Just a quick update on my brother, Jim Burnett Sr. He quietly passed in the early morning hours last Tuesday. For the two weeks preceding his death, he was surrounded by family and friends and he “held court” at his own celebration of life.
When I received the news that morning, it was with a feeling of peace, relief and acceptance that he had made it over the bridge in the way he had hoped.
We all will miss him terribly, but he allowed us to gently come to terms with his passing and I will be eternally grateful for that gift.
Today, the day before Thanksgiving, I am preparing for the honor of being a guest in the home of my brother-in-law, John, and wonderful sister-in-law, Vicki Edwards, who offered to host the whole family this year.
That’s no small undertaking. We have a headcount of 23 this year, which is about the normal size of our family dinners. We obviously don’t all fit around one big table, but we begin the meal, holding hands around the table, while grace is said by one of our granddaughters.
There’s always way more food than we can eat, but a few years ago, Tracie, our honorary daughter, brought a whole sleeve of restaurant take-out cartons that we all are encouraged to fill with leftovers to take home. Why didn’t I think of that years ago?
Here’s a message from Lil Thompson of the Lorane Grange that I’d like to share with you…
“The Lorane Grange wants to thank everyone for a fantastic attendance at the spaghetti dinner and bingo last Saturday evening. Thirty-two came for dinner and thirty-eight played bingo. The large progressive blackout was not won, so we hope to see all of you in January.”
The next dinner and bingo night will be on Jan. 27.
The Lorane Christian Church will be having the “Hanging of the Greens” on Sunday evening, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to bring a Christmas finger food-type of dessert to share. Plan to join your friends and neighbors in this fun event.
Marissa McNutt Cooper has announced that the Holiday Angel Trees will be placed at the Lorane Family Store and Crow High School soon. These provide area children in need with gifts of toys and clothing. The trees will have felt angels bearing information on each—their gender, age and special requests—and anyone who wants to provide a gift can select one or more angels to sponsor. If you know of anyone in the Lorane/Crow area between the ages of birth to 18 who live in the area, contact the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District office, 541-935-2100, or call Marissa at 541-517-6608.
In addition, we need to fill the food boxes in several Lorane locations to help the families of these children as well as others in need in the Lorane community. Suggestions for families to receive these food boxes should be given to Roberta Pietila Miller at 541-285-2425.
Daryle Bloom is asking for any donations of small engines that are seized up or no longer working that he can use for shop classes at Crow High School. They will be used as junkers to tear apart, learn and practice on, so working or “fixable” engines are not being sought. If you have one, contact Daryle Bloom at 541-935-4486 after 4 p.m.
Joe Blakely, Jen Chambers and I once again have a booth in the southeast corner of the Holiday Market, just to the right of the entertainment stage. We are selling our local and Oregon history-based books again this year. Perhaps my favorite part of doing this these past several years is that I get to see so many friends and neighbors who stop by to say “hello.” Even if they don’t buy any books, it’s fun visiting and catching up. Be sure to look us up if you get a chance.
Be sure to check out my personal website! http://allthingslorane.com
