¢ Dale Powell, McPherson, will celebrate his 80th birthday with an open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 5 at the Girl Scout cabin in McPherson.

He was born Feb. 27, 1926, in the Lone Star area. He married Barbara Benedict on Feb. 8, 1948, in Lawrence.

Hosts of the reception will be his children, Mark Powell, McPherson, and Barry and Debbie Powell, North Newton. They have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to him at 1125 N. High Drive, McPherson 67460.

¢Clarence Anderson, former longtime owner and operator of the Clinton Store, will celebrate his 88th birthday Friday. Clinton Presbyterian Church will be host to a party from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 5 at Clinton Township Hall. Friends and family are invited. For more information, contact Cheryl Thomas at 748-0087.

A card shower is being held for James Black, Lawrence, who will turn 80 on Wednesday. His children are Stan and LaDene Black, Jim and Debra Black, Brad Black and Nancy and Neil Rowland.

¢Tim and Caysha Steger, Overland Park, announce the birth of their daughter, Leah Christine Steger, born Feb. 14, 2006, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Paternal grandparents are Jim and Laurie Steger, Lawrence. Great-grandparents are John Steger, Leavenworth, and Rita Liebeno, Leavenworth.

¢Eric Spray and Amanda Clemente, both of Lawrence, were named to the president’s list during the fall 2005 semester at Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, for earning at least a 3.4 grade-point average. Spray, a 2003 Free State High School graduate, is the son of Larry and Tammy Spray. Clemente, a 2005 FSHS graduate, is the daughter of David and Debra Clemente.

¢Andrew Rhoades, Lawrence, made the fall 2005 semester honor roll at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y., by earning at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

¢Bethany College, Lindsborg, announced area students who made the dean’s academic honor roll during the 2005 fall semester by earning at least a 3.5 grade-point average. They are Ashley Coffman, Lawrence, and Emily Johnson, Wellsville.

Karen Bentley, Gina Lorenz and Kathryn Seibel, all Lawrence High School graduates, were named University Scholars by Kansas University. The scholars are selected on the basis of academic records, commitment to their education, intellectual promise and evaluations by instructors, advisers and other faculty members. They must have at least a 3.8 grade-point average to apply and at least a 3.5 GPA to stay in the program. They are eligible for $250 scholarships for up to five semesters while enrolled at KU. They were honored Jan. 23 during a dinner in the Kansas Union. Bentley is the daughter of Terrence and Mary Bentley. Lorenz is the daughter of Tom and Sue Lorenz. Seibel is the daughter of Charles Seibel.

¢Southwest Junior High School won the second-place trophy in the K-12 division, while Wakarusa Valley School took third place in the K-5 division at the Lakewood Elementary Chess Tournament on Feb. 18 in Olathe.

Quail Run student Cole Reams won the first-place medal in K-2.

Lawrence medal winners in K-12 were Thomas Clark, SWJHS, third; Roy Wedge, Central Junior High School, seventh; Alan Shi, Quail Run, ninth; Peter Lesslie, SWJHS, 10th; Keely Stenseng, SWJHS, 13th; Thomas Reams, SWJHS, 18th; and Bryce Baringer, Free State High School, 19th.

In the K-8 division, medal winners were Nate McFadden, South Junior High School, second; Jessica Newman, SJHS, seventh; Michala Ruder, Wakarusa Valley, eighth; and Blake Freeman, Wakarusa Valley, 19th.

Winners in the K-5 division: Cal Young, Wakarusa Valley, sixth; Eddie Wilson, Cordley School, seventh; Lucas Suchy, Wakarusa Valley, ninth; Garrick Clapp, Quail Run, 11th; Robert Newman, Wakarusa Valley, 12th; Sam Stephens, Cordley, 13th; Alex Cateforis, Cordley, 16th; and Jake Burdett, Cordley, 20th.

Students who won in the K-2 division: Roscoe Bradt, Cordley, sixth; McCarthy Fitch, Cordley, 11th; and Finnian Dobbs, 14th, Quail Run.