• Danny Fox, owner of Lawrence Automotive Diagnostics Inc., served as grand marshal of the 22nd annual NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Summer Nationals May 23 at Heartland Park in Topeka. Fox was nominated for the honor by the local O’Reilly Auto Parts store.

• The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. June 22 for Kansas Sampler, 921 Mass.

• Dudley Alexander, Lawrence, retired senior vice president at Boatmen’s Bank in Kansas City, was awarded the True Tiger Award by the University of Missouri Ag Alumni Association. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources through their volunteer efforts and dedication to MU.

• The Kansas Department of Commerce has named 26 Regional Business Excellence Award winners and 105 Merit Award winners as part of Business Appreciation Month, the department’s annual celebration of Kansas businesses and their contributions to their communities and the state economy.

Each of the 131 businesses was nominated in one of four categories: manufacturing/distribution, service, retail and hospital/nonprofit.

Merit Award winners: Vintage Park at Baldwin City, and Arrowhead Hardware, Baldwin City; Union Bank & Trust Co., Bonner Springs; Indigo Design Inc., De Soto; S.M. Ball Inc., Perry; and F.W. Huston Medical Center, Winchester.