Sweet Lorane Community News – August 13, 2015

August 13, 2015Newspaper ColumnsChambers Mill Fire, Forest Fire, Lorane, Lorane Wildfire, Matuchlat, Oregonpaedwards Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
August 13, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Lorane has been in the news for several days this past week and the wildfire that threatened homes in our area has consumed all of us. Today is Friday, August 14, as I’m writing this. I’ve gone over my deadline, but there was just too much going on with the fire during the past two days that I wasn’t able to focus on writing the column. I am the administrator of the Lorane Facebook page and I was kept constantly busy monitoring it and giving permissions to the 79 new people who requested to join it in order to get the news of the fire and to comment on postings. Also, I wanted to be able to write a happy ending to it for this week’s column.

I’ve waited long enough – our happy ending is in sight, even if the fire has not yet been fully contained at this point. The weather is teasing us with possible rain and a few stray “mistings” this morning. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it feels good and it has slowed down the progress of the fire, itself. The official word is that it has burned 180 acres and is 70% contained after coming within 75 feet of the Matchulat home, near where it started. Yes, that’s the same Matchulat family that has been mentioned in this column in recent weeks. Fortunately, the Matchulat’s were spending a few quiet days at the beach to rest up from the furious rounds of fundraisers put on to help with son Michael’s medical expenses following a diagnosis of Stage IV colorectal cancer.

The fire has been determined to be human-caused and started along the roadway on South Territorial Road just north of the Matchulat home. It quickly spread through dry grass and into a group of trees near the home and began racing up the hill next to the house. Lorane resident, Cherie Lutman, called 911 and then made a call to lifetime Lorane resident, Gary Thompson since she couldn’t rouse the Matchulats. Gary and his wife Lil rushed to the blaze and immediately saw that it was heading towards the Matchulat’s house. Gary turned on hoses and climbed to the roof of the house. He and Lil sprayed down everything as they watched the fire get closer and closer. The Lorane Fire Department volunteers and air support were soon there and they began the work of keeping the fire at bay. With the help of others who had arrived, they went inside and collected as many of the Matchulat’s photos and personal items as they could in case they were not able to save the house. Without the Thompsons’ quick thinking and their concern for their friends and neighbors, that could easily have been the outcome. Fortunately, with the barrage of water dumps from the air and fire hoses on the ground, the fire’s force focused on the trees and the dry grass above the house and the immediate danger was over. But, Gary and Lil and others who had arrived, stayed on the scene to make sure that stray embers from the burgeoning fire did not land on the roof.

In the meantime, crews from the Western Lane division of the Oregon Department of Forestry began trying to contain the fire. They put out a priority alert and other crews began arriving from as far away as McKenzie and Lowell Fire Districts. Helicopters and air tankers continued dumping water and retardants on the fire. Local resident, Bruce McDonald, and others who had cats and heavy equipment began working on a fire line to try and keep the fire from spreading. The next day, more crews arrived. One of them, in five trucks, pulled into our store parking lot to get supplies before heading for the fire. They had been fighting the large Southern Oregon fire near Glide and their clothes still were fragrant with the smell of smoke. But, they knew that they were needed here, so they came.

We have a lot of heroes to thank… not only Cherie, Gary, Lil, Bruce and all of the local and out-of-area firefighters, but all of the people who were glued to their computers, reading and commenting on breaking news about the fire… the ones sending prayers and thanks to all who were working so hard to save the lives and homes of our residents. I have a special soft-spot in my heart for those who offered help in the form of providing food and drink for the firefighters, making trailers and transportation available for threatened livestock and beds for anyone who became displaced by the fire. All are heroes in my estimation.

I’m very proud of our community and of all of those who showed their concern. Thank you.

Pat’s People – The Lorane-Crow 4-H Newsletter, October 21, 1974

October 21, 1974Newsletters, Pat's People4-H, Ashley, Bonygne, Cottrell, Drullinger, Edwards, Fleming, Giles, Hing, Jentzsch, Jones, Keeler, Lawson, Lorane, Matney, Mitchell, Mortensen, Ribe, Rothauge, Sturdevant, Taylor, Trout, VanDecarpaedwards Leave a comment

The 4-H office has given me authorization to put out this experimental newsletter for our area as a means of informing the community of what is happening in our 4-H clubs. If you like the idea, let me know!

Marna Hing says that she will be organizing her dog obedience club real soon. The meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings at the Lorane Equestrian Center arena. Anyone interested in joining who hasn’t already signed up should contact Marna. (phone numbers)

The 3-L’s 4-H Livestock Club began its third year last week. The organizational meeting was held on October 10th. Ten new members were enrolled and 14 re-enrolled for their second or third years. Included are: Beef division: Sandra Brewer, Gloria Edwards, Susan Fleming, David Giles, Jason Jentzsch, Clifford and Lori Jones, Kenny Keeler and Candy Trout. Sheep division: Lori Jones, Carol Mitchell and Rose VanDecar; Swine division: Jaylene Jentzsch; Rabbit division: Chuck Bonygne, Lyle Cottrell, Jaylene Jentzsch, Kelly and Keri Mortensen, Jeralee Jentzsch, Todd Sturdevant, Marvin and Tina Taylor and Dean Lawson; Dairy division: Rachel Ashley; Other animals: Cindy Cottrell (Note from Pat: If I remember right, I believe she raised cavies)

Nominations were made for election of officers. Ballots are being made up, candidates are campaigning, and the election will be held at the next meeting. (That will be November 12th).

The leaders of the club are Jim and Pat Edwards, Shirley VanDecar, Lorena Mitchell, Karen Matney, Shirley Jones, Mary Ann Keeler and Dean Lawson, Junior Leader). Five of us met last Thursday to discuss in what direction our club will take this year. Various speakers and field trips were suggested. Among these are field trips to the Christensen Bros. Ranch, Bartel Meat Co., Lochmead Dairy, and Adams Taxidermist Shop, as well as individual project trips to a sheep ranch, a rabbitry, etc.

I don’t know how many people realize it, but kids belonging to a livestock club don’t have to own their animal. Some, who don’t have a place for one or who can’t afford to feed one, get permission to use a young female belonging to a neighbor. The neighbor keeps it on his place and supplies the feed that he would normally give it anyway. The 4-H’er is responsible for feeding it every night after school and on weekends; he trains it to lead and set up for show, keeps records on it, and, in general, just takes care of it. The neighbor, upon agreeing to this, also must allow the animal to be taken to the 4-H fair and be shown. If there are any of these “good neighbors” in the area, or kids who would like a “good neighbor,” I’d like to hear from you.

This past summer, a substantial donation was made to our club by Bill Smith of the J&B Fina service station on West 11th and Crow Rd., to be used for camp and 4-H summer school scholarships. Members who want to attend either activity will receive a half tuition. The club is looking for money-making projects to raise the other half. Already in the planning stages are several bake sales. Anyone having ideas on other such projects is asked to contact anyone connected with the club. In the meantime, I hope you will use any opportunity you have to patronize Bill’s gas station and help us say a mighty grateful thank you for his generosity.

We are still welcoming any new members who wish to join. Parents are also encouraged to come. Our meetings will be every second Tuesday of the month at the Lorane Grade School cafeteria at 7:00 p.m.

Phyllis Drullinger, who will be our new sewing leader, will begin regular meetings after the first of the year. She’d like to know how many girls and boys would like to join. Let her know if you haven’t already signed up. (phone number)

Phyllis Rothauge is forming a beginning home economics club for 9 and 10 year olds. It will cover elementary cooking, sewing, home improvement and child care. Phyllis is anxiously looking forward to getting it started in January. Give her a call if you haven’t already signed up. (phone number)

Sheila Counts is seriously considering leading a craft club. She will probably limit the number of kids, so if you’re interested, let her know. (phone number)

Pat Ribe of the Lorane Equestrian Center has agreed to lead a 4-H horse club if she has at least four kids wanting it. It will be an extension of the Woodside Stables club and the kids will be on a drill team and can ride English or Western. Transportation to the drill practice will be provided for horses and riders and the cost of gas will be split among the members. Call Pat for more info. (phone number)

Shirley VanDecar of Crow has volunteered to head up a garden club next spring for any area kids who are interested in raising their own vegetable garden. Shirley has a fantastic green thumb and each year, she raises almost every vegetable imaginable (even celery!) In a one acre garden. (I didn’t know you could grow celery around here!) Keep this club in mind, kids.

Monica Lawson and I are working on forming a club dealing with art fundamentals. We are trying to get a group of local people with a knowledge of various types of art together to lead a club. Each person would donate only the amount of time he or she could spare. Either adults or older teens are eligible to lead. Anyone interested, call Monica. (phone number)

Also in the planning stages is a new club on small engine repair, designed to help kids learn how a mini-bike or lawnmower works and how to recognize and repair various engine problems. We’re looking for a place to meet right now. The prospective leader is giving the matter careful consideration before agreeing to do it, and I heartily approve. It is awfully disappointing to the kids to have a club or leader fizzle out on them.

Other areas that kids have shown an interest in are woodworking, leathercraft, cooking, knitting, crocheting, and outdoor activities such as forestry, fishing, etc. Any interested leaders? Call me. (phone number)

‘Nuff for now. I’ll be putting these newsletters out on a somewhat irregular basis, depending on what 4-H news there is to report. I hope that all of you leaders will keep me informed on what your individual clubs are doing so that I can tell about it. And, please, let me know how you like this idea.

Thanks for supporting 4-H!
Pat Edwards
Lorane Community Coordinator