Sweet Lorane Community News – September 29, 2016

September 29, 2016Newspaper Columns, UncategorizedAlesong Brewing and Blending, Brian Coombs, Crow Bingo, Doug Coombs, Joe Canaday, Lorane Dinner and Bingo Night, Matt Van Wykpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
September 29, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Approximately 30 people attended the community meeting, held this past Tuesday night (September 27) at the Lorane Grange, so that the owners of the Alesong Brewing and Blending (Brian & Doug Coombs and veteran brewer, Matt Van Wyk) could present their visions and plans for the new brewpub that is being built near Lorane. Ground has been broken behind the former Lorane Country Café on Territorial Road, next to the entrance to King Estate Winery. Rather than paraphrase the notes I have from Doug Coombs, I’m going to provide you with his comments directly:

“Thanks to everyone who came out last Tuesday night! It was great to meet some of the community! To give a quick recap of what we’re doing and cover some of the Q&A that came up for those who weren’t there…

“Alesong is a very small brewery run by three founder/employees. We’re focused on barrel-aged and farmhouse-style beers and our dream has been to have a farmhouse brewery in the country inspired by the French-Belgian brewing tradition. This is what we’re building in Lorane. Most of our beers are aged in oak (retired wine or spirits barrels) for 3-36 months before release, making what we do a bit unique as compared with most breweries that have a roughly 3-week production cycle. The majority of our initial brewing (and water usage) will happen in our Eugene facility, but the Lorane location will house most of our barrels that are maturing and a small tasting room.

“Although we fall under the county’s definition of a “brewpub,” our tasting room will operate more similarly to a winery tasting room, with limited – mostly daylight – hours and a family-friendly atmosphere where people can come to enjoy a drink responsibly in a beautiful setting. The facility we are building is at the back of the property, behind the old café, which we aren’t using. We haven’t yet decided what we will do with it.

“Our hope is to be open by the end of the year, although with construction, you never know…” http://www.alesongbrewing.com/

Some of the concerns that were discussed concern the additional use of water since several families in the Territorial North area are experiencing their wells going dry after two dry summers. Also, some residents have expressed concerns about more intoxicated drivers on the local road. I believe that these issues have been addressed in the statement above.

There is also evidence of a great deal of support for the new business and many residents are looking forward to having it in our area.

The return of both the Lorane and Crow Granges’ dinner and bingo nights were well attended at each this past month. Lorane Grange has changed its dinner offering to tacos which seemed to be a very popular choice with those attending, so tacos will be on the menu again at the next event on Saturday, October 15.

The Crow Grange’s dinner and bingo night was well attended, too, but there was a definite feeling that “someone was missing.” That someone was Joe Canaday, the long-time Master of the Crow Grange who was under hospice care. Sadly, Joe passed away three days later. His passing is a huge loss for the Crow community. Joe was an icon . He descended from a pioneer family in the Crow area and was a logger most of his life, although he also enjoyed reading, music and art. I remember him personally as a kind and generous friend with a welcoming smile. Our love and condolences go out to his wife Leah and the Canaday family. A memorial service will be held at the Crow Grange on Sunday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m. Godspeed and God Bless, Joe! Your smile and friendship will stay with us always.

The Crow dinner and bingo nights are held every first and third Saturday of each month.

Remember the Rural Art Center movie night at the Lorane Grange on Saturday, October 8, too!

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.