The Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Association announces the final round of 2008 Applause Awards, which recognize homeowners for making improvements to their properties that add to the neighborhood’s beauty.

Missy and David Martin, 825 La. The front of the bungalow has a curving walk lined with small river rocks, topiary trees and a petite red leaf Japanese maple. A two-car garage, replacing the previously small garage, has been painted tan with dark red trim to match the house.

Property owner Michael Treanor, Sharon Reynolds (Owens Flower Shop) and Jeff Jensen (Jensen Liquor), 846 Ind., have added second story apartments to the retail building and restored the original clapboards and shingles, which were painted in pale green and buff tones. The replaced front sidewalk left enough space for a garden where a boxwood hedge complements new windows and the red entrance door.

Carol Pilant, 615 W. Eighth St. Grass was eliminated from the front yard. A curved path paved with terra-cotta shards leads to the street. Shade plants surround a maple tree along with clay pots containing colorful impatiens. Two areas have been sectioned, one covered with potshards in different colors and the other with Ozark pea gravel. A burning bush was added, as well as a cooperative iris garden shared with the neighbor.

Dan and Sasha Huston, 721 Miss. The front porch was reconstructed last summer. A limestone foundation, new columns, “picket fence” railings, new floor and steps, and recent landscaping have softened the structure in the traditional Midwestern two-story 1920s home.

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Hank Booth will receive the 2009 Seaver Award, named for Jim and Virginia Seaver and given annually to a Douglas County resident who has worked on behalf of and volunteered to improve the life of older citizens in the community.

A celebration to honor Booth will be April 30, 2009, at the third annual “Jazz It Up” event.

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Tanya and Jeff Bartels, Olathe, announce the adoption of their son, Ryan Paul Bartels, born Sept. 20, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo.

Ryan has a brother, Derek, 2.

His maternal grandparents are Vernon and Ruth Ellen Bartels, Lawrence.

His paternal grandparents are Larry and Iris Graham, Deerfield.

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Emily Hester and Andy Hazucha, both of Lawrence, announce the birth of their son, Benjamin Rudolph Hazucha, born Oct. 18, 2008, at their home.

His maternal grandparents are Brenda and Malcolm Hester, Pineville, Ky.

His paternal grandparents are Winifred and Rudolph Hazucha, Rockford, Ill.

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Donna Fairbanks, Oskaloosa, placed second at the 2008 National Cornhusking Contest on Oct. 19 in Roseville, Ill. She placed first in the class of women 50 and up at the 2008 Kansas State Cornhusking Contest on Oct. 11 in Oakley.

Fairbanks is the daughter of Ray Oroke, Oskaloosa.

Lawrence chess players participated at a tournament on Oct. 25 at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka.

Central Junior High School won the first place team trophy in the K-9 section.

Individual medal winners in K-12: Sam Stephens, Quail Run, sixth; and Andrei Elliott, Southwest Junior High School, 13th.

Individual medal winners in K-9: Sam Beaulieu, CJHS, first; Siyin (YangYang) Li, SWJH, second; Eddie Wilson, CJHS, third; Ian Gent, CJHS, fourth; and Charles Hopkins, CJHS, 15th.

Individual medal winners in K-6: Robert Newman, Wakarusa Valley, second; George Wedge, Cordley, 20th; and Cole Burenheide, Quail Run, 21st.

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Sigma Alpha Iota and Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternities will honor patroness members with a reception and musicale performed by Julia Broxholm, soprano, and voice faculty at Kansas University. The event will be at 3 p.m. on Nov. 9 in the Mallott Room in the Kansas Union. For reservations, call Janis Hutchison at 842-6131.

Sigma Alpha Iota patroness members to be honored: Phyllis Bell, Julia Broxholm, Lynda Canaday, Cynthia Colwell, Becky Foster, Juile Holmberg, Barbara Learned, Kay Moeser, Marian Scheid, Jane Sloop and Ruth Tomasek.

Mu Phi Epsilon patroness members to be honored: Polly Bales, Jo Anne Hicks, Polly Miranda and Shirley Wilcox.