The class of 1985 is planning reunion events, an area university announced its honor roll, the state highlighted 2025 books about Kansas, the food policy council seeks members, a movie in the park night and kids fishing derby are coming to De Soto, and the Giving Garden is hosting a presentation about shade plants.
1985 Reunion
A reunion for the class of 1985 is planned for the week of the CPA Picnic with events throughout the weekend.
The 40-year reunion will start at 6 p.m. June 13 at Set Em Up Jacks in Lawrence. On Saturday, there will be a gathering at 1 p.m. at 1973 N. 500th Road in Baldwin City at Lisa and Tim Slavin’s house.
On June 14, the class will participate in the CPA Parade. Following, at 8 p.m., the group will meet at D-Dub’s.
To RSVP email [email protected] and [email protected]. The reunion page is also available on Facebook.
Honor Roll
Northwest Missouri State University recognized Taylor Hadl as part of its president’s honor roll for the end of 2025 school year.
Hadl received a 4.0 GPA to attain this status.
Movie in the Park: “Mufasa”
De Soto is hosting a screening of “Mufasa: The Lion King” at 8:30 p.m. June 7 at Miller Park.
Guests should bring a blanket or lawn chair. There is free admission, popcorn and parking. Restrooms are on site. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Kids Fishing Derby
A kids fishing derby is planned for June 7 at Lexington Lake Park west of De Soto.
The Kaw Valley Sportsman Association is hosting the free event with sign-in from 8 to 9 a.m. and fishing from 9 to 11 a.m.
This event is for kids ages 1 to 15. For more information, call the Kaw Valley Sportsman Association at 913-205-8290.
Food Policy Council Seeks Members
The Douglas County Food Policy Council is looking for residents to fill vacancies. There are three Douglas County-appointed and one Lawrence-appointed vacancies. Council members are in charge of identifying benefits, challenges and opportunities for successful and sustainable food systems locally.
To fill out a membership interest form, click here.
More information can be found here.
Giving Garden Hosts Master Gardener
The Giving Garden will have a visit from master gardener Sandra Siebert at its 5:30 p.m. June 12 event. Siebert will share information on the trickier parts of gardening in Northeast Kansas – plants grown in shade. She will walk attendees through a variety of plants that love shade and how to help them thrive in gardens.
2025 Notable Books
The state library of Kansas announced its 2025 notable books.
Each year, 25 books by Kansans or about Kansas are recommended to the state librarian by the Kansas Notable Books committee. The state librarian then selects 15 books as a celebration of the Sunflower State.
The mission is to highlight the state’s literary heritage and foster an interest in books and reading.
Here is the full list:
Coco, Snow!
by Julie Mosiman, illustrated by Ellen Youngman
Dress Me Like a Prizefighter
by Catherine Strayhall
From the Reservation to Washington: The Rise of Charles Curtis
by Debra Goodrich
In True Face: A Woman’s Life in the CIA, Unmasked
by Jonna Mendez
Las Madres: Latinas in the Heartland Who Led Their Family to Success
by Dennis Raphael Garcia
The Last Rancher
by Robert Rebein
The Lies We Conjure
by Sarah Henning
No Bullet Got Me Yet: The Relentless Faith of Father Kapaun
by John Stansifer
Not the Worst Friend in the World
by Anne Rellihan
Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm
by Lindsay H. Metcalf, illustrated by Xin Li
Remnants of a Scarlet Flame
by Cindy L. Sell
The Rhino Keeper
by Jillian Forsberg
The Switch Point
by A. D. Childers
Treehouse Town
by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Kansan, Charlie Mylie
Wichita Blues: Music in the African American Community
by Patrick Joseph O’Connor
For more information, click here.
