Tag: Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo

Lorane Community News – March 24, 2016

March 24, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , Leave a comment

I had a pretty nice welcome to spring the other day. Shortie, Outlaw and I took advantage of a break in the clouds and rain to walk up Easy Acres to get some fresh air and exercise. The sun was peeking through the clouds just as I noticed a flash of blue on the fence running next to the road. I was so excited to see the first Western Bluebird that I’ve seen in many years… if ever. I’ve put out birdhouses for them, but all they have attracted are swallows. This little guy was are NOT a Blue Jay or one of the beautiful little turquoise Lazuli Buntings that come to my feeders. It was about the size of a sparrow and had bright royal blue feathers with a dark orange breast. He was only about 20 feet away and did not seem skittish. In fact, he jumped down to the ground under a nearby tree to carry on whatever business he was tending to. Oh how I wish I had taken my camera or phone with me! It was a real treat to see it. I was beginning to think they were mythical.

Congratulations to Sharon Malcolm who won the $415 jackpot at the Lorane Grange’s Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night. When she yelled bingo that night, there were a lot of good-natured, “Awww’s” and “Darn its” as the adrenaline rushes plunged for all but Sharon. But, we all had a great time and as the bingo pot begins its re-growth next month, we’ll once again feel that same adrenaline rush when the prizes are $2 to $5 or a pick from the prize table. Most of us are doing it for the fun and camaraderie, anyway. The prizes are just a nice addition.

This past week our Lorane Facebook page continued to prove what a valuable tool it is for our community. One person was able to find a sheep/alpaca shearer for a group of residents with small flocks; someone else was able to locate and borrow an extra large dog crate to haul a new goat home in; an alert went out about an EPUD power outage; and a stray dog was found and, hopefully, returned home.

The Lorane Grange Exercise group get-togethers were cancelled last week due to Spring Break, but exercise classes will resume with Richard Simmon’s “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. The current schedule is: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. (aerobic/dance) and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. (pilates, yoga). The organizers are projecting exercise videos on a big screen and everyone is welcome. The classes are suitable for beginners. They will go through April and then take a break until the rainy season returns in the fall. They are planning a “Limo Wine Tasting Event” in May to celebrate everyone’s hard work. For more info call 541-942-6193.

Don’t forget… the Lorane Talent Show will be held on Sunday, April 3 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Lorane Grange. Try to make it out to see what amazing talent we have in Lorane!

Happy Spring, Everyone! May we all have enough dry days to keep our grass mowed, but enough rain to keep our beautiful spring flowers growing!

Sweet Lorane Community News – March 10, 2016

March 10, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
March 10, 2016
By Pat Edwards

Greetings from Lorane!

I just heard that long-time resident, Pat Elliott, of the Fawn Creek area of Siuslaw River Road west of Lorane suffered a stroke caused by a brain bleed on February 12. The condition caused a seizure and surgery was performed to correct the bleed. He’s been in rehab for the past 3 weeks and will begin receiving regular therapy at home. According to Linda and Bridgett Johnson-Elliott, “We’re now faced with enormous medical bills and monthly expenses which Pat’s Medicare covers only a portion of.” The Johnson-Elliott family has set up an on-line account at https://www.youcaring.com/pat-elliott-536507 to accept financial help for Pat’s medical expenses. Get well soon, Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Last week I reported on the hospitalization of a Creswell High School sophomore, Blake Nelson, who has been battling a flesh-eating bacteria throughout much of his body. His situation has touched the hearts of many who don’t even know him. Prayers and donations from generous people have been sent and a GoFundMe account that his wrestling coach set up for him has reached over $18,000 as of this writing. In addition, his coach and parents have been posting updates on Blake’s condition. The following from his parents, Pete and Michelle Nelson, is the latest one…

“Blake is finally doing consistently better! He seems to have turned the corner and is past the worst of this nastiness. The doctors think they have all the infection sites under control and have started the process of sealing the biggest wounds back up. He had his 7th surgery last Thursday to continue that process. He has another surgery scheduled for Saturday and they are optimistic that they will be able to close both of his big wounds and he will not need any skin grafts. Hopefully that will be his last surgery…” For the full update, go to https://www.gofundme.com/6gs9rbpg

The Lorane Grange’s Dinner and Bingo Night is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Come join us for a fun evening!

The Applegate Elementary will soon be hosting an “Artist in Residency” program featuring professional artists at their schools. This spring’s schedule will begin with Terri Robertson who will conduct a class on cartooning.  The next theme will be on Japanese-American art and culture in all forms.  This particular program is another one sponsored by the local Rural Art Center. We are so lucky to have them in our community! Thank you, RAC!

The schools in the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District are participating in Open Enrollment during the month of March. Please encourage anyone seeking a small rural school with great teachers, smaller classes and an amazing and caring staff to contact the district office at 541-935-2100.

The Lorane Fitness Group reminds everyone that they are meeting regularly at the Lorane Grange on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. for dance and aerobics and on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. for yoga, pilates and Tai Chi.

I’ve been told that the newly-reopened Lorane Deli is getting a partial face-lift. It’s good to see it open again!

The Rural Art Center’s Lorane Movie Night finished its season last Saturday night. It will resume in October.

Wow! Tax season and grass season are really upon us. Hopefully, I can get the taxes wrapped up this week, but now that I think I’ve finally kicked the “cold virus-that-keeps-returning,” I’d better take advantage of one of these dryer days to get my lawns mowed. The grass has really started to grow, but I’m not complaining – I think that spring is really on the way!

Sweet Lorane Community News – February 18, 2016

February 18, 2016Newspaper Columns, , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
February 18, 2016
By Pat Edwards

The major Lorane news this week is a large fire that took the barn of the Scott and Tammy Walters family of Lorane last Friday morning. At first, Jim and others at the store thought it was the house that was on fire. From the vantage point of the store, flames could be seen coming out of the roof of what they thought was the house. When Jim spotted it a little before 8:00 a.m., the Lorane Fire Department was already on site and a short while later, a water tanker arrived from Cottage Grove. It was put out fairly quickly, but according to Tammy Walters, “We lost the barn and some animals, but everyone is ok. I am thankful for our firefighters and great community.” We are so thankful that the Walters family and home were not hurt and I know there will many offers of help coming from the community.

Lorane is offering its residents a new activity. The Lorane Health and Fitness Group has recently organized. They even have a Facebook page called Health and Fitness in Lorane at https://www.facebook.com/groups/976090215803530/. According to their first announcement, “We are trying to organize some kind of exercise scene in Lorane. We know of yoga, crossfit and zumba instructors.” Last Tuesday night, they met at the Lorane Grange for the first time to workout to a Richard Simmon’s exercise video on big screen. One of the responses to that was that the evening was a success with lots of laughs and fun. On Wednesday night, they planned a Pilates session and urged everyone to bring a mats.

For those interested, the group is welcoming everyone who wants to participate. They will be spending part of these first sessions in discussing the various forms of exercise the majority are interested in as well as the day(s) and time(s) that would work best. Children are welcome. They are providing a play area for the young kids who come. Call Pam Kersgaard at 541-942-6193 for more information.

Amy Jentzsch of Lorane has posed a question for the area teenagers. After having recently returned from the Oregon statewide high school robotics competition, she wants to know if Crow High School might be represented there next year. She said that there is money available to start a team if there is interest for next year. For more information on Oregon’s robotics competitions, go to http://www.ortop.org/fll/

Saturday, February 27, is the monthly Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo evening at Lorane Grange. Dinner is 5:30 pm and bingo begins at 6:30 pm. No one has won the progressive bingo blackout yet, so it has to grown. There is also a 50/50 drawing.  There’s good food, delicious desserts and lots of laughter to be had at this fundraiser for the Lorane Grange.

The Rural Art Center/Lorane Grange Talent Show is scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd at 3:00 p.m. According to Lil Thompson, it looks like some intriguing talent has been signed up, but they are looking for more. To sign up in advance, contact Lil at 541-942-5701 or the Rural Art Center at ruralartcenter@gmail.com.  You may also sign in that day by coming a little early

Crow High School Seniors, be sure to get your Federal Student Aid applications in no later than March 1. Several local scholarships are being offered.

The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District is still looking for District budget committee members.  If you are willing to donate some valuable time to the district, call Lee Ann at 541-686-2100.

Thanks to Lil Thompson for providing many of the updates this week. I am still working through the virus from you-know-where that caught hold of me in January. It’s like a bad dream that keeps reoccurring, but I’m hoping that the doctor’s diagnosis that it also involves allergies I usually get this time of year, that we’ve finally got it figured out. Fingers crossed!