Tag: Rural Art Center

Sweet Lorane Community News – June 25, 2015

June 25, 2015Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review                                    
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
June 25, 2015
By Pat Edwards

Summer is definitely here with the above-90-degree temps. I’ve been doing my watering early – this morning I was out wielding my garden hose at 6:30 a.m. before either the dogs or I had eaten our breakfasts.

I went down to our store yesterday about noon and saw that the Lorane Growers’ Market was all set up and there was even some kale waiting to be taken home. Two of our clerks at the store, Shauna and Marilyn, are very excited about the feature. Despite it being so early in the season, they said that there had been several things left that morning, including snow peas, kale and a couple of tomato plants. It didn’t take long for them to be taken. Unfortunately, we don’t have a cooler set up yet for the things that tend to wilt, so the kale was left behind, but we’ll make sure that is soon rectified. Until one is installed, if you have leafy vegetables that will not stand up in the hot weather, ask to have them put in the store’s walk-in cooler and put a note on the produce table to let people know that they are there. I’ll provide some index cards and a marker so that you can make your signs even when the cooler is in place. There probably won’t be much produce or many plants available until further along in the growing season. For now, be sure to check it out whenever you get the chance… and be sure to leave your donations to the Lorane Community Association’s community fund!

Volunteers are needed to help build the Rural Art Center’s Little Bitty Free Libraries that they will be providing in the Lorane area. They already began the project last Tuesday, but they will be meeting at the barn at the Blue Rooster Inn (82782 Territorial Hwy.) from 1:00-4:00 p.m. the following three Tuesdays (June 30, July 7 and July 14).

Liam Reardon is heading up the work parties as part of his Eagle Scout project. He has chosen a basic design for the structures that can be viewed at http://www.instructables.com/id/Little-Free-Library/.  Donations of materials are needed. Call Amy (541-214-3963) or email Lisa (ruralartcenter@gmail.com) with questions about what is still needed.

The next meeting of the Lorane Celebration committee is scheduled for July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lorane Grange. A community-wide garage sale will be taking place during the September 12th celebration. For more information on renting a table at the Grange or including your home sale on the area map, contact Lil Thompson, 541-942-5701. Many interesting events are being planned throughout the day and volunteer help is welcome. Plan to attend the meeting on July 9th if you are interested.

The Lorane, Oregon Facebook page keeps getting more and more useful as a community resource. We have 555 members as of this writing and we keep getting more each week. Of course, not all of our members currently live in Lorane, but many do and many are our neighbors in Crow and other nearby communities. All feel that they have some interest in our community and provide suggestions, support and comments to the various postings.

A new posting this past week was from a resident who was needing to find a local teen who would be willing to do some yardwork and help in the re-siding her barn. An enterprising young man responded that beginning next week, he would welcome the work. Soon, others were asking him if he’d be available to do some work for them, too. I’m sure that there must be other young people in Lorane and Crow who would like to earn some extra cash. If so, please let us know. Once haying season is over, there are still jobs available for those who seek them out. If you don’t have a Facebook account, please let me know and I’ll try to connect you with potential employers in the area.

Jo-Brew and I will be at the Oregon Authors’ table at the Art & the Vineyard festivities in Alton Baker Park on Sunday, July 5. I’ll have the 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift and Jo will be there from 3 to 7 p.m. Stop by and see us if you have the chance. We’ll have copies of our books, OREGON’S MAIN STREET: U.S. Highway 99 and I’ll also bring copies of some of the recently-published books written by Michael J. “Hoss” Barker and Muriel “Ava” Linder (who was featured in last week’s Fern Ridge Review). My colleague, Veneta author, Jennifer Chambers will be there on Saturday, July 4, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Please come support your local Oregon authors!!

Sweet Lorane Community News – June 11, 2015

June 11, 2015Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review                                    
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
June 11, 2015
By Pat Edwards

There seems to be a good deal to discuss in today’s Lorane column. It’s strange how some weeks, I really have to dig for things to write about, but not this week! So, let’s get started…

Last week, the Lorane Fire Department was called out to a “fully-engaged” fire on, of all places, Fire Road, off of Siuslaw Road, west of Lorane. A neighbor, Norm Maxwell, while letting his cat outside, noticed the fire about 2:00 a.m. and, after helping the resident, Naomi Klatt, and her caregiver safely from the home, he called 911. I understand that the house was destroyed and that Naomi was taken to her daughter’s home. Many offers have come from community members to help Naomi, but so far, no requests or needs have come in. I’ll be sure to let everyone know if we can help in any way.

Millie Graves (left) and Grace Biggs

Millie Graves (left) and Grace Biggs

I was notified last week that long-time resident of Crow, Grace Biggs, passed away at the age of 99 in Veneta on May 31. Grace was an active member of the West Lane community for many years. She taught for awhile for the Crow-Applegate School District where her husband Ted worked as a janitor and bus driver, and she was an active participant for a number of years in the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) Program at Crow. She also wrote a column for the West Lane News in Veneta for over 35 years.

So far, I have not been able to find out if a memorial service is being planned, but I’ve posted a lovely story on the Lorane Facebook page about her that Millie Graves wrote for Groundwaters in July 2012, in order to honor this amazing woman. We send our condolences to Grace’s family.

Some good news!… Sam Sowanick, a member of Troop #252 in Lorane, was honored at an Eagle Court of Honor last week at the Crow Grange. He is a senior at Crow High School and is the son of Scott and Jenny Sowanick of Crow. As a 1st grader, Sam began as a Tiger Cub and advanced through Wolf Cub, Bear and Webelos ranks and earned 22 merit badges. He oversaw the building of a covered kiosk at Gates Cemetery in Crow that holds a map of the cemetery. The service project required 86 hours and 25 helpers. Congratulations, Sam!!

The Rural Art Center is announcing its RAC Summer Movie Camp to be held at Applegate Elementary on Mondays through Thursdays, August 10-20, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Well-known storyteller, Esther Stutzman, heads up the camp for the fourth year to explore Native American stories and make movies. All ages are welcome. Participants will listen to a local Native American story, make a storyboard, create sets and costumes and produce a film. Lorane Movie Night will host the premiere in October. Contact Alyssa Shepherd malyssa2@yahoo.com / 541-556-8151 for more information.

Lorane’s own Beth Robinson was honored at a Graduation celebration at the Lorane Grange on Sunday, June 14. She obtained her Master’s degree in the Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program from the UO Law School. Congratulations, Beth, on the culmination of a lot of very hard work and dedication to your career goals.

College graduation kudos also need to be sent out to another of our special Lorane alums! Cassandra (Casey) Ream just announced her commencement from Portland Community College and her plans to attend Portland State University next fall. We are so proud of you, Casey!

Since we’re talking graduation, we also want to add our congratulations to all of the 2015 Crow High School graduates including Lorane residents Lacey Gibson, Montana May, Byron Trout and Amber Von Essen (Simonsen Road). Good job all!… and a personal congratulations to Regan Grube, this year’s valedictorian.

The Lorane Grange will begin is long-awaited re-roofing project on June 27 and 28. Thanks to all of you who contributed extra funds and have been attending the almost-monthly dinners and bingo nights that helped make it happen.

The next Lorane Celebration meeting is Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the grange hall if you’d like to participate. More volunteer help is needed. Contact Jeri Porter at 541-935-2448 or Lil Thompson at 541-942-5701 for more information.