Tag: Michael Matchulat

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 11, 2016

February 11, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 11, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Those of you who love and respect Debbie Davis as much as I do, will be glad to hear that her craniotomy surgery this past week went well and she is recovering nicely. Her daughter, Anna, said that she was expected to go home last Friday… that’s where healing really can begin! Debbie has proven time and again how strong she is and I have no doubt that she will continue to battle the cancer that keeps trying to sneak up on her and one day she will be declared the winner.

It’s strong courageous people like Debbie and Michael Matchulat who are literally fighting for their lives against cancer that make me realize that this world has some amazing people who are daily showing us how precious life is.

Loranian Michael Matchulat has been very open with his fight against the cancer that has invaded his colon, liver and lungs and his words on Facebook are inspiring others who are heading down the same road. Last night, Michael posted an update about the fact that the new meds that he is on are “way more bearable and have eliminated almost every (bad) side-effect.” When someone mentioned his amazingly positive attitude, Michael immediately responded with what I consider a golden nugget of advice for others and their loved ones who are in the same position: “Just remember one rule: Be sad sometimes. Optimism is often confused with positivity. Don’t make cancer fighters be positive; it tells them their emotions are wrong.” I shared his words with an especially good friend in Montana who has just begun the journey down that road and I know that they are so appreciated.

One of our former long-time residents, Walt VanDecar, passed away on  February 7, according to his daughter, Rose. She and Walt’s stepchildren, Susan and Kenny Keeler, went to the Lorane and Crow schools and his wife, Mary Ann, was active with the Lorane P.T.C. for many years. Walt was a sheep rancher and shearer, and after moving from the Crow area, he worked closely with Cleve Dumdi in the Monroe and Junction City areas. Our condolences go out to Rose, Mary Ann and the rest of the family. I know that he will be sorely missed.

Disclaimer: The following is a “proud grandma” alert… I just got word from our son, Rob, that our two Creswell granddaughters, Hannah and Natalie Edwards both came home today with report cards sporting 4.0 GPAs! In addition, Miss Nat was named Student of the Month at the middle school.  Congratulations, girls! Grandpa and I are so proud of you both. Hey! How could I NOT brag a bit?

I’ve got a date with both of my girls for this coming Saturday. We’re all going to get pedis, followed by lunch and maybe some shopping in celebration of Hannah’s 15th birthday on February 3. (You Creswell and Cottage Grove driver’s might want to be on the alert!) Actually, Hannah has a headstart on driving. She’s driven the tractor during haying season and has practiced on her Uncle John’s long driveway in Saginaw for the last couple of years. I have no doubt that she is going to do just fine. It’s so much fun being a grandma… and great grandma!

Ok… back to Lorane… The only other news I have right now are reminders of events that I’ve covered pretty thoroughly in the past couple of columns:

There’s a mandatory parent/athletic meeting scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16 for all Spring Sports at Crow Middle/High School.

Sunday, February 21 is the Lorane Christian Church Friendship Dinner at Sizzler’s in Springfield at 5:30 p.m.

The next Lorane Grange dinner and bingo is Saturday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m.

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the sunshine this past week!

Sweet Lorane Community News – January 07, 2016

January 7, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
January 7, 2016
By Pat Edwards

I’m baack!! I didn’t intend to abandon you for 2 weeks, but I guess that’s what I did. The holiday season is so packed full of “busy” that I am always glad to get back to a normal – or what’s “normal” for me – routine.

I hope that each of you had a joyous season and are looking forward to a positive and eventful New Year. It’s fun to start off with a relatively clean calendar. Oh, there are the dental and eye appointments that were made months ago, but it’s a luxury to look at whole weeks where nothing is planned other than what catches my fancy each day. I’m working on an interesting book project right now, but that will be completed within the next two weeks. I’ve got others waiting in the wings as soon as I complete that, but my goal this year is to begin traveling with my husband… nothing lengthy or major until fall, but we both want to take time to visit some of the places in our beautiful country that we haven’t seen together.

Jim will officially be out of the cattle business next week and I’ll have to do some creative thinking to keep him occupied with things we both enjoy. We have plans to fly down to Arizona for a week to visit our youngest daughter and son-in-law, and hopefully take a car trip to Missouri this summer to visit Jim’s namesake nephew and his family with some side trips to some of Jim’s childhood homes in Nebraska. Then, this fall, our whole extended family is hoping to gather for a group Hawaiian cruise.

Our grandson Kevin is back in the area and he will keep an eye on the store and home front when we are away. Oh! It’s good to have him home. We’ve missed him these past few years while he’s been in Klamath Falls.

I hope to continue my columns each week… maybe giving you a bit of a travelogue on our adventures, but always to share the activities and news of our wonderful hometown of Lorane.

Now on to some of that news… The Lorane Grange’s monthly Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo nights will resume on Saturday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. If you haven’t been to one of these, I strongly recommend it. It’s good food and fun for the whole family. The dinner always includes a large helping of spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad, beverages and a variety of desserts. Bingo games for the whole family begin at about 6:30. Our entertaining caller is Randy Eschleman and his sidekick Marty. The prizes alternate between items from the prize table and increasing amounts of cash as the evening proceeds. The last blackout game, if won within a specified amount of numbers, is over $100 with a guaranteed payout of $25, I believe. The biggest payoffs, though, are the laughs and camaraderie that we all enjoy. Come join us!

Crow Grange hosts a similar evening each 1st and 3rd Saturdays beginning with dinner at 6:15 p.m. (…and throughout the evening.) They also offer two choices of dinner entrees as well as a wonderful selection of pies and beverages. Dan and Connie Suing are the bingo hosts/callers. The bingo games are also a lot of fun and families are welcome. Both granges depend on the proceeds of these offerings to help maintain their buildings and activities. It’s a fun way to help support them.

The Lorane Rebekah’s are still accepting and collecting scrap metal.  There is a container at the Lodge or call  Sande Maxwell (541-942-5083 or sandemaxwell@wildblue.net) if you want to schedule a pick up.

Local Lane County deputy-on-medical leave, Michael Matchulat, spent some time in the hospital this past week with an infection. He’s had some major surgeries to try and stem the spread of cancer and he continues to need our positive thoughts and prayers. His Facebook account is under the name of Mychel Matchy and I know that he enjoys hearing from all of his friends. He has been posting updates on his battle with this horrendous disease and I hope that you’ll send him your special wishes and prayers.

Sweet Lorane Community News – November 12, 2015

November 12, 2015Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
November 12, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Winter is truly approaching now. Even though we’ve had some sunshine, the cold dampness seems to be seeping into my bones these days. Even though our thermostat is kept between 70 to 72 degrees, I find I frequently need to wear a sweater to stay warm in our large common areas of the house. The dogs and I still take our almost-daily mile-long walks up the hill, and the exercise helps with my “internal heating” problem. I’d like to go for longer distances, but for Shortie, with his basketball-size abdominal tumor, the mile is his maximum, and I won’t go without him. He loves it so. I really dislike the ellipticals and stationary bicycles, although I will turn to them as the weather gets worse. I miss the wind and even a few sprinkles in my face, but most of all, I miss the scenery of those walks this time of year.

Lorane and Crow are gearing up for the holidays. By the time you read this, the Lorane Thanksgiving dinner will have taken place, but the free Crow community potluck for Thanksgiving is still in sight. It will be held on Thursday, November 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Crow Grange will provide turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish and/or dessert. They are also accepting donations of canned foods for the Crow holiday food baskets.

Lorane’s own Michael Matchulat, who is fighting Stage 4 colorectal cancer, is taking an aggressive plan of attack of surgeries and treatments programmed by a special team of surgeons from the Oregon Health Sciences University in order to get on top of his cancer. Michael’s first surgery on Friday, November 20, will involve removing the 4 or 5 malignant tumors from the left lobe of his liver. It will be followed later by the removal of his whole right lobe. Obviously, this young man needs all of the prayers and support we can muster for him. We all admire his openness and grit in dealing with the grueling fight he is waging. For details and more information on what he is facing, check out his postings on his Facebook page in the name of Mychel Matchy.

The West Lane Holiday Bazaar is approaching fast… this coming Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21. Please keep our Lane County Author’s booth in mind that will be set up at the Applegate Regional Theater in the former Central School gymnasium. Books make excellent gifts and we will have several local authors there to sell and autograph their books for you including Michael Foster, Michael J. “Hoss” Barker, Ava (Muriel) Linder, Terah Van Dusen, Joe Blakely and Jennifer Chambers. I will be there on Friday, too.

And, remember… The Farm Store has our Groundwaters 2015: an Anthology on hand for gifts, as well. Your support of local writers and poets will be most appreciated!