The Hands & Hearts for Children Auxilary hosted the 15th Annual Red Hot Night Gala, a benefit for Children’s Mercy, in the Kay Barnes Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center on February 16th. Lisa and Barry Ginter and Jill and Ray Kowalik served as the honorary co-chairmen. Suzy Hall and Diane Gallagher were the […]

The 32nd Anniversary Cabaret, a tune-filled evening for a good cause, was held on March 3rd at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. The Atlantic City Boys wowed the audience at the benefit for Rose Brooks Center. Proceeds will be used to help end violence toward thousands of families and their pets. Mary […]

February 27th was the night for Shawnee Mission Education Foundation’s annual Donor Recognition Dinner. Students from the Shawnee Mission Culinary Arts Signature Program prepared the repast, which was held at the Broadmoor Bistro in the new Center for Academic Achievement. Dick McEachen with Barbara and Fred Schoell   Culinary Students Reis Miller and Baylie Harwick […]

The 37th annual Sunflower House Valentine Gala zoomed off to the Monaco Grand Prix! The Overland Park Convention Center was transformed into the lavish streets and bays of Monaco as guests cheered on tiny Formula One racers. Jacie and Justin Gunter served as the chairmen, and Frank Koranda, Jr. received the Lionheart Award. Cassie Tucker, […]

Ann Walter, who is a realtor with Re/Max Infinity, has always made it her goal to donate $25,000 to local, deserving non profits. Last year, she was at a conference, and two of her friends shared about giving circles that they had started in their respective communities. “I knew this idea would be the perfect […]

Dolly Wood, 2017 Class of Rising Stars, is an adjunct professor for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Metropolitan Community College. She was a committee member for Champagne & Chocolate in 2018. Event proceeds supported Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care. Dolly also is a sustainer in the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, and was […]

Bradford Hart is a member of the Centurions Fall Class of 2019 and is co-chairman of the community leadership committee. He is the senior program officer and safety net co-lead at Health Forward Foundation. Bradford volunteers at Briarwood Elementary School, the Johnson County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and the Kansas City Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity […]

Mr. Bernard James Shondell of Kansas City, Missouri, is pleased to announce the engagement of his daughter, Allison Marie Shondell, to Robert Reid Robson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dean Robson of Prairie Village, Kansas. The bride-to-be is also the daughter of the late Ann Marie Shondell. Allie is the granddaughter of Mr. […]

February 28th was a big day for ArtsKC Regional Arts Council: a celebration of its 20th anniversary with the Annual Awards Luncheon. Nate Orr and Richard Wetzel served as co-chairmen for the event, which was held at the Kay Barnes Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Shirley Bush Helzberg, Joan Israelite, Janice Kreamer, Henry […]

Jennifer Savner Levinson is a suicide attempt survivor who works diligently everyday to maintain a healthy quality of life. There is not a day that is not a struggle for her. It is because of her personal experiences that she is passionate about trying to help others, especially young people and their families, who have […]

Molybdenum. That’s probably not what you first think of when The Independent magazine is mentioned. Here’s the story. Nearly 20 years ago, our scribe interviewed the chief executive officer of a local company involved in mining and minerals. After the article ran, the executive received a call: Would he be interested in partnering in a […]

Rick Mullins, executive chef at Café Sebastienne at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, got into cooking by default “I was working in bars throughout my ‘20s, living close to the edge. I really didn’t start professionally until I was 31. By then, I was sober and more mature mentally. It was easier for me to […]

Mr. and Mrs. William Edward Quirk of Kansas City, Missouri, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathleen Stanton Quirk, to Conrad James Scoville, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Scoville of London, England. The bride-to-be is a graduate of The Pembroke Hill School and was a Jewel Ball debutante in […]

In earlier years, David Powell was a Wildwood camper. He wants other young people in Our Town to have the experiences he enjoyed. David joined the board of Wildwood Outdoor Education Center in 2013. Since then, David has served as board treasurer, secretary, and president. He has provided financial savvy during a time of growth […]

Lauren Palmer is a member of Centurions Fall Class of 2019. She serves on the legacy committee and has been co-chairman of a Task Force on law and justice. Lauren is employed as the director of local government services for the Mid-America Regional Council. She serves on the advisory cabinet of Women United, which is […]

The InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza was the beautiful setting for Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s Romantic Revels Masked Ball on February 16th. Bev and Erik Elving served as the honorary chairmen of the event that featured a sword fight in the middle of the dance floor! Dan Bukovac was honored with The Founder’s […]

The Women’s Sports Awards Celebration kicked off WIN for KC’s 25th anniversary celebration. The February 8th event was held at the Kansas City Convention Center. Carrie Fry Robinson, Sania Cay, Jackie Frost, Bernadette Wagner, Tatsiana Khvitsko, and 15 former WIN for KC board chairmen were honored for their huge impact on women and girls in […]

The 12th annual Challenge Your Fashion gala was held on January 26th. Guests enjoyed a fashion show with sports celebrities and YMCA Challenger athletes, cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, a live auction hosted by The Nigro Brothers, and live music by Dolewite. Jennifer and Rex Hudler served as the chairmen. The event was a benefit […]

Book lovers know the power of a great book. They know that inside those magical pages lies a story that can change lives. As Charles W. Eliot said, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Books allow readers to paint […]

This month, Meagan Dowell  is opening her own business, On the Ball, an upscale daycare and boarding center for dogs in The Shops at Prairie Village. This is a big change for Meagan, who is a certified public accountant. Even with a daunting work schedule, the Rising Star, Class of 2017, has always found time […]

Mary Beth Bavitz and Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Bruce Bavitz, all of Lincoln, Nebraska, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Bavitz, to Peter James Fields, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip James Fields of Westwood, Kansas. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Lincoln East High School. She earned a […]