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About The Chronicle : Creswell & Cottage Grove. (Creswell, Ore.) 2019-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2020)
COPING EDUCATION WITH COVID-19 10 — THE CHRONICLE THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 OUR The stories of our community during the pandemic are ones of extraordinary challenges, concerns and triumphs. As our world changes, we chronicle the tales of our friends and neighbors. St ries Letting go of life’s relics L ORANE — Another quiet celebrat ion combined with sad tones took place one morn- ing, when Jim helped a man load his big Ford tractor onto a trailer and haul it away. Big Blue and his less-pow- erful mate, Blue, served Jim well for many years in the hay fi elds around Jim Edwards Lorane. I spent a fair amount of time myself over the years on Blue’s seat, raking hay while Jim cut new swaths or baled the cured hay into big round bales with Big Blue. Neither tractor had a cab or umbrella — hence, no air conditioning, or even an umbrella to protect us from the sun. I didn’t mind though. I loved the feel of the gentle early summer breeze blowing through my hair as I watched the hawks sitting on the fence posts and buzzards slowly circling the fi elds above, waiting for us to pass by so they could swoop down and catch the mice and snakes left in our wake. I’m pretty sure my partial hearing loss was helped along by the loud drone of the engine as I circled those fi elds, but I wouldn’t have missed those years for the world. Jim had to say goodbye to his cattle herd a few years ago — that was especially Flower power! R eagan Dockery, 9, and Reese Dockery, 8, combined entrepre- neurial spirit with a desire to do good as they set up a fl ower stand outside Creswell Food Pantry during last Thursday’s 12:30 to 3 p.m. food distribution time, as a fundraiser for the pantry. At the end, the girls had raised and donated about $280. But the story doesn’t end Big Blue, once a workhouse, is now a lawn ornament there. According to mom in Lorane. PHOTO PROVIDED Jennifer Dockery, the girls were so inspired and moti- I have to admit, it will be a hard for him — and Blue vated after meeting some relief to mow the yard with- and Big Blue have been pantry volunteers and learn- out having to avoid them, lawn ornaments in our yard ing about the high demand but that it is just one more since we gave up the lease for the food pantry’s thing Jim needs to discon- on the ranch. services that they worked nect from his busy life as a He fi nally agreed to many more hours pick- farmer. offer both of them for sale ing and making bouquets It’s so hard to let go. recently, and Blue was and restocking their fl ower picked up a few weeks ago – Pat Edwards stand. ... and now, Big Blue is gone. The two sisters also ended up doing their fl ower stand for May Day, “encouraging people to come get fl ow- ers to brighten people’s day – and it was a big hit,” Dockery said. “We deliv- ered fl owers to a couple of care facilities, even.” The May Day total of $309, plus a few subsequent purchases, brought their grand total to $614.25. “To give some perspec- tive, our annual operating budget is approximately $7,000,” said pantry manager Susan Blachnik. “They raised funds to pay our expenses for one full month. Amazing!” “Their hearts are so full right now,” Dockery said. – Gini Davis ‘Amazing and inspirational’ Dan’s Plants A SAFE WAY TO ENJOY ACRES OF NATURE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10 AM - 6 PM Patrick Decelles, with mask, and Philip Jones help clear a tree. Editor’s note: There were reports of dramatic weather in the area this past Saturday. Linda LaZar, an executive with Magnolia Gardens and author of The Chronicle’s Chinese astrology column, describes what happened in her neighbor- hood – and how neighbors responded. NOW WITH TOUCH-FREE PAYMENTS! T he craziest thing happened Saturday morning 11:10 a.m. – I think a small twister blew past. The wind suddenly picked up through an open window with such force I moved to close it. Just then my daugh- ter came into my offi ce and said a tree in our back yard had blown down. It was a large tree! A beautiful tree! No one was hurt, and there was no prop- erty damage. If the tree had fallen in the other direction, it would have destroyed my house. Before we knew it, maintenance staff and two neighbors were clearing the road. What struck me (aside from the amazing kindness and quick action of our neigh- bors) was that one of the neighbors, Patrick Decelles, was diligent about observing physical distancing, keeping everyone safe, and obeying guidelines by wearing a face mask. I had never met him before. He never removed the mask while working so hard, even though it had to inhibit his breathing. And aside from the tree, no damage resulted. The wind lasted for a few moments, just long enough to destroy the tree, and it stopped immediately after. We Come enjoy the wide-open S PA C E S are all so very lucky. It felt as if we were spared a tragic outcome. A tree expert could not have planned a more perfect removal. Philip Jones, the other neighbor, is retired and he was the fi rst man on the job. He used to work in the lumber industry, and he jumped right in. I thanked him for all his work on behalf of the townhouse complex, and he said, “That’s what I’m here for.” He has lived in the townhouse complex for 20 years – exactly to the date of this freak storm. I had never met him before, either. As soon as the driveway was cleared the two humbly and quietly returned to their apartments. It looks like we have great people in our community. They come out when someone needs help. It was quite amazing and inspirational.