Sweet Lorane Community News, August 13, 2020

August 13, 2020Newspaper ColumnsCrow-Applegate-Lorane School District, Grange news, Marilyn Wenger-Cooper, Michael "Hoss" Barkerpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
August 13, 2020
By Pat Edwards

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District met on Thursday, August 6 and made some decisions about the upcoming school year. According to the report on their website at https://www.cal.k12.or.us/o/cal/news:

“Students in kindergarten and grades 1-3 at Applegate Elementary School will begin full time, in-person classes on September 14, 2020. Students in grades 4-12 will start distance learning classes on that same date.

“…Crow-Applegate-Lorane’s startup timeline delays classes by one week to allow school staff to meet with every K-12 student and family in parent-teacher-conference style meetings.
“Teachers with students in grades 4-12 will offer students and families a chance to meet, checkout textbooks and/or Chromebooks, and discuss ways to help kids adapt to the elevated rigor of Comprehensive Distance Learning.

“Teachers with students in kindergarten through grade 3 will co-teach small groups of students in person, alternating with a designated classified staff member. These “stable cohorts” of students will reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and simplify contact tracing should an exposure of the coronavirus be reported.

“Parents of K-3 children will have an opportunity to meet with their teachers and support staff to ask questions and review the process for arrival/dismissal, screening for symptoms, cleaning and sanitizing high-touch surfaces, meals and recess, and the delivery of instruction.”

Last week, I announced the birth of another little great-grandson, Hudson Ross Haxby. This week, I need to tell you about two very important people in my life who passed on the same day. Life, indeed, seems to be an unending circle.

One of our good friends, Marilyn Wenger Cooper, quietly slipped away on the evening of Saturday, August 8. She worked on and off for Jim and me at the Lorane Family Store for almost 40 years. She absolutely loved being part of our LFS family and she made many friends while there. Her health began failing a few years ago, but she fought to remain at the store for as long as she physically could. When she realized that she no longer was able to handle the work, she made the decision to quit, but it about broke her heart. Saying goodbye to her the day before she passed was extremely hard for Jim and me, but it was time and she was at peace. Rest in peace, Marilyn. We love you so.

A few days ago, I learned that I had lost another good friend on Friday, August 7… the day I was saying goodbye to Marilyn. Michael J. “Hoss” Barker was a good friend that I had lost track of during the pandemic. I later found out that he had been battling a rare form of leukemia for the past year. Hoss, as he liked being called, was a wonderful comboy/logger poet who brightened the pages of our Groundwaters magazine for many years. I worked with him on publishing his last book, My Time in Paradise, that he produced in 2014. It chronicled the six years he spent as the caretaker for Paradise Lodge in the wild and scenic Rogue River wilderness that he loved so very much. I helped him republish his other three books of poetry through the years of our friendship, as well. I send my condolences to Kris Barker, Hoss’ wife, and Eric, his remaining son after losing another son, Lucas, last November. You will be missed by so many, Hoss, but your poetry and words will live on.

The area granges are limiting their activities due to the coronavirus, but be sure to support them in any way you can. The Lorane Grange has begun meeting again while practicing social distancing and masks. They continue to welcome new members and their next meeting will be on Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. They have decided to postpone the return of their monthly dinner and bingo nights through September, or at least until the coronavirus restrictions have been eased.

The Creswell Grange has asked me to let people know that they are needing donations of clean canning jars, both quarts and pints, that they plan to fill with soup and bean soup kits to distribute free throughout the community to those in need this winter. In addition, both the Creswell and Crow Granges are collecting empty pill bottles which they will include in a program to benefit Third World countries. If you have anything to donate, please call Dottie at 541-895-2155 to arrange drop-off or pick-up.

The Crow Grange is collecting trial-size toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, soaps, deodorant, lotion, etc.), to put in ziploc bags to hand out when and where needed. They are also collecting paperback books to send to military troops overseas. The Crow Grange is also planning to start up their twice-a-month bingo games as soon as they can work out logistics under COVID-19 guidelines. Contact Connie Suing for more info at 541-556-2609.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Rogue Awakening

Holed up in a cabin on the banks of the Rogue,
I wrote verse and I pondered and I sighed.
I was ambling through canyons rugged and steep,
As deep into the wilds I plied.

I could feel the stare of someone not there,
As wearily onward I trod.
‘Twas adventure I sought, but instead what I got,
Was a glimpse of the wonders of God.

Oh Lord what a sight, in the summer’s twilight,
Watching the bats try to chase down the stars.
Those planes are so rude, how dare they intrude,
I wish they’d all fly off to Mars.

I never would care, to bring grief to a bear,
That never did nothin’ to me.
They rumble and tumble, then fumble and stumble,
In a race to the top of the honey tree.

Up high in the skies, what a treat for sore eyes,
Like puppets on angels’ strings,
Bald eagles soar, above the din and the roar,
Waving at all with their wings.

Held captive I stare, through the river’s bright glare,
At the salmon coursing below.
The wonders won’t cease, and offer a peace,
That only one humbled may know.

Through oak groves galore, madrones by the score,
Through fir stands tall and great.
She’s carved canyon walls, like cathedral halls,
Through miles of real estate.

Further I trekked, yet onward I pressed,
Crazed for the next mountain’s crest.
Through silver gray snags, over mossy-backed crags,
Undaunted, I harried my quest.

Razor backed mountains, too many for countin’,
Leap skyward and stand in defiance.
I’m so far from home, and I’m so all alone,
As the solitude shattered the silence.

Then once she’s got ya, she’s always got ya,
She’ll lure you, you’ll rant and you’ll rave.
Was this happenstance, my river romance?
Who knows, but we’re kin ‘till the grave.

~ Michael J. “Hoss” Barker

Sweet Lorane Community News – January 24, 2019

January 24, 2019Newspaper ColumnsA Winter Writing Workshop, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Crow Middle/High School, Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District, FFA, Hesitate No Longer: Abigail Scott Duniway and Susan B. Anthony in Oregon, Jennifer Chambers, Lorane Eta Theta Rho #94, Lorane Rebekahs, Oregon’s Remarkable Women: Revolutionaries and Visionaries, Sandra Larsonpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 24, 2019
By Pat Edwards

I’m going to try to get back on track this week with Lorane news, although there isn’t much of it right now. I missed reminders on a few events that have come and gone, but my hope is that I can share some of the messages from my heart with you, as needed, too.

Crow Middle/High School has announced that a new program on the study of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been approved. Students will now have the opportunity to explore careers in those fields. I also understand that the Crow-Applegate-Lorane school board also approved the establishment of an FFA Chapter.

To me, this is great news. Along with being offered instruction in some of the manual trades – mechanics, construction, welding, etc.—students who either might not be destined for a 4-year college education or who plan to go to college, but have shied away from considering agriculture and/or natural resources since the demise of the timber industry in Oregon, will get a chance to get some hands-on experience in these fields before setting their goals. It’s long been my belief that too much emphasis has been placed in recent years on getting formal college educations that they may not be able to afford and may lead no where. Kudos to C-A-L!

Mark your calendar! Lorane Eta Theta Rho, the girls’ youth service organization sponsored by the Lorane Rebekah Lodge has set a new date and time for their annual “Parents’ Night Out.” In the past, they have offered the gift of a night out to the parents of local children in the C-A-L school district during the holiday season. This year, however, they have scheduled it for Friday, February 15, from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Parent’s Night Out is an evening where Eta Theta Rho Girls Club #94 provides free babysitting/daycare for the evening so parents can go on a date, relax at home, or do whatever they’d like to do, sans children. It is chaperoned by Eta’s adult female advisors. It will be held at the Lorane Rebekah Lodge at 80284 Old Lorane Rd, Lorane OR 97451. Contact Tara Wigle, Head Advisor (cell – 541-520-4151; or home – 541-935-5245), for more information.

The Celebration of Life for Sandy Larson, Veneta’s former mayor and friend to many of us from areas all over Lane County, will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fern Ridge Middle School in Elmira. Parking is expected to be limited at the school, but the lots at the Fern Ridge District Office, Elmira Elementary School and possibly, the church next to the Middle School are being made available, too. In lieu of flowers, those who want to contribute to Sandy’s memory are encouraged to do so through Mid-Lane Cares, Friends of the Fern Ridge Library, or the Applegate Regional Theatre.

My good friend and co-editor of Groundwaters, Jennifer Chambers, has been asked to conduct a 6-week series of classes called “A Winter Writing Workshop” on the basics of writing short stories and fiction. Jen, a recognized author of various genres of books and stories, has recently lectured around Oregon on her two most recent books, Oregon’s Remarkable Women: Revolutionaries and Visionaries and Hesitate No Longer: Abigail Scott Duniway and Susan B. Anthony in Oregon.

The classes will be held on Wednesday nights, beginning on February 20 and continuing through March 27 at the Fern Ridge Library’s Konnie Room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The cost will be $50 for the entire series and you will get personalized feedback on your stories from Jen.

For more information, contact Vicki Sourdry, c/o Friends of the Library, at vsourdry@hotmail.com; 541-337-7007

Sweet Lorane Community News, October 5, 2017

October 13, 2017Newspaper ColumnsCameron Robinson, Canning Preservattion Sharing Clinic, Community Garden-to-Plate Dinner, Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District, Las Vegas shootings, Lorane Community Assoc., Lorane Community Cares, Lorane Grange Dinner & Bingo Night, Lorane Movie Night, Neighborhood Watchpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 5, 2017
By Pat Edwards

I want to begin this column to acknowledge the tragic and horrendous event in Las Vegas earlier this week. It affected all of us in some ways – some knew someone who was at that country music festival, but most of us just felt deep in our gut the horror of what those who were there experienced. Locally, some of you may know the Robinson family whose children attended the Crow schools in the early part of the millenium. A daughter, Dixie, who was, I believe, a student at Applegate Elementary at the time, was tragically killed in a car wreck.

On October 1st, her older brother, Cameron Robinson, age 28, became a statistic… a victim… of the shooting. He was one of the 58 innocent people killed that night. The family came to Crow from Salem area where they lived with their grandmother, and were only in Crow for a short period of time before they moved out of the area.

If any friends or family are still in the area, please accept our prayers and heartfelt condolences. There is a GoFundMe campaign in his name for those interested in donating. https://www.gofundme.com/you-will-be-missed-cameron-robinson

The Rural Art Center’s annual offering of the Lorane Movie Night will open its six-month-long 2017-2018 season on Saturday, October 14. This first evening is proclaimed to be “Family Night” and those attending are encouraged (but not required) to come in costume and/or bring a carved pumpkin.

A soup and dessert dinner precedes the movie at 6:00 p.m. Before the movie begins, however, judging takes place and prizes awarded for “The Most Original” and “The Most Elaborate” costume, and “The Most Traditional” and “The Least Traditional” pumpkin carving.

The movie scheduled for this first date is a Ron Howard-directed fantasy called “Willow” (PG 1988). It begins at 7:30 p.m. Go to their website at https://www.ruralartcenter.org/movie-night for more information and a list of the upcoming features.

The Lorane Community Association’s October 1 meeting discussed upcoming plans for the Canning, Preservation and Sharing Clinic to take place at the Lorane Grange. It will be a 3-day event in conjunction with the non-profit “Lorane Community Cares” group that has recently formed. Friday night, October 20 at 6:00 p.m., will kick off with a “Community Garden-to-Plate pasta dinner which will be created from the harvest… grown and collected,” according to the promotional flyer. The dinner and clinic are free to all ages, but a donation is requested Friday night to help fund the newly formed non-profit group. All foods preserved and canned during the 3-day clinic will be donated to local families on Sunday, October 21.

Also discussed quite extensively was the possible formation of a Neighborhood Watch group, but it appears that the majority of those in attendance believe that an unaffiliated group be formed as a “Community Watch.” It was noted that our community’s Facebook page has proven to be an excellent resource for neighborhood issues and communication. To benefit those who do not have internet access, phone trees will be set up, as well.

The next meeting of the Lorane Community Association is tentatively scheduled for October 15. More information will be posted on the FB page.

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Board meets at the Lorane Grange on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. Executive session precedes the open meeting. If you are interested in keeping track of how our school district is being run and how you can help on budget committees, etc., this makes it much easier when the board comes to Lorane. Plan to attend, if possible.

Remember to mark your calendars for the next Dinner and Bingo evening at the Lorane Grange. The October event will be held on Friday, October 27, and the dinner for October will be a Baked Potato Bar. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with family bingo to follow.

Rogue Awakening

Holed up in a cabin on the banks of the Rogue, I wrote verse and I pondered and I sighed. I was ambling through canyons rugged and steep, As deep into the wilds I plied.

I could feel the stare of someone not there, As wearily onward I trod. ‘Twas adventure I sought, but instead what I got, Was a glimpse of the wonders of God.

Oh Lord what a sight, in the summer’s twilight, Watching the bats try to chase down the stars. Those planes are so rude, how dare they intrude, I wish they’d all fly off to Mars.

I never would care, to bring grief to a bear, That never did nothin’ to me. They rumble and tumble, then fumble and stumble, In a race to the top of the honey tree.

Up high in the skies, what a treat for sore eyes, Like puppets on angels’ strings, Bald eagles soar, above the din and the roar, Waving at all with their wings.

Held captive I stare, through the river’s bright glare, At the salmon coursing below. The wonders won’t cease, and offer a peace, That only one humbled may know.

Through oak groves galore, madrones by the score, Through fir stands tall and great. She’s carved canyon walls, like cathedral halls, Through miles of real estate.

Further I trekked, yet onward I pressed, Crazed for the next mountain’s crest. Through silver gray snags, over mossy-backed crags, Undaunted, I harried my quest.

Razor backed mountains, too many for countin’, Leap skyward and stand in defiance. I’m so far from home, and I’m so all alone, As the solitude shattered the silence.

Then once she’s got ya, she’s always got ya, She’ll lure you, you’ll rant and you’ll rave. Was this happenstance, my river romance? Who knows, but we’re kin ‘till the grave.