Kelsey Rockey is in her second year as a Centurion, where she has served as the co-chairman of the recruiting committee, is on the retreat committee, and will serve with the Healthcare Task Force later this year. Kelsey is the director of account services at Parris Communications. She has given her time and talent to […]
Read MoreThe Unity Village campus was the setting for Jackson County CASA’s 15th Annual CARnival for CASA, which was held on September 13th. From their vehicles, families could enjoy the spirit of a parade, along with jugglers, a dance troupe, exotic birds and reptiles, and more. Susie and John Newsam were the honorary chairmen. Also […]
Read MoreChristy and Bill Gautreaux and Mary and Mark Jorgenson were the co-chairmen for The National World War I Museum and Memorial’s Night at the Tower on September 12th. The sixth annual gala moved from the tower to homes across the region, where guests at nearly 250 households enjoyed a private broadcast. The stream of entertainment […]
Read MoreThe guiding principles of Thelma’s Kitchen are dignity, community, and advocacy, according to Kyle Smith, social innovations and marketing director. It is a non profit and was inspired by Thelma Gardner. She met her husband, David Altschul, who, at the time, was selling insurance and bringing food and assisting families at LaSalle Apartments, where Thelma […]
Read MoreWe really don’t mean to sound like old fuddy-duddies, but in all probability, we will be judged as such. Stay with us as we explain how we’ve transformed ourselves into cool, hip, enlightened middle-agers. We never expected halls of indoor graffiti to make our hearts sing. We’ll get to the “why” in a minute, but […]
Read MoreAs we have entered a new season with new demands on our time, sometimes the most satisfying feeling is sitting down and devouring an entire book in one sitting. It might be rare to find the time for some uninterrupted binge reading, but below is a selection of recent releases that are all short enough […]
Read MoreIn his second year as a Centurion, Greg Moore has served on the diversity equity inclusion committee, the Sports, Park, and Recreation Task Force, and the steering committee. Professionally, this sports enthusiast has been with the Kansas City Royals’ marketing department, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Pro Athlete, before his current position as COO of Charlie […]
Read MoreAugust 24th was the date for the 39th Annual Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic. The event, which was held at Lake Quivira Country Club, supported Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Honoring the late Betty and Ben Zarda, 120 golfers raised more than $160,000 for Catholic Charities’ summer food initiatives, including the Kids Summer […]
Read MoreFancy footwork was imperative as Cristo Rey Kansas City’s annual fundraiser, Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, made the switch to a live-streamed event. The honorary chairman was David Johnson, with Julisha Wilkins and Justina Wilkins, Cristo Rey alumnae and seniors at the University of Missouri – Columbia, as honorary co-chairmen. Kathleen Couchonnal, Kathleen Callahan, […]
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 3, 2020 issue of The Independent
Read MoreShadow Glen Golf Course was the site for the KidsTLC Open. The event was held on August 17th and featured libations, food stations, and unique games. Players safely hit the links at staggered, assigned tee times, and enjoyed a beautiful day of golf. Proceeds support services that help children deal with the challenges of mental […]
Read MoreGenerations of Kansas Citians would agree that a firefighter’s memorial was an excellent idea. It took a considerable amount of time to create one, but the finished product was well worth the wait. Discussions for a firefighter’s memorial began in earnest in 1968. The city government was receptive to the idea. Mayor Ilus Davis agreed […]
Read MoreHometown pride is an ear-perking topic. When I hear my hometown come up in conversation, I perk up and dive deep with Prairie Village pride. I have a passion for my community, because, like so many of us, my hometown is a part of my story. I do love my little bubble, but if there […]
Read MorePaul Gardner arrived in Our Town early in 1932. At that time, he was the assistant to the Trustees of the William Rockhill Nelson Trust. Paul took up residence at the Sophian Plaza, across the street from the site where the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art and Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts (later […]
Read MoreJordan Daniel Horigan will celebrate future cakedates on February 28th. He is the son of Kelley Smith Horigan and Cole Horigan of Prairie Village, Kansas. Jordan’s thrilled grandparents are Sandee and Greg Smith of Mission Hills, Kansas, and Karen and Pat Horigan of Frankfort, Kansas. This darling boy has blue eyes and brown hair. Jordan […]
Read MoreJen Houston is a senior vice president and community relations manager for UMB Financial Corporation. As a member of Centurions, Jen is the chairman for the Centurions’ Spring Cohort’s Environmentalism Task Force, and she has served on the steering committee. Jen has a bachelor of journalism degree and a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish […]
Read MoreSometimes the simple solution is the best one. The Salvation Army relies on a multitude of bell ringers stationed beside their signature red kettles for fundraising. Last year, volunteers spent more than 5,000 hours ringing bells. The sound of the bells draws attention to the kettles, and attracts passersby to donate their change – and […]
Read MoreHenry Wollman Bloch was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in July 1922. He was the son of Hortense Bienenstok Bloch and Leon Bloch. Henry and his brothers, Leon and Richard, were great-grandsons of Betty Kohn Wollman and Jonas Wollman, who was a prominent merchant in Leavenworth, Kansas, during the latter half of the 19th century. […]
Read MoreChuck Cuda is a principal/broker at Opes Commercial Real Estate. He is on the board of trustees of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Mid-America Chapter. Chuck has served as a member of the Light the Night executive leadership committee and was chairman of the event in 2018. Chuck organized his own event, Green Tie Gala, […]
Read MoreEmily Catherine Kerr and Eric Samuel Lund were united in matrimony on August 8th in Vail, Colorado. The bride is the daughter of Cathy and Matt Kerr of Leawood, Kansas. Emily is the granddaughter of Eugenia Cartmell Hovey and Robert Hovey of Mission Hills, Kansas, and the late Philip Martin Cartmell, Jr., and James Kerr […]
Read MoreSarah Reed grew up in a small town near Detroit, Michigan. Her father was her first inspiration, and she considers him the best artist that she knew growing up. “He taught me how to draw and what to look for when I create something, like what shapes make up an object and how different colors […]
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