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In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider.

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KidsTLC – KidsTLC Open

Shadow 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 […]

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Fountains In Our Town – Firefighters Fountain and Memorial

Generations 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 […]

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Homegrown – Hometown Downtown: A Look At Surrounding Downtown Areas Filled With Character And Charm

Hometown 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 […]

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Toast To Olde Tymes – Paul Gardner

Paul 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 […]

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Crib Note – Jordan Daniel Horigan

Jordan 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 […]

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Spotlight on Centurions – Jen Houston

Jen 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 […]

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Cheers to Volunteers! – The Salvation Army

Sometimes 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 […]

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Fountains In Our Town –  Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain

Henry 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. […]

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2020 Class of Rising Stars Chuck Cuda

Chuck 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, […]

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Congratulations, Emily & Eric!

Emily 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 […]

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Art Scene – Sarah Reed

Sarah 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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Off To College – Class of 2020

Join us in our proud send-off to the Class of 2020. We wish the best to these amazing students as they start their exciting journeys around the country this fall. Reverend Vincent Giacabazi, S.J., Rockhurst High School; Tom Rottinghaus, Luke Rottinghaus, The University of Kansas; Katy Rottinghaus, and David Laughlin, Rockhurst High School   Tyoni […]

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Rachels Read’s – September 2020

“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.” – William H. Gass As I have struggled in the last few months, I have found a new sense of artistic resonance in the genre of memoir. These authors play with words and my sense of the world by blending […]

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Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri – Karen Crnkovich

Karen Crnkovich has been a member of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri for 16 years and is serving as the 2020-21 president. Karen has served on the board of directors for four years and in many other roles, including director of fund development, director of training, board assistant, Holiday Mart co-chairman, and advocacy […]

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Cheers to Volunteers! – Moe Chizari

Teaching math might not be everyone’s idea of happiness, but for Moe Chizari, it’s exactly what the semi-retired accountant and volunteer loves to do. Moe spends his free time working with Literacy KC’s program, High School Equivalency Test preparedness. Giving back motivates Moe to do the work of teaching, and the joy comes when students, […]

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Fifties Freedom In The Village

If you’re driving by 71st Street and Mission Road in Prairie Village, you’ll notice that there’s a new kid in town. He is part of the sculpture Fifties Freedom In The Village. Brad Johnson wanted to honor his bicycle-riding friends, and E.S. Schubert, who is known as Spencer, created the artwork. Both men graduated from […]

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Summer Scrapbook 2020

The residents of Our Town love the summer months, and The Independent delights in sharing their special moments. We are excited to feature many happy celebrations that were held with healthy protocols in place, including masks, social distancing, and temperature taking. Cheers to some Kansas City fun!   Additional photos featured in the September 5, […]

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The Dish With Ann – Marina 27 Steak & Seafood

All of us out at Lake Lotawana have been watching with anticipation the transformation of longtime lakeside eatery, Marina Grog and Galley, into the stunning new Marina 27 Steak & Seafood. (The number 27 stands for how many miles of shoreline are at Lake Lotawana.) Jack Schwindler, who had been a lake resident since his […]

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Congratulations, Madeline & Sam!

Madeline Louise Ledom and Samuel Hurst Logan were united in matrimony on July 18th at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of Lisa and Mark Ledom, Sr. of Prairie Village, Kansas. Madeline is the granddaughter of Richard Boerger of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the late Loretta Boerger, […]

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Homegrown –  Fresh Faced: Glow On!

In sixth grade, I became the proud owner of a bar of Clinique Facial Soap. Between the preteen hormones and frustrating flare-ups, I was forced to focus my attention from playgrounds to pimple control.  Fast forward 20 years, and I am a self-diagnosed product junkie who is known to buy it, try it, and move […]

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Toast To Olde Tymes – Lucy Christie Drage

When Lucy Christie Drage died in September 1965, our scribe wrote: “Gallant was the word for this indomitable woman whose life was touched by an over-abundant share of tragedies. Three generations of localites remember her in distinctly different lights. Courtly gentlemen who were gay blades after the turn of the century recall the beautiful Lucy […]

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