photo by: John Young

Joyce Pearson sings while Theodore McVay plays along on his tambourine during choir practice for the upcoming Black History Month musical Thursday at St. Luke AME Church, 900 N.Y. The Sunday performance begins at 3:30 p.m. at the church and is free for the public.

photo by: Karrey Britt

Congressman Kevin Yoder, R-Kansas, right, receives an award Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, for being a champion for people with developmental disabilities at Cottonwood Inc. in Lawrence. He is pictured with Cottonwood CEO Sharon Spratt, left, and William Jefferson, of the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped.