Aaron and April Bayless, Lawrence, announce the birth of their son, Mason Wesley Alexander Bayless, born July 7, 2005, in Topeka. Maternal grandparents are Mark and Kathy Zeller, Lecompton. Paternal grandparents are Glen and Joanna Bayless, Topeka. Great-grandparents are F.M. and Verdeania Zeller, Baldwin; Kyle and Hattie Jo La Follette, Green Valley, Ariz.; and Edith Copeland, Topeka.

¢ Matt and Debbie Neis, Shawnee, announce the birth of their son, Blake Matthew Neis, born Aug. 30, 2005, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Grandparents are Wayne and Helen Luetchens, Murdock, Neb., Rita Neis, Eudora, and the late Harold Neis.

Great-grandparents are Alfred and Inez Skeet, Eudora.

¢ The Kansas Scholastic Chess Assn. had the Kansas Grade Championships last Saturday in Lindsborg. Several Lawrence chess players won medals.

Southwest Junior High School’s Thomas Reams was the Eighth Grade Division champion, and his brother, Cole Reams, of Quail Run School, was the Second Grade Division champion.

Other medal winners from Lawrence were: Roy Wedge, Central Junior High School, third in Eighth Grade Division; Nate McFadden, South Junior High School, sixth in Eighth Grade Division; Eddie Wilson, Cordley School, fifth in Fourth Grade Division; Owen McFadden, Wakarusa Valley, sixth in Fourth Grade Division; George Wedge, Cordley School, seventh in Third Grade Division; and Roscoe Bradt, Cordley, fourth in Second Grade Division.

¢ Kyle and Jodie Beisner, Downs, announce the birth of their son, Bryce Douglas Beisner, born Aug. 12, 2005, in Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit. Maternal grandparents are Doug and Margo Johnson, Lawrence. Paternal grandparents are Kent and Diana Beisner, Lawrence. Great-grandparents are Mary Ann Johnson, Mesa, Ariz., and Merlin and Virginia Olberding, Cawker City.

¢ Alan Neeley, Lawrence, made the summer All-A Honor Roll at Pittsburg State University.

¢ Congressman Dennis Moore commended his 2005 summer interns. Those from Douglas County were John Benjamin, Scott Konzem, Adam Schwartz and Sarah Shapiro.

Interns in Moore’s Washington, D.C., and district offices typically are responsible for researching current issues, responding to constituent concerns, and giving general assistance to the staff.

Benjamin, Lawrence, is a student at Kansas University, where he majors in economics. Benjamin is a graduate of Free State High School.

Konzem, a Lawrence native and Free State High School graduate, attends Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. He is majoring in international relations and classical studies and plans to graduate in June. Konzem previously interned in Moore’s Washington, D.C., office in 2004.

Schwartz, a Lawrence resident originally from Dallas, Texas, attends KU, where he is majoring in communication studies. He interned in Moore’s offices in Lawrence and Kansas City, Kan.

Shapiro, a Lawrence resident, attends Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where she is studying sociology and plans to graduate in May. She interned in Moore’s Overland Park office.

¢ There will be a Ray family reunion, for the descendants of Benjamin Thomas and Nancy Catherine Webb Ray, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. Dinner will be served at noon. Families are asked to bring one or two covered dishes. Drinks and table service will be provided.

¢ Ashely Coffman, Lawrence, is a member of the 2005-2006 Bethany College Choir.

The Bethany College Choir is the premier vocal ensemble on campus. The group sings regularly at college celebrations and area worship services and as part of the Bethany Oratorio Society. Choir performances for the 2005-2006 year include a Nov. 17 concert celebrating composer Eskil Hemberg and an April 7 concert with international opera star Håkan Hagegård.