Sweet Lorane Community News – November 09, 2017

December 8, 2017Newspaper ColumnsCamp Alma, Creswell election, Douglas Burns, Jackie Keep Shappart, Lane County Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Lane County Work Camp, Lorane food boxes, Lorane Thanksgiving Dinner/Potluckpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
November 9, 2017
By Pat Edwards

Former Lorane resident, Jackie Keep Shappart, just received word that Douglas Burns, who graduated from Crow High School in 1961, passed away on August 20, 2017. He was a resident of Woodburn. His parents, Gene and May Burns (and later, stepmother, Jeanette), lived on South Territorial Road for many years. In the on-line “West Lane Project,” is an article, published in the Eugene Register-Guard on October 23, 1957, that featured Douglas and his brother Robert. They had an unusual 4-H project… raising ring-neck pheasants for the Oregon State Game Commission. “Pheasant raising has been a profitable venture for the Burns’ youth, Robert, 14, and Douglas, 13. This year they incubated 150 eggs and 72 pheasants for return to the Game Commission. Their total profit on the birds was $52.50…” Check it out at https://westlaneproject.shutterfly.com/people-b/9041. Our condolences to the Burns family for their loss.

It was exciting for a lot of us who have lived in the Lorane area for quite a while to hear that the former Lane County Work Camp, located west of Lorane on Siuslaw River Road, is now going to be used again. It has been sitting empty for many years since the county shut it down for lack of operational funds.

It is now being called, “Camp Alma,” and according to a story on the KEZI website, a local nonprofit group, Veterans Legacy, plans to turn the approximately 30-acre site into a treatment center for veterans.

The plan is to incorporate activities including the working of the land, growing food and raising animals in a quiet, safe, serene and isolated environment to allow veterans suffering from PTSD to heal and ready themselves for life away from war… to begin their transition back into the community. We’re proud to have Camp Alma as our neighbor.

Winter is fast approaching and Kathy Rice of Lorane reminded everyone recently about the Lane County Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federal program which “provides financial assistance to low-income households for home heating and energy bills. The program is seasonal and winter services are available as early as funding allows.

“Households with a person age 60 or over and households with a permanently disabled member are priority groups. Funds are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis… Services are available in Oakridge, Cottage Grove and Florence, Eugene and Springfield.” The contact number for Eugene is 541-345-3642; for Cottage Grove, 541-942-6492.

Boxes will soon be appearing all around Lorane to collect non-perishable foods for the community food baskets for those in need in our community. Be sure to watch for them and let’s keep them filled so that everyone can enjoy the holidays.

There will be no dinner and bingo nights held at the Lorane Grange in the months of November and December. They will resume in January.

A last reminder that the Crow Grange will be holding its Thanksgiving Community Potluck and Open House on Thursday, November 16 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring some non-perishable foods to donate!

Congratulations, Creswell, on a great turnout for last Tuesday’s election.

Sweet Lorane Community News – October 26, 2017

December 8, 2017Newspaper ColumnsCanning Preservattion Sharing Clinic, Creswell election, Creswell Middle School, Crow Thanksgiving Potluck and Open House, Harvest Dinner, Lorane Food Pantry, Lorane Thanksgiving Dinner/Potluck, Lorane Trunk or Treat, Misty Burris, Natalie Edwardspaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 26, 2017
By Pat Edwards

Jim and I weren’t able to make it to the Harvest Dinner last Friday night, held at the Lorane Grange in conjunction with the 3-day Canning and Preservation Clinic, but apparently about 30 people did. The next 2 days were also popular and many locally-grown vegetables and fruits were processed. Even though I didn’t participate, I think this is a wonderful idea and community event. It’s a win-win for everyone… you can learn the techniques needed for canning and preserving your own produce, and the end product is shared with the Lorane Food Pantry for distribution to families in need. And, from what I understand from others, it was a lot of fun to be able to do it as a community! Thank you to the organizers, Misty Burris and Pam Kersgaard, and the Lorane Community Association for starting what I hope is a long-standing tradition.

The annual Lorane “Trunk or Treat” will be held on Halloween night, Tuesday, October 31 in the parking lot of the Lorane Christian Church. Costumed kids can get their goodies from those who decorate their cars and provide treats from their trunks. Hot cider, hot chocolate, hot soup and corn bread are provided for all who attend.

Jim and I were able to go to the Creswell Middle School’s fall concert the other night. Our granddaughter, Natalie, is a member of the very impressive choir. I love listening and watching the enthusiasm shown by the choir members. I admit to silently singing along with the songs I recognize and tapping my toes to those I don’t.

The Creswell community should be very proud of your music program. For those of you who want to ensure that your students get additional funding to help provide them with needed equipment and chances to participate at music festivals around the county, etc., might want to take part in the Creswell Music Booster’s Pizza Day at Papa’s Pizza in Springfield on November 7, 2017. Fifty-percent of what you spend there that day will go to your music program. Another win-win!

While I’m talking to our Creswell readers, I just want to say that I wish you the best in the upcoming election. Don’t let it be decided by the number of those who don’t vote. Make your vote count!

The Lorane and Crow communities will be holding their annual Thanksgiving Dinner/Potlucks in a few weeks. Here’s information on each:

The Lorane Christian Church is hosting the Lorane Thanksgiving Dinner/Potluck to be held at the Lorane Grange on Sunday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m.

The Crow Grange will be holding its Thanksgiving Community Potluck and Open House on Thursday, November 16 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

For both, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy will be provided. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share with others, although its certainly not required. Both hosts also ask that you consider bringing a donation of canned goods that will go into the Lorane Food Pantry and the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District food boxes that will go to neighbors in need.