Sweet Lorane Community News, February 22, 2018

February 22, 2018Newspaper ColumnsCrow Booster Club, Nora Olson, San Diego, Soup Dinner and Bingopaedwards 1 Comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 22, 2018
By Pat Edwards

Unfortunately, due to the recent spate of winter weather—aka, snow—the planned Lorane Barn Dance was cancelled. Plans are to reschedule it for another time. I know there are a lot of disappointed people. Many were really looking forward to going.
Another cancellation was the weekly Birth and Beyond meeting. Hopefully, things will become more “spring-like” soon.

The Crow Booster Club, which serves and supports projects benefiting all of the students in the C-A-L schools, is having a Bingo and Soup Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, March 10. The 5:00 p.m. Soup Dinner will be $3/child; $5/adult, and at 6:00 p.m., BINGO begins. It is $5 per single game pack and $1 for the blackout game which will pay out $100 to the winner if they bingo in an allotted number of calls. A consolation pot of $25 will be paid if the bingo does not go in the allotted number. There will also be a 50/50 raffle for those who want to participate. All proceeds are earmarked to support the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District.

I’ve received word that another former long-time Lorane resident has passed away. Nora Olson was a big part of Lorane while here. She was a nurse, but did so much more than that for the community while here. She served as the Noble Grand of the Lorane Rebekahs and volunteered in other capacities. Many of the comments posted to the notice on the Lorane Facebook included the words, “She made me laugh” and “She was always willing to help someone out…” She was born in Vienna, Austria and came to Lorane from her homes in New Hampshire and Maine, I believe. Jim and I extend our condolences to the Olson and Brackett families for their loss.

Jim and I just returned from a 5-day trip to the San Diego area of California. We went with my sister, Barbara, and her husband Dwight, to see our half-sister and brother who live down there. A cousin also lives in Camarillo, California, so we flew into Burbank and made that our first stop, driving the next day to San Diego. That was actually the worse part of the whole trip. I dislike driving Belt Line during rush hour, but it’s a piece of cake compared to the 405 traffic. It took us about an hour longer each way than it used to.

We had a beautiful hotel in the Old Town/Mission Bay portion of San Diego with a fantastic view. The time we spent with our older sister and brother was very special to us. Our sister, Virginia, recently moved to a memory-care facility following the death of her husband, but we were greeted with huge hugs and her memory for years past was extremely sharp. Together, they gave us a tour of the Point Loma area where they grew up as well as the old lighthouse where many military ships passed on their way out to sea during World War II. It was a special time in which we shared special memories.

Now it’s time to get back to work…

Sweet Lorane Community News, February 15, 2018

February 15, 2018Newspaper Columnsfood baskets, Little Lorane Library, Lorane Barn Dance, Lorane Community Association, Lorane Grange, Mina Knittel, Neighborhood Watchpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 15, 2018
By Pat Edwards

I am writing this column earlier than usual as, by the time you read it, we will have left on a short vacation. I’ll have to tell you a little about it next week. In the meantime, I have some news to share…

Because of the great attendance and the fun had by all after the last similar event, the Lorane Grange is hosting a Barn Dance on Friday, February 23. It will be happening between 7:00-10:00 p.m. The music group will be announced later on the Lorane Facebook page as soon as arrangements have been finalized. All ages are welcome to participate and a suggested donation per person is $10. There will be refreshments served at the intermission.

The Lorane Community Association has got some big plans in the works if everything falls into place, according to the minutes of the last meeting.

Their main issue is addressing the Lorane Community food basket program. The current storage space needs to be repaired and revamped. Misty Burris is working with Food for Lane County to expand the pantry stock and they are hoping to involve other organizations in the community to help run it.

Little Lorane Library has outgrown its current space and the issue will be addressed sometime in March.

Also, the possible creation of a neighborhood watch is being revisited. The Lane County Sheriff’s Department and Oregon State Police offices are being contacted about issues the community has regarding the seasonal break-ins and lack of response from law enforcement agencies. The Easy Acres Neighborhood Group has already held two meetings to set up its own Neighborhood Watch. We’re planning to share information with the Lorane group.

In a response for more recognition and support for veterans returning from war zones, the LCA wants to make an effort to reach out to local vets and establish more connections. A proposed veteran-specific banner will be added to the reader board and discussions of future activities are in the works.

The LCA also wants to assist a member of the community with the building of a house. According to Mina Knittel, Secretary of the Lorane Community Association, ideas for a fundraiser, work party, etc are in the works and will be decided at the next meeting.
In years past, communities and neighbors came together for barn-raisings! Why not a house in Lorane? I strongly believe that communities need more of these projects where neighbors can join together in helping each other. I’m proud of those who are not afraid to set goals and reach for the stars. Good for you, LCA!

The next monthly meeting of the group is scheduled for Thursday, March 1 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lorane Deli.

More next week!

Sweet Lorane Community News, February 8, 2018

February 8, 2018Newspaper ColumnsAlesong Brewing and Blending, Dale and Bette Giles, Lorane Country Cafepaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 8, 2018
By Pat Edwards

Goodbye to the Lorane Country Cafe. Thanks for the memories!

We had a major event take place in Lorane this past week. We said goodbye to a piece of Lorane’s recent history when the Lorane Country Café was used for a practice burn by the Lorane and South Lane fire departments. I think that most agreed that although it was sad for those of us who have such good memories of stopping by for a delicious meal, usually cooked by Bette Giles or her son Dale, it was time. It had sat vacant for several years now, only being used occasionally by a private individual. Then the property was sold to Brian and Doug Coombs and veteran brewer, Matt Van Wyk of Alesong Brewing and Blending who built a nice new brew-pub building on the hillside above it. The café was deteriorating rapidly and when representatives of the fire groups contacted Alesong about using it for a practice burn, the owners felt it was the best option. In doing so, it provided the Lorane and South Lane Fire Departments much-needed practice on procedures they may face in real-life situations. There are pictures of the burn posted to the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page. Thank you to the participants for giving its demise a sense of purpose.

Mark your calendars: The Crow Booster Club is having a Bingo and Soup Dinner Fundraiser at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. Everyone is invited to attend.

A Little Bit of Lorane History: Lorane Country Café (written in 2006)
After seven long years of working after work and on weekends, Dale and Bette Giles opened the doors of their new restaurant, the Lorane Country Cafe. They located it next to their home and adjacent to the entrance to King Estate Winery on North Territorial Road. The property that had at one time been part of Bette’s family’s homestead. Dale had always promised Bette that someday he would build her a restaurant if she would run it and after moving back to Lorane from Alaska in 1979, they began the fulfillment of that promise. The bright and airy building seated 45 patrons and the full set of windows on the front overlooked fields and vineyards. They catered to local patrons who preferred good basic foods and in doing so, attracted others from Eugene, Cottage Grove, Veneta and other parts of Oregon looking for a good meal in a beautiful setting. They offered 3 daily specials and homemade pies, biscuits and soups. It was always difficult to find help at the store because of the rural location. Bette employed local people and in the summers she hired high school students. But she always believed that it is important for teenagers to participate in school activities during the school year. In an article for the Lane Electric Ruralite, Bette was quoted as saying, “I hate to see them tied up with work. Their high school years should be a special time in their lives. There is lots of time left for work.”

The Giles ran the restaurant for 17 years with the help of their two sons, Dale “Ben” and David, and their daughter Deeann Giles Brewer and eventually closed it in 2003 after not being able to find a buyer. In 2005, Richard Boyles purchased the land and building and at this writing, it is standing vacant, awaiting a new infusion of life. The Giles sold their home and other property at the same time and moved to Arizona where they have chosen to retire. Their daughter Deeann Brewer remains in Lorane with her husband Jeff and son Christopher Davis Brewer, and Dale, Jr. is currently living in Lake Havasu with his family. Their son, David, passed away in 2008. (From Sawdust and Cider to Wine, 2006)