• The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department made its Tom Wilkerson Awards on Dec. 13 to recognize groups or individuals for their teamwork. Those recognized: Landscaping/Forestry Division employees Crystal Miles, manager, Rodney Croucher, field supervisor, Mike Perryman, forester and Justin Ukena, horticulturist; Bob Case and Allen Winter, adult sports softball officials; Stephen Mason, former intern and part-time employee; Pat Middaugh and Melanie Johnson, fitness instructors; Mary Alexander, office manager; Kerry Wheeler, grounds keeper; Cynthia Colbert; Bryce Campbell, field supervisor; Howard Clark, Steve Demarnville, Mike Hadl, Terry Harmon, Willard Holladay and Blane Jacobs, senior maintenance workers; Mike Perkins, street division manager; Caleb Pettengill, Mike Scruggs and Arlie Watts, maintenance workers.

Cullen “Z” Holland, a horticulturist, was also recognized for a little more than 30 years of service to the City of Lawrence upon his retirement.

• The Ten Thousand Villages retail store in Lawrence recently donated a portion of its sales to several area non-profit agencies. The store donated 15 percent of net sales from three days of business over the past month. Recipients included Health Care Access, the Lawrence Community Shelter and Independence, Inc. To help support those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, the store also donated 10 percent of its sales from Nov. 20 to the Mennonite Central Committee’s response effort.