August 28th was the date for The Farmer’s House’s Peace, Love & Happiness Virtual Tour and Auction. Guests sported their favorite groovy attire and gathered at fun watch parties around Our Town. Signature Party hosts included Peaches and David Cunningham, Dr. Michele Kilo and Blake Mathews at Chicken N Pickle, and Suzanne and Alan Zimmerman […]
Read MoreThe Symphony Ball Benefactors’ Party was held on September 9th at the beautiful home of Tennille and Jason Adkins. Guests enjoyed cocktails, delicious cuisine, and wonderful music from the Kansas City Symphony. The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “Stardust,” was held on September 11th. Marylou Turner was the Ball honorary chairman, and Melanie Fenske served as […]
Read MoreThe Kansas City Marriott Downtown was the site for the 3rd Annual Green Tie Gala, which was held on August 14th. This year’s honoree was the late Dan Dykstra. Guests enjoyed cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner, and music from Montage. The event was founded by Chuck Cuda in honor of his father, Ben Cuda. […]
Read MoreContemporary comfort food with a creative flair, convenience in Prairie Village, and local owners – what’s not to love? Scratch Gourmet Express and Catering is the newest, and possibly most popular, neighbor in beloved PV. Occupying a space that has held everything from The Jones Store to Einstein Bagels, this adorable corner enclave is home […]
Read MoreThe Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Fall Luncheon was held on September 16th at the Hilton President Kansas City. Guild President Peggy Beal, Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet, and Karen Yungmeyer, Nutcracker Ball co-chairman, shared remarks. Members and guests enjoyed a delicious luncheon and a performance by the KCB II dancers. Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet […]
Read MoreSeptember 19th was the date for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas’ Mothers’ Tea, which was held at Lake Quivira Country Club. The mothers who gathered represented students from 22 area high schools who will be debutantes and escorts at the 71st Community Ball and Cotillion on December 4th. Laurel Thomas […]
Read MoreDeanna DiSalvo is known for running marathons, but her stamina extends well beyond her races. Her tremendous focus and endurance manifest in her volunteerism and her on-going commitment to several causes in Kansas City. Deanna began her work in philanthropy in a simple way; she wanted to connect with other young professionals. When asked to […]
Read MoreMargaret Rose Snively is the new baby at the home of Amy Blair Snively and Matthew Snively in Our Town. That means that 18-month-old CeCe Snively is a big sister! Mags was born on August 26th. She was 20 and one-half inches long and weighed seven pounds, 12 ounces. Mags has light blue eyes with […]
Read MoreKansas Speedway was the site for The World Series of Barbecue on September 17th and 18th. The event is the American Royal Association’s largest fundraiser, which supports the organization’s mission of impacting youth in agriculture through competitive events, scholarships, and education. Was there a big turnout? We’ll sure say so – 475 open teams, 185 […]
Read MoreIn the Directors of Philanthropy issue, The Independent celebrates the remarkable people in Our Town who donate so much of their time and talents to charitable organizations. Also featured in the October 2, 2021 Signature Issue
Read More“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble.” – William Shakespeare’s Macbeth The temperature is finally dropping, the nights are getting longer, and fall has finally arrived. While autumn may be associated with the beautiful array of colors as the leaves change, and pumpkin spice in everything, it really heralds the arrival of […]
Read MoreNovember 13th is the date for Newhouse’s Imagine a Day Gala. Terri and Phil Thomas are the honorary chairmen, and Moira Holland is serving as the chairman. Guests may choose to join the festivities at Loews Kansas City Hotel or attend virtually. Gabriella Pagan will be the keynote speaker, with Darren Story serving as the […]
Read MoreEllen Jurden Hockaday is serving as the honorary chairman of the 2021 Jewel Ball. Ellen is a member of an extended family known for philanthropy and accomplishments. Her maternal grandparents, Dr. Emma Arabella Thompson and Dr. Oscar N. Thompson, were physicians in Breckenridge, Missouri, and Emma was honored as the 1949 Missouri State Mother. Ellen’s […]
Read MoreLoews Kansas City Hotel will be the site for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma,” which will be held on April 9th. Proceeds from the event are earmarked for the upcoming production of Tosca. Partygoers will enjoy a silent auction, dinner, dancing, and beautiful decor which will feature elements reminiscent […]
Read MoreAre you as big a fan of Humphrey Bogart as we are? Is The Big Sleep one of your favorite films? In the movie, which is based on the book by Raymond Chandler, the elderly General Sternwood (Charles Waldron) sends for Phillip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart), a private detective, because he is being blackmailed – again […]
Read MoreCaroline Patricia Kelly and John Austin Inderman were married on May 29th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The bride is the daughter of Maureen and Bill Berkley of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jennifer Doebler and Pat Kelly of Berkeley, California. Caroline is the granddaughter of the late Mary Ellen and John Kelly, Jane Kelly […]
Read MoreA bouncing baby boy named Dean Alexander Johnston was born on July 15th to Amy and Kirk Johnston of Roeland Park, Kansas. The blue-eyed, brown-haired boy weighed five pounds, 10 ounces, and was 18 inches long. His proud grandparents are Jill and Marshall Dean of Our Town and Lorraine and Garth Johnston of Northern Ireland, […]
Read MoreMembers of the Kansas City Ballet Guild, along with Kansas City Ballet dancers and staff members, enjoyed a Kick Off Party to celebrate the Ballet’s 2021-2022 season. The August 29th festivities, which were held at Lidia’s, included remarks by Peggy Beal, Guild president, and Jeffrey J. Bentley and Devon Carney, both with Kansas City Ballet, […]
Read MoreMr. and Mrs. Robert Hunter of Prairie Village, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Sue Hunter, to Hayden Merritt, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Link of Garner, North Carolina, and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Merritt of Wichita, Kansas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Byron Duncan of […]
Read MoreMetropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) has been chosen as the beneficiary of the Chiefs Charity Game for the next three years. The 2021 game was held on August 27th at Arrowhead Stadium. MOCSA’s mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault and to prevent sexual violence in […]
Read MoreNovember 12th is the date for UMKC Conservatory’s Crescendo Gala 2021. The evening, which will be held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, will be a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the event. Honorary Chairmen Mary Kay and Charles Horner bring a long, familial testament of support for the Conservatory, and this […]
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