Truman Library Institute’s Wild About Harry event was held on April 28th. The spy-themed event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). William J. Burns, director of the CIA, was honored with the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award. Jeffrey Frank was the keynote speaker. Deanne Porter and Patrick Ottensmeyer were […]
Read MoreFrank Fitzhugh Buckner Houston (as an adult, he pronounced his last name “Hewston,” although his brother Sid, a newspaperman, preferred “Howston”) was born in December 1899, near the tail end of the 19th century. He was a native of Mexico, Missouri. His father was Algernon Sidney Houston, a lumberman much involved in Masonic activities. His […]
Read MoreThe University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation’s An Evening of Appreciation was held on April 30th in Warrensburg, Missouri. At the event, 16 donors were inducted into the Founder’s Society, and four were honored with the UCM Founding Philanthropist Award. Featured in the May 28, 2022 issue of The Independent.
Read MoreThe Overland Park Convention Center was the site for Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Books & Boutiques event. Sarah Smarsh, New York Times best-selling author, was the featured speaker. Proceeds from the event support Saint Luke’s South Hospital’s cardiovascular program. Featured in the May 28, 2022 issue of The Independent.
Read MoreThe lovely home of Tina and Jeff Montgomery was the site for the Patrons’ Party for Kansas City Young Matrons’ 2022 Magic Ball. Anne Keil and Debbie Westlund served as co-chairmen for the April 28th event. The 2022 Magic Ball, which was held on April 30th, was a benefit for Sheffield Place. Ben McAnany and […]
Read MoreBoulevard Brewing Company was the site for Brew for Books, a benefit for The Family Conservancy, on April 21st. Amid much merriment, 300 books were collected. This will help promote early literacy for at-risk children in Our Town. Featured in the May 28, 2022 issue of The Independent.
Read MoreLoews Kansas City Hotel was the site for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball 2022, “Una Notte a Roma.” Gigi Rose served as chairman of the April 9th event. Cocktails, a silent auction, and dinner (served in courses, as in Rome) were on the agenda. There were performances by resident artists from the Lyric […]
Read MoreDonna Jacobson has devoted the last 13 years to volunteering for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. With her background in social work, she gravitated towards helping the families of sick children navigate the difficult world they were entering. Donna has been a housewarmer volunteer, a house dog walker, a special events volunteer, and, […]
Read MoreApril 2nd was the date for the 16th annual Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, a benefit for Cristo Rey Kansas City, which was held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Christina Ricci and Matt Sharples were the honorary co-chairmen, and Susan Spencer and Julie Towner served as the co-chairmen. This year’s […]
Read MoreA record number of seven endowed positions were awarded at the 2022 Investiture Ceremony at Children’s Mercy on April 13th. Dr. Denise Bratcher was the recipient of the Dr. Sidney F. Pakula Endowed Chair in Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Mark A. Clements was awarded the Rick and Cathy Baier Family Endowed Chair in Endocrinology. Dr. […]
Read MoreKeith Stanfield is a multi-faceted leader with a passion for engaging with his community and providing opportunities for others to experience the power of music. This talented, accomplished, and classically trained violinist is the artistic executive director of the Opus 76 Quartet, concertmaster of the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and the Kinnor Philharmonic Orchestra, and […]
Read More“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” – Mark Twain Between the popularity of Wordle and other word games, thoughts about words have been constantly percolating in the back of my mind. On a recent trip to New York, I popped […]
Read MoreMary Jane Young Barnes (Mrs. Bryant Page Barnes) is serving as the honorary chairman of the 2022 Jewel Ball. She was the chairman of the 1995 Jewel Ball, following in the footsteps of her mother-in-law Margaret Ott Barnes (Mrs. Frederic Page Barnes), who headed the event in 1958. Originally from Illinois, Mary Jane attended Northwestern […]
Read MoreThe Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center was the site of Jackson County CASA’s 22nd annual Light of Hope Breakfast. Nearly 700 guests gathered for the event, which was held on April 13th. Leigh and Tyler Nottberg were the honorary chairmen. The keynote speaker was Brittney Daniels. The Sunderland Foundation was honored with the […]
Read MoreThe beautiful home of Dan Meiners and David Brinkerhoff was the site for the Benefactor Party for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma.” Regina Kort was the chairman for the cocktail reception, which was held on April 7th. Gigi Rose was the chairman of the Ball, which took place on […]
Read MoreSteve Denny is a wonderful volunteer for Jackson County CASA. He visits the children and is a great resource for many older youth. Steve also helps with and attends the events for CASA volunteers. Elizabeth Lee, Jackson County CASA; said, “Steve is always willing to teach, mentor, and give lessons to older youth on changing […]
Read MoreWinter weather in January? That’s nothing new. Winter twins in January? Tell us more! Charlotte Elizabeth Winter and Benjamin Lawrence Winter were born on January 25th. They are the children of Pamela Ganer Winter and Richard Winter of Overland Park, Kansas. Charlotte weighed five pounds, one ounce, and was 18 inches long. Benjamin weighed four […]
Read MoreThe Honorable and Mrs. Brian Todd Fenimore of Our Town are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Dr. Rachel McCoy Fenimore, to Kurt Andrew Murray, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Murray of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Charles Linthacum of Bethany, Missouri, and the […]
Read MoreWanda Młynarski Labunski and Wiktor Labunski came to Our Town with their two sons in 1937, 17 years after their marriage and nine years after they arrived in The United States. For the couple and many of their relatives, the desire to lead a life focused on music and culture was overshadowed by the wars […]
Read MoreArvest Bank Theatre at The Midland was the site for Notre Dame de Sion’s 36th Annual Gala Auction. The Mardi Gras-themed event featured a three-course dinner, silent and live auctions, a raffle, and dancing to the tunes of the Ernest James Zydeco Band. Bryonha Marie Parham ‘03, a successful actress and singer who has performed […]
Read MoreRachel Rindner started volunteering at a young age. She was only eight years old when she served as a peer model at Camp Determination, an overnight camp for youths with autism. Kelly Lee, who directed the camp, was impressed by Rachel’s “sweet nature, sensitivity, and kindness.” When Kelly founded Camp Encourage, Rachel was eager to […]
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