulated what she felt was most important about a community newspaper. It was important that the library events were published. And that someone went to take photos at the church’s annual barbecue. And that people knew what the city and the school districts were up to. And that a mention was made when someone received an award for doing something good. And that school sports were covered. And that a new business story was published when someone opened their doors. And when someone passed away, it was important to tell their story. She understood the value.

“Newspapering was her connection to the community. Even if you didn’t know her, you knew there was a community newspaper you could count on to bring you the local news. Pam played a quiet but significant role for years, working at the paper throughout her life and finally owning and operating it, stoking the fire that kept this newspaper alive when many other community papers were dying. Her contribution to her community was truly a gift. And we are all better for it. She was also a good friend, and that’s something I will never forget.”

Pam was someone I admired immensely. She encouraged me to write from the heart and stressed the need for everyone on her staff to maintain a voice for their various communities. Ours was a virtual relationship, it’s true, but it was a friendship that I valued and Pam Petersdorf’s passing will be felt by all of us who were touched by her community spirit.
The fate of the Fern Ridge-Tribune News is unsure at this point. Publication has been suspended until Pam’s family can figure out what can be done. In the meantime, Pam will be missed deeply. My deep condolences go out to her family at this time.

Sweet Lorane Community News, November 17, 2022

November 17, 2022Newspaper Columns, 2 Comments

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
The Chronicle (Creswell)
Sweet Lorane Community News
November 17, 2022
By Pat Edwards

The holidays are upon us. This past week, Jim and I, along with our daughter, Gloria, attended the Lorane Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Lorane Grange. It’s a tradition hosted by the Lorane Christian Church for many years, but it was put on hold during the pandemic and this was the first one we’ve attended in several years. How nice it was to share such a delicious meal prepared by church members, and be able to spend the afternoon with long-time friends and neighbors that we haven’t been in touch with for quite a while. It was a wonderful way to ignite our holiday spirit in preparation for our own family festivities. Thank you to the church and the grange for reinstating such a great tradition.

As I’m beginning to prepare our house for Thanksgiving Day, I’m frequently reminded of the newest member of our household who has taken over our lives these past few months. I’ve been picking up strings, papers or small items that have been knocked off of surfaces. Gigette, a spunky little black and white spotted kitten, was about 8-weeks old when we offered to temporarily keep her for one of our daughters. At the time Gloria was fostering a dog she was afraid might be too rough with her, so, Gigette came to live with Jim and me.

Gigette

She immediately and completely took command of the whole household… pestering our other two house cats despite their hisses, growls and swats, until they eventually relented and began to play with her occasionally. She challenged our dogs, who were curious about her, and tempted them to chase her, rising on her haunches with her two little front paws raised to grab their noses. I set up a couple of interactive toys for her in the family room where Jim could watch her play from his recliner. She swatted and chased the balls in the round tracks and then hid from Jo-Jo and Oreo in the kitty-tunnel, hoping to pounce on them as they walked past.

Right from the beginning, she was no different from other babies who need their naps each day, and her favorite spot became the middle of Jim’s chest as he reclined in front of the TV. Within a week’s time, Gloria gave up on the idea of ever taking her back. She had taken over our lives completely. As she got older, she began exploring more and more of the house. Countertops were checked out, of course. We tried using a spray bottle with water to discourage her countertop raids, but the mist was so fine that she actually considered it a game. Our next deterrent was a plastic container with some gravel in it which we shook whenever she’d venture onto the kitchen counter. She has now learned to stay off of them, but my computer desk seems to be a favorite for playtime now. As I work on my computer, she frequently jumps on my lap with the intent of snuggling down for a bit, but then sees the cursor jumping across my monitor screen, so it’s become fun to walk across the keyboard, sending her own little messages onto whatever I happen to working on in order to play with the cursor. And, I won’t even attempt to go into the fun of working on jigsaw puzzles with a kitten in the house…

It’s amazing how much joy one little being can bring into our lives, especially now in our senior years. We have always had cats and dogs and each one is loved and cherished as a family member. Almost all of them have been rescues, even before rescue groups became the norm, and each has taken over a special place in our hearts. As hard as it is to have to say “goodbye” in the end, the companionship, joy and unconditional love that they bring us during their too-short times in our lives make up for the eventual pain in parting.

Thank you Toby, BB, Jo-Jo, Oreo, Xena and Gigette for brightening our lives every day!

There are so many thanks to be offered this Thanksgiving Day. Let’s all dedicate this day to counting our many blessings and being thankful for each and every one. Happy Thanksgiving, All!