Lawrence Central Rotary

Category: News

Southwest Middle School 2016 Future Cities Team Visits Lawrence Central

Students from Lawrence’s Southwest Middle School presented their award winning city design and described the work required to participate in the National Engineer’s Week Future City Competition. The eighteen 8th graders took first place in the Great Plains Regional competition in January, earning the right to compete in the national event in Washington DC, in February. The students were required to develop a design for a city at least 150 years in the future. The design was to address current and future city problems using technology, science, and engineering solutions. A special focus of the design was to solve the city’s waste management system. The students chose to re-imagine the city of Mumbai in the year 2170. At approximately 75 million residents, the city would be transformed into a walkable, thriving commercial hub attracting millions of worldwide citizens.

The competition included requirements for a seven-minute verbal presentation, a three-dimensional model with moving parts, a virtual city created with SimCity software, a project plan, and a city essay. Developing skills such as teamwork, fundraising, planning, and communications to mention a few, this group of teens is ready to take on real world challenges. Outstanding teachers, mentors, and advisors assisted along the way, and many local businesses supported the team in their fundraising efforts to defray the cost of traveling to DC. The team was honored to take home special recognition for Best Use of Renewable Energy, and enjoyed four days in the nation’s capitol.

Learn more about the project here.

April 5, 2016
Local Architect Stan Hernley Restores and Re-purposes Local Historic Building

Architect Stan Hernley shared a bit of Lawrence history and the story of the restoration of a complex of structures left to ruin at 1106 Rhode Island. Rhody Delahunty , an Irish immigrant, acquired two city lots in 1871 and established a transfer and storage business on the site that operated well into the 1930’s. Delahunty built a residence, a barn and eventually a truck shed on the property, which the family occupied until 1964. The location was later used as an auto salvage business for a few years. The structures fell into disrepair and the city condemned the site in 2013 with the goal of finding someone to restore the site.

1106 Rhode Island Before / After Photo Credit: Journal-World Photos.

Six partners, including Hernley, formed an LLC and a plan was developed for acquiring and restoring the property. The LLC paid the city $90,000 in 2014 for the property and has invested an additional $800,000 on the project. A development grant and a tax rebate were part of the agreement with the city and work had to be approved by the Historical Society Review Board. The restoration was challenging as new foundations were required and there was a considerable amount of wood rot to deal with. Unique features were saved and some repurposed as the structures were provided with modern wiring, plumbing and heating and air systems. The restored site has two residential rentals, a modern conference room, and office space for Hernley and Associates. Images of the structures show a remarkable transformation. An open house is planned for late spring when the project is completed.

March 27, 2016
Pride in Community and Passion for the Job – Mayor Mike Amyx Visits Lawrence Central

Six term Mayor Mike Amyx is no stranger to the job, which he refers to as the best elected position in Kansas. Mike is also a barber and business owner of Amyx Barber Shop located in down town Lawrence. His family has operated the business since 1942. The job makes him very available to the citizens of the community. He is the former Chair of the Kansas Board of Barbering and he has also served as a Douglas County Commissioner. Mike had good words for civic groups like Rotary, noting that city staff can’t do everything. Being Mayor is a 24-7 commitment and Mike states that he enjoys being busy with city business. He noted some dramatic moments he has experienced, including the visit of President Obama and the opportunity to represent Lawrence on a visit to the Big Red One’s exercises in Arizona.

The Mayor spoke of big challenges facing the city with lots of infrastructure projects, policy decisions regarding development, and the selection of the new city manager. He also believes that the principle of home rule is under fire as the legislature in Topeka looks for solutions to the state budget crisis. The Mayor lamented lightly attended public hearing opportunities and urged citizens to vote their convictions. He took questions on the police station planning, city abatement policy and prospects for a down town grocery store. The Mayor expressed considerable pride in the community and enthusiasm for his job. He was thanked for his years of service to the community

March 22, 2016
Steven Lane Awarded Lawrence Central’s Becky Castro Award

Steve Lane received the “Becky Castro Award” at the club’s anniversary dinner held on March 2, 2016. Steve has been a member of Lawrence Central Rotary for eleven years (since December 2004). He is a past president of the club (2009-2010), a Paul Harris Fellow, and regular contributor to Rotary Foundation. He is at meetings regularly, always ready to present the “News of the Day.” Most significantly, Steve initiated the Community Bike Rides beginning in 2011, our signature event, and he continues to manage the project with skill and enthusiasm as we enter its sixth season.

Campbell quotes her thank you letter to Steve after last fall’s Bike Ride:

“As always, you impress me with your marvelous attention to detail regarding the Community Bike Rides, Steve. You have certainly met your goal of making this initiative easily replicable each year. It seems to run like clockwork, but it wouldn’t happen without your leadership. I know it is a tremendous time commitment for you, and you need to know how much the club and I appreciate your work. Thank you for creating and sustaining our signature project!”

Rebecca “Becky” Lizabeth Castro was a founding member of our club who died after a long illness in June 2014 at the age of 68. A lifelong resident of Lawrence, Becky was active not only in Rotary, but also numerous other community organizations. Her warm welcome greeted everyone who came to a Lawrence Central Rotary meeting. In spring 2015, Past-Presidents Tobin Neis and Carolyn DeSalvo conceived of the Becky Castro Award as a way to honor the memory of this tireless founding member. The criteria state that the award be given to a member who exemplifies the dedication to community service and the love of Rotary that Becky displayed.

Congratulations, Steve Lane, on receiving the first Becky Castro Award. Thank you for all you have done for Lawrence Central Rotary and the Lawrence community.

March 10, 2016
Lawrence Central is a Teenager!

We’re a teenager! 2016 marks thirteen years that Lawrence Central Rotary has been in existence. Twenty members and fourteen guests gathered from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, at Marceli’s to celebrate.

Thanks and kudos to Shon Qualseth for making the arrangements. Marceli’s was a perfect venue and a great host. The choice of a buffet of appetizers instead of a sit-down meal made the whole evening feel more relaxed and certainly encouraged mingling and table-hopping. Obviously, the food selection was a hit, as most of the platters were empty at the end of the evening.

As President Kate Campbell said in her comments that night, our club at thirteen-years-old has many attributes of a stereotypical teenager. We are growing quickly—eight new members since this time last year. Sometimes we’re a bit gangly and awkward because of our growth spurts—as evidenced by the fact that our meeting space at the Eldridge is a bit tight these days.

Like a teen, we’re increasingly strong and mature and confident of our identity in the Lawrence community. Our budget is solid. Board members are active and talented. We never have trouble getting stimulating programs for our meetings or finding volunteers for our various community projects. We look outward to donate to international initiatives as well as supporting local ones. Our signature event in the Community Bike Rides will take place for the sixth time this season. Certainly we love our Rotary friends and like to hang out together. And we are full of exuberance, optimism and enthusiasm for what’s ahead.

It’s great to be a teenager! Here’s to many more years ahead.

March 8, 2016