I hope that everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July this year.
I can remember as a kid the fun we had. Some of my fondest memories of the Fourth of July were of our family joining my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins in walking from their home on East 22nd Street in Eugene to Hayward Field, where we would spread our blankets on the lawn, lie on our backs and watch the colorful and booming array of fireworks put on for everyone’s enjoyment.
Over the past decade or so, our family has occasionally joined the many people in Cottage Grove who are still treated to those breathtaking displays at the high school football field. And, how could I even talk about the Fourth of July without mentioning the wonderful annual Creswell parade?
Of course, the days of my childhood were also the days when ladyfingers, bottle rockets and Roman candles, as well as sparklers and glow worms, were legal. We grew up with them and were taught by our parents how to safely use them, but there was always someone we would hear about who misused some of the more powerful firecrackers and badly injured themselves.
The banning of these types of fireworks seemed unnecessarily harsh at the time, but time has allowed me to understand the reasoning for it.
Today, I shudder and wonder why – knowing the devastating wildfires that have been caused by these same, now illegal, fireworks in recent years – there was not more destruction to our beautiful forests and pasturelands than there were during those years.
The Eagle Creek fire along the Columbia River in 2017 destroyed 50,000 acres and was not contained for three months. It was started by a 15-year-old boy playing with fireworks.
I’ve also come to understand the effects that these same fireworks have on damaged veterans who have returned home from war with PTSD – a condition called “shell-shocked” in my youth. As a child, I did not understand how the sudden loud noises could replicate the sound of gun- and mortar-fire in their minds, and I can only imagine how they must suffer still.
And then there are the innocent animals who cower or try to run away from the sounds and sights …
In today’s world, we all need to reflect on how what we do affects those around us – especially when the consequences can be so devastating.
A Bit of Lorane History
“… Other events remembered as being very popular in Lorane were the annual 4th of July picnics. Some remember them being held on the property formerly owned by Winnie Dey, and others remember them in 1912 or 1913, in the field across the creek from the present Lorane Family Store. Favorite activities at these 4th of July picnics included horse races, foot races, playing baseball, tug of wars between Lorane and Crow and eating, of course. Speeches were also usually part of the day’s program.
“George Damewood recalled a particular 4th of July picnic in 1912 or 1913. People came from all of the surrounding areas including Cottage Grove and Crow. He doesn’t remember there being a single car in Lorane at the time, but as George and a friend were riding their horses from the Silk Creek area to attend the picnic, they passed several cars along the road that were having difficulty making it over the hill. Several people were heard talking of returning home. Only one car was able to make it over the hill before the boys on horseback. That car was a long, sleek Stanley Steamer. Later in the day, the Model T’s finally began to arrive…” (From Sawdust & Cider, 1987, 2006)
You can read Pat’s blog and reach her at http://allthingslorane.com.
Upcoming Events:
July 13 – 16: Annual Crow Car Show at Crow High School. Benefits the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District. More info or to volunteer: Marissa McNutt Cooper at 541-517-6608.
July 13: English Country Dancing will be taking place at the Crow Grange from 6:30 to 8 p.m. No experience or partner needed. All ages. Line and circle dancing. Renaissance clothing is encouraged. $5 suggested donation.
July 27 – 28: Second Annual “Art in the Country” Fine Art and Author Festival to be held north of Crow on the corner of Central and Fleck Roads. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. More info: Vicki Sourdry, [email protected] or 541-935-3636.
Aug. 3: The community-wide garage/yard sale. To sign up, email [email protected].
Aug. 11: Lorane Community Potluck and Ice Cream Social.
