Shoot for the Cure recently kicked off with the Nick and Jake’s Western Dinner and Auction at the Overland Park Racquet Club. The following day, shooters went to Powder Creek Shooting Park for the two sporting clay competitions. Co-chairman Cody Fisher, board member; and Stephanie Fisher Co-chairman Dave Ruf III, board member; Carole Gurley, Dave […]

On October 15th, the Johnson County Library Foundation’s first annual Library Lets Loose event took place at the library, celebrating the Foundation’s 20th anniversary. The sold-out crowd enjoyed works by artists, musicians, libations, and a delicious repast. Proceeds support library programs and collections. Fred and Carol Logan toasted to 20 years of the Johnson County […]

Oktoberfest, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and its 43rd annual Snow Ball, was held on October 22nd at the Lake Quivira Sailing Dock. Franny and Lane Boland, Amy and Kevin Kentfield, Christy and Joe Heller, Mel and Pat McAnany, and Lisa and Tray Vedock were the hosts. Anita and Tim Link Mary […]

The Cliffhanger Run and Centennial Birthday Party were held on October 8th for Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. More than 1,000 runners participated in the run on Cliff Drive, followed by a birthday party featuring food, lawn games, entertainment, and more. Face painters, balloon artists and Pop-Up Charlie entertained kids in the Artists’ […]

September 28th was the date for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s Annual Meeting at the beautiful home of Linda and Gene Hall. The board of directors, honorary board members and special guests enjoyed cocktails and dinner and toasted the upcoming season. Jon Goodman, board member; Nancy and Charley Jensen and Jill Adams Dorene Shipley, Kansas […]

The Fathers’ Icebreaker event for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ Community Ball and Cotillion was held at The Allegro Ballroom in Overland Park. Guests had a wonderful time getting to know each other. Jim Neunuebel, Greg McNamara and Al Rickert Martin Reyes, James Beck, Jeremy Kornis, Jeff Chalk, and John Smeltzer  Additional […]

Crittenton Children’s Center celebrated its 120th anniversary at Toast for the Children on October 20th at Union Station Kansas City. Mariel Hemingway was the special guest speaker. She recently released two memoirs in conjunction with National Mental Awareness Month, Out Came The Sun and Invisible Girl. Proceeds support mental health services and programs for area […]

An Evening with Lisa Parker was held recently at the 1900 Building. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation donors and guests enjoyed a presentation from Lisa, who serves as president of the Lawrence Welk Family Foundation. She discussed raising charitable children, youth philanthropy, new models of giving, and the evolution of family philanthropy. Sean and Karen […]

Spofford’s 17th annual Butterfly Gala was held on October 8th. More than 500 guests enjoyed dinner and dancing to the tunes of The Dave Stevens Band to celebrate Spofford’s 100th birthday. David Janus was the honorary chairman, and Teresa and Ryan Keller and Christian and Jim Brown served as the co-chairmen.  Teresa and Ryan Keller, […]

Anita Nigro was the host of the October 20th Giddy Up for Boots and Breast Cancer event held at Nigro’s Western Store. The annual affair benefits The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Al Christofano, John Iselin, Scott Tucker, and Margo Christofano David and Anita Nigro, host; with Travis Marvin Toby Tyler, Ben Aldrich, David Nigro, […]

September 30th was the date for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk at Cleveland University-Kansas City. More than 7,000 participants carried illuminated lanterns: white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, […]

December 3rd is the date for The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ Community Ball and Cotillion. The debutantes and their escorts will learn the choreography during practice sessions before they showcase their fabulous performance at the 66th annual event. (First row) Megan Dailey, Emma Kelly, Grace Coker, Mary Margaret Sims, Lena Wencker, Kennedy […]

Kansas City Young Matrons gathered recently at their clubhouse for their Civics and Honoring Day. Members enjoyed a delicious lunch and the premiere of the film, KCYM: The First 100 Years, in recognition of KCYM’s centennial year. KCYM: The First 100 Years Research Committee: Sue von Geyso, Sue Lund, Dianne Tanquary, Lucinda Rice-Petrie, Peggy Beal, […]

The Kansas City Country Club was the beautiful setting for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s 2016-2017 season’s Fall Luncheon on September 20th. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch, and the Ballet’s Second Company performed excerpts. Artistic Director Devon Carney explained “partnering,” while the Company demonstrated “lifts,” when the young men hold their partners high above their […]

The 2016 Ballet Bash Benefactor Dinner was held on October 13th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Lisa Merrill Hickok was presented with the Pirouette Award for sharing her time, talent and treasure with the Kansas City Ballet for so many years. Trapp and Company provided the beautiful décor, and guests savored a […]

September 20th was the date for The Committee of 100’s fifth annual Celebratory Luncheon. This year’s special designer and featured speaker was Jane Scott Hodges, Leontine Linens. Proceeds from the C100 provide support for the programs and mission of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Cara Newell, Trish Wurster, Ann Marie Hamilton, Laurie Montague, Susie Heddens, […]

September 20th was the date for First Call’s 6th Annual Celebration Evening, A Night of Recovery and Hope with Francine Ward. Guests enjoyed dinner, a silent auction, a raffle, and fund-a-need at the Regnier Center and Nerman Museum at Johnson County Community College. Licia Clifton-James and Mayor Sly James served as the chairmen. Owen and […]

The Independent is pleased to honor the many remarkable people in Our Town who share their time and talents with so many different organizations. We celebrate these passionate and dedicated individuals who make Kansas City a wonderful place to live. Wayside Waifs *Wayside Waifs is a charitable animal shelter whose purpose is to place adoptable […]

More than 130 guests and patrons attended The Gathering, a Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas event to support the New Roots for Refugees program. The fourth annual event was held on October 4th at the lovely home of Ann and Mike Hays. After perusing the farmer’s market offerings of Menuka Regmi, a New Roots for […]

September 18th was the date for Powell Gardens’ eighth annual Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm-to-Table Dinner. Rosemary and Byron Banta were the honorary chairmen, and Ken Millsap and Jay Wilson served as the chairmen. Proceeds from the event support youth education programs at the Gardens. Ken Millsap, Beth Whalen and Jay Wilson The Heartland […]

September 1st was the date for The YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s Cheers for Challenger event at Teva Pharmaceuticals. Jenny Burkhead, Denise Sanker and Greg Westbrook served as the co-chairmen. Proceeds support the YMCA Challenger program for individuals with special needs.  Mark Hulet and Michelle Ford Additional photos featured in the October 29, 2016 issue […]