Peggy and Terry Dunn were the honorary chairmen, and Dalene Bradford and Nancy Thiessen served as co-chairmen of UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance’s Crescendo 2017.  More than 1,100 guests enjoyed the November 10th event at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Proceeds support student scholarships. Doug DuBois, Marjean Brooks, Dalene Bradford, co-chairman; and […]

November 10th was the date for Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ St. Martin of Tours Mass and Reception. The event recognized supporters of Catholic Charities’ annual Snow Ball, to be held on January 20th at the Overland Park Convention Center. More than 130 guests enjoyed a Mass celebration at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic […]

There’s a new little miss at the home of Alison Hebenstreit Armistead and Hunter Westwood Armistead – and her parents couldn’t be more thrilled! Clare Corson Armistead will celebrate future cakedates on September 12th. She is named for her paternal great-grandmother, Clare Corson Armistead of Nashville, Tennessee. This darling baby has blue eyes and sandy […]

Julie Iodice and Mr. Jerry Iodice, both of Southbury, Connecticut, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Danielle Filomena Iodice, to Daniel Edward Miller, the son of Mr. Marshall V. Miller of Our Town and the late Mrs. Janet Meyer Miller. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph […]

Ruth and Henry Koppang were among the most glamorous of the jet-setters whose activities were of interest to the readers of The Independent more than 50 years ago. At that time, international air travel was, in a word, romantic – and the Koppangs made the most of their adventures.  Henry was born in 1899 in […]

Some might say there are advantages to being the only actor in a play. You wield complete control over the pacing, you don’t have to worry about other players forgetting their lines, and in the case of most one-person shows, the action is finished in 90 minutes and you might even get to a restaurant before the […]

The Roaring Twenties came to life at ReDiscover’s Take A Bite out of Stigma event on November 3rd at The Gallery Event Space. More than 370 guests celebrated the speakeasy theme, complete with food tastings from area restaurants, silent and live auctions and entertainment by The Dave Stephens Band. Shirley Fearon, founder; was honored. Proceeds […]

The Kemper Gala 2017, “Carnival Havana,” celebrated the exciting food, music and culture of the Caribbean on October 21st. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, delicious fare from Café Sebastienne and entertainment. Trudy and John Jacobson were the honorary chairmen, Keely Edgington, Kim Klein and Dolly Wood served as the co-chairmen and Karen and Jack Holland are the […]

United Way of Greater Kansas City’s Tocqueville Society has been busy recently with two exciting events. The Tocqueville Society’s Fall Reception was held at Fishtech, and Liz and Paul Uhlmann’s beautiful home was the setting for a gathering of some new CEOs in town to honor new entrepreneurs. Members of The Tocqueville Society create action […]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  As I typed that, I couldn’t help but sing the words in my head. It seems that as soon as Thanksgiving passes, the holiday season is also roaring past. Lights and decorations go up as everyone seems to rush to get their shopping completed. For me though, […]

A slice of swingin’ London has fluttered and landed on the Country Club Plaza in the guise of The Monarch Cocktail Bar & Lounge. The place itself is luscious eye candy, designed by architect and designer David Manica, with a large glowing white bar in the middle, surrounded by high white stools and benches, with […]

A darling baby girl named Cameron Leigh Collins was born on July 7th to Monica and David Collins of Denver, Colorado. Cameron has blue-green eyes and brown hair and weighed eight pounds. She joins her big brother, Thomas Rivers Collins, age two. Cameron’s proud grandparents are Drs. Susan and Charles Porter of Our Town and […]

Anna Linnea Freedenfeld and Troy Thomas Porter were united in matrimony on July 8th at the Triple S Ranch in Calistoga, California. The bride is the daughter of Linnea Borg and Mr. Kevin McLaughlin of Essex, Massachusetts. Anna is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Karl Borg. Her groom is the son of […]

Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) held its 14th annual Johnson County Fall Forum at the Overland Park Sheraton on October 20th. Laura and Spence Fitzgibbons were the honorary chairmen, and Kristin Wing and Kathy Woodward served as co-chairmen. The Luncheon featured MOCSA’s Johnson County School District panel discussion on the Green Dot program […]

On October 14th, the Thompson Classic Car Collection went on the auction block at the Overland Park Convention Center. The collection is the result of Frank Thompson’s life-long passion for collecting classic and rare automobiles. The evening prior, Evangeline and Frank Thompson and many of their friends gathered for a cocktail reception among the cars […]

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance’s Crescendo Patrons’ Party was held on October 26th at the beautiful home of Barbara and Dr. Doug Cusick. More than 100 guests enjoyed a special inside look at Barbara and Doug’s collection of antique, automatic musical instruments. The beautiful collection even includes a self-playing grand piano that once belonged […]

November 4th was the date for the 11th annual Stand Up for Synergy at the Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa. Kathleen Madigan was the featured performer. More than 325 guests enjoyed cocktails, a delicious dinner and a live auction. Michelle and Ryan Brown and Daryl Lynch and Ruben Chacon were the co-chairmen, and Nicole DiAntonio […]

November 2nd was the date for a luncheon celebrating the 25th anniversary of Health Partnership Clinic (HPC), which provides healthcare to low-income and underserved individuals in the community. Nearly 150 guests attended the event, which was held at The Ritz-Charles and raised more than $50,000. HPC currently has four clinic sites in three counties and […]

Great Plains SPCA’s Brunch & Bubbly for Paws was held at Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. The October 15th event raised more than $20,000 for homeless pets. Jami Pryor and Pam Scott, board members   Dan and Kelly Kultala   Chuck Laue, board member; and Fred Pryor   Emilio and Diana Larson Also featured […]

Was it Romeo and Juliet’s Verona? No, it was the Muriel Kauffman Theatre stage at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, with decor by Larry Wheeler and Craig Sole. Patrons of the 50th Annual Ballet Gala enjoyed a delicious, four-course meal in this delightful setting during The Diamond Ball’s Private Dinner on October 17th. Gigi […]

Happily Ever After KC, a wedding to benefit KC Pet Project, took place on October 14th at The Loretto. The bride was Grace Lane Curran, and her groom was Charles Atlas Ward. Guests enjoyed music by Diamond Empire Band, delectables from Cupini’s and floral arrangements from The Little Flower Shop. On September 11th, a bridal […]