Fern Ridge-Tribune News
The Chronicle (Creswell)
Sweet Lorane Community News
July 21, 2022
By Pat Edwards

For the last couple of days, Jim and I are feeling that we are finally beginning to emerge from a long, dark tunnel that we’ve been in for almost a full month. I’m not going to dwell on a lot of specifics because I’m anxious to soak in the light and sunshine that lies ahead of us now. Suffice it to say that while in that tunnel, which we entered with Jim’s lumbar surgery on June 27, we encountered and handled—with the amazing help of our family—not only the surgery itself (which went very well), but complications that involved 3 runs to the ER (2 by ambulance) in two weeks time. The whole experience was then capped off, last week, by a positive diagnosis of Covid and the resulting quarantine for us both.

We began this past week feeling so much better and both of us are ready to take on something other than our health issues as much as possible. Jim is going to begin his physical therapy journey here at home through Home Health and we are hopeful that he will be able to regain the strength in his legs and back he needs to walk upright for short distances in order to do and see the things we are anxious to experience. Together we’ll take it day-by-day, as we have been doing, and work towards that goal. Thanks to all of you for your kind words and prayers.

In the meantime, while we’ve been focused on other things, the Lorane community has been busy participating in Cottage Grove’s Bohemia Mining Days celebration after a 2-year hiatus because of Covid restrictions. Loranian, Bruce McDonald, has been one of the main organizers and pancake turners of the “Breakfast on the Mountain” portion of the festival for years. It’s estimated that approximately 800 people drove up the hill this year to be served a delicious meal by “prospectors and golddiggers.” Now, that’s what I call the “light at the end of the tunnel.” Congratulations to all of the event organizers who have done such a wonderful job at this popular festival each year.

Coming up and closer to home is the busy weekend of August 13-14, where Lorane hosts first the Lorane Community Potluck on Saturday, August 13, held at the Lorane Grange. The doors open at 10:00 a.m. and lunch begins at noon. Bring your favorite dish and plan to kick back, spend some time eating what has, historically, been a delicious lunch, and get to know and visit with friends and neighbors.

The next day, Sunday, August 14, will be the popular Lorane Ice Cream Social hosted by the Lorane Fire Department. Come sample the wonderful ice cream and pies, participate in the many activities, including a dunk tank and rides on the fire truck, and enjoy local entertainment and more visiting with friends and neighbors.

The following weekend, Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20, plan on attending the Community-wide Yard Sale. The organizers are still signing up those who want to add their own sales at their homes to the map that will be available at each stop. Sign up at loranesale22@yahoo.com. Please include your name, phone number and the address where you will be holding your sale, plus hours and days of your sale.

For those who prefer, there will be outside spaces for rent in front of the grange for $10. This annual community event is sponsored by the Lorane Grange and the Lorane Community Association.

The Crow Grange’s annual “Joe’s BBQ” will be held on Saturday, August 6th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The popular dinner is $12 and includes a ½ chicken, potato salad, baked beans, roll, lemonade or coffee, and ice cream—unfortunately there will not be corn-on-the cob this year, as it will not be ready in time. According to Connie Suing (541-556-2609), “Classic Country will be playing music for us and we will have a few classic cars in our top lot for your viewing pleasure. Come join us as we celebrate our little community of Crow, Oregon.”

So, there are some fun things being planned and it will be nice for everyone to come out of their own tunnels and relearn what it is like to be social again. That’s all part of what constitutes the true meaning of “community.”