Tonganoxie Days lines up weekend of events

Music, cars, vintage quilts and arts and crafts are just some of the features to be offered Friday and Saturday during Tonganoxie Days.

The Friday events start with cooking teams gathering at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds for the start of the Leavenworth County State Barbecue Championship. The judging begins at noon on Saturday. At 7 p,m, Saturday will be the Miss Tonganoxie Days Pageant in the fairground’s administration building.

Saturday activities also will include the arts and crafts displays downtown and the Country Cruisers Car Show, at the VFW Park. The VFW will conduct a Flag Day ceremony and flyover at noon in the park.

The two-day event will conclude with a demolition derby at 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Shuttle bus service will be provided throughout the two-days. For a complete schedule of events go online to www.tonganoxiedays.com.

Schools

Projects committee seeks representatives

The Lawrence Board of Education’s Construction Oversight Committee seeks community representatives from each of the junior high attendance areas.

The committee was created to monitor projects made possible by the school bond issues, including new construction, additions or renovations at all four junior high schools, both senior high schools, and Broken Arrow School.

Some familiarity with the bond issue projects and the construction process would be helpful to the committee’s members. The group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon, every two weeks. The next meeting is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the district’s offices at 110 McDonald Drive.

Interested candidates should send a letter, indicating why they are interested and what knowledge or experience they have, by June 13 to Tom Bracciano, division director, Operations and Facilities Planning, USD 497, 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, 66044.

Military

VFW post goes to bat for soldiers overseas

Lawrence’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 852 and its Auxiliary are collecting sports equipment to send to American troops deployed overseas.

The post, at 138 Ala., is asking for “gently used” or new sports equipment such as softball gloves (left and right hands) bats, softballs, hats and badminton and volleyball sets. Other items sought are Frisbees, hackie sacks, footballs, rugby balls, basketballs and air pumps with needles.

The items can be dropped off at the VFW post between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

The cost of a full kit of sports equipment is about $1,000. If a business or organization would like to donate an entire kit contact the VFW about what is being called Operation Slugger. More information also is available at www.operationslugger.org.