From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for May 25, 1986:

• The Lawrence municipal pool, which had opened in 1969, was getting a makeover before its summer opening. The buildings and the three pools were glistening with fresh paint, and new valves, new decks, and a new type of grass for the sunbathing area had been installed. The pool, which had hosted about 980,000 customers in its history, was expected to greet its one-millionth swimmer some time during the upcoming summer season.
• Participants in the upcoming “Hands Across America” event were expected to enjoy (or endure) various kinds of weather as the human chain stretched across the U.S. Although the event was not passing through Lawrence, local resident Eunice Stallworth had planned a “local symbolic gathering” Sunday afternoon in South Park. Unlike the national event, the local “Hands” group were not asking a monetary donation from participants, but Ms. Stallworth encouraged all hand-holders to bring a can of food to be given to local food banks.