Attending a book signing for Mary Townsend's Telling

Jim Otten, Salute! chairman and Cottonwood Inc. board member, and Jill Blomgren raise a glass during the 2005 Winemaker Dinner at Pachamama's restaurant in Lawrence. There was a wine reception and five-course meal paired by wines of Guenoc Estate. The event was a benefit for Cottonwood Inc., a nonprofit provider of residential, employment and support services to people with developmental disabilities in Douglas and Jefferson counties.

Patti Wakolee pins the Gold Award on her daughter Melissa Shinogee during a ceremony Aug. 10 at the Dole Institute of Politics. The Gold Award is the highest advancement award the Girl Scouts of America offers.

John Tacha, left, Cottonwood Inc. Foundation board president, and Ross Schimmels, Standard Beverage Corp. executive director, attend the 2005 Salute! Grand Tasting, a benefit for Cottonwood Inc. The July 9 event was presented by Standard Beverage Corp., a Kansas distributor of spirits, wine and beer. There were more than 250 wines and spirits to taste.

Girl Scouts, from left, Arielle Laue-Minden, Carol Fittell, Emily McCarthy, Laura Devlin and Melissa Shinogee received their Gold Awards during a ceremony Aug. 10 at the Dole Institute of Politics. The Gold Award is the highest award given in Girl Scouts. They are members of Lawrence Senior Girl Scout Troop 654.

Lavern Squier, president and CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and Sue Hack, Lawrence city commissioner, welcome guests to Southwest & More during the 2005 Mass Street Mosey, the opening event of Salute! A Festival of Wine & Food in July. Salute! is a benefit for Cottonwood Inc. During Mass Street Mosey, participants sampled wines and food at 10 downtown locations.

From left, Jeree Catlin, Sheila Immel, Sidney Garrett and Sandy Praeger sample wine at the 2005 Salute! Grand Tasting, a benefit for Cottonwood Inc. The event, which had more than 250 wines and spirits, gourmet food, and a silent and live auction, was July 9 at the Lawrence Holidome.

Miles and Paula Schnaer, left, visit with Marsha Monica, Overland Park, at the 2005 Salute! Grand Tasting, a benefit for Cottonwood Inc. Miles is a Cottonwood Inc. Foundation board member. The event was July 9 at the Lawrence Holidome.