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, February 1, 2018

February 2, 2018Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 1, 2018
By Pat Edwards

I can’t remember when the first day of February has been so encouraging. Usually, by this time of winter, I am sick of the rain and the mud. Historically, February has always been my least favorite month of the year and I’m usually ready to seek out some sunshine. We may regret it later, but this year we have been blessed with much less rain, more strings of dry—and sometimes even sunny—days. We’ve had some sub-freezing temps, but not an unbearable amount and no snow or electrical outages.

As I write this, a strong winter sun is shining through the trees on the hill outside my window. The winter blues have not set in this year, and I’m enjoying our lengthening days of daylight… and yes, I know—I may eat those words this summer.

This week, our grandson called and said he had just completed the first of two planters he is building that will reside outside our store in Lorane. He asked me if I would bring home some flowers from town to plant in them. My first thought and comment, was… “This is not the time of year to plant flowers, Kev. If we have a major freeze, they won’t survive.” But, then I thought of the hardy, tough primroses that seem to survive whatever Mother Nature throws at them in my own flower beds. And, even though it’s too late to plant my favorite spring bulbs—daffodils, tulips, crocuses and hyacinths—I found some sturdy-looking potted hyacinths in a garden shop that were ready to bloom. They were outside and looked like they would at least put up a good fight if we have another freeze. I came home with enough to fill the new planter, and we shall see…

So, for me, this is proof that I can feel positive in February. The winter doldrums that frequently rob me of a lot of possibilities are not present this year. I’m thankful for that.

Now, on to some Lorane and Crow news…

The Lorane Christian Church will be hosting its annual “Friendship Banquet” on Sunday, February 11, at 5:30 p.m. This year, it will be held at Izzy’s on West 11th in Eugene, next to Fred Meyer. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come and share a social evening with neighbors and friends.

The Lorane Bread Basket group wants to remind anyone in the community who is in need to contact them as they offer food baskets all year round—not just during the holidays. If you know someone who could use one, please call 541-520-3643 or 541-952-7752. They will be glad to help.

Next week, February 5-9, is Spring Homecoming Week at CHS. Each day will be assigned a theme so students can dress-up each day according to the theme. Thursday is going to be Dress as Your Favorite Staff Member Day, and it ends with Spirit Day on Friday; the Homecoming Dance is that night. I personally want copies of pictures from anyone who chooses to dress up like teachers, Michele or Brian Kau, especially. If anyone does, please send them to me at paedwards42@yahoo.com for a special project I’m working on.

The project is no secret, as I had to tell our daughter, Michele, about it earlier, but I’m working on a 50th birthday album for her and hope to have it printed in time for her birthday on March 7. Anyone who would like to send a birthday greeting, memory or photo for me to include, should get them to me by February 15. I know she’s got many friends and former students out there who have some fun memories that will bring her joy when she reads her book.

Happy February, all!

Sweet Lorane Community News, January 25, 2018

January 25, 2018Newspaper Columns, Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 25, 2018
By Pat Edwards

Community news is a bit sparse this week, but there are a couple of things I’d like to comment on.

I am exceptionally pleased with the direction the Lorane community is taking in recent years. There is a kind of “rebirth” in community involvement happening that I haven’t seen for some time.

When our kids were in school at the Lorane Elementary, there was a strong parental and community involvement. Most of us—young and old—took part in and/or supported the Lorane P.T.C., the annual school carnival, the holiday music programs, the Lorane Tigers baseball and basketball games, the end-of-the school year picnic, to name only a few. In 1987, we held our huge 3-day Lorane Centennial which drew people from all over the country to help us celebrate. All of the clubs and organizations in the area were alive and well. There was a strong Grange, I.O.O.F./Rebekahs, and church presence with their smelt and community dinners, Lane County Fair displays, haunted houses, bible clubs, vacation bible schools, old-timers’ picnic and 4-H, Scouts and community clubs.

Then, things quieted down a lot—especially when we were told that the school would be closed. We seemed to lose much of our identity. Oh, we still had our yearly celebrations and the organizations kept a membership, but much of the vitality seemed to leave when the school, which had been our community’s hub, closed.

Now, I am seeing a new vitality. New groups are forming. The Grange, Rebekahs and, to an extent, the Lorane Deli are supplying much of the space needed for meetings and events. Once again, there is fresh new leadership that has taken on the job of creating interest, excitement and is promoting multi-generational involvement in our community.
The newest group, called “Birth to Beyond,” is only one example of the direction we are taking. It’s credo reads:

“We are a not-for-profit meet up to mentor and bring resources to the children and their guardian(s), parents and families. We seek to bring together circles of multigenerational interaction for play, conversation, encouragement and nourishment. We saw a need in our community and this is our solution. We come together to see the needs and connect resources to those needs. We now open the Grange doors on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or later. We create play spaces for children and playmates of ALL ages! From trains to sewing machines! Clothing exchanges and food boxes… We have recognized the need for a weekly meet-up to share space, time and support. We offer a chance to connect, sit, eat, play and enjoy being together.”

Their first meetings have appeared to be a success and I hope they continue. Contact Misty Burris or the Birth to Beyond Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gatherandalign/ for more information.

I’d also like to comment on the trend our schools, including our Crow-Applegate-Lorane district schools, are taking these days. Instead of making each child feel they are failures in life if they choose or aren’t able to attend four years of college, the tendency is to once again provide some career education classes. These can be in the form of mechanics, welding, computer science, carpentry, business management, early childhood development, robotics, engineering and cooking, among others. These classes are vital in maintaining interest in education among all students—not just the ones heading for a 4-year college and huge student loan debt. More students are going to stay in school and feel confident that they can improve their lot in life. By doing so, we all benefit.

Sweet Lorane Community News, January 18, 2018

January 18, 2018Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 18, 2018
By Pat Edwards

Bill Becker of Crow notified us that his brother-in-law, Jerry Robertson, recently passed away. Jerry was from Crow originally. His brothers, Gene and Alva, also from Crow, preceded him in death. He was married to Bill’s sister, Caroline Becker, also of Crow. Jerry and Caroline moved to La Grande in 1967 and have lived there ever since. Our condolences go out to Jerry’s family.

Remember: Lorane Grange Dinner and Bingo Night is to be held on Saturday, January 27, 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, Western Lane District, is announcing its “Fuels Reduction Grant Program” that offers to provide defensible space around your home, reducing the risk of wildfire on your property. They still have room for landowners to sign up for the program. It currently centers around the Lorane area (Coyote Ridge Communities) and maps are posted on the Lorane Facebook page so you can see if your property is eligible. Best of all, it will be done at no cost to the landowner. The Fuels Reduction Crew will create a 30′ to 150′ safety buffer around your home and surrounding structures to increase the chances of saving your home in the event of a wildfire.

You are encouraged to contact their Fire Planning Coordinator, Casey Smith, with any questions or to schedule an on-site evaluation visit (541-935-2283 x244 or email, Casey.A.Smith@oregon.gov). Lorane resident, Shane Kronberger, commented that “This is a great program. ODF and Lorane RFPD have already utilized this program on one property in the community and it turned out great!”

In a column last June, I included a message from Michael Matchulat who wrote about his 2-year-long battle with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Last Wednesday, he took another significant step in his continuing battle with the disease. He’s been on a bit of a hiatus this summer while a new program and new strategy was worked out by his team of doctors at OHSU. Wednesday was the beginning of what Michael described as a “chemically-induced hell” to rid him of the tumors that have been growing in his lungs.
Afterwards, he reported that the new direction in his treatment was rough.

“As my crushed body observed joy in everything at home, surrounded by my community, family and church, I was forced back to why I started this journey in the first place… Love. I’m living in a microscope again and I have to be careful of the petri dish of the mind and physical world around me. My thoughts must focus on goodness and optimism, which are easy goals right now as opposed to feelings produced by the ‘I-don’t-want-to-go-there’ thoughts. The list of things I can do has shrunk, but it will be replaced with another list of how to do things a new way.” (I’ve paraphrased a bit.)

In the meantime, Michael’s family, friends and community—those who have been with him from the very beginning—have, indeed, continued to reach out to him, offering up prayers and positive thoughts and, most of all, love. Even if you don’t know Michael, please add yours, as well. He is a fighter and I so respect the grit and determination that he has used to face his enemy head-on while sharing with us the real fears and uncertainties that every warrior has felt during life-and-death battles throughout history.