Tour of Lawrence Crit racers turning the corner past flowers planted by Lawrence Central Rotary! Photo by John Young – LJ World
For the fifth year members of the Lawrence Central Rotary sponsored and staffed the Kids Zone for the downtown events of the Tour of Lawrence.
Friday night inflatables from Lawrence’s own Jump for Joy we were set up on 8th Street between Mass and New Hampshire during the sprint races. There were loads of people out because it was also Final Friday so all the people downtown to see artists latest works were also treated to a lot of activity. It was certainly bustling!
Sunday we were set up on 9th Street between Mass and Vermont right by the start and finish lines.. Local families as well as families of the riders all took advantage of the free kids activities.
We’re proud to be an ongoing sponsor of such a great event in Lawrence. Thanks to everyone who stopped down!
More than 100 people gathered at Watson Park on Saturday morning to run a 5k and grab lunch during the kick-off to the weekend-long event, Elvis Visit to End Polio Now.
Several Elvis impersonators and other runners participated in the Visit to End Polio Now 5K walk and run Saturday. Kids in Elvis masks and sequined scarves ran alongside Joesph Hall, an Elvis tribute artist and finalist on season three of “America’s Got Talent.” The day continued with tours of Old West Lawrence, an antique car show and Hall’s Rock ‘N’ Remember tribute concert at the Lied Center.
Ten local Rotary clubs organized the event, which is a fundraiser for Rotary International’s PolioPlus fund, a campaign that began in 1985 with the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
Lawrence Rotarian Bob Swan brainstormed the idea of introducing the King to the campaign.
“Rotary is international, in more than 200 countries. Elvis is a phenomenon, known all around the world in just as many countries,” Swan said. “He is loved and respected by many, many millions.”
Swan said there is a potential for his idea to spread, and for Elvis to act as a symbol in Rotary events throughout the country. He has spoken with Hall, who is officially recognized by Elivs Presley Enterprises, about arranging other qualified Elvis impersonators to visit multiple communities. The event’s website and schedule, Swan hopes, will act as a template.
Swan is also optimistic that the event will become a fixture in the Lawrence area.
“There are 34,000 Rotary clubs, and hundreds that could take this idea,” Swan said. “And we hope that in Lawrence or KC, wherever the site will be, that it becomes an annual event.
Mary Jean Eisenhower, a granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and polio survivor, was the chairwoman of the event, and attended the tribute concert last night.
The fundraiser continues today with Hall’s visit to First Christian Church, 1000 Kentucky Street, and Free Methodist Church, 3001 Lawrence Avenue. Hall will sing gospel and ask for prayers and offerings for the eradication of polio in the three remaining endemic countries: Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Swan said that Rotary’s goal is to completely eradicate polio by 2018.
“Our workers are getting killed in Pakistan and their guards are being murdered in Nigeria,” Swan said. “If people can be that brave, then we should at least raise some money for them.”
How to help
To donate to the PolioPlus fund, make checks payable to Leawood Rotary Charitable Fund and mail to: Elvis Visit, PO Box 1776, Lawrence, KS 66044. You may also donate online at rotary.org.
Joseph Hall rallying the crowd before the 5K
Rotarian Stan Herst in his Elvis garb for the 5K
LCR Members Carolyn DeSalvo and Steve Lane
Bob Swan says hello to a ‘hound dog’ walking in the 5K
Runners along the route
The 5K went though West Lawrence where
Historic House along the race route
Historic House along the race route
Bob Swan and Steve Kessler with an re-enactor along the race route
Bob Swan with Mary Jean Eisenhower at the concert
Joseph Hall Concert pics
Joseph Hall Concert pics
Joseph Hall Concert pics
LCR’s Kate Campbell on Usher Duty
Gary Bussing, Rotary Dist 5710 Membership Chair & Family
As a part of our biking initiative Lawrence Central Rotary identified bicycling as an avenue to a healthy lifestyle. To that end we sponsor the yearly Community Bike Ride, but we also have raised thousands of dollars to fabricate and install bike racks around Lawrence.
We’re happy to share that the latest creation was unveiled recently at the new Theatre Lawrence building on Lawrence’s west side.
Even the bicycle racks for the new Theatre Lawrence have a theatrical theme. The city requires bike racks to be installed for new construction. and rather than purchase generic racks for a very un-generic building. the theatre sought out Lawrence blacksmith artist Kate Dinneen to design something more appropriate for the theatre’s beautiful new building.
Kate Dinneen admiring her vision installed.
Kate, an artist both in a blacksmith forge and also in a symphony orchestra, graciously donated her time and talent to design and fabricate two metal bike racks for Theatre Lawrence.
One suggests actors holding hands and bending forward in a company bow at the end of a performance, and the other is a representation of theatrical spotlights on poles.
The Lawrence Central Rotary Club generously donated the materials, powder coating and installation for the project. Thanks to the interest and participation of Kate Dinneen and Lawrence Central Rotary, the theatre has pieces that not only are fully functional bicycle racks, but also are pieces of sculpture that add to the exterior beauty of the new building .
The backstage rack suggests actors holding hands and bending downward in a company bow at the end of a performance.Lawrence Central Rotary members (R-L) Lynn O’Neal, Eva Wagner, Scott Wagner, Carolyn DeSalvo, Steve Lane and his son Grant.
Scanned page from the event’s program talking about the building and the bike racks.
If you think Kansas is all flat, think again! Enjoy bicycle racing at its best in beautiful and historic Lawrence. The Tour of Lawrence is a set of three separate USA Cycling Pro-AM competitive bicycle racing events. 5 years ago a really neat event had it’s inception. Some people wondered whether the city of Lawrence could sponsor and eventually sustain a mid-summer bike race (in and around the 4th of July)? The weekend of June 28th will mark the 5th anniversary and it’s still going strong.
The TOL actually consists of three competitive bicycle racing events and the weekend’s cash prize list totals over $20,000!
— on Friday night downtown are the Street Sprints sponsored this year by Laird Noller Automotive
— on Saturday, the challenging the KU Campus Circuit Race sponsored by Meadowbrook Apartments goes up and down the hills of Mt. Oread with over 400ft of climbing per lap and is this year’s KCA’s Kansas State Category Road Race Championships
— on Sunday, the Downtown Criterium sponsored by Free State Brewery is using the former two-time Collegiate National Championships course and this year’s KCA’s Kansas State Category Criterium Championships
Lawrence Central Rotary and one of our initiative’s Ride Lawrence is sponsoring the free Kid’s Zone on Friday night and Sunday. The fine folks from Lawrence’s Jump for Joy will have inflatables set up for the kids and it’s free! There’s also a host of other kids events that weekend. Click on the image below for more info, times & places!
No Elvis has not resurfaced, but one of his devotees Joseph Hall who has a show in Branson, will be coming to town the weekend of June 21 to help host a series of events, all of the proceeds of which will go to Rotary International’s End Polio Now fund.
Ten local rotary clubs (including Lawrence Central) have joined together to put this event together.
7:00 p.m. Polio Survivors Panel, Open Mic, Worship Service in historic 9th Street Baptist Church at 847 Ohio, Lawrence, KS. Public is invited.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Elvis 5k Walk & Run to End Polio Now (you can just do the run or you and your group could add a little fun and dress up like the King!)
11:00 a.m. Joseph Hall Media Conference
10:30 – 1:30 p.m. Community Lunch with King and report on worldwide PolioPlus campaign
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Guided Tours of Quantrill’s Raid historic sites in downtown Lawrence. Tours begin at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.
7:30 pm Joseph Hall Concert
Sunday, June 23, 2013
9:00 a.m. – Noon Joseph Hall visits Lawrence churches to sing gospel
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Donor/Sponsor Lunch with Joseph Hall
Saturday, June 22, 2013 
