Sweet Lorane Community News – October 13, 2016

October 13, 2016Newspaper ColumnsCrow Church of the Nazarene, Dave Langstraat, Family Barn Dance, GoFundMe, Groundwaters 2016 Anthology, Groundwaters Live!, Halloween, Jennifer Chambers, Lorane Christian Church, Lorane Family Store, Lorane Grange, Lorane Growers' Market, Lorane Trunk or Treat, Mike and Joanna Cantrall, Payge Bowman, TEDxVenetapaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 13, 2016
By Pat Edwards

The whole community has been mourning the loss of a beautiful little 4-year old girl named Payge Bowman who died early last Tuesday morning when her mother’s car went off Cottage Grove-Lorane Road. Payge was riding in the back seat with her older sister and younger brother when the car left the road and rolled about 30′ down the steep hill. Her mother, Courtney, who was driving, and her sister and brother had minor injuries, but little Payge did not survive. The Bowman family live near Lorane and each of us are stunned and hoping to help the family in any way we can.

Besides the Bowman family, our local first-responder volunteers were particularly affected by Payge’s death and Jim and I extend our thanks and appreciation to each of you who opened your hearts and souls by being there to treat and try to comfort the family.

A GoFundMe account that was set up by Payge’s aunt has raised enough to cover her funeral expenses and, as I write this, a meal train is being planned by Lorane residents to allow the family time to mourn. If you’d like to participate, check the information posted on the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page for particulars.

Our deep condolences go out to the Bowman family. We are truly grieving with you.

A couple of weeks ago, Mike and Joanne Cantrall, announced that they are collecting warm clothing – shoes, socks, jackets, blankets and hygiene items – for homeless veterans. They placed a large collection barrel at the Lorane Family Store and when I asked Jim how the collection effort was going, he told me that the barrel has had to be emptied several times already because of the huge response from the Lorane community. We have plenty of warm hearts here. Thank you!

Speaking of warmth, I hope that everyone was able to weather the nasty storm that came through Oregon this past weekend. A number of events were cancelled because of the forecast including the cider pressing and the Lorane and Crow Grange’s dinner and bingo nights.

A new event that is being planned was just announced. There will be a Family Barn Dance at the Lorane Grange on Friday, October 28, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The suggested donation is $10 per family. The last time a barn dance was held there a couple of years ago,

Also, the Lorane Christian Church is once again planning its annual Lorane Trunk or Treat on Halloween night, Monday, October 31. According to Dave Langstraat, those who want to take part will be meeting in the church parking lot. Cars are parked and decorated and treats are offered to ghosts, witches, goblins and super-heroes of all ages from the trunks. Set-up starts about 4:30 p.m. Soup and cider will be offered to everyone and they usually wrap-up between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. I’ve heard that it is as much fun for the adults as it is for the children.

Apparently, for those of you in Crow, the Church of the Nazarene in Crow is also having a Trunk or Treat on Halloween night. I don’t have details, but the times should be about the same as Lorane’s.

The Lorane Growers’ Market is still happening. Yesterday, I noticed a whole bunch of wonderful looking grapes on the table out in front of the Lorane Family Store. Be sure to check it out.

Don’t forget the Groundwaters LIVE! event at the Applegate Regional Theater on Central Road on Sunday afternoon, October 23, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Meet some of your favorite authors and pick up a copy of the 2016 edition of the Groundwaters anthology. It’s like getting four issues of the popular magazine in paperback format.

Also, on Sunday, October 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a new event is being planned called the TEDx Veneta Women. A roster of area women has been lined up by organizer, Jennifer Chambers, to give live and video talks about subjects of interest to local women, in particular, “to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group setting.” The theme that is set for this event is “Use the Time We’re Given.” Jen will be releasing the names of the speakers – three from the Lorane area – and the times each will be assigned soon. We hope to see you there.

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 – October 15, 2015

October 15, 2015Newspaper Columnsanthology, Crow High School, Groundwaterfs, Groundwaters Live!, Lloyd Porter, Rural Art Center, Sportsman Auction, ukulele, volleyballpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
October 15, 2015
By Pat Edwards

People in Lorane have been asking me for updates on Lloyd Porter who had a massive stroke about a month ago. It left him paralyzed on his left side and unable to speak. His wife Jeri was able to provide me with some details… Since Lloyd was released from the hospital, he has been at the Hillside Heights Rehab Center at 28th and McLean in Eugene. They are now trying to get him into the Oregon Rehab Center at the Sacred Heart-University Campus site where he will undergo intensive therapy for about 3 weeks to help him transition to his home environment. Jeri is hoping that will happen in the next one or two weeks.

Lloyd is able to speak in sentences now, but has problems finding the right words still. He’s kept his fantastic sense of humor and when he can’t find the right word, rather than showing distress, he will recite favorite phrases with a twinkle in his eye. His left side paralysis is improving, too. He can cross one leg over the other now. When I asked Jeri if he is open to visitors, she told me that, yes… he definitely would love to have his friends drop by to visit. He will probably be at Hillside for another week, at least.

Groundwaters had a wonderful turnout at our Groundwaters Live! Program held at the Fern Ridge Library last Tuesday to introduce our new “first annual issue” of the popular magazine. I’ll let Sandy Larsen tell you about it in the article that she is writing for the Fern Ridge Review, but if anyone is wanting to obtain a copy of the book, we are trying to set up distributors in the various areas around Lane County. It will definitely be in the Lorane Family Store in Lorane after we’ve gotten a new deliver of the books. Hopefully, we’ll get someone set up to carry them in Veneta, Cottage Grove and/or Creswell and Eugene, as well. In the meantime, contact me at edwards@groundwaterspublishing.com or paedwards42@yahoo.com if you would like to reserve a copy. They are $12 each.

The Rural Art Center’s mural project has unveiled the beautiful new historical mural painted by Crow Middle School students under the supervision of muralist Jessilyn Brinkerhoff. Funded by a grant from Target, their work was done through their American History and Literature classes and the result is a striking 20′ x 2.5′ painting that will hang in the library at the Crow Middle/High School. What a wonderful lesson in both history and art for our students! Thank you, RAC!

The next Lorane Grange’s Spaghetti Dinner and Family Bingo night will be held on Friday, October 23, beginning with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Bingo will begin at 6:30 p.m. No one won the blackout jackpot last month, so it’s growing. Come out for a great evening of good food and company plus lots of laughs.

Congratulations to the Crow High School volleyball team. They are entering the playoffs on Saturday, October 24, to determine the 3rd seed into the State Tournament. It will be held at Crow High School gym at 1:30 p.m. Come out and cheer them on!

When the game on October 24 is over, though, you’ll need to head back to Crow to attend the Crow Booster Club’s annual Sportsman Auction to be held this year in the Crow Middle/High School gymnasium. Doors open and the silent auction begins at 5:00 p.m., followed at 6:00 p.m. by a BBQ dinner. The live auction begins at 7:00 p.m. The items being offered include “hunting, fishing and camping gear; trips; spa, tools, quilts, wine, an off-road expedition trailer, and much more.” It will also include prizes provided by the elementary classes and baskets of goodies from the middle and high school classes. Besides the silent auction, there will be a dessert auction, too. The proceeds from this event will go toward helping the students in the entire school district… not just the athletic program. Dinner tickets are $16, but there is no charge for the auction. To get your tickets and reserve your spot, contact crowboosterclub@yahoo.com or call Linda Lay (541-844-5840) or Diane Lassen (541-517-9030). Come out and support your C-A-L schools!

Reminder: free ukulele lessons for Crow-Applegate-Lorane students in grades 4-12 will begin on October 15 and held every Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Authentic ukuleles will be provide. The first concert performance will be held the night of the December RAC dinner and movie at Lorane Grange. Contact Pat Dixon (pdixon@cal.k12.or.us) or Lisa Livelybrooks (ruralartcenter@gmail) for more information.