Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
July 15, 2021
By Pat Edwards

Before I do anything else this week, I want to send a huge “thank you” to Leo Snider for his very touching tribute to me in the July 7 issue. I’m not sure I deserve the praise, but the fact that you included Jim in it, as well, touched my heart. Thank you, Leo!

August in Lorane is going to be a very busy month! I must have been looking at my calendar cross-eyed last week when I said that the annual Lorane Ice Cream Social was being scheduled for the 2nd Sunday of August, and then told you the wrong date. If you’ve marked your calendars with the wrong date, please change it to Sunday, August 8. Final plans are currently being made, but if it follows suit this year, the Ice Cream Social will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Lorane Fire Department, which sponsors it, and the church parking lot. In the past, it has offered homemade pies and ice cream, a dunk tank, a bounce-house, rides on a fire truck and for those adventurous souls, a view of Lorane from on-high in the bucket of an extended utility truck boom. There is usually live music and entertainment, too.

The Lorane Community Potluck/Picnic, as mentioned last week, was being moved this year to the day before the Ice Cream Social. I gave you a wrong date on that, too. It is being scheduled for Saturday, August 7. The doors open at 10:00 a.m. and food will be served beginning at 12 noon at the Lorane Grange. Those attending are asked to bring an entree, side dish or dessert to share with everyone. Drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own non-alcoholic beverage if you wish. There is no charge to attend. Plan to come early or stay after to meet and visit with new neighbors and old friends.

The Lorane Community-wide Garage Sale is being held on Saturday, August 14, too. Many homes in the area will be participating and there will be tables to rent at the Lorane Grange. There is no charge to be included on the map. If you want to sign up to participate or need further information, email lorane.sale@yahoo.com.

The Crow Grange has been sponsoring some line-dancing classes recently. They are planning others for Saturday, July 24 and August 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Also, their annual Chicken ‘n Pickin’ Barbecue is scheduled for Saturday, August 7, and the bingo nights will be resuming on the first and third Saturdays of each month, beginning on September 18. More details will be made available soon. If you’re interested, contact Connie Suing or one of the Crow Grange members.

A Bit of Lorane History – Old Timer’s Picnic (now called the Lorane Community Potluck)
(Note from Pat: For many years, those who used to live or went to school in Lorane gathered each year on the 2nd Sunday in August and it was a big event. Many who attended came from out of state and they, as well as some of the local residents, are now gone. Some newer residents didn’t think they were welcome or didn’t consider themselves “old timers,” so the name was changed to the Lorane Community Potluck. This excerpt from our book gives its history.)

“Each year on the 2nd Sunday in August, Lorane hosts a potluck/picnic for its ‘old timers’ and ‘not-so-old-timers.’ It’s held at the Lorane Grange Hall and has been coordinated by Walt and Lou Dell Hayes for over 25 years. It was started informally in the early 1960s by groups of Lorane families who planned reunions each year. The reunions were so popular with those who attended that word began to spread and it soon became an organized event. Jim Kotrc became the local organizer until his death in 1981. Walt and Lou then took over his duties and it has become an event that is looked forward to each year.

“Former Lorane residents come from all over the United States to attend. Many plan their annual vacations around it. The picnic draws an average of 125-150 people who spend the day getting reacquainted with friends, relatives and their childhood roots, in many cases. The counters in the Grange kitchen overflow with pans of fried chicken, potato salads, fruit salads, casserole dishes, vegetable trays, munchies of all sorts, and desserts galore.”

From Sawdust and Cider to Wine (2006) by Pat Edwards