It was an important day for members of the Rotary clubs of Lawrence on September 18 as they held a dedication and naming ceremony for a new gathering place in town. The Weinberg Pavilion and the Woodyard Plaza were recently completed at the Lawrence Arboretum, made possible by the club’s collaboration with the Lawrence Home Builders Association and Lawrence Parks and Recreation.
The dedication of the Weinberg Pavilion and the official naming of Woodyard Plaza at the Lawrence Arboretum was held on September 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy of McGrew Realtor Chris Schmid)
The Rotary clubs of Lawrence have a long history of serving the community. Since 1917, the local institution has been committed to creating lasting change. Its global parent consists of 1.2 million members and 35,000 clubs, all of which are dedicated to the motto, “Service Above Self.”
The city of Lawrence has three Rotary clubs: the Lawrence Rotary Club, the Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club, and the Central Rotary Club. The trio raised approximately $60,000 in funds for the creation of the Arboretum in the early 2000s. Since then, over 2,000 trees have been planted and multiple structures added for community use.
Pam Bushouse, a McGrew Realtor, joined the club after she retired from teaching.
“My choirs performed for the club many times over my career, and I was always impressed by their kindness and dedication to our community,” she explained. “Personally, it provides an opportunity for me to be involved in an organization that meets weekly for service, education through wonderful presenters, and fellowship.”
Current member and past President of the Lawrence Central Rotary Club, Jim Peters, joined 14 years ago, and has enjoyed using the Arboretum.
“Living in Southwest Lawrence near Sunflower Elementary, I was just yards from the Lawrence Loop trail and rode my bike nearly every day through the Rotary Arboretum,” Peters said. “During that span, I have watched the Arboretum mature into a beautiful nature retreat.”
Peters is involved in the Community Bike Ride each summer, an event that McGrew Real Estate is proud to sponsor. A significant moment for Peters was officiating the first wedding held at the Arboretum pavilion on June 22, 2019.
“The Arboretum is our neighborhood park where I ride my bike, walk our dogs, and enjoy that beautiful green space. I am proud that it is a project of the Rotary Clubs of Lawrence,” Peters said.
Learn more about the Rotary clubs of Lawrence, including information on how you can join, in the links below.