Author: Fred Atchison

Dr. William Keel, Professor Emeritus from Kansas University’s Department of Slavic, German and Eurasian Studies, spoke to the club on behalf of Sister Cities Lawrence. Dr. Keel is president of the governing board, a 501(C)3 organization, that seeks to foster relations between the city of Lawrence and three Sister Cities: Eutin, Germany; Hiratsuka, Japan; and Iniades, Greece. The organization sponsors high school aged student exchanges with these communities. These visits are often life changing experiences that promote friendships and understanding between cultures. Dr. Keel is a long time Board member and has made numerous trips to Eutin. He shared images of the Eutin area and described its history and attractions. Lawrence Central Rotary has provided an annual award for some ten years to help finance trips for participating students. These students have provided excellent programs for LCR about their visits. Dr. Keel noted that Sister Cities Lawrence and Rotary share many values.

Our very own historian, Jim Peters, provided a program on the evolution of the Medal of Honor. Jim is uniquely qualified to speak on the topic as he is the author of “Arlington National Cemetery: Shrine to America’s Heroes, 3rd Edition.” George Washington established a Badge of Military Merit, but not until the Civil War did a Medal of Honor emerge, first with the Navy and then with the Army. Large numbers of medals were awarded in this period and gradually a more clear criteria was developed for the award. The medal is usually awarded by the President in the name of the U.S. Congress, to individuals in the armed forces who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medals are different in appearance as the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have designed their own versions of the award. Jim shared stories of a number of medal recipients. Some 3,530 Medals of Honor have been awarded in our nation’s history.

Steve Pierce is a life-long runner. He ran in college at the University of Kansas and after graduating, he ran competitive long races for a number of years. In fact Steve has run in some thirty countries and in most of the U.S. Steve pursued environmental studies at KU and also worked as a photographer. When he aged out of triathlons he moved to Baldwin, Kansas where he still runs for pleasure on the backroads of Douglas County. Combining his photography skills, his love of nature, and a good early morning run, Steve has authored “A Joy to Discover,” a striking collection of beautiful photographs and and commentary on his favorite running experiences. The book is a tribute to nature and to a life of running.

Brett Hartford is the new Executive Director of Just Food in Lawrence. He is a graduate of Free State High School and for the last ten years worked for City Relief in New York City. In that capacity he worked with the homeless. He has also served in the New Jersey National Guard and played in their brass band. Ending hunger in our community by increasing access to healthy foods is the primary goal of Just Food. The organization also seeks to reduce barriers to health and well being and cultivate self-sufficiency. Just Food operates a main pantry at 1000 11th Street and several satellite pantries in the county. A mobile pantry truck makes deliveries and food barrels are placed with community partners for collecting donations. Other programs include food growing classes, kitchen supplies and a new commercial kitchen. Hartford expressed great concern that requests for assistance since the end of the pandemic have grown dramatically.

Watkins Museum’s Curator and Collections Manager, Brittany Keegan, shared her research on the early days of women cyclists. The role of women in American society was undergoing significant change in the 19th century. So it was no surprise that the development of the bicycle in the 1890’s would interest women. Not everyone was a fan of the new devise as there were dire warnings that cycling was a dangerous distraction and the new machines scared horses. When women began to ride, many critics were horrified. They complained about the fashions that cycling inspired and worried about unchaperoned behavior. The benefits of healthy exercise and the positive environmental impact were recognized and cycling became and important part of our culture for both sexes. Brittany Keegan earned a BA in American History and a Masters in Museum Studies at Kansas University. She is currently working on a new World War I exhibit.