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The former Journal-World building, a large brick structure at Sixth and Massachusetts, has been vacant since 2014. A developer has stepped forward with a plan that has created great enthusiasm in the community. Patrick Watkins, of Watkins Law Office in Lawrence, and Erik Wullschleger of 3D Development out of Kansas City, Missouri, shared information on the proposal. The 70,000 square foot development will include a courtyard event space with a stage and big screen, up stairs there will be small office spaces for lease and also on site, Q39, a very popular KCMO barbecue restaurant. A patio space will be built in the loading dock area and the building will be opened up with windows facing the interior courtyard. 3D Development specializes in historic rehabilitation and repurposing existing structures. Their office is located in the Cross Roads Arts District where they have completed a number of big projects, including the old Kansas City Star Building. Press Yards, the project name, is a nod to the history of the building. Patrick Watkins indicated that the City has been good to work with and some tenants are expected to be in place by the first of the year.

Henry Bial and Heather Hoy spoke about the proud history and many accomplishments of the University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Dance. Bial is Chair of Kansas University Department of Theatre and Dance and his academic expertise is in performance theory, religious performance, Jewish popular culture and theatre historiography. He has advanced degrees from Harvard and New York University. A Speech and Drama Department was established in 1923 and benefitted from strong leadership from the start. Performances were held in various community venues in the early years. The completion of Murphy Hall provided an excellent performance space which includes a revolving stage. Since 1923 there have been over 1000 productions and numerous national and international tours. The Department boasts a distinguished and productive faculty and has conferred over 1500 theatre degrees. Famous graduates include Charles Buddy Rogers, William Inge, Lorenzo Fuller and Marj Dusay.

Heather Hoy is on the Board of Friends of Theatre which is a support organization for faculty, students and staff. The group provides funding for a variety of professional development opportunities. Hoy has served in several different arts positions in Lawrence. She spoke about next production; Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a Musical Thriller.

Shania Lopex-Cabera is passionate about her Ambassador Volunteer work with Bert Nash Community Health Center. Mental Health First Aid courses are designed to provide individuals with the skills they need to help someone experiencing a Mental health crisis or developing mental health problems. Participants learn warning signs, including signs of substance abuse, and strategies for helping in various situations. The class prepares people for dealing with real life situations. Courses consist of two hours of home preparation and six hours of class time. Classes focus on either adult or youth mental health and have a thirty dollar fee.

Shania is a member of the Jayhawk morning Rotary Club and she is encouraging Rotarians and their families to sign up for a Mental Health First Aid class for Rotarians and their Families on February 27. Shania stressed that the need for awareness and action on mental health issues is greater than ever. Kansas is experiencing a very high incidence of depression, especially in rural areas. Suicide rates also exceed the national average and local mental health professionals are over whelmed. Shania’s Rotary connection goes back to a life changing youth exchange experience in Denmark. She has had a variety of work experience, including banking and has returned to Kansas University to complete her degree.

Beth McKenzie is the Development Director for Audio Reader Network, a service affiliated with Kansas University. McKenzie asserts that Audio Reader is a service that changes lives by connecting people who can’t read regular print. The service targets the blind, visually impaired or print disabled throughout Kansas and Western Missouri. Volunteer readers provide access to newspapers, magazines and books by broadcasts, internet, telephone or smart speaker, free of charge. Special requests are honored including audio descriptions of live art productions. Most importantly, Audio Reader fosters independence and combats loneliness for its users.

Audio Reader is funded entirely by donations and fund raisers. The program has three full time employees and shares several part time employees with Kansas Public Radio. There are 250 volunteer readers and presently there is a waiting list for volunteering. Our own Dan Shenkein is a volunteer and thoroughly enjoys the experience. Beth McKenzie has been with the program since 2016. Her background is nonprofit management, grant writing and fund raising.

Darcy Boyle, Media and Communications Director, spoke about the products and operations of Prosoco, an eighty year old family business. Prosoco manufactures. cleaners, protective treatments, concrete flooring products, air and water barriers, and masonry anchors for the construction industry. The Boyer family has been committed to making buildings look better and last longer since 1939. Prosoco, located at 3741 Greenway Circle in Lawrence, has 120 employees, many of them are long term. The company operates a lab and conducts research and development, product testing and trouble shooting.

Prosoco products have been used to clean many famous structures across the country, including the U.S. Capitol, the Wrigley Building in Chicago and the Kaufman Center in Kansas City. The Kaufman Center job posed particular problems due to its unique design and mix of building materials. Prosoco also supports numerous local projects like Studio 804, a unique building and design program for architecture students at the University of Kansas. The company has assisted with the cleaning of historic headstones at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Darcy Boyle is a graduate of Lawrence High School and attended Drake University. She has studied journalism, trade publications and corporate communications. She produces two weekly news letters and manages social media and web sites for Prosoco.