So far April’s showers have been sharing time with some spring sunshine, and it is so welcome.
We have been spending time outside, trying to get a handle on the new green grass in our lawn and the prolific weeds that are growing in the flower beds. Both are competing for our attention with the voles and moles that have decided to take up residence and leave their holes and hills where we don’t want them.
In addition, I’ve put up my bird feeders to try to tempt the birds to stop by to visit and dine as they come back into the area. I have never done well with hummingbirds, but the other birds that come to the bird feeders are wonderful to watch.
Right now, a few house finches, sparrows, juncos and chickadees are sampling the seeds from the feeders and the mourning doves are picking it up off the ground. Soon, the grosbeaks will be arriving as well as the goldfinches, blackbirds, vireos (occasionally), and so many others.
For many years, the beautiful, brilliant blue and orange lazuli buntings arrived like clockwork every April to check in at the feeders. They would stay around through the summer until it was time to head south. For some reason, they stopped coming about four years ago. Oh, how I miss them.
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Another April event began last week. Lane County resumed construction at Stony Point of the Territorial Highway project north of Lorane on April 12. They’re beginning to move in the heavy equipment. According to Becky Taylor, senior transportation planner with the Lane County Public Works Department:
“The public will be able to travel through the area, but flaggers may delay or hold traffic up to 20 minutes at a time throughout the summer … The public is encouraged to use alternate routes where possible and to travel safely.
“… Due to project costs exceeding available funding, the construction schedule has been adjusted to construct as much of the project as possible with the available funding. As a result, Phase 2 (from Lorane Hwy at Gillespie Corners to Easy Acres) has been pulled from the construction plans until additional funding can be secured.”
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Principal Kevin Rodemack of the Crow Middle/High School reports that the hybrid schedule at the school is running smoothly. “Our students have been great in following Covid protocols and being safe. This time is so important for us to demonstrate to the state that schools can be safe so that we can return more and more to a normal school setting, especially for next year.”
The volleyball season was quite successful and the school is looking toward the beginning of track, softball and baseball. According to Rodemack, however, more students need to sign up.
“We need a certain amount of athletes to field a baseball and softball team and we would love to have both of those sports back at Crow. Track also has a strong tradition at Crow, but our team is quite small at the moment. We encourage students to sign up and participate in sports this year. Experience doesn’t matter, and it can truly be amazing to participate and get to be involved with your school. Please come to the front office and let us know if you want to participate,” he said.
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The Lorane Grange meets Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m. It will set a date for the annual Lorane Grange Cemetery clean-up. The beautiful old cemetery sits at the top of the hill next to King Estate and is maintained by grange members and community members who want to help. Let them know if you are interested.
Happy Spring!
Website: allthingslorane.com
