![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_5308_2_1500x1120.jpg?resize=510%2C510&ssl=1)
Lawrence playground invites children of all abilities to play, thanks to donation from late benefactor
School and business leaders are gearing up to celebrate an inclusive playground for youngsters on Lawrence’s southeast side.
School and business leaders are gearing up to celebrate an inclusive playground for youngsters on Lawrence’s southeast side.
Earl Moise, one of the best-known master plumbers in Lawrence, has been passionate about the craft ever since graduating from high school. With each pipe he hand-cut, he fell more and more in love.
Amid the lush leaves and neatly arranged rows of plants and trees, the orchard and gardens at West Middle School grow a bounty of food. The smells of clematis and lavender float through the air, and wherever you turn, you’ll see colorful fresh fruit and vegetables. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll also find the project grows people.
Lawrence native Catherine Bell grew up with 10 siblings, but she was the only one to take up her mom’s passion for sewing and fashion design. Now she’s passing the torch — or needle — to the kids she’s had under her wing since 2019, when she started teaching sewing classes under the name Sew Simple Sewing.
Over the last year and a half, the consistency of learning a new instrument has helped some Lawrence musicians in more ways than one.
Through navigating COVID-19 as both healthcare workers and small business owners, the toy store’s regular customers have made things easier for the owners of 1313 Mockingbird Lane.
Evelin’s Auto Care, known for its wash, wax and detailing services, is tucked away in a corner off Sixth and Minnesota streets. It’s a small shop, but it’s named after someone even smaller.
As Lawrence school district staff prepped indoors for the new school year, Occupational Therapist Karen Lassman painted a vibrant outdoor classroom on Quail Run Elementary’s east playground.
The Lawrence school board congratulated winners of the Juneteenth essay contest, approved a permaculture garden for Free State and more at its meeting Monday.
Audrey Trowbridge sits in her basement surrounded by glitter, wood, paint cans and her favorite crafting supply of all time — pipe cleaners. Her craft room serves as a retreat, and during remote learning, the Free State High School social worker took her video conference calls there.
Behind her, a painting of a glowing Black woman wearing a bejeweled crown draws attention. When asked if she painted it, Trowbridge says one of her sisters gifted the piece to her. Its placement is purposeful. She wants others to see it in the background, but she also hopes to glean inspiration from it when she glances at herself on screen. The powerful art serves as a self-affirmation and a reminder while advocating for herself and her students.
Never miss a story. Sign up for our emails.