Shelly Doucet, Director of Development, University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Education “Shelly’s passion is serving and fundraising for non profits. In her professional and personal time, she is always considering how she can make her community stronger. She constantly sees potential community connections – encouraging cross-collaboration between non profits, philanthropists and businesses.” Jennifer Ingraham, UMKC Foundation […]

Earl Altaire (rhymes with Astaire, as in Fred) began life as Earl Altare, (he later added the “i”), in Our Town on December 27, 1901. At the age of 17, he enrolled in the Georgia Brown Dramatic School. In his first job, Earl displayed a great deal of talent, but not of the theatrical variety […]

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jerome Kopp of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Kopp, to Zachary Wayne Bourquin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Henry Bourquin of Overland Park, Kansas. Maggie and Zach are both graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, and they both earned bachelor’s […]

Last summer, the Kansas City Royals invited Tom Reorda to sit in the Buck O’Neil legacy seat during a game. At a September luncheon, Tom received the Harvesters’ Circle of Hope Award as Hunger Champion – Individual. These are huge honors — what did Tom do to deserve them? The answer: Plenty! Tom first volunteered […]

The 44th Annual Snow Ball was held on January 20th at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event drew more than 2,000 guests, now that’s a blizzard of support! Early in the evening, Snow Ball Presidents Maureen and Mike Bukaty thanked partygoers for their dedication and generosity. Amid this glow of appreciation, everyone enjoyed a […]

It’s the stillness that draws me in.  The winter season is the world without adornment. The trees are bare, the air is chillingly cold and even the green grass has gone dormant. The world seems still as if sleeping under blankets of pristine white snow. For me, the stillness of winter seems to hold all […]

According to Clark Grant, proprietor and executive chef of Hogshead Kansas City; his edgy but elegant restaurant serves tough guy comfort food. It opened this last November in the former California Pizza Kitchen space on the Country Club Plaza (and the original location of the Gilbert-Robinson’s groovy ‘70s hangout, Houlihan’s Old Place). But even though […]

Dr. Annie Yiu-Chu Law of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mr. and Mrs. Philip King Huen Ma of Hong Kong are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Shannon Chi-Yan Ma, to Thomas Coleman Hoffecker, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shawn Hoffecker III of Alexandria, Virginia. Shannon is a graduate of The Walker School […]

Dr. Kathleen Victoria Kilway and Marshall Verne Miller will be united in matrimony at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 30th. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Mrs. James Bernard Kilway of Portage, Michigan, and the late Dr. Kilway. Her groom-elect is the son of the late […]

As a member of Centurions, class of 2019, Jason Webb is supporting the February STEM Task Force and planning the Women’s Leadership Forum, which will be held in early March. The Kansas City Anti Violence Project (KCAVP) is an organization that is important to him, and he serves on its board and the executive committee. […]

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Robert Klee of Lenexa, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Alyssa Rachel Klee, to Gregory Michael Graves, Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Michael Graves of Stilwell, Kansas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Robert William Klee of Shawnee, Kansas, and the late Mr. […]

Much merriment ensued at the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ Community Ball and Cotillion, which was held on December 2nd at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 64 high school students, seniors and juniors all. In addition, there was a gourmet dinner, and dancing. Monica […]

Folly Theater hosted its third annual Folly Frolic on December 6th. This year’s theme was “The Folly Went Country, ” and country duo Walker McGuire was the featured performer. Guests enjoyed a mix of old and new country music in the C. Stephen Metzler Hall at the Folly Theater. Mark Seely and Chris Benner were […]

Grand Street was the lovely setting for Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Luncheon on December 14th. Guests enjoyed fabulous fare and festive table décor. Gigi Rose is serving as the Guild president. Trainee Dancer Madeline Wittmann, KCB II Dancer Gavin Abercrombie, Francie Mayer, and Sharon Soetaert   Traditional nutcrackers were displayed on every table.   […]

Truman Library Institute’s Wild About Harry event will be held on April 19th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize-winning Truman biographer, will be the featured guest. He will receive the 2018 Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award. Jo Ann and Bill Sullivan are the honorary chairmen, […]

Sue and Lewis Nerman have been championing the Kansas City Art Institute for many years. Most recently, the couple served as honorary chairmen of the 2017 Art & Design Auction, where more than $500,000 was raised for student scholarships. As a board member, Sue serves as an advocate for the college and her passion for […]

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Williams III of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Alexandra Koegel Williams, to Gregory Glenn Rasby, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Rasby of Columbus, Nebraska. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Joseph C. Williams, Jr. of Mission Hills, Kansas, and the late […]

Continued from the December 16, 2017 issue A previous article discussed the jet-set lives of Ruth Minor Koppang and Henry Koppang, whose passports must have brought new meaning to the term stamp collection. Ruth was a portrait painter, and Henry was vice president of the Federal Reserve’s Kansas City branch for many years. They were […]

The Grand Hall at Power & Light was the site of Rightfully Sewn’s inaugural fashion event, the Golden Gala, on December 2nd. The evening featured sumptuous cuisine by Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions, a performance by Crystal Rose, the tunes of DJ Sheppa, and a coffee and dessert bar. Isabella Emmack received the first Internationally-Acclaimed Fashion […]

Indian Hills Country Club members celebrated the holiday season with three special events. The Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon, the Men’s Christmas Luncheon and the annual dinner and dance, the Jingle Ball, were all held in December. Mike and Sally Steckler at the Jingle Ball   Richard McEachen, Tom Ward and Chuck Wells at the Men’s Christmas […]

April 12th is the date for Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation’s third annual White Coat Gala, which will “Illuminate Kansas City’s Healers and Heroes.” The festivities will be held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Live music, a cocktail hour and dining are merely the beginning of the fun. There will […]