Leticia Cole stands with sponsor Steve Lane during her induction into Lawrence Central Rotary.
Leticia has worked for Paul Werner Architects for over 11 years. She is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Lawrence and has been a board member of Catch-A-Break for the past two years.
On behalf of all of us at Lawrence Central Rotary, a big thank you!
On Saturday we hosted the 2nd ride of our “Community Bike Ride” initiative. In spite of warm weather, overlap with the KU football game, and a variety of other options, we were able to total 79 participants (by counting the waivers). We had another successful helmet giveaway – as well as providing neon safety vests and shirts.
For the year (both rides), we had 247 participants, we gave away 107 helmets, 98 vests, and 105 shirts (with shirt and vest totals only limited by our inventory). And, importantly, we had another successful year without injuries. We heard multiple people share that it was “…my first time on this trail!” and more than one family share that they were back with kids who had graduated from our training-wheel takeoff clinic (that Jane Huesemann leads).
Speaking for the group – each time we help fit a child (or adult) with a helmet – provide them with a bright (neon) vest or bright shirt – we know we are proactively promoting well being (safety). It means a lot to us – and we could not pull this off without your help.
Below is a gallery of pictures (thank you Lynn O’Neal, Tobin Neis, and the folks at Friends of Lawrence Area Trails). Our fall ride that started at the Haskell Stadium parking lot and went up along the Burroughs Creek trail and back.
We are looking forward to coming back in 2019 and we hope you choose to be along for the ride!
Steve
Rideperson,
Community Bike Rides
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Eileen Horn, State Representative for the 10th District, highlighted action during the 2018 session of the Kansas legislature. Horn, a Democrat, was appointed to fill the House seat vacated by John Wilson in August 2017. She worked as the sustainability coordinator for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County until December 2017 when she resigned to focus on her legislative responsibilities.
Although State revenues have begun to surpass projections in recent quarters, Horn noted that state taxes are still lower than in 2012. She explained that after nine rounds of tax cuts, however, there were holes in the State budget that the legislature has had to address.
During its session last winter, the legislature found additional money for transportation projects, K-12 education, and child and family needs. The State is catching up on its contributions to KPERS. Higher education received 2% back from a prior cut. The State’s water plan is funded now. The judiciary and corrections each received money for staff. Telemedicine was approved.
Kansas has ongoing financial challenges, however, especially in K-12 eduction. In June, the State Supreme Court ruled that while the State’s new plan for funding education was now “equitable,” it was still not “adequate.”
Horn ways that the most rewarding part of her new work is to be able to help constituents with their problems. Her biggest frustration is that the schedule of the session and the low stipend mean that legislature is skewed to include those who are older and independently wealthy, that is, those who can afford the time and money to serve.
Lawrence Central Rotary celebrated the club’s new members on September 5. The following new members were inducted: Karena Schmitendorf, Gena Dellett, Julia Gaughan, Janis Bunker, Lee Ann Thompson, and Margaret Brumberg.
The three newest members, Julia Gaughan, Karena Schmitendorf, and Margaret Brumberg shared more about their background and interests during the now traditional new member panel.
Julia Gaughan studied law and works at Bert Nash. Her most recent read was There There by Tommy Orange. Audrey Coleman invited Julia to Rotary. The two have been friends since college. Volunteering has always been important to Julia. She shared that she’s excited to be around people who find service important. For fun, Julia reads, writes, is involved in several book clubs, and attends a lot of soccer games, cheering on her 10 year old son.
Margaret Brumberg studied law and administers federal grants at KU. Her most recent read was Amateur by Thomas Page McBee. Kate Campbell invited Margaret to Rotary. She was immediately inspired by the service mission. For fun Margaret enjoys being outside, taking walks, and drinking wine.
Karena Schmitendorf is a retired art instructor and now works combining three of her passions: art, elderly care, and transitional housing. She has recently been reading books on death and dying, integrating her learning into her daily work. While living in California, Karena regularly presented to Rotary clubs about her work with a homeless and housing group. She is especially drawn to Rotary’s international focus. For fun Karena enjoys gardening, cooking, and her work renovating a house. She also is enjoying the many art galleries and events in Lawrence.
Denise Ogilvie from Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas knows what refugees face when they are starting over their lives. The organization’s refugee and immigration services, which is qualified through the State Department, provides refugee resettlement and support.
Ogilvie explained that their team is given 24 hours notice when a new refugee family will be arriving. Most refugees have been in a camp for 10 or more years. “Families come here with children that were born in a camp and are now college age. The children have never lived anywhere else.”
The Catholic Charities team meets the families at the airport and takes them to an apartment outfitted with all the basics they will need to start their new life.
With funding from the State Department, Catholic Charities works together with the families for six months to find employment and help them get settled. Thanks to the New Roots for Refugees program, support no longer ends there. New Roots builds on the strengths and experience that the refugees already possess, helping them start their own small farm businesses growing and selling vegetables. This means that refugee families can continue to support themselves and their families with the agricultural skills they gained in their native country.
“For many, this was their sole source of income in their original country. With a plot to farm, they now grow food they may not have eaten before.” The program also provides resources on how to market the produce that is grown and how to manage their finance and business.
The programs current plot in Juniper Gardens in KC Kansas provides everyone in the program with a one acre plot. Produce is sold in 27 farmers markets and restaurants. The program lasts for four years. Currently 85 percent of participants purchase a small plot of land to keep farming after completing the program.
“We try to not only help people in the middle of crisis,” said Ogilvie. “We believe in order to give dignity we need to help people stand on their own two feet so they are self sufficient.”
