August 28th was the date for the 14th annual Head For The Cure 5K – Metro KC at Corporate Woods. More than 5,000 participants enjoyed a kids’ zone, a pancake breakfast and multiple live bands. Proceeds support brain cancer research. Rhonda DeFreece, Keeping The Faith honoree; and Molly Moody, Head For The Cure Foundation Also […]

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Kent Howard of Prairie Village are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Linda Ann Howard, to Matthew Stephen Rau, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Henderson Rau and Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bouchard, all of St. Louis, Missouri. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard […]

Mr. and Mrs. Keith Alan Maib of Leawood are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Marina Nicole Maib, to Conner Alexander Zecy, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christopher Zecy of Our Town. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. Marina earned a bachelor of science degree in […]

The beautiful home of Debbie and Tom Ward was the perfect setting for The Belles of the American Royal’s Parent Welcome Party on August 25th. Debbie Ward and Katie Fitzgerald served as the co-chairmen. The BOTAR Ball will be held on October 22nd at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Caption goes […]

Jeff King was the honorary chairman, and Rob Adams served as the chairman of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City’s second annual RISE on August 27th in the Crossroads. The rooftop crawl featured five rooftops that displayed different holiday themes, including Barkley, SMG, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lead Bank, and Bishop McCann. Scott […]

August 27th was the date for Kansas City Ballet’s sixth annual KC Dance Day at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. More than 1,500 dance enthusiasts enjoyed free dance and fitness classes for children and adults, as well as performances by local dance groups and world dance groups representing different dance cultures. The […]

Kathryn Anne Black and William Thomas Mullen III were married on August 20th at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The bride is the daughter of Darcy Ann Howe and Mr. John Sheldon Black of Our Town. Katie is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Overlock Howe and the late Dr. and Mrs. Samuel […]

Wayne Larson is the national marketing manager at EFL Associates, a CBIZ Company. He loves connecting with people, which eventually led him to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC). Its mission is to reduce the burden of childhood illness on children and their families by providing a “home away from home” while their […]

A pink bundle of joy named Avery Jade Horigan arrived on May 23rd. The little beauty weighed six pounds, seven ounces and was 20 inches long. Avery has hazel eyes and brown hair. Her proud parents are Kelley and Cole Horigan of Prairie Village. Grandparents Sandee and Greg Smith of Mission Hills and Karen and […]

The mothers of the 2016 BOTARs met at the beautiful home of Melanie and Dr. David Clymer on August 18th. Guests enjoyed delicious desserts and learned all about the upcoming BOTAR season. Hillary Winzenried and Lindsay Perrey served as the event co-chairmen. Rachel Lewis and Hillary Winzenried Notebooks for the mothers of the BOTARs filled […]

Holiday Mart, which will be held from October 20th through the 23rd at Bartle Hall, will benefit one of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s initiatives, HealthyLivingKC. This signature program is aimed at connecting Our Town’s residents living in the urban core with health resources that may be unavailable to them. More than 500 […]

The American Royal’s Chairman’s Classic, a new event for the 2016 American Royal season, is set for November 12th at Hale Arena. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with exhibitors, learn first-hand what it takes to take home a ribbon and watch the final night of the UPHA National Championship Horse Show. Angie Stanland, […]

Sheryl Noland of Merriam and Mr. and Mrs. David Noland of Olathe are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashlie Noland, to Andrew Mackay Metzler, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Metzler of Lenexa. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Noland of Olathe and the late Mr. and […]

Linnea Borg and Mr. Kevin McLaughlin of Essex, Massachusetts, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Anna Linnea Freedenfeld, to Troy Thomas Porter, the son of Doctors Charles and Susan Porter of Our Town. Anna is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Karl Borg. She is a graduate of the Manchester-Essex […]

The Independent joins with our loyal subscribers and Our Town’s non-profit organizations and country clubs to celebrate the 2016 summer, Kansas City-style!     

Blair Elizabeth Weaver and Nicholas Alan Vignatelli were married on May 7th at Village Presbyterian Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rocke Weaver of Shawnee. Blair is the granddaughter of Mrs. Dale Ferguson of Prairie Village and the late Mr. Ferguson and Mrs. Harold Weaver of Glenwood, Missouri, and the late […]

The KidsTLC Open was held on July 11th at Shadow Glen Golf Club. Proceeds from the event provide children with a continuum of care through innovative and successful psychiatric treatment, outpatient behavioral health, homeless teen outreach, autism, and parent support programs. Rob Heise Tray Wiltse, Lance Melber, Bob Steer, and Pat Forman Andrea Kidwell, Erin […]

Michelle and Ryan Brown are serving as the chairmen of the 10th annual Stand Up for Synergy on November 5th at the Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa. Comedian Paul Reiser, star of Steven Soderbergh’s new Amazon series, Red Oak, is the featured performer. Proceeds support Synergy Services’ vision of a world without family violence, abuse […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s 29th annual Holiday Mart will take place at Bartle Hall from October 20th through the 23rd. Laurel Marselle and Felicia Wirfel are serving as retail co-chairmen. Laurel Marselle and Felicia Wirfel, retail co-chairmen Also featured in the September 3, 2016 issue   Photo Credit: Andrea Nigh Photography  

August 6th was the date for The Young Advisory Board of The Children’s Place’s Beach Volleyball Tournament. Proceeds support The Children’s Place and its mission to heal the youngest survivors of abuse, neglect and trauma. (Front row) Ashley Yeo, Samantha Floyd and Lindsay and Nick Medina (back row) Josh Davis, Kate Guettermann, Megan McCormack, and […]

Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ 35th Annual Ben and Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on August 1st at Lake Quivira Country Club. More than 150 golfers enjoyed lunch, great golf, a dinner reception, and an awards ceremony. William H. Townsley, Dennis Wilbert, Andy Prosser, […]