ROMANtic Revels featured a Roman theme this year, complete with a sword fight scene by HASF actors in appropriate garb, bringing a taste of Julius Caesar to the evening! The February 10th gala was held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, and dancing. Diana […]

Amy Embry and Carrie McLiney served as the co-chairmen for the Holidays in Crestwood Luncheon, a benefit for the Child Protection Center. The December 1st event was held at Aixois. The cozy and festive day featured a fabulous lunch, shopping, the annual gingerbread house contest, and much fun. Ten percent of sales benefited the mission […]

The Women United group of United Way has 650 members locally, and more than 55,000 globally, and it is open to anyone who donates $1,000 or more annually to United Way. The group was established in 2009 and continues to uplift women and make a positive impact on our area’s youngest residents. Their leadership and […]

Unbound is an international non profit that delivers more than $100 million in personalized support annually for children, elders, and their families living in poverty in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. It has consistently and responsibly challenged poverty since 1981. Unbound is also the only major United States-based non profit that offers sponsorships for elders.  […]

Renny Arensberg Having just celebrated her 20th anniversary at KVC Health Systems, Renny Arensberg has no intention of slowing down! Renny comes equipped with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Kansas and a master’s degree in human resources from Central Michigan University, and a lengthy career in human resources, consulting, leadership, and coaching. All […]

Eliza Barr is very forthcoming about using her own experiences to inform her professional duties as the passionate and qualified executive director of Reaching Out From Within. Not familiar with ROFW? It is the non-profit organization created more than 40 years ago by SuEllen Fried, revered philanthropist and civic leader. Long known as an anti-bullying […]

How lucky is Kansas City to have a native daughter return to the metro area to lead the city and a worldwide sports event in one of its finest hours? Very lucky, indeed. Katherine Holland was possibly the only person who could fill these shoes at this time in Our Town’s history. This Pembroke Hill […]

It’s that time of year again when spring break beckons. Whether you prefer carefree days spent in the sun, or the wind and snow of the slopes, this time of year embodies the chance to escape to a different setting. Not everyone will be traveling during spring break, but you can always travel through the […]

The River Club was the site for the members of the Symphony League of Kansas City’s Holiday Luncheon on December 13th. Outgoing President Linda Stevens passed the gavel to Incoming President Melanie Fenske, while guests enjoyed a festive celebration.        Featured in the March 9, 2024 issue of The Independent.

The Lyric Opera Circle hosted its first New Year’s Eve Party at the historic Hilton President Hotel. Guests celebrated with dinner and dancing in anticipation of the Lyric Opera Ball, to be held on April 20th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.     Featured in the March 9, 2024 issue […]

The 2024 Symphony Ball, to be held on September 7th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, will launch the tenure of music director Matthias Pintscher. His Kansas City premiere public performance with the Kansas City Symphony will be celebrated with a spectacular Ball, hosted by the Symphony League of Kansas City. Barbara Haviland […]

Dr. Nicole Alexandra Hefner and John Kennedy Goodwin, Jr. will meet at the altar of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, this August to exchange vows. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Drs. Denise and George Hefner of Lincolnshire, Illinois, and she is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Peter Verges […]

Catholic Education Foundation is so very grateful to Karen and Craig Gaffney for their leadership and support of the organization’s 2023 Gaudeamus Gala, which raised a record-breaking $2.4 million for scholarships for students in need at Catholic schools throughout northeast Kansas. Catholic education is what brought these two graduates of Bishop Ward High School together […]

And then there were three – three girls, that is – for Amy and Matt Snively of Our Town! Lillian Blair Snively joined the family on December 15th, weighing six pounds, 12 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long. The blue-eyed, dark-haired beauty is the little sister to siblings CeCe, age four; and Mags, age two. […]

Kansas City Ballet’s Bolender Society members enjoyed A Musical Evening with Ramona, featuring the Ballet’s music director, Ramona Pansegrau, on January 18th at the Carriage Club. The evening featured a dessert reception and a program about George Balanchine’s ballet, Jewels, with its captivating music. Guests enjoyed a presentation by Ramona and performances by KCB’s Company […]

The cosmos was full of bright Rising Stars and Top Ten winners, as more than 200 guests gathered to celebrate with The Independent at the 1900 Building on February 22nd. Seven of Our Town’s brilliant denizens were honored as the 2024 Class of Rising Stars, while more than 50 star-studded events were recognized for outstanding […]

“A Toast to Opera” will celebrate the rich history and enduring beauty of the timeless art form of opera! The Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, under the direction of Co-chairmen Deanna Diebolt and Sharon Barry, promises to be an elegant affair with curated silent auction items, pop-up opera performances, dinner, and dancing to the […]

Miles Henry Floyd Dunn arrived on December 5th, much to the delight of his parents, Sarah Ingram Dunn and Alec Dunn, and older sibling John Oliver Dunn! Weighing eight pounds, 12 ounces, and reaching 20 and one-half inches long, the newest member of the Dunn family has beautiful brown hair and grey eyes, and resembles […]

Kansas City University would like to celebrate and honor Deron Cherry, co-founder and 30-year benefactor of Score 1 for Health. The program was established in 1993 and provides free health screenings to more than 14,000 elementary school students in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri. His goal is to give children hope for better and healthier […]

THE TOP FIVE WALK/RUN EVENTS OF 2023 Head for the Cure’s 21st Annual Head for the Cure – Kansas City 5K: $545,180 Down Syndrome Innovations’ Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk: $280,076 Wayside Waifs’ Strutt With Your Mutt: $189,819 Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI)’s Trolley Run: $187,955 Ability KC’s Groundhog Run 2023: $153,862 THE TOP TEN NATIONALLY SPONSORED EVENTS OF 2023 JDRF Kansas […]

Veronica and Peter Mallouk were the presidents, and Kathy and Jack Newman were the honorary presidents of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ 50th Annual Snow Ball. More than 2,000 guests gathered at the Overland Park Convention Center for the event, which was held on January 20th. The black-tie evening featured remarks from Lauren Solidum, Catholic […]