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In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider.

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The 2023 BOTAR President – Nancy Freeman Wilkerson

Mrs. Grant Matthew Wilkerson (Nancy Freeman Wilkerson) is serving as the 2023 BOTAR president, and she is the epitome of what a family tradition looks like. There have been myriad family members involved in the BOTAR organization, as well as the American Royal through the years, and this is the natural culmination of that familial […]

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JCRB|AJC – 2023 Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award

The Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee will honor Joe Reardon with the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award at the annual Human Relations Event on November 19th at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Joe’s career highlights have included serving as mayor and chief executive officer of the United Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas […]

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2023 Class Of Rising Stars – Sarah Owings

Kansas City may be landlocked but that hasn’t stopped a local rising star from making waves with her contagious energy for making a difference. Meet Sarah Owings, a compassionate individual  whose volunteerism has brought joy and positive change to the lives of many. Recently recognized as a Rising Star by The Independent, Sarah has made her […]

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Kansas City Zoo – Jazzoo

Jazzoo, a benefit for the Kansas City Zoo, was on June 2nd. The co-chairmen were Hayley Hanson, Todd McGuire, and Maurice Watson. Guests enjoyed strolling the grounds and sampling tasty treats from more than 50 restaurants and caterers. The festivities included live bands, dueling pianos, DJs, dancers, and aerial performers.            […]

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Jewish Family Services – Birthday Bash

Jewish Family Services’ Birthday Bash celebrated the organization’s 120th anniversary with festivities that included family-friendly activities, hands-on service projects, and a birthday-themed food drive, in addition to a birthday party. The icing on the cake? An interactive performance with Lisa Loeb, the Grammy Award winner! Jenny Isenberg served as the chair. JFS provides essential services […]

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Jewel Ball: Fais Do-Do – Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez

Fais Do-Do – Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez was the theme for a Jewel Ball party at the Alexander Majors Barn on June 10th. Hosts for the event were Katherine Hamilton, Abby Himmelstein, Calin Lane, Mary Lauren Mason, Annalie Polen, Caroline Thrun, Lauren Tinsman, John Benson, Henry Fountain, Jack Miceli, and Tommy Moreland. Guests enjoyed […]

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Rachel’s Reads – August 2023

“A non-fiction writer is a storyteller who has taken an oath to tell the truth.” – Russell Freedman I have been on a massive non-fiction kick recently. Every time I go to the bookstore or check out a list of what’s coming out soon, I am immediately attracted to multiple non-fiction titles. A non-fiction writer […]

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The Symphony League of Kansas City – Shirley Bush Helzberg

Shirley Bush Helzberg is serving as the honorary chairman of the Symphony Ball, which is hosted by the Symphony League of Kansas City. The September 9th event will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center. Julie McCann and Gina Penner are the co-chairmen.  At the Kansas City Symphony, Shirley is chair emerita of the […]

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Jackson County CASA – 18th annual Carnival for CASA

Jackson County CASA’s 18th annual Carnival for CASA was held recently at Faulkner’s Ranch. Among the guests were more than 200 children who have participated in CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and their caregivers. The fun included lunch, the Jumbo Jumper, the ZipLine, and the cornhole cannon. There was quite a variety of animals in […]

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Cheers to Volunteers! – Becky Wiseman

Becky Wiseman’s networking abilities are greatly appreciated by JDRF. She helps secure funding for the organization, which focuses on type 1 diabetes research. Becky is a corporate development committee member and Kansas City community board member. Becky and her husband and their children served as the Fund A Cure Family at the 2022 JDRF Dream […]

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BOTAR – 2023 Night at the Royal

The annual BOTAR Night at the Royal was celebrated in Cinco de Mayo style this year! The May 5th event was held at The American Royal. The festivities included a ProRodeo, in addition to crafts, dinner, and beverages to delight all involved.   Featured in the August 5, 2023 issue of The Independent.  Photo credit: […]

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BUILDING FORWARD: Ballet School continues ongoing success story with new studios

Kansas City Ballet always seems to be building something. For decades, it engaged in refitting existing buildings to meet its day-to-day needs: from the Westport Allen Center to the National Cash Register building to a former warehouse at 16th and Broadway. In August 2011, it established an elegant home in the Todd Bolender Center for […]

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Toast To Olde Tymes – Alexander Woollcott

Who remembers Alexander Woollcott? For some, what comes to mind is that he was a member of the Algonquin Round Table and a writer for The New Yorker magazine during its fledgling days. In 2021, Mark Peikert suggested in Town & Country magazine that Aleck had been an influencer for an earlier generation: “He was […]

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The 2023 Jewel Ball

Anne Potter Russ (Mrs. Norbert Russ) was the chairman for The Jewel Ball, a benefit for The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony. The event was held on June 17th at the Museum. Joan Knight Marsh (Mrs. Alan Reid Marsh) was the honorary chairman, and Holly Barnes Milledge (Mrs. Droste DeForest Milledge, […]

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KidsTLC – 2023 Open

Shadow Glen Golf Course was the site for the KidsTLC Open on June 5th. Games and refreshments, including a champagne wall and wine slushies, were part of the festivities. This year’s winners, Zach Myers, Ron Shaver, and Rob Heise, received green jackets and a trophy. John Holt, Dennis Kadel, Andy McDonald, and Michael Lauf won […]

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Truman Library Institute – 24th annual Wild About Harry

Truman Library Institute’s 24th annual Wild About Harry was held on April 20th. More than 1,000 guests gathered in-person and live streamed the event. Leigh and Tyler Nottberg were the event chairs, and Ursula Terrasi and Jim Miller served as the honorary chairs. Featured guests of the evening were Keynote Speaker Doris Kearns Goodwin, author […]

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Toast To Olde Tymes – Dana Gatlin

“A woman whose health was broken, whose affairs were in disorder, and whose courage was spent, was led to play a kind of game with words. At first she used it as a game to occupy her time and mind. She took a thesaurus and wrote down all the synonyms of ‘courage’ that she could […]

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MOCSA – Giving Circle

For more than 16 years, Erik Bergrud and Kimberlee Ried have been loyal supporters of MOCSA. They have served as community support committee chairs and are members of the organization’s Giving Circle. These enthusiastic donors shared, “We are honored to support MOCSA, whose activities and programs improve individuals’ lives, elevate awareness of sexual abuse and […]

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Kansas City Rose Society – Rose Day

The first weekend in June was a busy time at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden at Jacob L. Loose Park! On June 4th, the Kansas City Rose Society hosted its annual Rose Day. Taylor Smith was the event chair. Guests at the free event enjoyed performances by Bach Aria Soloists and Heart of  […]

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Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy – Leading with Love

Love was in the air for nearly 500 guests who gathered to celebrate the inaugural fundraiser, Leading with Love, to support the Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. The June 15th event was held at Loews Kansas City Hotel and featured remarks from Ann Tisch, founder of the young women’s leadership network schools; Christine Kemper, founder […]

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The Jewel Ball – 2023 Gentlemen’s Serenade

Mission Hills Country Club was the site for The Jewel Ball Gentlemen’s Serenade. The lovely event was held on June 4th, much to the delight of the Gents’ mothers and grandmothers and special guests. With sweet introductions and some well-performed songs, the day was a hit, thanks to Serenade Chairman Dan Bolen and Serenade Co-chairman […]

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