Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Ben Ahlvers is taking over the Lawrence Arts Center helm as executive director during a time of “seismic evolution.” He wants to build an organization that is flexible but not fragile.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Crescendo, an adult choir in Lawrence with a “come one, come all” attitude, wants every voice to shine, regardless of musical experience. They’ll showcase their harmonies at an upcoming concert with a local children’s choir.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Nate Ericson, a Lawrence resident who turned 102 this month, says he thinks people need a reminder of what he learned eight decades ago in the Battle of the Bulge: “War is hell.”
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s 2026 Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year titles have been claimed by Laila Reetz, a sophomore at Free State High School, and Jensen Aitken, a fifth grader at Woodlawn, respectively.
Logan Pierson / Lawrence Times
Jonathan Swanberg, 21, spends his weekdays in Lawrence as a KU math major before heading home for the weekends to Leawood, where he runs a typewriter repair business that’s in high demand throughout the KC metro.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Marina DeCora’s solo show, “ReVision,” roves through themes of mental and community health, reconnection and attachment to land. It’s the first student exhibition at the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum.
Contributed photo
Craig Butler was known for far more than the bass heard in the words he spoke. He also helped many Lawrence youths find their own voices.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Social work is woven into Sheryl Sanders as much as she’s woven into Lawrence. Sanders has retired as one of the longest-tenured Lawrence Community Shelter employees.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Since Santa Claus must conserve energy for his Christmas Eve omnipresence, he wisely delegates some duties to remote workers. Here are a few of the Lawrence locals who signed on to give Santa a helping hand this year.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Christina James doesn’t read to feel good — “I want to feel like I survived,” she says. James is a readers’ services assistant at the Lawrence Public Library and a self-proclaimed horror enthusiast.
