• Josh and Tamra Garber, Lawrence, announce the birth of a daughter, Madeline Grace Garber, born Dec. 27, 2003, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Grandparents are John and Jan Garber and Patricia Reininger.
• Karli and Luke Weese, Lawrence, announce the birth of a son, Haiden Prescott Weese, born Dec. 26, 2003, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Maternal grandparents are Linus and Terri Baker. Paternal grandparents are Greg and Cindy Weese.
• Michele and David West, Lawrence, announce the birth of a daughter, Kiera Layne West, born Nov. 21, 2003, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. She has a brother, Tristan, 4.

Maternal grandparents are Brad Harrison, Alexandria, Va., and the late Patricia Harrison. Paternal grandparents are George and Florence West, Springfield, Va.

• Baker University awarded nearly 600 undergraduate and graduate degrees Dec. 14 in Baldwin.

Area students receiving degrees included:

Craig Alexander, Jesse Cardens, Lance Jeffers, Victoria Macfarlane, Julian Parks and Orrin Smith, Baldwin; John Jones, Basehor; James French, Amber Jones and Cacy Klumpp, Berryton; Shaunna Lahman and Deadre McClendon, Eudora.

Kendra Adams, Maria Albert, Ayesha Barker, Dena Bear, Gladys Boeth, Scott Boyd, Haley Bruns, Judith Caldwell, Lisa Carlsten, Chris Cobb, Joseph Crane, Christy Delaney, John Diaz, Jason Enneking, Edith Eskilson, Amy Fick, Patti Hadl, Michele Haider-Markel, Kelly Hormell, Nancy Kelley, William Kelly, Debra Lucero Thompson, Coleen Martin, Lisa Melton, Joaquin Meza, Jocelin Miltz, Janice Nesler-Loux, Rachel Oldham, Tracey Pagel, Jeannette Parker, Nicholas Pedersen, Ivory Phillips, Carrie Poe, Robert Priest, Susan Priest, Tiffany Ross, Rebecca Rothwell, Mark Sanders, Velayuthampill Skandaverl, Kenneth Sleichter, Scott Stidham, Cory Stone, Kathleen Wagner, Valerie Walthall, Patrick Wedel, Brandi Wegner, Kristopher Williams, Lawrence.

Kathy Reusch, McLouth; Sally Landoll, Oskaloosa; Tina Scully, Perry; Heather Breault, Suzanne Rucker and David Seymour, Tonganoxie; Donna Krueger, Cheryl Palmer and Brian Young, Wellsville.

• Helen Edwards, formerly of Lawrence, will celebrate her 90th birthday Jan. 9. She was born in 1914, the daughter of Harry and Della Norman, in Dickinson County.

She married Karl D. Edwards in December 1933, and they lived in Lawrence for many years. He died in September 1987.

Helen moved to Osage City in 2002. Her family suggests a birthday card shower. Cards may be sent to her at 720 Holliday St., Osage City 66523.

• “How to plan your perfect wedding,” a free seminar for future brides, will be offered from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 11 at Steve’s Place, 31st and Louisiana streets.

The seminar will feature short presentations by 11 wedding vendors.