Lorane Community News – April 7, 2016

April 7, 2016Newspaper ColumnsCarol Morehead, Effie Hughes, Jeri Porter, Jim Bailor, Lorane Christian Church, Lorane Fire Department, Lorane Grange, Lorane Rebekahs, Lorane Talent Show, Markay Wilson, Rural Art Centerpaedwards Leave a comment

Oh, it’s so hard to sit at this computer for long. With the beautiful spring weather we’ve been having, I’ve been bitten by the spring fever bug hard. I was really needing a good dose of that sunshine and warmth for not only my physical, but mental health, especially. It’s been a rough few months and that sunshine is really welcome.

I’ve built a petunia planter, which is already filled, planted 2 new rose bushes, and several tubs of flowers. I even jumped the gun a bit by planting a bunch of strawberries in a planter box and some tomatoes and cucumbers in another one. I hope I haven’t jinxed everyone’s hopes for no additional frost this spring, but I just couldn’t help myself.

Apparently the recent Lorane Talent Show, sponsored by the Rural Art Center and the Lorane Grange, was a huge success this year. In past years, there are sometimes rather small turnouts, but Lil Thompson reported that 11 different contestants from not only Lorane, but from neighboring communities of Sutherlin, Elmira, Eugene, Triangle Lake, Cottage Grove and Crow participated. In addition, over 50 people turned out to show their support and appreciation for the talent offered. It was a fun time for all as everyone visited over refreshments in the grange kitchen following the entertainment.

In addition to the talent show, the Lorane Grange hosted its annual Outstanding Community Awards to honor those chosen by each of the area’s organizations. Those receiving the awards this year are Markay Wilson (Lorane Christian Church), Jim Bailor (Lorane Fire Department), Jeri Porter and Carol Morehead (Lorane Grange), Effie Hughes (Lorane Rebekahs) and the Rural Art Center for its community service programs.

For you parents and grandparents who want to be able to check out the dates and times of upcoming Crow-Applegate-Lorane school district activities and athletics, information will now be included on the District’s website at http://www.cal.k12.or.us. It will also have instructions or an app on the website to enable you to access info by your cell phone or tablet.

There’s some exciting news on the horizon for C-A-L students who will be 16 or older by June 2017. Plans are being discussed for a 12-day European adventure to Greece, Italy and Spain. A very important meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. for parents and students interested in such a trip. If you are unable to attend or need further information, you may contact Ms. Smith at asmith@cal.k12.or.us.

Both Lorane and Crow will be holding their dinner and bingo fundraisers on the same night this month – Saturday, April 16. For Lorane, dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and bingo at 6:30 p.m. This will be the last one until September.

Crow’s doors open at 6:00 p.m. for dinner and bingo begins at 7:00 p.m. Please be sure to support our local granges. Lorane and Crow Granges have both given so much to their communities – not just their members – and it’s important to support them as much as possible. They are a large part of what makes our communities strong and so very special.

Happy spring everyone! It’s the time for track meets, flowers and gardens. My favorite time of the year!

Lorane Community News – March 24, 2016

March 24, 2016Newspaper ColumnsLorane Fitness, Lorane Grange, Lorane Talent Show, Sharon Malcolm, Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo, Western Bluebirdpaedwards Leave a comment

I had a pretty nice welcome to spring the other day. Shortie, Outlaw and I took advantage of a break in the clouds and rain to walk up Easy Acres to get some fresh air and exercise. The sun was peeking through the clouds just as I noticed a flash of blue on the fence running next to the road. I was so excited to see the first Western Bluebird that I’ve seen in many years… if ever. I’ve put out birdhouses for them, but all they have attracted are swallows. This little guy was are NOT a Blue Jay or one of the beautiful little turquoise Lazuli Buntings that come to my feeders. It was about the size of a sparrow and had bright royal blue feathers with a dark orange breast. He was only about 20 feet away and did not seem skittish. In fact, he jumped down to the ground under a nearby tree to carry on whatever business he was tending to. Oh how I wish I had taken my camera or phone with me! It was a real treat to see it. I was beginning to think they were mythical.

Congratulations to Sharon Malcolm who won the $415 jackpot at the Lorane Grange’s Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night. When she yelled bingo that night, there were a lot of good-natured, “Awww’s” and “Darn its” as the adrenaline rushes plunged for all but Sharon. But, we all had a great time and as the bingo pot begins its re-growth next month, we’ll once again feel that same adrenaline rush when the prizes are $2 to $5 or a pick from the prize table. Most of us are doing it for the fun and camaraderie, anyway. The prizes are just a nice addition.

This past week our Lorane Facebook page continued to prove what a valuable tool it is for our community. One person was able to find a sheep/alpaca shearer for a group of residents with small flocks; someone else was able to locate and borrow an extra large dog crate to haul a new goat home in; an alert went out about an EPUD power outage; and a stray dog was found and, hopefully, returned home.

The Lorane Grange Exercise group get-togethers were cancelled last week due to Spring Break, but exercise classes will resume with Richard Simmon’s “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. The current schedule is: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. (aerobic/dance) and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. (pilates, yoga). The organizers are projecting exercise videos on a big screen and everyone is welcome. The classes are suitable for beginners. They will go through April and then take a break until the rainy season returns in the fall. They are planning a “Limo Wine Tasting Event” in May to celebrate everyone’s hard work. For more info call 541-942-6193.

Don’t forget… the Lorane Talent Show will be held on Sunday, April 3 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Lorane Grange. Try to make it out to see what amazing talent we have in Lorane!

Happy Spring, Everyone! May we all have enough dry days to keep our grass mowed, but enough rain to keep our beautiful spring flowers growing!

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 4, 2016

February 4, 2016Newspaper ColumnsA Bit of Lorane History, Crow Middle/High School, Crow-Applegate-Lorane, Debbie Davis, Frank Davis, Friendship Dinner, Lorane Christian Church, Lorane Grange, Stan Davispaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 4, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Yuck! Three weeks ago I came down with a cold, and I’ve still got it! It’s like a group of waves that roll in on the beach. When it first hit, the symptoms began to ebb after a few days and then, Wham! I was hit with a few more waves carrying with them an assortment of coughs, sneezes, eternal congestion and now eye infection. Yesterday, I finally broke down and visited the Cottage Grove Walk-In Clinic since my doctor was booked up and they put me on some antibiotics and an inhaler. I’m feeling better today, but I’m holding my breath that there’s not another breaker heading my way. The nurse at the clinic told me that I was not alone… that record numbers of people were experiencing the same type of long, drawn-out upper respiratory infection this winter.

With all of my whining out of the way, I am hanging my head in shame because I’m truly one of the lucky ones. I am blessed with much better health than many others. How can I complain when such beautiful people around me have so much more to deal with, health-wise, than me?

Today, we got word from former Loranian, Stan Davis, that his wife – our wonderful, beautiful, beloved Debbie Davis – is having to undergo a second craniotomy to remove a brain tumor. Stan’s message, while extremely sobering, carried a signature bit of humor passed on from Debbie, herself. In his message, he said, “…It is in the speech center, and she is wondering if I would, maybe, prefer a mute wife?? Hmmm…” The tone is typical Debbie who has always brought sunshine into all of our lives. Our love and prayers are with you both, Debbie and Stan! I’m sure they’d love to have some others sent their way, too.
The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Board is still looking for members for the district’s budget committee. The committee met for the first time last Thursday, February 4, but there will be two more meetings. If you are interested in serving the school district in this way, please call the district office for further information (541-935-2100).

The Crow Middle/High School students who want to play a spring sport (baseball, softball or track) is required to attend the upcoming Spring Sports Sign-Up and Parent Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16 at the high school. Parents will need to attend with the students.

Don’t forget the Friendship Dinner hosted by Lorane Christian Church at Sizzlers on Gateway Blvd. in Springfield on Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Also, mark your calendars for the next Lorane Grange Dinner and Bingo Night which will be held on Saturday, February 27. They are going to try something besides spaghetti this time – possibly an assortment of finger foods as well as those yummy desserts. The blackout bingo pot is up to over $300. Bring the whole family. It’s so much fun.

A Bit of Lorane History (honoring Stan Davis’ family):

In the early 1900s, Frank Davis lived on his homestead, due west of the former Delwin Doughty homeplace. The farm buildings were situated on top of a hill with the barn perched right at the edge of a canyon. One evening about dusk, Chancy, who lived on north Territorial Road where the former Cliff Stevens’ place is located, heard the sound of distant yelling coming from the direction of his brother’s homestead, some two miles away. Because Frank’s wife Elma was due to have a baby at any time, Chancy feared that she might be having complications. He hurriedly saddled a horse and galloped full speed in the direction of his brother’s homestead. Every few minutes he heard a loud yell. Upon arriving, he leaped from his horse, just as another full-throated “holler” rent the air in the direction of the barn. As he ran towards the barn, he was met with the sight of Frank Davis standing next to his barn with his back to the canyon. He was bent at the waist with his head tucked between his knees yelling into the canyon beyond – listening to his own echo. (From Sawdust and Cider; 1987; 2006)