Sweet Lorane Community News – October 6, 2016

October 6, 2016Newspaper ColumnsAlumni basketball game, apple cider pressing, C-A-L Parent Teacher Organization, Crow Booster Club, Crow High School, Crow-Applegate-Lorane, Groudwaters, Groundwaters Live!, LRAPA, Marissa McNutt Cooper, Pam Kersgaard, Roberta Pietila Millerpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 6, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Fall is finally upon us and there has been enough rain to end the fire season. LRAPA (Lane Regional Air Protection Agency) has even opened rural backyard burning of yard debris a week early. It has been allowed, providing weather conditions are acceptable, since last Saturday, October 8. Before lighting that match or igniter, you must call ahead (541-726-3976) or check the LRAPA website at http://www.lrapa.org to find out if burning is allowed on that particular day in our area, however.

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane Booster Club, which also includes the district’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is in dire need of new members. Marissa McNutt Cooper has recently posted a plea to area residents to become members.

“I am hoping to spread the word to people who have children at Crow who might be interested in joining (the Booster Club). If they don’t get some new members soon, they may have to close, which would be catastrophic for our district. They fund an astonishing amount (usually around $20,000-$30,000 annually) for the entire district. Last night alone (Thursday, October 6), they approved close to $5,000 in funds requested for supplies for Science Classes at the high school, new welders, welding hoods and welding jackets for the shop and automotive class, and supplies and materials for the drama club. They also provide sports scholarships, buy new curriculum for the elementary and they’ve purchased new projectors for all of the classrooms. The list is endless. They meet once a month, usually the first Thursday of the month.”

This is a vital organization in our community. The boosters sponsor large fundraising events throughout the year that enable our area’s students to get the best education possible from our small school district. Until the state legislature figures out a better system for school funding, we are all going to have to do what we can on a community level. We all get frustrated with national and state elections and feel that we have no voice. But we do have a voice at the community level and if each community takes care of its own, then we are making a difference that may extend even further. We are all busy these days, but we need to find the time for something as important as this. For information on how to join, contact Linda Lay, Crow-Applegate-Lorane Booster Club President (541-844-5840), or one of its members.

Mark October 15 on your calendar! Roberta Pietila Miller and Pam Kersgaard have organized a community apple cider pressing at Roberta’s house, across from the Lorane Grange, on Saturday, October 15 starting at 10:00 a.m. All you have to do is bring your own apples and containers. They’ll break for a potluck lunch and proceed until all of the apples have been processed. For questions or more info, contact Roberta (360-318-6028 or e-mail robertamiller77@yahoo.com) or Pam Kersgaard through the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page.

Another date to mark is Sunday, October 23. Groundwaters will be presenting a program, Groundwaters LIVE! at the Applegate Regional Theater, 87230 Central Road, Eugene, in the former Central School gymnasium, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. to launch our just-completed 2016 Groundwaters anthology. We will feature 11 of our 63 contributors who will each read 5-minute portions of their stories and poems that are included in the book. The readers list includes: Jeanette-Marie Mirich, Jo-Brew, Vicki Sourdry, Demetri Liontos, David Erickson, Karen Wickham, Sherry Hunter, Michael Foster, gael Doyle-Oroyan, Eunice Scruggs and Stanley Buck. Refreshments will be provided and books will be available to purchase before, during the break and afterwards. There’s no admission… it’s free! Please come join us!

Attention all female Crow High School alums who played basketball for the Cougars! A women’s alumni basketball tournament is in the planning stages in conjunction with the annual men’s tournament to be held on December 9 and 10. Four teams from all age groups are being formed. If you are interested in participating, please contact Marissa McNutt-Cooper (541-517-6608) or a booster club member. More information can be found on the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page.

Sweet Lorane Community News – September 1, 2016

September 1, 2016Newspaper ColumnsAlesong Brewing and Blending, Brent Haxby, Crow Booster Club, Crow Car Show, Duane Coop, Jean Coop, Linsey Kau, Lorane Christian Church, Women's Ministriespaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
September 1, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Jim and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to Duane Coop and family at the passing of his dear wife, Jean. His devotion to Jean during her final illness was so very touching and I know that her loss will leave an empty place in his heart for some time to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, Coop.

The Lorane Christian Church’s Women’s Ministries is collecting cans and, I’m assuming, bottles by September 8, to raise money for their mission projects which include food baskets for Lorane residents and to put towards their annual retreats.. If you have any to donate, please leave them at the church.

The ladies of the church have begun a craft night for anyone who would like to bring their own craft project to work on. If you don’t do crafts, bring a coloring book and just visit with friends and neighbors. It takes place every other week on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Lorane Christian Church. The next one should be scheduled for Tuesday, September 13.

Also another quick reminder about the Crow Middle/High School Booster Club’s annual Crow Car Show to be held on September 10 at Crow High School. More information can be obtained from the Crow Car Show Facebook page or one of the Booster Club members.

I’d like to share with you a chuckle I had one morning last week… During the summer, before the day gets hot, I frequently open my sliding glass door onto our front porch to let the cool, fresh morning air in. That particular morning, as I was ready to sit down for my morning coffee, I saw movement on the floor under our breakfast table. It was a tiny tree frog, leaping through the forest of chair legs. I gently caught him in my hands and took him back outside to one of my flower planters and let him go. How a little frog got into my house, I have no idea, but he provided a fun interlude before I sat down to read the dreary morning news.

Maybe my little visitor was a harbinger of the wonderfully refreshing days to come of waking up to drops of rain from a night-time shower dripping from the bushes, trees and very happy flowers this past week.

The owners of the planned new Alesong Brewery that is being built in Lorane are currently trying to arrange a meeting with the Lorane community to answer questions and inform neighbors of what their plans are for the new business. At this time, the day and time of the meeting have not been set, but I will try to get the information out in my next column, or if that is too late, it will be posted on the Lorane Facebook page.

I’m going to cut this shorter than usual as I’ve run out of news, and our family has a wedding to get ready for. Our granddaughter, Linsey Kau, and her fiancé, Brent Haxby, will be getting married on Saturday, September 10, so we’re all in a’flutter.

Go Ducks!

Sweet Lorane Community News – August 18, 2016

August 18, 2016Newspaper ColumnsAlesong, Alesong Brewing and Blending, Crow Booster Club, Crow Car Show, Doug Coombs, Linsey Kau, Lorane Community Potluck, Lorane Country Cafe, Lorane Growers' Market, Lorane Ice Cream Socialpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
August 18, 2016
By Pat Edwards

I wasn’t able to attend last weekend’s Lorane Community Potluck and Ice Cream Social events because of a prior family commitment, but I heard that both went really well. Lil Thompson said that 42 people showed up for the potluck and the Fire Department seemed very pleased with the turnout at the Ice Cream Social. They have extended their thanks to all who participated.

I was at my granddaughter, Linsey’s, bridal shower brunch for much of the day and as people began to leave to return home, I reminded them that they really should stop and check out the events in Lorane. I always enjoy it each year. I’ll be back.

A new business is coming to Lorane, but some of its neighbors have concerns that need to be addressed. Alesong Brewing and Blending has begun building a small brewery behind where the former Lorane Country Café now sits. One of the neighbors is quite concerned as it will be situated where it will look down on her home and backyard and feels that it will be invading her family’s privacy. She posted her concerns on the Lorane Facebook page and others have also voiced other concerns about the possibility of having more intoxicated drivers on the road. One of the owners of Alesong Brewing and Blending, Doug Coombs, sent a response that I feel should be shared with others in the area.

We want “to reach out and introduce ourselves. We’re really excited to be part of the Lorane community and hope to be respectful neighbors and have a great relationship with everyone. We’re also hoping to set up an in-person meeting with the community to meet everyone and help people understand what we’re up to in the coming weeks.

“The short summary is that we’re moving to the country because we want something peaceful and idyllic and are hoping to get closer to brewing’s original, community-oriented, agricultural roots. We plan to use as much local fruit, hops and other crops as possible in our beer and hope to work with local farmers on many collaborative creations.
“In terms of what we’re building – it’s a very small, farmhouse-style brewery that will only be open to the public with limited (mostly daylight) hours similar to a small winery tasting room. Hopefully it ends up providing you all a new spot to come on a hot summer day to have a delicious draft beer without having to drive all the way into Eugene.

“(We’re) happy to respond to anyone’s questions directly… We’re trying to set something up to chat in a public forum with the broader community in the near future.”

I’ll try to let you know in this column when that public meeting will be.

The Lorane Grower’s Market is still proving popular with everyone. Don’t forget to bring in your extra produce and pickup what others share. The proceeds go towards Lorane community projects.

A brief reminder for the upcoming Crow Booster Club Annual Car Show and Auction to be held on September 10, 2016 at Crow High School… This event has become one of the Booster Club’s major fundraisers and all proceeds benefit the Crow-Applegate-Lorane Schools… not just the athletic program. They have a Facebook page that will give you information and updates listed under “Crow Car Show.”

I hope that everyone survived last week’s heatwave. That’s a bit too hot for me and the added fire danger is downright scary. While walking my dogs up Easy Acres Drive last year when it was so dry, I found quite a few fresh cigarette butts tossed alongside the road. One of our neighbors put a sign up asking people to cease and desist the practice, and they did… for the most part. This year, I’ve spotted one or two fresh ones at the edge of the road and although, that’s better, it only takes one live cigarette butt to cause devastation to a great many people, homes and livestock in the area. Let us all be aware of our actions and how they can affect others. Take care everyone.