Bryan and Sherry Thomas, Lawrence, announce the birth of their daughter, Shanley Maurissa Thomas, born July 20, 2006, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She has a brother, Kerry Gene, 9, and a sister, Patricia Lynn, 4. Grandmothers are Kathy Ott, Lawrence, and Ruby Watkins, Wichita. Great-grandmother is Ginger Ott, Lawrence.

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Erin and Stephen Thompson, Topeka, announce the birth of their daughter, Ainsley Nicole Thompson, born Aug. 3, 2006, at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka. Maternal grandparents are Jim and Maryjo Bieker, Topeka. Paternal grandmother is Donna Thompson, Lawrence. Great-grandparents are Mildred Irene Sousa, Lawrence; Norma Bieker, Auburn; and Giles and Rosella Kohake, Seneca. Great-great-grandmother is Emma Hamel, Colby.

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The 66th annual Ruhnke family reunion will be Aug. 27 in the Fellowship Hall of Christ Lutheran Church in Wathena. A Hawaiian-style potluck dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m. and drinks will be provided. Festivities will include bingo and “show-and-tell” of favorite collectibles.

Officers of the reunion are Gayle Maschewski, Fairview, president; Brian VanHaaften, Oskaloosa, Iowa, vice president; and Stacy Gerhardt, St. Joseph, Mo., secretary-treasurer.

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The annual Richland basket dinner will be Aug. 27 in the Richland American Legion Hall.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and dinner will be at 1 p.m. Members should bring their own table service and drinks will be furnished. For more information, contact Bob and Barbara Bowen at 887-6266.

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Morgan Brown, daughter of Pam and Sean Brown, Lawrence, will be among the candidates competing for the title of Miss Teen Kansas at the state pageant Aug. 11-13 in Manhattan. The winner will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship and $1,000 savings bond, and will compete in the national contest.

Each candidate will be scored in the following categories: scholastic record, achievement and service to school and community, personal development of talents and skills, general awareness written test, personality projection in formal wear, and interview.

Morgan is a freshman at Perry-Lecompton High School and will be sponsored by Fraternal Order of Police Lawrence Lodge No. 2.

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Biz Young, 11, Eudora, won the talent competition at the National Our Diamond Miss contest July 22-26 at Quartz Mountain Resort in Lone Wolfe, Okla. She was sponsored by Madame Hatter’s Tea Room in downtown Eudora.

In June, she won the Miss Kansas Organization Searching for a Star Competition and she received the Kansas ODM Grand Talent Award.

Biz belongs to the Kansas Dyslexic Artists’ Assn. She promotes performing and fine arts events for children with learning disabilities.

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Nicole Muchmore, Perry, and Keaton Mishler, Lawrence, have become members of Sigma Alpha Lambda at Kansas University. Sigma Alpha Lambda is a national leadership and honors organization dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service and personal development.

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Bobby Brubaker and Amanda Howard, both of Lawrence, and Christine Glover, McLouth, have received scholarships at Kansas Wesleyan University for the 2006-2007 academic year.

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A reception in recognition of Francis Denton’s 100th birthday will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Lawrence Country Club. All his friends are invited. Cards maybe sent to Denton at 417 N. Mich., Lawrence 66044.

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The Old West Lawrence Applause Committee has recognized the following residences for improvements:

¢ 705 Tenn. – Tresa Hill and Don Mayberger have landscaped their front yard with an unusual and pleasing assortment of flowering plants and grasses.

¢ 608 La. – Katy and John Nitcher had their house painted by their son, Sam.

¢ 742 Ind. – Jacki Hyland and Tim Hindman repainted their house and garage in a soft olive with rust accents.

¢ 745 Mo. – Aylo Lippe’s bungalow and yard have been admired by OWL residents for a long time.

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Jennifer Kathryn Anne Schaetzel, Lawrence, was named to the spring 2006 honor roll at Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, Mass.

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Cuyler Halpin and Joseph Kelly, both of Lawrence, graduated from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, during ceremonies in May. Halpin graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in flight operations. He is the son of Patrick and Erin Halpin, Lawrence. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He is the son of William and Carolyn Kelly, Lawrence.

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Cameron Moore, Perry, made the dean’s list for the spring 2006 semester at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Mich., by earning at least a 3.5 grade-point average. He is the son of Rodge and Linda Moore.

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Marona Graham-Bailey, Lawrence, graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., with a Bachelor of Science degree in May. She is the daughter of Maryemma Graham, Lawrence, and Ronald Bailey, Knoxville, Tenn.

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Sarah Hall, Lawrence, and her grandmother Lavanta Hall, Lawrence, recently participated in the 2006 Grandparent University at Oklahoma State University. While on campus, they attended classes taught by OSU faculty, stayed in student housing and dined on campus.

The children and their grandparents were enrolled in one of eight “majors”: architecture, aviation, athletic training, broadcasting, entomology, fire protection, horticulture and veterinary medicine. The professors taught them about their “major” and helped them complete a project. After completing their assignments, the participants “graduated” and received certificates.

Sarah is the daughter of Ronald Hall.

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Anne Kettle, Lawrence, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2006 semester at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., by earning at least a 3.75 grade-point average. She is the daughter of Warren and Judy Kettle.

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Nicole Haynes, Lawrence, made the dean’s list for the spring 2006 semester at Fort Hays State University by earning at least a 3.6 grade-point average.

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Keisha Townsend and Marguerite Schumm, both of Lawrence, made the dean’s list for the spring 2006 semester at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., by earning at least a 3.4 grade-point average.

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Matthew Taylor, Lawrence, was chosen to join the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society at the University of Arkansas, where he is studying business. Membership is limited to the top 7 percent of the junior class, the top 10 percent of the senior class, and the top 20 percent of the master’s class.

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Emily Elizabeth McCurry, Lawrence, owns one bull listed in the 2006 Fall Sire Evaluation Report published by the American Angus Assn. in St. Joseph, Mo. Issued in the spring and fall, the new report features the latest performance information available on 6,369 sires and is accessible at www.angussiresearch.com.