September 24th was the date for Children’s Mercy’s 2022 Dream Big Day. The event was held at Crown Center Square. The festivities  included family-friendly activities, a one mile walk, and a lot of laughter.     Featured in the November 12, 2022 issue of The Independent.

Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph is grateful to have volunteers who help regularly at the organization’s South Serve and Lift Center Pantry on Longview Road. Two of them are Rosie Harrison and Janine Urness. Rosie has a welcoming manner and a calm demeanor, both assets when she calls to remind clients about their pantry […]

Committee members for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Snow Ball recently attended this season’s Kickoff Meeting at Indian Hills Country Club. The guest speakers were Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, and April, a graduate of the organization’s St. Rita program. Pam and Kevin Kramer are serving as the 2023 Snow Ball presidents. The […]

The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center was the site for Kansas City Ballet’s annual Season Launch Party on October 14th. Devon Carney and Jeffrey J. Bentley welcomed guests to the 65th season of Kansas City Ballet. Members of The Bolender Society enjoyed the elegant event, complete with beautiful city skyline views from Benton’s. Afterward, […]

September 29th was the date when members of the Kansas City Ballet Guild gathered at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity to assemble invitations for The Nutcracker Ball, the Guild’s 55th annual gala. The colorful invitations reflect the Ball’s “Land of the Sweets” theme. The festive event will be held on December 3rd […]

The American Royal Livestock Show was held from October 5th through the 23rd. This year, the Junior Premium Livestock Auction took place on October 14th. Colonel Andy White was the auctioneer. He has been honored as the 2016 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, and he is one of only two auctioneers who have won the auction […]

Jessica Barranco and Sherry Duncan served as the co-chairs for The Whole Person’s Night of Independence Awards Gala – The Super Ball. The event was held at the North Club at Arrowhead Stadium on October 1st. Adriana Davalos was the emcee. Anna Sarol, disability content creator and advocate, was celebrated as the Individual of the […]

Caitlin Claire Benson and Broderick Lee Johnson were united in matrimony on June 25th at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of Jennifer and Charley Benson of Leawood, Kansas. Caitlin is the granddaughter of William Kircher of Fairway, Kansas, and the late Susan Kircher, and the late Marilyn […]

September 17th was the date for Night at the Tower, a benefit for The National WWI Museum and Memorial. Ann and Bob Regnier were the honorary chairs, and Tim Van Zandt and Chris Beal and Loren and Tom Whittaker served as the event co-chairs. The festivities included live and silent auctions, which supported the Global […]

September 25th was the date for the 32nd Annual Strutt With Your Mutt. (There was no muttering about the weather – it was a beautiful day!) Proceeds support the rescue and care for the homeless animals at Wayside Waifs.           Featured in the October 29, 2022 issue of The Independent.

Under a Harvest Moon, a benefit for Powell Gardens, was held on September 25th. Cindy Judge and Jay Longbottom were the honorary chairs, with Kristopher Dabner serving as the event chair.  Committee members were David Mertz, Anne Riker Powell, Ruthie Rinehart, Susan Spencer, and Emily Uhlmann Fehsenfeld. Guests enjoyed cocktails, a silent auction, live music, […]

September 17th was the date for Johnson County Library Foundation’s Library Lets Loose event, which was held at the Central Resource Library in Overland Park. Guests were welcomed by Honorary Hosts Senia and Will Shields and the Shawnee Mission South Jazz Band. Partygoers enjoyed a “Let Loose Juice” signature cocktail, delicious bites from local restaurants, […]

More than 350 guests gathered on September 22nd for First Call’s 10th annual Celebration Evening. Laura and Chris Vernaci served as the event chairs. Chef Gregory Gourdet, guest speaker; shared his story of recovery and hope with Lara Moritz and the audience. Guests enjoyed dinner, a live auction, and a client testimonial. Proceeds support the […]

Jim Keller is a longtime volunteer with Pathway To Hope. The organization’s motto, “Because no one should face mental illness alone” resonates with him. A quarter of a century ago, someone close to him died after struggling with bipolar disorder. Jim was the original Night of Hope event coordinator. He guided the gala planning efforts […]

Indian Hills Country Club was the site for Kansas City Ballet Guild’s annual Fall Luncheon, which was held on September 8th. President Melissa Ford greeted the guests, who were treated to a beautiful preview of the upcoming season by members of the Kansas City Ballet Second Company.       Featured in the October 29, […]

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was the site for The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “Royal Gala – Let’s Have a Ball.” Marny and John Sherman were the Ball honorary chairs, and Sue Ann Fagerberg and Ursula Terrasi served as the Ball co-chairs of the September 10th event. The sold-out evening honored Our Town’s […]

Jillian Alexis Mullin and Pedro Henrique Cordeiro were united in matrimony on June 18th at The Simpson House in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of  Georgianna and James L. “Lenny” Mullin II of Lenexa, Kansas. Jillian is the granddaughter of Irene Manuel of Lenexa, and the late Herschel Manuel, and Marla and […]

On September 30th, BOTARs and escorts of the Class of 2022 gathered with BOTAR members for a delightful time at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue. The Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown was the site for The BOTAR Ball, which was held on October 15th. Amy Polen is this year’s BOTAR […]

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gerard Spivak of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Meghan Elizabeth Spivak, to Elijah James Beal, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Michael Beal of Belleville, Illinois. Meghan is a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School. She earned a bachelor of science degree in […]

The Overland Park Convention Center will be the site for the 49th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, on January 21st. The black-tie event will include a cocktail reception, a delicious dinner, and dancing. Marcia and Nelson Newcomer and The Newcomer Family are serving as the honorary presidents, and Pam […]

Kathleen Mary Sullivan and Nicholas Anthony Kolarik were united in matrimony on May 29th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of Lisa and Bill Sullivan of Kansas City. Kathleen is the granddaughter of Kathleen Wirtz of Kansas City and the late John Wirtz and the late […]