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.