Member meetings

Join Lane Electric Cooperative and General Manager Scott Coe for member meetings in the McKenzie River Valley. The Lane Electric Cooperative will hold two meetings on Thursday, August 20.

The first, at the McKenzie River Community School is set for 1:30 pm. The second, at 5:30 pm will be held at McKenzie Fire & Rescue, 42870 McKenzie Hwy, Leaburg.

The Cooperative will be sharing details about how it operates during wildfire season and highlight current and upcoming projects in the area.

LEC general manager Scott Coe will also take member questions.

TEACHERS

Area families are invited to the Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 27, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the McKenzie Community School. It’s a chance to connect with your student’s teacher, visit classrooms,, reconnect with McKenzie staff and families, plus explore the campus community and get ready for the new school year.

Whether your family is returning to McKenzie or joining the school for the first time, people can look forward to welcoming you to campus!

The gathering will start in the Old Gym. All families welcome. Light refreshments provided

The first day of school is Monday, August 31.

WITCHES

A coven will be trading their broomsticks for paddles on August 22 as the “Witches on the Water” Paddle Parade returns to the Willamette River.

Sponsored by the Willamette River Festival and organized with the Circle of the Cauldron, the event is scheduled is inviting participants to decorate their watercraft with “magic and witchiness” for a colorful trip down the river.

Peopleshould arrive at the Alton Baker boat launch at 9 a.m. to prepare their parade floats. After dropping off their watercraft, participants can drive to the 4J parking lot near the River House in Eugene, where a shuttle will be provided back to the put-in site at Alton Baker Park.

“The cauldron will be stirred” at 11 a.m., as the paddle parade gets underway. Witches and other costumed paddlers will make their way down the Willamette River to the River House Beach, site of the main festival activities.

Organizers say participants should register through the Willamette River Festival website.

Once ashore, paddlers can join a festival featuring booths from local nonprofit organizations, recreational groups, river outfitters and vendors. A central stage will offer live music and presentations throughout the day.

The festival will also feature free drop-in activities on the beach and in the water, including paddlecraft demonstrations, on-water obstacle cour