When the COVID-19 pandemic news broke across the earth in early 2020, there came with it fear of the destruction of our world as we know it.

Well, in Lawrence, not everyone believed in the alarm cries and continued to look to the future. This came in the form of "building for the future."

Two new homes in Lawrence, and one just north of Lawrence and a total basement replacement along with a partial basement replacement are among positive signs of faith in the future for area residents.

In 2019, Gene and Eileen Mazour put up a new home northeast of Lawrence. In 2020 Rich and Judy Menke finished and moved into a new home in north Lawrence (the former Collins residence). Beginning construction in 2020 is a new home for Larry and Donna Mazour.

Seth Kathman is replacing the whole basement of his home which was formerly the Bud and Marion Herbek home. (Interestingly, Seth noted the home was built in 1929 by Henry Gilsdorf and was a 'Sears and Roebuck' home.) Chester and Helen Kohmetscher replace half of their basement walls because of damage caused by a water line break.

This doesn't even include the two new "Chicken Homes" where thousands of chickens now call home, one north and one south of Lawrence.

May not sound like a great deal of construction for many towns, but for a small village like Lawrence, the people are proud of all of it.