Fern Ridge-Tribune News
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 10, 2022
By Pat Edwards

 Before any more time passes, I wanted to share with you the beautiful day our family had on Sunday, January 30. Many of our family members showed up that day at the Lorane Family Store to take part in a very special photo shoot organized by our granddaughter, Stephanie Kau Furlong, to record and show our love and respect for the special memories embodied within the store and its history. Some of those who have been part of our LFS family over our 44 years in business were also present and it warmed Jim’s and my hearts to welcome them back. I hesitate to list their names here for fear of leaving someone out, but here goes: Michelle Doughty, Shana Doughty, Kandi Bartels, Kayla Pinson Smith, Shelby May Tinnes and Amanda Morrow. Included in our group photo were also the smiling faces of our current staff members, Tracie DeBoer, Kat Stanulis and Quentin Harris. (Cynthia Nickle would have been there but, unfortunately, she was ill that day.) Another who would have liked to be there but was prevented from coming because of health issues, was Kathy Warden who worked for us for many years. Sadly, three of our other original and longest employed ladies—Nancy Seales O’Hearn, Marna Hing, and Marilyn Wenger Cooper, have passed away, but their pictures were posted behind the counter in remembrance of the roles they played through the years. Of course, most of our own children and grandchildren have put in their time at the store as well—Gloria Edwards, Rob Edwards, Michele Edwards Kau, Kelly Edwards, Kevin Stevens, Stephanie Kau Furlong, Linsey Kau Haxby, Hayley Kau, Hannah Edwards, and Tia Spath… and all but one were present.

Our grandsons, Kevin Stevens and Brent Haxby, climbed a ladder to remove the large sign I had painted years ago to adorn the inside entrance of the store so it could be used as a prop for the outside photos. We had to remove many years build up of dust from it, but we’re hoping to seal and preserve it, and use it in some way for the community. It bears the words, “Lorane, Oregon, est. 1887″ on it.

After photos were taken of everyone together, followed by the individual families and groupings, we were treated to a “drive-by” parade of local residents in cars decorated with balloons and streamers, honking and waving as they drove by. Others stopped by to give us hugs and good wishes for Jim’s upcoming retirement.

It’s been a long-time coming for all of us. The signing for the final sale has had to be postponed several times because of pending paperwork and licenses held up in state and county offices, but the final one, we hope, has been promised for the end of February.

We wish to thank everyone for joining us on our special day. An extra-special thank you goes out to Stephanie for all of the time and effort she put into planning our day, and to her good friend and employer, Natalie McFarland, who took the beautiful photos of our event.

Each of you have given Jim and me such happy memories over the years. This whole long process hasn’t been easy for us and we are so thankful that we have family members and friends who have been willing to step in and help us in the transition. Where our path will lead us after the sale has been finalized hasn’t been mapped out yet; we’re waiting to plan any major trips until the current pandemic situation eases, but we’re hoping that seeing a bit more of the U.S. will be in our future soon.

For the most part, we plan to continue to be as much a part of the Lorane community as possible. For us, home is here, where our hearts will always be.