Restaurants raise money: Nancy Nguyen, owner of The Orient and Oh Boy! Chicken restaurants, left, presents a check for $300 to Colleen Gregoire, United Way campaign director. Nguyen's restaurants contributed 15 percent of their sales from Dec. 1 to the United Way's 2011 campaign. Gregoire submitted the photo.

Breakfast chefs: The Women of the ELCA organized the Fall Festival at the Trinity Lutheran Church. The festival features crafts, baked goods and breakfast and raises funds for ministries for women and children locally, national and internationally. Kelly Rice, left, and K.C. Atchison, made biscuits and gravy for the breakfast. Harriet Shaffer submitted the photo

United by KU: KU alumni Yuen Lam "Ricko" Li, 2011 graduate, left, and Robert Goetsch, 2010 graduate, center, met with fellow KU alumnus Claude "Gene" Kean, 1958 graduate, of Lawrence in Hong Kong. The three met at the Cityview Hong Kong hotel Nov. 6, when Kean, the retired director of sales at Allen Press Inc., was on a tour of China and presented them with KU T-shirts. Recently engaged, Li and Goetsch moved to Hong Kong in August after accepting jobs there. Kean submitted the photo.

Rock Chalk generosity: The executive board of Kansas University's Rock Chalk Revue presented a $62,000 check to United Way during the KU vs. Kansas State University football game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 22. Pictured, from left, are John Zecy, business manager; Sabrina Ahmed, executive producer; Emily Drape, co-executive director; Jon Goscha, co-executive director; Beth and Val Stella 2011 campaign co-chairs; Sara Rosen, KU division chairwoman; and Colleen Gregoire, campaign director. Gregoire submitted the photo.

Naturally talented: Willoughby Lam, a second-grader from Raintree Montessori School, presents her artwork to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Robert Moser, left, and Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. Lam won a statewide contest that asked students submit drawings or paintings that promote the preservation and beauty of Kansas natural resources. Lam’s piece will be included in the the 2012 “Kansas Don’t Spoil It!” calendar, which is sponsored by the KDHE. Keela Lam submitted the photo.

100? No big deal!: Dorothy E. Shaner, Lecompton, left, celebrated her 100th birthday at Hickory Pointe Nursing Home in Oskaloosa. Her daughter Beth, grandson Kevin and wife Roseanne traveled from New Jersey to join in on the fun Nov. 12. Of the milestone, Shaner remarked that it was "no big deal." Joe LaCava submitted the photo.

United Way superstars: Stephens Real Estate associates accept the United Way's Pacesetter Superstar Trophy on Dec. 6. SRE increased its 2011 gift by 36 percent over the last year under the leadership of Toland Hippe and Lee Beth Dever (pictured holding the trophy). In addition to encouraging pledges to United Way, Hippe and Dever organized a bowling and silent auction event, and a Silpada Jewelry Girls Night Out event. Colleen Gregoire submitted the photo.

Steak dinner for the record: Blake Hocking, left, got to meet and have a steak dinner with former Olympic gold medalist and three-time world record holder Bill Nieder recently in Lawrence. Nieder had always said he would treat the person who broke his record to a steak dinner, and he flew here from California. Nieder called Blake several months ago to congratulate him on beating his high school record in shot put that had stood at Lawrence High School for 59 years. Hocking threw the shot put 62 feet, 9 inches — 2 feet further than Nieder's previous record. Carmen Hocking, mother of Blake Hocking, submitted the photo.

The University Women’s Club’s Mah Jongg group gathers on Wednesday afternoons for camaraderie, competition and chocolate. Pictured on a recent Wednesday in December are, front row, from left, Barbara Duke, Berta Harmon, Sally Brandt, Marlene Bien and Cathy Ebmeier and, back row, from left, Lori Michel, Charlyne Michnik, Jerree Catlin, Sharon Brown, Mary Beth Petr and Sylvie Rueff. Ebmeier submitted the photo.

The Retired Lawrence High School Teachers had their annual Christmas luncheon at the LHS library Dec. 8. Joining in on the holiday fun were retired business teachers, from left, Sharon Robinson, Louis Groh, John Ames and Mary Gauthier. Becky Torneden-Johnson, Pamela Fangohr and Martha Oldham (not pictured) helped in the planning of the luncheon. Oldham submitted the photo.

Chapter GQ of P.E.O. gathered for Christmas tea Dec. 9 at the Castle Tea Room, 1307 Mass. The group collected more than 50 food items to benefit the Ballard Center. Pictured are top row, from left: Kay Hale, Mary Newell, Paula Baum, Kathy Davis, Janet Warren, Elaine Blank, Marilyn McBride, Mary Stein, Kathy Stover, Judy Hundley; third row, from left: Nancy Hause, Marion Vernon, Bonnie Lathrop, Carol Hampton, Nancy Vogel, Pat Levy, Jean Stokes, Nancy Rumsey, Mary Lake, Carol Gates, second row, from left: Jeannot Seymour, Betty Hazlett, Barbara Nordling, Clenece Hills (Santa), Harriet Larkin, Marianna Beach; and front row, from left: Patty Baker, Karen Warner, Sandi Miller, Dru Sampson. Karen Warner submitted the photo.

Five generations celebrated Christmas at great-grandma Marilyn Grant’s house in Lawrence. Pictured, from left, are great-great-grandma Elaine Davison of Lawrence, great-grandma Marilyn Grant, grandma Ginny Sims of St. Louis, mom Dara Baskins with daughter Klaire, 1, of San Diego, and mom Melissa Eye with daughter Peyton, 18 months, of Lawrence. Grant submitted the photo.

The Eudora United Methodist Church held a live nativity Dec. 4. From left are Chris Ellis, Ryan Plate, Mike Boring, Todd Stauffer, Mary Diehl-Fisher, Erin Stauffer and Becky Barrera. Connie Meyers submitted the photo.

The 2011 Jingle Jog fun run, led by Don “Red Dog” Gardner on Dec. 15, raised money for the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, the Ballard Center and Toys for Tots. The group of participants and supporters is pictured in the parking lot behind Kizer-Cummings, 833 Mass. Jerry Henley submitted the photo.

Members of the 2012 Douglas County Extension Council Executive Board for K-State Research and Extension were sworn in Nov. 29 at the 2011 annual meeting held at the Dreher Family 4-H building at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St. They are, from left, Laurie Comstock, chairwoman, Lanaea Heine, vice chairwoman, Kathy Sanders-Wilson, secretary, Jim Congrove, treasurer, Donna Osness, Barbara Schnitker, Rhonda Wehrman, Chas Benton, and Collin Bielser. Bill Wood submitted the photo.

Wayne Osness and his son and sons-in-law have a holiday tradition of shopping for their wives on Christmas Eve at Weaver's Department Store in downtown Lawrence. This Christmas was the 25th annual trip. Back row from left are Joe Flannery, Weaver's president (who was expecting the group); Owen Buckley, Santa Claus; Wayne Osness, and Rod Peck, and front row, Stan Thompson and Patrick Osness. Donna Osness submitted the photo.

Robert Case, lodge master of Lawrence Masonic Lodge No. 6, presented Free State High School students with essay contest certificates on Dec. 19. The winner of the contest will compete for a $4,000 scholarship from the Grand Lodge of Kansas. Pictured from left are Adelle Loney, first place; Katie Guyot, second place; Emily Van Schmus; Anna Dietz; Olivia Marshall; Jenny Stern; Courtney Huffman; Aaron Schinstock; Lauren Bracciano, third place; Nicholas Shaheed; Robert Case; and Teena Johnson, Free State class leader and teacher. Those pictured who did not place first, second or third received honorable mention. John Halladay submitted the photo.

The Extension Council of K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County presented an appreciation award to Frank and Rachel Purvis at its 2011 annual meeting on Nov. 29 at the Dreher Family 4-H building at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St. Pictured from left are Susan Krumm, Extension agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Rachel Purvis, Frank Purvis, and Rich Barr, Extension Council Board chairman. Bill Wood submitted the photo.

Delta Kappa Gamma, the professional educator’s group, honored three of its members at its 70th anniversary luncheon on Oct. 29 for their longtime service and membership. Recognized for 64 years of membership was Marjorie Smith, seated, who was initiated in 1947. She is pictured with Cathey Parsons, center, president of the Delta Kappa Gamma Omicron Chapter in Lawrence, and Georgia Klein, Phi State representative. Cynda Carr took the photo, which was submitted by Parsons.

photo by: Tommy Johnson

Lawrence River City Cosmopolitan Club members Gary Bartlett, left, and Greg Hird, far right, present a $30,000 donation to Kim Johnson, second from left, and Nikki White, Health Care Access Clinic representatives, during the club’s inaugural dinner. The donation was made possible from proceeds from the club’s 2011 KU Credit Union Cosmopolitan Diabetes Golf Classic fundraiser.

Verna Stanwix holds a Lawrence Lions Alumni Association Hall of Honor plaque awarded posthumously to her husband, R. Richard “Dick” Stanwix, who was a retired chief of police, on Oct. 9. He was a 1949 graduate of Liberty Memorial High School. Marci Stanwix submitted the photo, which was taken by Jim Haller.

Pfc. Dalton Welsh of the U.S. Marine Corps presents the American flag at the funeral of his grandfather, Lonnie Welsh, to his great-grandfather Homer Welsh, a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. Lonnie Welsh, a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army, passed away Dec. 12, 2011. Derek Welsh submitted the photo, which was taken by Kim Dieker.

Kohen Keith Allen, 6 months old, made his first visit to Lake Dabinawa in McLouth. He is the son of Jason and Sharae Allen of Eagle, Colo., the grandson of Eddie and Patti Bateson of Worland, Wyo., and the great-grandson of Doris and Leroy Bateson of McLouth. Doris and Leroy Bateson submitted the photo.

Rev It Up! Hot Rod Hullabaloo raised more than $6,000 from its car show in October and presented a check to Big Brothers Big Sister of Douglas County. Pictured at the show, from left, are Curt Shontz, Steve Chronister and Michelle Chronister, all of the Be Your Best Self Inc. not-for-profit organization that puts on Rev it Up!, and Cathy Brashler, executive director of BBBS of Douglas County. The next Rev it Up! is set for Saturday, Oct. 22. Chronister submitted the photo.

Mary Ann Hyde Johnson, Overland Park, sits with grandson James Ross Johnson II, 4 months (16 pounds, 25 inches), who was named after his grandfather. Baby Jim is the first great-grandchild of Sue Hess of Lawrence, the first grandchild of Mary Ann Hyde Johnson and James Johnson of Overland Park, and the first child of Sam and Rhina Acosta Toro Johnson of Cleveland. Hess submitted the photo.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles took boys from the O’Connell Youth Ranch on a holiday shopping spree at Walmart on Dec. 3. Eagle members from all over Kansas attended this annual event. Fundraisers held throughout the year provide each boy with $100 to spend on themselves and $50 to spend on gifts for their family members. After shopping, the boys are treated to pizza at CiCi’s. State officers from the Fraternal Order of Eagles are pictured, from left: back row, John Kaiser, Terry Hundley, Leroy Bateson, David Keating, Jim Rodgers, Florence Rodgers and Bill Nelson; and front row, Linda Taylor, Doris Nelson, Peggy Fellers, Donna Craig and Judy Johnson. Leroy Bateson submitted the photo.

Glenda Baker, left, of Independence, Mo., and Joyce Burkhead of Lawrence celebrated their 75th birthdays at Paisano’s Ristorante on Jan. 19. The two have been close friends since they were 4 years old and grew up together in Kansas City, Mo. Carl Burkhead, Joyce’s husband, submitted the photo.

The Lawrence High School men faculty members invited the women of Lawrence High to a breakfast Jan. 4 that they had planned and prepared. The annual event began many years ago by the LHS math department and was led by Ray Wilbur. The current chairman of the breakfast is Gerald Denning, English as a Second Language teacher. Pictured in the kitchen are assistant principal Felton Avery and math teacher Cory Kramer. Martha Oldham, LHS librarian, submitted the photo.

Bailee Scheer, 5, holds more than 12 inches of her hair she cut to donate to Locks of Love. Lisa Stuart of DASH Salon and Day Spa in Lawrence cut Bailee’s hair Nov. 19. Christina Scheer submitted the photo.

Scott Chaussee graduated from the University of Southampton in Hampshire, England, on Dec. 14 with a Master of Arts in social archaeology. Chaussee, a 2002 graduate of Free State High School and 2007 graduate of Kansas University, currently is a doctoral candidate at the University of Exeter in Devon, England. Gayle Anderson submitted the photo.

Bishop Seabury Academy played host to a basketball clinic for the Douglas County Special Olympics on Jan. 14. The event was sponsored by the Bishop Seabury boys and girls varsity basketball teams. Jacquie Krueger and Leslie McCaffrey submitted the photo.