Kathryn 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 […]

When 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 […]

Katasha 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 […]

The 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 […]

Susan 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 […]

Wedding 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 […]

May 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, […]

May 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 […]

September 30th is the date for the National WWI Museum and Memorial’s Night at the Tower. Kimberlee and Erik Bergrud and Katrina and Tom Henke are the event co-chairs. Members of the Bergman Family are the honorary chairs. The evening will be a celebration of everything our treasured Museum and Memorial does for our city. […]

The Belles of The American Royal are pleased to announce the selection of Nancy Freeman Wilkerson as the 2023 BOTAR president. Nancy was a BOTAR Page in 1982, and is a member of the BOTAR class of 1997. She has served on the BOTAR executive committee as the recording secretary in 2008, the vice president […]

What’s Jeff Jaworski’s passion? Advocating for Catholic education. Since 2021, he has been the chair of the Catholic Education Foundation’s board of directors. During his tenure, CEF has been able to reach more students in northeast Kansas and offer more scholarship funds. His efforts don’t stop there – he even served as the co-emcee for […]

The Ben and Betty Zarda 42nd Annual Golf Classic, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on May 15th. More than 130 golfers gathered for the event, which was held at Lake Quivira Country Club. Proceeds support the organization to provide critical food assistance for families during the summer months.   Featured […]

Kris Reeder is serving as the event committee chair for the Chiefs Charity Game, which will benefit MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault). He is also leading the  fundraising efforts during the final year of a three-year partnership with the Hunt Foundation. The event, which will be held on August 26th at Arrowhead Stadium, […]

An executive director plays a less glamorous role in most arts organizations than that of the artistic director, but creative and imaginative thinking is essential to both jobs. Kansas City Ballet’s choice of David Gray as its new executive director was shrewd: The former publicist, arts consultant, and non-profit guru has written screenplays, a novel […]

Fur Ball 2023 – Paws Vegas, a benefit for Wayside Waifs, was held on May 13th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Joann Fuller and Forrest Cook and Margaret and Nick Davis served as the event co-chairs. Gary Lezak reprised his role as emcee – and was honored with the Animal Humanitarian Award. Accompanying Gary […]

Welcome House’s 10th Annual Breakfast brought down the house, while building a new house! Keynote speaker Cris Carter, of NFL fame, delivered a powerful message about his addiction and recovery to the packed house in attendance. Included in the festive morning were a raffle and live auction to play golf with Tom Watson. Welcome House […]

The Jewel Ball Prelude Party officially kicked off the 2023 Jewel Ball season on June 1st at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s Debutantes, Gentlemen of The Jewel Ball, and Escorts were introduced to representatives from the Kansas City Symphony and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, beneficiaries of The Jewel Ball. Guests […]

Kelly Privitera and Jill Ingram Reynolds were the co-hosts for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Spring Luncheon, which was held on May 3rd at Lidia’s Kansas City. The new board was installed, with Mary Beth Gentry, the outgoing president, passing the gavel to Carmen Sabates, the incoming president. Edie Downing and Juliette Singer, Lyric Opera Ball […]

A Benefactor Party for Life Unlimited’s Hats Off to Mothers was held at the beautiful home of Zulema and Terry Bassham. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, delicious fare, and fabulous views of Our Town. The 2023 Honorees, Lisa Block, Stephanie Freeman, Sandra Lawrence, Laura Perin, Anita Robb, Lynda Robertson, CiCi Rojas, Nancy Sachse, and Penny Still, were […]

May 5th was the date for Kansas City Ballet Guild’s annual Spring Luncheon. Cindy Wurm and Craig Sole served as co-chairmen of the festive event, which was held at Oakwood Country Club. Susan Sands and Jeanie Murphy coordinated a fashion show featuring KCB Second Company dancers in ballet costumes. Melissa Ford, Guild president, welcomed the […]

More than 170 supporters of Health Partnership Clinic gathered for its Opening Doors Celebration Luncheon, which was held on April 20th. Christel Bell was the emcee. Steve Loe, Shawnee Mission West High School, and Stephanie Novello, a client, were the featured speakers. This year’s Founders Award was presented to the Johnson County Department of Health […]