The Linda Hall Library has launched a year-long Panama Canal Centennial Celebration. On April 8th, the Library celebrated the opening of The Land Divided, The World United: Building the Panama Canal exhibit. A working model of a canal lock, created in partnership with graduate students at the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering, was displayed […]

Laura Elizabeth Beachy and Jesse Langdon were married on October 5th at Village Presbyterian Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Beachy of Prairie Village. Her groom is the son of Dorothy Langdon of Parkville, Missouri and the late Mr. Emmett Langdon. The evening prior, Dottie Langdon hosted a rehearsal […]

Morgan Peterson, who just graduated from The Pembroke Hill School this spring, was chosen to be on the Southern Methodist University Pom Squad. The Squad will perform at all the football and basketball games. Congrats, Morgan! Also featured in the May 31st issue of The Independent Photo Credit: Kdog PHOTOGRAPHERS  

Gary Davis is a member of the board of trustees at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. He has been a dedicated volunteer committed to making Catholic education affordable for families in Johnson County. Gary and his wife, Jackie, served as the chairmen of Extravaganza in 2012 and 2013. Jackie and Gary are the parents of […]

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Thomas Montgomery of Leawood are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashleigh Louise Montgomery, to Wesley Ryan Sterr, the son of Dr. and Mrs. William Brian Telle of Forsyth, Illinois, and the late Mr. Thomas Xavier Sterr. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. James Albert Boggess of Charleston, […]

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was privileged to have His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman for the opening of the exhibit Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 23rd.  Also featured in the May 31, 2014 issue of The Independent Photo Credits: Chris Crum, John Lamberton and […]

May 2nd was the date for The Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault’s (MOCSA) Community Luncheon at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Keynote Speaker Erin Merryn, shared her story of triumph over years of sexual abuse as a child. Christy and Bill Gautreaux and Zulema and Terry Bassham were the honorary […]

Mark June 28th on your calendar as a night you don’t want to miss! The Coterie Theatre’s Boots & Bow Ties Gala will celebrate 35 years of professional theatre with a night of live entertainment by Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys Band. Cowgirls and cowboys will also enjoy gourmet food, luscious libations and country […]

Harvesters – The Community Food Network’s Forks & Corks was held on April 24th in the Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center. More than 2,000 guests enjoyed signature cocktails and delicious cuisine from some Our Town’s finest restaurants and beverage purveyors. Michelle Breashears served as the chairman. Proceeds from the event will provide […]

The inaugural Brews for Books literacy event, a benefit for The Family Conservancy, was held on April 17th at Boulevard Brewing Company. More than 250 partygoers donated books to children in need and enjoyed Boulevard beer, delicious fare and the vocal stylings of father-son duo Ryan Triggs and Jim Triggs. Also featured in the May […]

Chris Vukas is a member of the Centurions Class of 2014. He serves as co-chairman of the Benchmarking Trip Committee, where he is in charge of securing programming related to arts and culture, community development, entrepreneurship, and education in Philadelphia. Chris joined Greater Kansas City LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation) in 2011 and is responsible […]

Mr. and Mrs. Greggory William Boyle of Salina, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Genevieve Lorene Boyle, to Justin Edward Brown, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Edward Brown of Overland Park. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Ralph Rundquist of Salina and the late Mr. Rundquist and the […]

Six community volunteers who were involved in planning the festivities when Union Station re-opened in 1999 are back leading the way for Union Station of Kansas City’s centennial celebration. Union Station Kansas City will mark its 100th anniversary with a series of special events, a new history exhibit about the Station and celebrations that will […]

April 4th was the date for the Angels of the Children’s Place Gala at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Nancy and Steve Hooley were the honorary chairmen, and Beverly Casper and Nan McConnell served as the co-chairmen. Proceeds from the event support The Children’s Place and its mission to help the youngest survivors of abuse, […]

Night in BLOOM: a black & white masquerade, which took place at the Scottish Rite Temple on April 12th, was completely sold out! The fabulous evening was the most successful event in the Kansas City CARE Clinic’s 43-year history. Also featured in the May 31, 2014 issue of The Independent Photo Credit: J. Robert Schraeder […]

At the Salvation Army’s Westport Community Center, members of the women’s auxiliary helped mailed out the Shopping With A Heart catalog, its annual fundraiser for The Army’s Children’s Center. Also featured in the May 17, 2014 issue of The Independent  (Seated) Rebecca Laughlin, Louise Barnow, Kay Roscoe, and Kathleen Anderson (standing) Joanne Kurre, Pat Conway, […]

Dawn Taylor was honored as a Rising Star, Class of 2014. She has spent her career in the non-profit sector, including 17 years in fundraising roles at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Dawn is an 11-year volunteer at Operation Breakthrough and a past board member of Quixotic Fusion and […]

June 29th is the date for Harvester’s Chef Classic to be held at The American Restaurant. Kent Sunderland is serving as honorary chairman and Michael Corvino, The American Restaurant; is the host chef. The visiting chefs are Gregory Gourdet, Departure Restaurant, Portland, Oregon; Gavin Kaysen, Cafe Boulud, New York City; and Stephanie Prida, Manresa, Los […]

A passionate Arthritis Foundation volunteer and board member, JiaoJiao Shen is willing to emcee any event, including Art for Arthritis, the Walk to Cure Arthritis and Commitment to a Cure. JiaoJiao’s commitment to the fight against arthritis is very inspiring.  Also featured in the May 17th issue of The Independent   

A handsome baby boy named Henry James Golden arrived on March 29th to proud parents Lauren Gyllenborg Golden and Justin Golden of Leawood. Henry arrived 17 days early because he did not want to miss his big sister Daphne’s second birthday party! He weighed seven pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. Henry has […]

Great Plains SPCA’s Pawtini Gala, “Seeing Spots,” was held on March 29th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Ann Jandl and Debbie Ward served as co-chairmen of the event that featured cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing. Also featured in the May 17, 2014 issue of The Independent Photo Credit: […]