Fern Ridge Review                                    
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
July 30, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Because of so much other Lorane news lately, I haven’t yet mentioned the upcoming Lorane Community Potluck and Lorane Ice Cream Social events that are being planned for Sunday, August 9. Doors at the Lorane Grange will open for the Lorane Community Potluck (the name was changed from the “Old-Timers” Picnic so people will know that they don’t have to be an “old-timer to attend..) at about 10:30 a.m. for those who want to drop off food or come early and visit with their neighbors. The potluck dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m. Historically, the food has been plentiful, not to mention delicious, and quite a few of our Lorane friends who no longer live here attend each year to catch up on news and share their stories.

Following the meal, the Lorane Fire Department’s Annual Ice Cream Social will be building up steam. It will feature exhibits, rides on fire engines, carnival booths for the kids, probably a dunk tank and most important of all, delicious hand-churned ice cream and homemade pies. Be sure to plan on making it a full day for the family!

This past week, the whole community has come together to plan and participate in the benefit fundraisers for Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Matchulat whose family has lived in Lorane for many years. The Papa’s Pizza benefit was well attended and the garage sale benefit and Lorane Grange’s Pancake Breakfast took place this past weekend. I’ll have to give you a report on those in next week’s column. The on-line “YouCaring” fund has reached almost $6,000 (http://www.youcaring.com/michael-matchulat-388090#). Michael’s sister, Melinda, wrote in her recent update on the site that (at the pizza benefit), “Michael got to visit with Steve Grube, a stage IV cancer survivor from Crow. Steve is 10 years past his date of diagnosis and cancer free. They joked about Michael’s new career as a “professional patient,” and remarked about how well Michael was doing handling his Monday treatments – serious case of the Monday’s, but every career has its bad days. Steve continues to be a source of inspiration and knowledge for Michael.” I know for a fact that former Crow High/Middle School teacher, Steve Grube, has been an inspiration to all of his friends and neighbors over the years.

Other Matchulat funding sites for direct donations have also been set up including a Selco account and the Lorane Grange. Information on each of them can be found on the Lorane, Oregon Facebook page.

Speaking of the Facebook page, we are nearing 600 members who are following and sharing our Lorane news. Thank you to everyone who takes an active interest in spreading news about what is going on in Lorane… lately, that has been considerable. I have recently asked Lil Thompson to help administer it with me. Our focus is to keep it Lorane (and Crow) oriented and we thank everyone for respecting that.

The Lane Fire Authority has notified us that because of the extremely high fire danger to not only our area, but all of Lane County, no fires of any kind (including fire pits) are allowed. Gas and charcoal barbecues are permitted only if they are in a protected area away from dry grass, brush or trees. No one should be using a chain saw, lawn mower or other “spark-emitting” machinery  on dry grass, trees or brush. Lawn mowers can only be used on green irrigated lawns.

We’re in a really bad spell of hot weather. Last Wednesday, Jim and I took our granddaughters to Hayward Field where our granddaughter, Hannah, planned to compete in the last all-comers’ meet of the season. When we left home, our car digital thermometer read 104 degrees. When we left Hayward Field, a couple of hours later, it registered 108 degrees. Fortunately, by the time we turned in our driveway, the temp was registering a few degrees below 100 degrees. Waaaaay too hot!!

… Oh yes, despite the heat and the fact that she has never thrown the regulation javelin in competition, Hannah, as an incoming freshman at Creswell, threw 70+ feet. Good job, Hannah! That was worth a stop at Dairy Queen afterwards with your dad and Miss Natalie who was with us in the stands, supporting her sister in that terrible heat!