Topgolf was the spot, where BOTARs and Escorts mixed and mingled on October 6th. Anna Frame, Grace DeGoler, Hannah Griffith, Katherine Barnthouse, Kelly Love, Liza Clough, Meg Stanley, Michelle Royle, Missy Linville, Riley Clause, Riley Hunter, Sarah Maner, and Sarah Spradling served as the hosts. (First row) Zach Pierce and Kelly Love (second row) Katherine […]

Madelyn Corinne Montague and Andrew Kenneth Sutherland were married on August 12th at Beano’s Cabin in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Donald Montague II of Our Town. Her groom is the son of Penni Sutherland of Estes Park, Colorado, and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Sutherland of Tulsa, […]

The first time she graced our pages, we didn’t even know her name: “Mr. and Mrs. Burnham Hockaday of St. Louis announce the birth of a daughter, June 25.” That was Laura Rollins Hockaday, and the date on the cover of The Independent was July 9, 1938. Not quite 80 years later, we count ourselves […]

Shawnee Mission Education Foundation’s 25th annual Fall Breakfast was held on October 10th at the Overland Park Convention Center. More than 1,000 guests attended the event that featured the State of District address by Interim Superintendent Dr. Kenny Southwick, along with student achievements and performances. The crowd celebrated the Foundation’s support of Arts, STEM and […]

Rose Brooks Center’s 13th annual Casino and Auction Night was held on October 14th at the Overland Park Sheraton. Guests went “all in” at the event to support the families and pets served by Rose Brooks Center. Diana Keating, John Lathrop and Raleigh Lang served as co-chairmen of the evening that featured casino-style gaming, silent […]

October 21st was the date for The BOTAR Ball. The 68th annual event was held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Studio Dan Meiners transformed the ballroom into an enchanting garden, where guests enjoyed the beautiful presentation, a sumptuous dinner and dancing to the tunes of Galaxy Red. Tracy Lyon Tetrick […]

Melanie Renee Lerma and Jonathan Lee Miller were married on August 26th at the Mountain Mermaid in Topanga Canyon, California. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Blanca Lerma of Los Angeles, California, and the late Mr. Richard Anthony Lerma. Melanie is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Martinez of El Paso, Texas, and […]

Kansas City Young Matrons gathered on September 16th at the Brass on Baltimore for a 100th Birthday Party. The event was the culmination of an 18-month Centennial Celebration. More than 200 members enjoyed dinner, dancing, birthday cake, and a celebratory toast. The historic club has served Our Town for a century and is looking forward […]

Susan and Chip Schmelzer were the honorary chairmen, and Jana Meyers served as the chairman for Kansas City Young Audiences’ Benefit Concert for Arts Education on October 7th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell performed a concert of Broadway favorites with the Kansas City Symphony. […]

December 2nd is the date for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ 67th Annual Community Ball and Cotillion. The debutantes and their escorts represent more than 20 local schools in Our Town. (Front row) Julia Atkins, Caroline O’Keefe, Bianca Tucker, Carly Hofmann, Catherine Henne, Colleen Crabtree, Avery Cahill, Mallory Brajkovic, Ellie Miller, Rachel […]

More than 350 guests gathered for First Call’s Celebration Evening: A Night of Recovery & Hope on September 14th at The Gallery Event Space. Partygoers enjoyed a delicious dinner and an inspiring address from Keynote Speaker Mackenzie Phillips. Brooke and Jeffrey Kuntz served as the chairmen. Proceeds help support the mission of First Call to […]

October 3rd was the date for Women’s Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, We Work for Change at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power was the keynote speaker. Christy and Bill Gautreaux and Yvette and Leo Morton were the co-chairmen, and Dana Abraham and Jenny Haile […]

The Farmer’s House Farm in Weston, Missouri was the beautiful location for the third annual Fall Feast. Guests enjoyed a fun-filled evening with cocktails, a family-style dinner, beautiful decor, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit The Farmer’s House which helps support the lives of youth and young adults with developmental disabilities. John David […]

September 29th was the date for The Family Conservancy’s sixth annual Blue Carpet event at Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. Kendra DeMarrias shared her inspiring story of hope and healing, and the Francis Family Foundation was honored with the Betsy Vander Velde award. The Family Conservancy helps children and families achieve a lifetime of […]

The Reverend and Mrs. James Michael Shaffer, formerly of Our Town, and Mr. Thomas Claxton Mitchell of Prairie Village, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Jackson Mitchell, to Nicholas Matthias Stasio, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Carmelo Stasio of Houston, Texas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. […]