Sweet Lorane Community News – October 28, 2021

October 28, 2021Newspaper Columns2021 Groundwaters anthologyy, English Mastiff puppypaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 28, 2021
By Pat Edwards

This week, I’m putting the final touches on the 2021 Groundwaters anthology. It contains 177 wonderful stories and poems by over 75 local authors and poets. Here’s a portion of my preface to this book:

“This, the 7th annual edition of our Groundwaters anthology, will be my last. It’s not that I don’t love doing the intricate work involved in fitting so many pieces and elements together into one cohesive book—I do love it. But, I’m finding that it’s taking me longer and with the advancing years, I find that I’m not able to design, multi-task or figure things out nearly as well as I used to. I don’t want to reach that point where the quality of my work begins to noticeably ebb, because my goal has always been to showcase the work of our authors and poets in the best way possible.

“I wish I could have used all of the stories and poems that were submitted this year, but 200 pages is as large as I wanted it to get. We have been able to give almost all of our contributors a place to shine. You’ll find work from established, published authors to those who will be seeing their work in print for the very first time. That’s the way all of us who have published Groundwaters have intended it to be. Each of the pieces included represent the voice of someone who deserves to be heard…”

I’m having to try to get the book through review and sent off for printing in the next couple of weeks before our daughters, Gloria and Michele, and I will fly off to New Mexico to pick up a beautiful 8-week old (by then) English Mastiff puppy named Grizz to bring home. Grizz will never be able to replace Gloria’s Cappy, but he will provide the love, loyalty and companionship that has been missing since Cappy died. As a puppy, he will be able to grow up with Gloria’s little 2-year old granddaughter, Calliope, and become her guardian and friend.

We’ve always been a family that tends to adopt rescue dogs and cats, but with a breed like a Mastiff, it’s never sure if behaviors they’ve picked up in their past will work out with small children, especially. So, when a puppy in Texas was advertised, Gloria’s sister, Kelly, who has long been on the board of a dog rescue group, checked out the breeders, thoroughly, and they passed with flying colors. Because Gloria doesn’t want him flying in cargo on a plane, we will pick him up in a rental car and drive him home to Oregon with us. It will be journey we are all looking forward to making for a new furry family member, and Jim will hold down the fort at home.

Life is busy these days with lots of choices and decisions to be made… not all good. But it’s so important to look for the positives and appreciate the blessings.

Sweet Lorane Community News, September 23, 2021

September 23, 2021Newspaper Columns2021 Groundwaters anthologyy, Kevin and Jazmine Stevens' wedding, Lorane Christian Church, Lorane Grange election of officers, Stony Point, Trip to Montanapaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
September 23, 2021
By Pat Edwards

Last week, my column was a bit shorter than usual. I was preparing for our grandson’s, wedding, and the following day, I boarded a plane to fly to Helena, Montana, to again visit my good friend, Connie, who was recently widowed. So, it’s been a busy week for sure.

Despite a steady drizzle during the outdoor wedding, it was beautiful, and to make amends, Mother Nature put on display, a magnificent rainbow that stretched across the sky above the wedding party. Jim’s brother, John, and his wife, Vicki, were gracious enough to provide the venue for Kevin and his bride Jazmine on their beautiful property bordering the Coast Fork of the Willamette River in Saginaw. We got a bit damp during the ceremony, but the last-minute decision to erect large tents the day before kept the food and attendees dry at the reception. What could have devastated most couples, allowed Kev and Jazz to relax, add humor to their day and enjoy the large group of friends and family who attended. In addition, I had the honor of being walked down the aisle on the arm of… and seated by… Brent Haxby, our grandson-in-law, who was officiating his very first wedding since earning his license. It was a good day.

Sunday morning, I once again boarded a plane which took me, via Seattle, to Helena, Montana, where my long-time friend, Connie Ruhlman, lives. It’s been a rough time for her since Dick died last spring and, although her daughter lives close by, she’s a victim’s advocate and is on a rapid response team for the FBI; both jobs require her to be on the road a great deal. Our short visits together have allowed us to reconnect and reminisce about our days at Linfield College and all of the many years we have stayed close friends while living far apart. It’s a friendship that we both cherish.

Back home, I’m ready to get back to working on the layout for our upcoming Groundwaters anthology, which was beginning to take shape before I left. Our local writers are beginning to get back into the spirit of writing and a lot of excellent submissions have come in and will be included.

When I returned from Montana, Jim and I drove over the construction area on Stony Point. All but a small segment at the south end of the project was paved and lined with guard rails. The short portion that is still being worked on at the top is still one-way and being regulated by traffic lights at each end, so we ask everyone going through there to follow the rules of the road… red means stop; wait for it to turn green before proceeding. It’s such a simple concept, but there are still those who are impatient and try to sneak through, causing nerves and tempers to fray. It won’t be long before this section will be completed. The Lane County Department of Public Works, which oversees it, is hoping to be done with all of the finishing work by mid-November at the latest. Traffic should be able to proceed without flaggers or lights before then, however.

The Lorane Grange held its election of new officers at their September meeting. Randy Eschleman was chosen its new Master and Gary Lutman, the Overseer. Other positions were retained by those holding them last year.

The Lorane Christian Church continues to hold Sunday services both indoors and in the parking lot for those who do not want to wear masks. Those who stay in their cars can tune to a radio frequency that carries the service though the speakers. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Happy Autumn everyone! I’m ready.