October 23rd is the date for the annual Night Out With MOCSA Cocktail Party and Auction, a benefit for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. Lindsey Anderson, Melanie Gaona, Susan Hoppe, Jamie Howard, Stacey McLey, Deana Werkowitch, and Danielle Willmore, all members of the Crestwood Women’s Network, are serving as the honorary co-chairmen for […]

Artist and athlete – not usually two descriptions seen in tandem. Kati Toivanen is unique in many ways, not the least of which are her two compelling passions. Born and raised in Finland, Kati earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and her master of fine arts degree from […]

Philanthropy is more than a concept to Jessica James, it is a core value that she embodies in all that she does. As a child, Jessica excelled in school and her inquisitive and innovative nature set the stage for her future roles in the culinary arts. Since she was not encouraged to go to college, […]

The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens was the place for Stems: A Garden Soirée. Anne and Wayne Byrd served as the honorary chairmen. The June 26th event benefited The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park and its support of the Arboretum, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, and public arts projects in the City of […]

Abby Michele Shapiro and James Farley Gibson were united in matrimony at Union Station Kansas City on July 10th. The bride is the daughter of Jill and David Shapiro of Overland Park, Kansas. Her grandparents are Sharon and Mel Spiegelglass of Chesterfield, Missouri, the late Marlene Shapiro, and the late Jay Shapiro. Her groom is […]

Located on the edge of the greens of Canyon Farms Golf Club in Lenexa, Silo Modern Farmhouse, a restaurant within a clubhouse, was just the dinner staycation we’ve been looking for. Just off the interstate, this pastorally beautiful location could be out in the Flint Hills, but it’s much more convenient. The old brick silo […]

What do Dan Brown, Michael Crichton, and Stieg Larsson have in common? They have all written books that are considered techno thrillers.What exactly is a techno thriller? It is a literary genre that combines two others into one: science fiction and thrillers. It takes the best of science fiction, a world without limits, and pairs […]

Denise Dibben and Kristen Whalen are serving as co-chairmen of Starry Night at Starlight. The event, which will be held on September 11th at Starlight Theatre, will pay homage to an inaugural class of All-Stars, known for charitable endeavors in Our Town, plus an honorary All-Star. The fun will include tickets to a performance of […]

The KC Shepherd’s Center fourth annual 70 Over 70 Awards Celebration will be held virtually on November 4th. SuEllen Fried and Bert Berkley will serve as the honorary co-chairmen as 70 honorees who are all more than 70 years of age are recognized for their significant contributions and achievements in Kansas City. RAlso featured in […]

Dr. Mark T. Fisher, the late Mona Randolph, the City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation, and Worcester Investments will be honored at The Whole Person’s Night of Independence Awards Gala – An Evening in Paris. Jennifer Salva and Logan Weed are co-chairmen of the event, which will be held on September 24th at […]

A darling baby boy named Whitney James Robson was born on May 15th to Allison Shondell Robson and Robert Reid Robson of Prairie Village, Kansas. The blue-eyed, brown-haired baby boy weighed seven pounds, five ounces, and was 19 inches long. Whit is the first grandchild for Bernard Shondell and the late Ann Marie Shondell and […]

Stork sighting in London, England! Anna Linnea Porter and Troy Porter are the delighted parents of Deia Leigh Porter, who was born on April 26th. The blue-eyed brunette weighed seven pounds, three ounces, and was 22 inches long. Willa Linnea Porter, who is two and one-half years old, is the baby’s big sister. Delighted grandparents […]

The Rent Party Kickoff Event for Community LINC was held recently at the lovely home of Christine and Sandy Kemper. The organization is focused on ending homelessness for this generation and the next. Peggy and Terry Dunn, the 2021 Hometown Heroes, were among the guests, as were past honorees, board members, and friends of the […]

September 18th is the date for the seventh annual Night at the Tower, a benefit for the National World War I Museum and Memorial, which will be held as a virtual event. Members of the Rowland Family will be the honorary co-chairmen; the late Landon Rowland was a trustee and devoted supporter of the organization. […]

Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Reception for the opening of the new JA BizTown on June 10th at the JAKC Youth Learning Lab in the Northwood Shopping Center. JA BizTown immerses students in fourth through sixth grades in a simulated economy where they practice crucial real-world skills and […]

Cristo Rey Kansas City’s 15th Annual Dancing with the Kansas City Stars was held on June 26th. Kathleen Couchonnal and Melissa Skeens were the co-chairmen, and Kristi and Larkin O’Keefe served as the honorary chairmen. Guests enjoyed an all-star dance competition that featured Nick Durand, Phil Glynn, Mike Jackson, Mary Haggerty Kroening, Kate O’Keefe, Julie […]

Bradette Groves and Lisa Tucker were the co-chairmen for Family Health Care’s 10th Anniversary Tacos & Beer on the Boulevard on June 10th. The sold-out event was hosted by Boulevard Brewing Company. Guests enjoyed the musical stylings of DJ Billy Santoro, as well as a silent auction and a raffle. Proceeds support Family Health Care, […]

Deer Creek Golf Club was the site for the Folly Golf Classic, which was held on June 18th. Alex Solorio served as the chairman.       Also featured in the August 7, 2021 issue of The Independent Photo credit: Markline Tournament Photography

We recently returned from a fabulous trip to Napa Valley where we sipped wine and soaked up the sunshine while learning to appreciate the art of winemaking. We listened to many winemakers’ success stories of growing the grapes, and I loved hearing each unique journey to where they are today. The wine drinking wasn’t half […]

Dr. and Mrs. Douglas L. Nelson of Mission Hills, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristen Adele Nelson, to Ryan Matthew Turner, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Michael Turner of Tacoma, Washington. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. H. D. Hale of Overland Park, Kansas, and the late […]

A bouncing baby boy named Wyatt Timothy Sorenson was born on April 2nd to Alexandra and Christopher Sorenson of Prairie Village, Kansas. Wyatt has blue eyes and black hair. He weighed eight pounds, two ounces, and was 21 and one-half inches long. Wyatt’s delighted grandparents are Christie Geier-Pratt and Timothy Pratt and Susan and Mark […]