Kevin Collins, an Emporia native who now lives in Zurich, Switzerland, visits his brother Bill Collins, a local goldsmith, with his family on Feb. 20. The family watched the KU basketball game at 23rd Street Brewery. Pictured are, from left: Arthur Collins, Bill Collins, Kevin Collins, Jenna Collins and Alice Collins. The photo was submitted by Kevin Collins.

Katie Carttar, a Free State high school freshman, performs the National Anthem before the Free State men’s varsity basketball game on Feb. 19. The photo was taken by John Young and submitted by Jennifer Carttar.

Kaiser Tsosie, right, son of Trish Tsosie of Lawrence, is picked from the audience during the halftime show of the KU women’s basketball game on Feb. 17 in Allen Fieldhouse. Tsosie played the game “Simon Says” with Steve Max, right. The photo was submitted by Trish Tsosie.

Lawrence area farmers attending the Great Plains Growers Conference, in St. Joseph, Mo., enjoy an evening together in the town’s historic district. Pictured from left are Jerry Wohletz, Jane Wohletz, Karen Pendleton, John Pendleton, Melody Gieringer, Frank Gieringer and Brice Wiswell. Jerry Wohletz and Karen Pendleton were both speakers at the conference. The photo was submitted by Liz Grillot.

Preschoolers from the Googols of Learning Child Development Center sing and give valentines to residents at Meadowlark Estates and employees at the K-Mart Distribution Center for “Sweetheart Caroling,” an annual event on Valentine’s Day. The photo was submitted by Amy Gottschamer.

Jed Spencer, left, of Cabot, Ark., and his dad, Calvin Spencer, of Lawrence, are shown at the end of their 252-mile bicycle ride on the Katy Trail. Calvin Spencer submitted the photo.

Jessica, Aaron and Sean Bell have their picture taken with an antique car painted to make it a Jayhawk car. The photo was submitted by their great-aunt, Teresa Treanor, of Lawrence.

Troop 1550, Prairie Park Elemementary’s third grade Brownies group, attend the Kansas women’s basketball game on Feb. 24 with signs they made to support the team. Troop leader Dayna Lee submitted the photo.

Cub Scout Pack 3064 held its annual Blue & Gold Banquet on Feb. 23 at the First Baptist Church in Eudora. Boys were given awards for showing special leadership and talent this year. John Scott, the pack's committee chairman, submitted the photo.

Lars Leon, left, and Derek VanSchmus pose for a picture with Donald Duck after completing the Walt Disney World half-marathon in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 12. The photo was submitted by Pam VanSchmus.

Brittany Merriam poses with her father after her graduation from Leicester University in England. Merriam mastered in media and advertising. Her father, James Merriam, represented her grandfather, Daniel Merriam, from Lawrence, who had also graduated from Leicester University. The photo was submitted by Brittany Merriam.

Doug and Shelly Nations (center) received the 2013 Pelathe District Character Counts Award at the Pelathe District Boy Scout Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 7th. The Nations family gathered for a picture to commemorate the event. Pictured from left to right are Lane, Doug, Shelly, Jordan and Blake. Keith Wood took the photo, and Cindy Lynn submitted it.

Soroptimist International of Lawrence presents its Women’s Opportunity Award and Scholarship to Tia Adams at the group’s meeting on Feb. 4. Pictured from left to right are Janet Riley, Tia Adams with daughter Ellie, and Linda Mullens. Linda Mullens, the organization’s president, submitted the photo.

Five local pastors participate in a “Shoot for No Malaria” challenge at the West Campus of First United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 2. Pictured from left are Rev. Jay Henderson (Central United Methodist), Rev. Mitch Todd (First United Methodist), Rev. Shirley Edgerton (Vinland United Methodist), Rev. Dan Norwood (Centenary United Methodist) and Rev. Tom Brady (First United Methodist). The photo was taken by Tony Martin, and Susan Martin submitted the photo.

Aidan Messerly, left, and his Cade Messerly, both 5, hug while enjoying an adventure in DeVictor Park. Aidan is the son of Jeremy and Elizabeth Messerly, of Olathe, and Cade is the son of Jason and Erin Messerly, of Lenexa. The photo was submitted by Sue Messerly, the cousins’ grandmother, of Lawrence.

Eric and Vanessa Eicher perform their magic show during the Eudora Parks & Recreation department’s Winter Family Fun Night on Feb. 8 at the Eudora Community Center. There were 450 people attending the event. Gary Scott submitted the photo.

Girl Scout troop 1915 have fun at an overnight lock-in at Jump 4 Joy. Lani Mann submitted the photo.

The Lawrence Thunder shows off their trophy and medals after winning the Sixth Grade 2013 Division 2 USSSA State Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 3. They defeated the Topeka Ice Storm in the championship game (32-30). Pictured from left: (Front Row) Cade Gollier, Jordan Preston, Jack Kallenberger and Jake Baker; (Second Row) Coach Kristin Mallory, Trey Hulse, Jake Zenger, Ross Brungardt, Olin Yoder, Connor Anderson and Peyton Mallory. Jim Kallenberger submitted the photo.

Larry McElwain, from Warren McElwain Mortuary, presents the Lawrence Arts Center Preschool with a check from the York Children’s Foundation on Feb. 13. The grant will fund a variety of activities aimed toward physical activity and well-balanced eating to keep children healthy. Pictured from left are Whitney Juneau, Lawrence Arts Center Preschool teacher; student Adelaide Sivits, a student at Lawrence Arts Center Preschool; McElwain and Heather Hoy, Lawrence Arts Center Development Director. The photo was submitted by Linda Reimond, Lawrence Arts Center Preschool Director.

Centennial School retired teachers reunite to have lunch with former student Jeremy Farmer. Pictured from left are Kay Highfill, Karen Warner, Barb Trouslot, Jeannine Maturo, Farmer, Marlene Ebeling, Ginger Hamm and Elizabeth Hatchett. Karen Warner submitted the photo.

Cooper’s Cause Foundation presents a check on March 2 for $25,500 to four families with children who have congenital heart defects. Kristi Keefer, co-founder of Cooper’s Cause Foundation, submitted the photo.

Retired KU professor Richard Schiefelbusch discusses his experiences as a B-24 navigator whose plane was shot down while on a mission to disable German submarines during WWII. Schiefelbusch parachuted into the Baltic sea and spent nearly two years as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 3, which was subject to a 1963 movie, The Great Escape. Schiefelbusch made this presentation on March 8 at the Watkins Community Museum to over 70 members of New Generation Society of Lawrence. Mark and Susan Osborn submitted the photo.

Michael Zogry, a professor of religious studies at Kansas University, discussed the life and achievements of James Nasmith, the inventor of the sport of basketball in 1891. Naismith introduced basketball to the Olympics in 1904, and the game became an official event in 1936. Charlyne Michnick organized the presentation at Presbyterian Manor for members of P.E.O Chapter FZ and residents from the Manor. Pictured from left are Zogry, Michnick, Jim Naismith and Beverly Naismith. Michael Michnick submitted the photo.

Quail Run third grade Brownie troop 229 participated in a zumba class at Lawrence Gymnastics Academy on March 11 to earn their dancer badges. Troop leader Susan Marshall submitted the photo.

photo by: Matt Rennells

Cassie Weatherwax, the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Queen, crowns this year’s new queen, Kiley Luckett. Pictured from left are Nichole Weatherwax-Feurt, Cassie Weatherwax and Luckett. Matt Rennells took the photo, and Kristin Rennells submitted the photo.

Girls from Troop 1915 visited Jewelry by Julie in downtown Lawrence on March 13 to get a demonstration for their jewelry badge. Pictured from left to right are Isabel Mann, Jillian Decker, Sami Turner and Lizzie Lemmon. Lani Mann submitted the photo.

photo by: Picasa

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County presented its 14th annual Helen Fluker Open and Accessible Government Award to Mitzi McFatrich, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care, during a luncheon on March 9. Pictured from left to right are Mitzi McFatrich with her silver salver award and Melinda Henderson, LWV L-DC President. Gary Hale was the photographer, and Lee Ketzel submitted the photo.

Bishop Seabury Academy’s Head of School, Don Schawang, leads a group discussion with senior ethics class members. Pictured from left to right are Eric Shin, Maddie Silvers, Schawang and Maddie McCaffrey. Margie Lawrence submitted the photo.

JobLink’s Employee of the Month for March is Trent Schuchart. Trent works at the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. Pictured from left to right are Steven Mutz, LDCHA employment specialist; Trent Schuchart, JobLink Employee of the Month; Delilah Mills, JobLink employment consultant; and Deirdre Humphrey, LDCHA employment services coordinator. Kari Bentzinger submitted the photo.

Elaine Seeman, left, of the Lawrence Pilot Club, presents Lucas and Jennifer McCue, of Douglas County Special Olympics, with a check for $500 on March 11. Lareeda Hickey took and submitted the photo.

Reese Wendland, daughter of Lawrence residents Shelby and Lisa Wendland, granddaughter of Steve and Terri Wendland of Lawrence, and Steve and Marla Hathhorn of Hiawatha, snuggles with the family’s dog, Bentley. Keela Lam submitted the photo.