Tag: Crow-Applegate-Lorane

Sweet Lorane Community News – March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review                        
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
March 30, 2017
By Pat Edwards

Mother Nature could have been a little more benevolent towards families who had special plans for Spring Break this past week. Most of us, in fact, are just waiting for a long enough break in the weather to dry things out a bit so that we can fire up the lawn mowers, finish cleaning up the fallen limbs and tree damage caused by this past winter’s ice storms, and just generally get outside and enjoy some sunshine. It’s amazing what a few days of sunshine will do to our general dispositions, too.

I have to admit that having three surgeries in two months time took my mind off the weather for the most part. Both cataract surgeries and an arthroscopic knee surgery were, themselves, fairly easy compared to what I had imagined them to be. I feel very fortunate at how easily they went… or at least I did until my eyes began to rebel. The burning and weeping I experienced for about a week’s time recently limited my ability to drive my car or work on my computer for more than a few minutes at a time. For me, it was a major catastrophe… the computer limitations, especially… and I found myself trying to finish one editing and two book publishing jobs while squinting through eyes that seemed to think I was peeling some pretty potent onions. The lubricating eye drops that the ophthalmologist gave me following the surgeries didn’t seem to help at all, so when I went back in to see him to get some relief, I was given some anti-inflammatory drops and at the first application, I felt a wonderful relief. The burning has subsided and I’m no longer a menace on the road and I was finally able to complete the jobs I started. In fact, be sure to look for these new books on-line and in local bookstores soon: “Tangent – An Unusual Romance” by Veneta’s own Michael Foster; and “Reflections on Age: Stories and Poetry from the Heart” by Gus Daum of Eugene.

On Wednesday, April 5 the Rural Art Center will be sponsoring its “Half day art class” with Kathy Johnson as the instructor. As a former teacher in the Crow-Applegate-Lorane school district, Kathy brings years of classroom experience and will be working with the students on Chinese brush painting.  For more information, call the district office at 541-935-2100.

The Crow High School seniors are trying to raise funds for their class graduation party. You can help by picking up a flyer and eating lunch or dinner at Panda Express on Seneca Street in Eugene on Friday, April 7. If you present the flyer when you order your meal, proceeds will go to the C.H.S. senior class. I was told that the flyers can be downloaded from the school district website, but they are not there as of this writing. You can pick up one at the high school office and I will try to have copies available at the Lorane Family Store, too.

If you have a child who will be ready for kindergarten this coming fall, Applegate Elementary will be holding its Kindergarten Roundup on Thursday, April 13 at 3:15 p.m. at the school. Children must be five by September 1, 2017. You and your child can meet the teacher and check out the school and classroom. For more information, call the district office at 541-935-2100.

The Crow-Applegate Church of the Nazarene will be sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt at the church on Saturday, April 15. Call the office at (541) 935-1331 to get the time and details.

More dates to remember: Thursday, April 6, 6:00 p.m. – Crow Booster Club meeting at the Crow High School cafeteria to discuss a new group being formed by the Applegate Elementary School parents.

Friday, April 7, 5:30 p.m.  – Pizza and movie, “The Risen” at the Lorane Christian Church.

Tuesday, April 11, 9:00 a.m. – Lorane Community Group will be meeting at the Lorane Deli.

Sweet Lorane Community News – March 2, 2017

March 2, 2017Newspaper Columns, , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review                        
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
March 2, 2017
By Pat Edwards

Organizers are trying to get the word out about a special event that is coming up later this month for Crow High School alums. They are having a “Crow Country Club 66 Reunion Teen Dance ” to be held at the Crow Grange on March 25, beginning at 7:00 p.m. According to the flyer, it is “for those of us who attended these dances in the 60s or early 70s – Let’s Twist Again!” Those attending are asked to bring a potluck dessert. There will be no other charge for attending. They have set up a Facebook page as Country Club 66 at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1068936336567870/. I am sure that they would welcome new members.

Jim and I were able to go to last week’s Lorane Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo. Neither of us got to yell bingo, but it seems to be catching on with the community. According to Lil Thompson, more people attended the family bingo games than came for dinner… a first, I believe. It’s a fast-moving evening. Randy Eschleman keeps everyone awake and on their toes with his rapid-fire calling and everyone seems to have a lot of fun even if they didn’t get to pick a prize or win some cash.

If you get the chance, please make a point of coming out and supporting the Lorane and Crow Granges. These dinner and bingo nights for both of them are what helps maintain the buildings so that they can be used by each of the communities. And, I’m sure that of the local service organizations, including the Lorane Rebekahs, the local fire departments and churches, would welcome new members if you are interested in becoming a contributing part of our community.

Crow Middle/High School is in the top 50 high schools in Oregon at #47 according to U.S. News and World Report. It has been nationally recognized with a 93% proficiency in English and 85% proficiency in Mathematics and is well above the state averages. Congratulations to our Crow-Applegate-Lorane District #66 administration, teachers, staff and students for achieving this very important recognition.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the teachers at the Applegate School for allowing me to participate in their Dr. Seuss “Read Across America” event. I had the privilege of reading “The Cat in the Hat” and a portion of “Horton Hears a Who” to the kindergarten and 2nd graders. I was then directed to the 4th grade room where I had fun reading “Green Eggs and Ham” and a selection from the “I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today!”… specifically, “The Glunk That Got Thunk.”  I was really able to ham it up with those offerings and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thanks, Applegate students, for being such exceptional audiences.

Mother Nature has been giving us a small preview of what’s to come… soon, I hope. We had a couple of nice days this past week that give me hope that we may eventually be able to go outside without either getting drowned or frozen. I even spotted some sunshine and blue skies a few times lately! We have crocuses blooming and the hyacinths are budded out. Daffodils aren’t far behind and have formed their buds, too.

This has been a rather difficult winter for Jim and me on several levels… of course, the weather hasn’t been ideal for any of us, and then there was the loss of both Outlaw and Shortie, our 4-legged children, as well as some surgeries for both of us. But we realize, too, that others have had their lives turned upside down in even more traumatic ways, so we can still count our blessings and be able to look to the future, surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Spring is on its way!

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 02, 2017

February 2, 2017Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 2, 2017
By Pat Edwards

The Lorane Christian Church’s Friendship No-Host Dinner will be held at Sizzler Steak House, Gateway Blvd, Springfield on Sunday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m. They hold this each year as a purely social get-together for the people of Lorane. It’s a great way to renew old friendships and get caught up on all of the news. If you are interested in signing up for a reservation, call MarKay Wilson (541-942-7252) and let her know that you plan to attend.

Last Saturday, the Lorane Grange enjoyed a fantastic turnout for its spaghetti dinner and bingo night. Lil Thompson tallied 40 who ate dinner and 23 who stayed to play bingo. The next night in the series will be Saturday, February 25. Plan on joining us.

A group of Lorane residents are trying to rekindle interest in the Lorane Community Association which suspended meetings over the past year or so. Pam Kersgaard and Beth Robinson were encouraging those interested to meet with them for breakfast and conversation at the Lorane Deli last Friday and they are hoping that maybe the social setting will lead to a renewed interest in community projects.

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Board will be hold its February meeting at the Lorane Grange on February 16.  An executive session begins at 6:30 p.m. and the open board meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about and get involved with the operation of our children’s schools.

With that said, the school board is needing to fill some vacancies on its Budget Committee. Participants will need to commit to 3 or 4 meetings during May and June. Call the District office at 541-935-2100 to request an application if you are interested.

And, as I mentioned in last week’s column there are three Lorane Fire Department board positions available that need to be filled. Go to their website at https://loraneorfd.samariteam.com to send a message or call and/or leave a message by phone at 541-942-1233.

On a personal note, I learned last week that the former Lorane Elementary School, that a large contingent of community members were hoping to obtain and establish as a community center, is once again being offered for sale by the latest owners. We were not able to work out the details to obtain ownership, unfortunately. Now the price tag is $650,000 for the buildings and 4 acres of land, or a package deal of $1,000,000 with a “Tier 1, processing, retail cannabis uses allowed.” That’s not what I had ever envisioned for what was for decades, the heart and soul of Lorane.