Tag: Lorane Grange

Sweet Lorane Community News – November 3, 2016

November 3, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
November 3, 2016
By Pat Edwards

On Thursday, November 17, the Lorane Hookery Group, sponsored by The Rural Art Center, will be on-site at the Camas Country Mill Schoolhouse (91949 Purkerson Road, between Alvadore and Junction City) hooking their rugs, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  A special guest, Tammy Pavich, writer from Rug Hooking Magazine, will be joining in. The group invites you to bring your project, ask questions and give rug hooking a try! Finished pieces will be on display.

A Meal Train has been set up by some local residents for the Bowman family who lost their little girl, Payge, to an automobile accident on Cottage Grove-Lorane Road a few weeks ago. The organizers are asking local people to help the family during this time with meals or “even with a simple prayer.” For those who want to provide a meal, go to https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/2g9z97 and enter the date and the dish that you would like to prepare for the family.

The recent barn dance-fundraiser for the Bowman family was a huge success according to the organizers, Roberta Miller and Pam Kersgaard. It was very well attended with an estimated 90 people there. Pam remembers counting 60 people on the dance floor during the Virginia Reel alone.

The dance featured the Hanson Family, an award-winning group from Veneta known for their “Western Swing, Cowboy Yodeling and Blazing Harmony.” They taught and played dances such as the Virginia Reel, Scottish Polka, the Butterfly, Cane dance, Polka, 2-Step and more. You can check them out at http://www.hansonfamilymusic.com/

Another dance is being planned in November, but they might have to find a bigger venue as the grange was absolutely packed. More later…

Here are some dates to put into your calendar… The Lorane Christian Church will host their annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Lorane Grange on November 13 at 5:00 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited.

The Lorane Taco Dinner and Bingo Night, held at the Grange, will resume on Friday, November 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m.; bingo for the whole family begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Lorane Grange’s annual Christmas Dinner is December 11 at 1:30 p.m.  Lorane residents are invited. The Grange will provide the turkey, potatoes, gravy and dressing. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish or dessert.

The Crow Grange will hold it’s annual Thanksgiving Potluck and Open House on Thursday November 16th at 6:30 p.m. The Grange provides the turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. They ask friends and neighbors to bring a side dish and/or dessert and join them for a fun evening. Contact Connie at 541-556-2609 or Ruth at 541-935-3119 for more information.

The 2016 Groundwaters anthologies are now in the Lorane Family Store if you’ve been waiting to get one.

Jen Chambers and I just delivered our last talk of the year to the Willamette Writers group at Tsunami Books in Eugene last Thursday night. We were asked to deliver a talk called, “So You Think You Want to Self-Publish?” We had a very interested and responsive group as an audience. It’s so much fun to do these informal, interactive talks about things that we can share. It takes away the “public speaking onus” from the event and allows it to be more of discussion among people with a similar interest. Thank you, Willamette Writers, for inviting us.

Sweet Lorane Community News – October 13, 2016

October 13, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 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 – September 15, 2016

September 15, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 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.