Tag: Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District

Sweet Lorane Community News – April 28, 2016

April 28, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
April 28, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Thank you to Lil Thompson once again for passing on some Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District news that I can use in this week’s column. There’s not a lot of Lorane news to report right now and I haven’t come up with any ideas to share, so it’s very welcome.

Lil also reminds me that the Lorane Grange meets this month on Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. The grange is just one of our local organizations that could use new members to help carry on their many services to the community. We have very active service groups at not only the grange, but the Lorane Rebekahs, the Lorane Christian Church, the Lorane Fire Department, the Theta Rho group for young girls, a Boy Scout group, a Lorane Community Association, the Lorane Bread Basket which provides food and help to families in need, and the Senior Meals Program. I may have missed others and I apologize if I did. They could all use an infusion of new members who want to work through these organizations to serve our community. Hopefully the new Lorane Directory page on Facebook will be including information on each of these organizations, their meeting days/times, their visions and needs and their contact information. Helping others always seems to help make the problems in our own personal lives much more manageable.

Now, for the school district news…

On May 12, the C-A-L School District will be hosting a Kindergarten Roundup event at 3:15 p.m. at Applegate Elementary. If you have a child who will be 5 years of age prior to September 1, 2016, he or she is eligible for the 2016-17 school year.  Applegate offers a full-day program, five days a week. Come meet your teacher, see the classroom and allow your child to interact in a classroom setting. Be sure to bring your child’s immunization records and a copy of their birth certificate. For further information, call the district office at 541-935-2100.

Because the area schools are aging, the district has been working with an architecture firm, community members and staff to develop a 10-year Master Plan for repairs, renovations and/or replacements of the current buildings and property. In order to allow district residents to review the findings and see, firsthand, what is being discussed, there will be two open house events and tours of the schools held in May. The first will take place on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the Crow Middle/High School. Then, on Saturday, May 14, a second open house will be held at the Applegate Elementary from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Your input is being sought once you have had a chance to review what is being considered.

Congratulations to the staff and students at the Crow High/Middle School for making the U.S. News and World Report’s top schools in Oregon list.

Don’t forget to treat your favorite mother to the Crow Grange’s Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday, May 8, if you’re fortunate to still have your mother in your life. I no longer am able to do special little things for my mother. She passed away at the age of 96 in 2012 and I still miss her. It’s an unbreakable bond for many people… it has been for me. Honor your mother… and your father… for giving you, not only life, but the tools to allow you to maneuver and make your way through this crazy world we live in.

Sweet Lorane Community News – April 14, 2016

April 14, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
April 14, 2016
By Pat Edwards

I’m struggling this week to come up with a column for Lorane events. Fortunately, I have a couple of upcoming events at the district schools. When I begin writing my column on these “slow news weeks,” I never really know where they will go. For me, at times, writing “just happens.” I don’t want to fill my space with nothingness, though, and it seems rather vain to write about my family or myself for the entire column, but sometimes, that’s all I have at the moment. So, here goes…

The West Lane Distinguished Service Awards event will be held at the Applegate Elementary gymnasium this year on Thursday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. In years’ past it has been held at the high school, but they are trying a new location this year. Come out and help honor the award recipients from local service organizations and schools. I believe that Lorane’s own Jamie Ledgerwood has been chosen as “Certified Employee of the Year” (aka Teacher of the Year) for the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District. Congratulations Jamie!

Jamie and I have a long history together. Not only have I known her since she was born, she worked for me at the University of Oregon as a work study assistant at the Institute of Neuroscience for all 4 years that she was there. I couldn’t have asked for a more dependable, eager assistant and I was so sad to lose her to graduation. Later, Jamie was our go-to person whenever we needed a housesitter for vacations. It was her secondary job until she was hired on with the school district.

Jamie has taught full time at C-A-L for the past 6 years and is currently teaching first grade.  I’m so proud of you, Jamie!! They couldn’t have selected a more deserving person.

The annual Grandparents Tea will be held at Applegate Elementary on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.  Parents, friends, and grandparents are all invited to come enjoy tea and a talent show. Parents are collecting items for the classroom baskets that will be auctioned at the tea, so check with the classroom teacher for the theme of the basket they are putting together and plan to donate an item to it.

I remember attending one of the first Grandparents’ Teas at Lorane Elementary School when our granddaughter, Hayley Kau, was in 6th grade, I believe. The students put on skits and provided other entertainment and snacks for us. They also had an open house where we grandparents were given tours of the classrooms by our favorite hosts and hostesses. It was a beautiful spring day and I remember heading outside where Hayley and I sat on the swings next to Jim Jentzsch who was there for his grandkids, too. Hayley had to leave to get ready to go home, so Jim and sat swinging, talking and reminiscing. The thoughtfulness that had gone into the day meant so much to me. I also realized that I hadn’t been on a swing in decades and found out that I could still pump a swing to get it soaring. What fun! If it had been about 60 years earlier, I would have let go and bailed off the swing, landing (usually) on my feet. But 60 years of wear and tear on these bones wouldn’t allow me to journey that far back into my childhood that day.

Memories…

Sweet Lorane Community News – March 10, 2016

March 10, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
March 10, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Greetings from Lorane!

I just heard that long-time resident, Pat Elliott, of the Fawn Creek area of Siuslaw River Road west of Lorane suffered a stroke caused by a brain bleed on February 12. The condition caused a seizure and surgery was performed to correct the bleed. He’s been in rehab for the past 3 weeks and will begin receiving regular therapy at home. According to Linda and Bridgett Johnson-Elliott, “We’re now faced with enormous medical bills and monthly expenses which Pat’s Medicare covers only a portion of.” The Johnson-Elliott family has set up an on-line account at https://www.youcaring.com/pat-elliott-536507 to accept financial help for Pat’s medical expenses. Get well soon, Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Last week I reported on the hospitalization of a Creswell High School sophomore, Blake Nelson, who has been battling a flesh-eating bacteria throughout much of his body. His situation has touched the hearts of many who don’t even know him. Prayers and donations from generous people have been sent and a GoFundMe account that his wrestling coach set up for him has reached over $18,000 as of this writing. In addition, his coach and parents have been posting updates on Blake’s condition. The following from his parents, Pete and Michelle Nelson, is the latest one…

“Blake is finally doing consistently better! He seems to have turned the corner and is past the worst of this nastiness. The doctors think they have all the infection sites under control and have started the process of sealing the biggest wounds back up. He had his 7th surgery last Thursday to continue that process. He has another surgery scheduled for Saturday and they are optimistic that they will be able to close both of his big wounds and he will not need any skin grafts. Hopefully that will be his last surgery…” For the full update, go to https://www.gofundme.com/6gs9rbpg

The Lorane Grange’s Dinner and Bingo Night is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Come join us for a fun evening!

The Applegate Elementary will soon be hosting an “Artist in Residency” program featuring professional artists at their schools. This spring’s schedule will begin with Terri Robertson who will conduct a class on cartooning.  The next theme will be on Japanese-American art and culture in all forms.  This particular program is another one sponsored by the local Rural Art Center. We are so lucky to have them in our community! Thank you, RAC!

The schools in the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District are participating in Open Enrollment during the month of March. Please encourage anyone seeking a small rural school with great teachers, smaller classes and an amazing and caring staff to contact the district office at 541-935-2100.

The Lorane Fitness Group reminds everyone that they are meeting regularly at the Lorane Grange on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. for dance and aerobics and on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. for yoga, pilates and Tai Chi.

I’ve been told that the newly-reopened Lorane Deli is getting a partial face-lift. It’s good to see it open again!

The Rural Art Center’s Lorane Movie Night finished its season last Saturday night. It will resume in October.

Wow! Tax season and grass season are really upon us. Hopefully, I can get the taxes wrapped up this week, but now that I think I’ve finally kicked the “cold virus-that-keeps-returning,” I’d better take advantage of one of these dryer days to get my lawns mowed. The grass has really started to grow, but I’m not complaining – I think that spring is really on the way!