Ryan Banes has been involved with Lead to Read KC since 2018. In that time, he has been a reading mentor at three different schools: Brookside Charter School, Crossroads Academy – Quality Hill, and Indian Creek Elementary School. Ryan knows that mentoring makes a difference. That’s not all – he also serves as the fundraising […]
Read MoreBig Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City recently held its much-anticipated Legacy Invitational Golf Tournament. With a gift salon, chair massages, a gourmet breakfast, a cigar emporium, on-course challenges, lunch, and much more, this was a successful and very fun way to support BBBSKC. Featured in the July 22, 2023 issue of […]
Read MoreThe 25-year tenure of Kansas City Ballet Executive Director Jeffrey Bentley was celebrated in style on May 22nd. The Kansas City Ballet hosted a soiree in his honor at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. Board President CiCi Rojas congratulated Jeffrey and presented a special tribute video highlighting his noteworthy career. Board Chairman […]
Read MoreThe Country Club at Loch Lloyd was the site for Alphapointe’s annual C&C Group Alphapointe Pro-Am tournament on June 5th. More than 160 golfers enjoyed the challenging course, an auction, bites, and beverages. Proceeds support youth experiencing vision loss to access, with confidence, a variety of programs, including two summer camps, art programs, and culinary […]
Read MoreBrian Williams opened the garden of his lovely home for the ninth annual Eat, Drink, and Be Jolly for the Folly. The Ben Tervort Trio was on hand to play jazz. Picnic baskets featuring fried chicken were a hit with the guests. Proceeds are designated to go to the Folly Theater’s general operations fund, which […]
Read MoreThe impact of a book can often be gauged by the number and variety of adaptations it spawns. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was published more than 150 years ago, but it continues to feel like an archetypal portrait of at least one kind of American family. The Civil War-era tale of the struggling March […]
Read MoreKansas City shines brighter with each passing year, thanks to the spirit of individuals who devote themselves to making a positive impact. Within this constellation of changemakers is William Block, an exceptional volunteer whose philanthropic endeavors have earned him a well-deserved place among The Independent’s 2023 Class of Rising Stars. Will, as he prefers to […]
Read MoreCooper Frank McKee was born on March 28th. He is the son of Lisa and Kelly McKee of Los Angeles, California. Cooper’s older brother is Peter McKee, who is two and one-half years old. The darling baby boy weighed seven pounds, four ounces, and was 19 inches long at birth. Cooper has brown hair and […]
Read MoreLove is in the air, and wedding season is upon us! The anticipation of tying the knot and celebrating a lifetime of happiness can be exhilarating. However, for many LGBTQ+ couples, the journey to finding inclusive wedding vendors can turn what should be a joyous occasion into a daunting task. In a world where inclusivity […]
Read MoreThe most dramatic season of the year is upon us: wedding season! I’m not sure there hasn’t been one wedding without at least a smidgeon of drama. Whether it comes from family, friends, loved ones, or the vendors, weddings are a flash point for high expectations, past disappointments, and maybe even old resentments to rear […]
Read MoreKatherine and Scott Barnow • December 31, 2022 Dolce Bakery created a traditional wedding cake for Katie and Scott. The beautiful cake was vanilla with vanilla buttercream. The florals were from Good Earth Floral. Photo Credit: Melissa and Beth Photography Kathryn and Jason Blake • April 15, 2023 Kathryn and Jason had a delicious lemon cake with lemon mousse […]
Read MoreKathryn Olivia Hjalmarson and Jason Stephen Blake were united in matrimony at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego, California, on April 15th. The bride is the daughter of Elizabeth and John Hjalmarson of Leawood, Kansas. Her groom is the son of Sharon and Stephen Blake of San Diego. The Blakes were the […]
Read MoreWhen Chelsea Rolfes accidentally came across a big blue envelope from Brilliant Earth in JT Nagle’s backpack, she panicked. She didn’t open it, thank heavens, because she knew that it almost certainly contained a receipt for the engagement ring that she had always dreamed of wearing. It also meant that JT, her partner of seven […]
Read MoreKatasha Catrena Kumar and Caden Alan Jünk were united in matrimony on May 26th at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The bride is the daughter of Linda and Surinder Kumar of Mundelein, Illinois. Her groom is the son of Eva Marie and Mark Jünk of Hays, Kansas. On […]
Read MoreThe third floor of Emery, Bird, Thayer was the site for a May 1937 fashion show featuring everything from beach togs to gardening overalls to bridal dresses, as they were termed. In charge was Murrel “Muriel” Finley Groves (Mrs. R. Dinwiddie Groves), herself a recent bride – and quite possibly the only former Ziegfeld Follies […]
Read MoreSusan Grier Campbell of Mission Hills, Kansas, and Mr. Douglas Edward Campbell of Kansas City, Missouri, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jillian Grier Campbell, to James Henry Helzberg, the son of Dr. and Mrs. John Henry Helzberg of Mission Hills. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Edward […]
Read MoreWedding season is upon us, with brides-to-be eagerly seeking inspiration and the latest styles to create their perfect wedding day look. When it comes to the hottest styles in the world of bridal gowns and makeup, one need not look further than Kansas City’s wedding industry professionals. Nataliya Meyer, the designer behind Lucia’s Sarto Custom […]
Read MoreMay 11th was the date for Hats Off to Mothers, a benefit for Life Unlimited, which was held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The event recognizes mothers who have demonstrated the remarkable ability to balance family life, personal achievement, and service to our community. Lisa Block, Stephanie Freeman, Sandra Lawrence, Laura Perin, Anita Robb, […]
Read MoreMay 1st was the date for Kansas City Young Matrons’ annual Installation Day Tea. Members enjoyed a lovely brunch hosted by Diane Roth. The new president, Mary Katz, was installed, in addition to the board of directors. Long-standing members were recognized, and Bonne Illig received the Honorable Life Membership award. Featured in […]
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