Lawrence Central Rotary

Category: News

Fall Lawrence Community Bike Ride – Enjoyment by All

The rain finished the night before, there was a sigh of relief when we could see the final rays of sun through the clearing skies to the west on Friday night.

Our latest ride held Saturday September 19th starting in the Haskell Indian Nations University stadium parking lot delighted more than 100 guests riding along the Burroughs Creek Trail. Members of Lawrence Central Rotary with the help of our sponsors and though applying for grants and fundraisers were able to hand out all of the 80 bright neon safety vests we purchased and fitted 42 brand new helmets (mostly to children) to keep them safe while riding their bike not just that day but for many days, weeks, and months to come.

But, that just speaks to the numbers. Everyone who attended had a great morning and the participants had fun… and that is the key thing. People having fun, being active, using their bikes, possibly seeing new trails, and meeting new friends along the way.

We look forward to seeing even more people again next summer for more Lawrence Community Bike rides!

September 23, 2015
Get To Know Some Of Lawrence Central’s New Members
Four new members of Lawrence Central Rotary engaged in a panel discussion at the September 16 meeting and, while they work in very different professions, it became obvious that they have a lot in common.

Serving as moderator, Rotary President Kate Campbell asked each of the four, Steve Mason, Margaret Weisbrod Morris, Janis Bunker and Paul Radley, three questions:
1. How did you get involved with service organizations
2. What are family traditions in your family, and
3. Describe what you think is a perfect day.
Three of them, Radley, an architectural engineer with Professional Engineering Consultants, Mason, a programmer for Lawrence Parks and Recreation and Bunker, senior vice-president and trust officer of Trust Company of Kansas, all said they were invited by friends to join a service group. Both Mason and Morris , program officer for the Lawrence Arts Center, said they were influenced by their parents who were active volunteers in service organizations.

“I come from a family where community service was important. My parents were early workers in the civil rights movement,” Morris said.

Family traditions all involve get-togethers with extended family. Bunker’s family has a Christmas eve tradition, Radley’s family times are during summer vacations at a family compound in Minnesota, while Morris’s family goes to an island near Seattle. Mason’s family times all involve music. “Birthdays, any time we get together, turn into a jam session,” he said.

A favorite day for Radley, Morris and Bunker begins with sleeping late, while Mason is up and out—preferably on his bike.

President Campbell said she plans on more panels like this one that will include long-time members.
September 21, 2015
New Lawrence Central Member Paul Radley Discusses Problem Solving By Design

Paul Radley provided a vocational talk for the September 9, 2015 program. Paul is an architectural engineer with Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. Paul explained that architectural engineers do the detail tasks of making the building design work. This includes designing mechanical and electrical systems and dealing with structural issues. There are often significant challenges to coordinating these systems and dealing with unique site requirements and surroundings.

Paul grew up in Wichita and got his training at Kansas State University. His first big project was in Saint Louis where he worked on a performing arts center. It was a huge project with beautiful circular elements. Paul also worked in New York for a company that built cable and membrane structures. The structures appear to be tent like and are very popular in Europe. He worked on one of these projects in Houston and it was used as a performing arts venue.

Paul stated that he mostly does design work and very much enjoys overcoming site and design problems. He sited a multi structured office building with corner offices constructed without columns as an example. Clearly, Paul is a creative person who loves what he does.

September 14, 2015
The Lawrence 2015 Fall Community Bike Ride Is Set for September 19th
Mark Your Calendars, Tell Your friends and Neighbors, the Lawrence Central Rotary Club is hosting the fall 2015 Lawrence Community Bike Ride on Saturday, September 19th, at the Haskell University stadium parking area and using the Burroughs Creek, and recently refinished bike Trail south of Haskell.

The event is open to anyone and there is no cost to participate.

Other activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. include:
- A Training Wheel Takeoff. Experts will help children who are ready to take off their training wheels in a safe environment.
- Bike Rodeo. Kids can practice and improve their riding skills
- Bike Helmet Fitting and Giveaway. Safe Kids with LMH will help outfit kids with helmets, while supplies last, along with providing cycling safety tips for kids of all ages – and for adults too!
- Inflatable Bounce House and Slides for the kids!
“One of our goals as a club is to get more and more people discover cycling and an active lifestyle as a fun and healthy activity,” said Steve Lane, a member of Central Rotary Club. “This event is a great opportunity for families and individuals to enjoy cycling in a safe and scenic area on Lawrence’s east side.”

If it is raining September 19th, the ride will be rescheduled for on Sunday, September 20, at 1PM.

Registration for the event is required and can be done before the event.

Releases will be available at the event or you can download one HERE to fill out ahead of time.

Thanks to all our sponsors and partners who help to make these events happen in Lawrence.
September 4, 2015
New Lawrence Central Member Jay Holley talks Architecture in his Vocations Talk

In his Rotary vocations talk on September second, Jay Holley said as a licensed architect he wants to be well rounded and include all aspects of architecture. He said some architects are visionaries, some emphasize the technical, some are business people, and some are project managers., depending on the person’s strengths. He believes a combination of these skills is the path for him.

Becoming an architect involves three to six years of school, a professional internship that can be from three years to “forever,” and becoming a licensed architect (which means, he said, you are through with tests forever—unless you practice in California.)

Jay worked as a summer intern for an architect and in his last semester at KU was in a program called Studio 804. They built modules in a warehouse that were then installed in Kansas City, KS. “You are, literally, in the trenches,” he said. “The jobs involve long hours and hard work.”

After school he went to an architecture fair to find a job, showing projects and hundreds and hundreds of sketches. He is with GouldEvans architects and several years ago took the advanced tests to become a licensed architect.

He showed pictures of his projects including the new Lawrence library.

“Architecture,” he said “is more than just going to a builder. Some things as small as where the coffee pot is will influence a whole design.”

September 4, 2015