Sweet Lorane Community News – September 15, 2016

September 15, 2016Newspaper ColumnsBlue Rooster Inn, Brent Haxby, Crow Grange, Crow High School, Groundwaters anthology, Home & Farm Class, Linsey Kau, Lorane Facebook Page, Lorane Grange, Lorane Growers' Market, Movie Night, Rural Art Center, Taco Dinner and Bingo Night, Tears of the Red Oni, Water shortages, weddingpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
September 15, 2016
By Pat Edwards

I apologize for missing last week’s issue of the paper, but it was a busy, busy week with a wedding, out of town guests and the fast-approaching deadline for our 2016 Groundwaters anthology. There was little Lorane news to report and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I asked to be excused.

The wedding was absolutely beautiful. Our granddaughter, Linsey Kau, and Brent Haxby were married on Saturday, September 10, at the Blue Rooster Inn next door to us. They’ve bought a home in Veneta and will move in once they have completed some renovation projects that are in progress.

The weather was perfect and the combined efforts of family members to provide food, photographs, wedding decorations and setup have allowed the couple to begin their marriage without being so hopelessly in debt as so many couples are. Thank you to Nancy Pelton of the Blue Rooster for providing such a beautiful venue, as well.

The Lorane Growers Market is really a popular spot these days. With all of the produce that’s now available – apples, prunes, pears, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes and whatever else residents have to spare – there been a lot of donations which quickly get grabbed up.

Another home for extra produce is Crow High School. The school is offering a new class this year called Home & Farm. Students are learning food preservation and are in need of fresh fruit and vegetables to can, dehydrate, infuse, juice, etc. They are also needing donations of canning jars.

Students are wanting to make pickles and salsa, so tomatoes, onions and cucumbers are especially needed. If you have anything you would like to donate, please drop them off at Applegate Elementary or Crow Middle/High School.

This seems like a wonderful new offering for our students since the traditional cooking, shop and woodworking classes have been disappearing from many schools for lack of funding. Let’s encourage these valuable classes for our local students by donating what we can.

The Lorane Grange will be trying out a new menu and, through football season, a new schedule, for their upcoming dinner and bingo nights. The first one of the fall season will be held on Friday, September 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tacos with all the trimmings will be on the menu instead of the traditional spaghetti dinner. Bingo for the whole family will follow dinner at 6:30 p.m. It’s become a fun evening for many of the local families. Yes… kids are welcome to play, too! The winners of the games can select from the prize table for some regular games and win cash awards for others. The evening will culminate with a blackout game which will grow until it’s won. Come join us. There are lots of laughs and good, old-fashioned fun for all.

The Crow Grange has begun its Fall dinner and bingo night, as well. These are held every 1st and 3rd Saturdays beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bingo games start at 7:00 p.m. and pay cash prizes including a large blackout game at the end. Families, including adult-chaperoned children who are old enough to play, are also welcome. It’s also a night of good food and lots of fun.

The Rural Art Center movie night returns to the Lorane Grange on October 8. The first feature will be “The Little Shop of Horrors,” and the premiere of “Tears of the Red Oni,” the Japanese folktale movie produced by the 2016 RAC Movie Camp and starring our local residents. It is also “Costume Night” and you’re asked to come as your favorite monster. Dinner precedes the movie at 6:00 p.m. The schedule of movies will be presented every 2nd Saturday of each month at the Lorane Grange. For a list of upcoming features and to learn “the drill,” go to the RAC website at http://www.ruralartcenter.org/movie-night. Proceeds go towards local community projects.

There are some community concerns being discussed on the Lorane Facebook page currently. One involves suspected mail thefts from local mailboxes and the other is the fact that many residents are experiencing water shortages right now. If you’re interested in getting in on the discussions, log-in to 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.