LMH patients receive bears from blood center, Wal-Mart

A representative of the Community Blood Center, Sixth Street and Gateway Drive, presented 100 teddy bears to Lawrence Memorial Hospital to mark Valentine’s Day.

Amanda Storm, a donor recruiter with the center, gave the bears to LMH officials to pass out to patients. The cards that accompanied the bears were signed by registered blood donors and read, “A Gift from the Heart from Wal-Mart, Community Blood Center and Our Donors.” LMH patient Madeline Martin, Bloomfield, Iowa, at left in the above photo, received a bear from Storm.

Wal-Mart stores in the Lawrence and Topeka areas donated the bears for the LMH patients, said Michelle Wilson, the blood center’s manager of donor recruitment.

The bears and cards will help to personalize the idea of making blood donations, even if patients who receive the bears haven’t needed any donations themselves, said Belinda Rehmer, LMH community relations specialist.

Brain Teaser: Hughes quiz, Day 15

This is the answer to the last in a series of questions to test your knowledge on Langston Hughes, as part of the celebration of his 100th birthday.

Thursday’s question: What was the name of Langston Hughes’ patron in Harlem?

Answer: Mrs. Charlotte Mason.

Go to langstonhughes.ljworld.com to see all the questions and answers.

Law enforcement: Sheriff’s officers to begin DUI ‘saturation patrols’

Douglas County Sheriff’s officers will be out in force late tonight, watching for drunken drivers.

Officers will conduct “saturation patrols” with officers in five or six patrol cars concentrating mainly on spotting drunken drivers. The patrol will move to different parts of the county between 11 p.m. today and 3 a.m. Saturday, Lt. Kathy Tate said.

The saturation patrols are possible because of a $6,079 Kansas Department of Transportation grant designed to help pay for assigning extra officers to a shift.

Higher education: Baker University observes annual Founders’ Day

A widely known preacher and teacher helped Baker University celebrate its founding and 144-year connection with the United Methodist Church.

Heather Murray Elkins, associate dean and professor of worship and liturgical studies at Drew University, delivered the keynote address Thursday at a Founders’ Day convocation ceremony at Baker’s campus in Baldwin.

Elkins, who has published several religious texts, gave an address to students and faculty on “Minding the Soul of the Ministry” and encouraged people to take an introspective look at their life and goals.

The annual ceremony commemorates Baker’s founding in 1858 by what is now the United Methodist Church. The school is now the oldest college in the state.

Leadership: Former KU chancellor returning to give lecture

Former Kansas University Chancellor Gene Budig will return to campus next week to promote his new book and give a public lecture.

Budig, chancellor from 1981 to 1994, will sign copies of “A Game of Uncommon Skill: Leading the Modern College and University” from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Kansas Union lobby. He will speak at 4 p.m. Tuesday in room 150 at Joseph R. Pearson Hall.

Budig left KU in 1994 to become president of major league baseball’s American League. He now teaches public and international affairs at Princeton University.