August 27th is the date for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA’s) 12th annual Young at Art Cocktail Party and Auction at The Gallery Event Space. Guests will enjoy drinks, delicious fare, silent and live auctions, and entertainment from 2Proud2Beg. Debbie and Russ Welsh are the honorary chairmen, and Ingrid VanBiber and Denise […]

April 28th was the date for Literacy KC’s 22nd Annual Spelling Bee and 30th Bee-Day Party at UMKC’s Pierson Auditorium. Vanya Shivashankar, 2015 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee reigning co-champion; was the special guest. “Ultracrepidarian” was the winning word for a three-person team from Andrews McMeel. Paul Rosenboom, board member; Spencer Becker, board member; and […]

May 6th was the date for the 26th annual Kindest Kansas Citian, which took place at the View at Briarcliff. Joanna Glaze, Tyrone Flowers and Father Mike Roach were the honorary stars. Proceeds support Synergy Services’ Stop Violence program that provides anti-bullying education to thousands of Our Town’s students annually. Laurie and Chip Ingram with […]

October 22nd is the date for Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences’ Centennial Gala at Union Station Kansas City. Mayor Sly James is the honorary chairman, and Carla Duryee is the ambiance chairman. Partygoers will enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing to the tunes of Lost Wax. Carla Duryee, ambiance chairman Mayor Sly James, honorary […]

“Everyone loves the Girl Scout Cookie Program, but underneath it, the beauty is, it teaches goal-setting, planning, teamwork, accountability, and money management, and those are great underlying lessons.”  — David Hall, president, Hallmark  Lauren Fricke and David Hall  

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Edward Elder of Our Town are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Nicole Elder, to Elmer William Stout, Jr., the son of Carol Krausnick Stout and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer William Stout II of Memphis, Tennessee. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Bonnie Hendrix, Mr. and Mrs. Russell […]

The fifth annual Mother of All Happy Hours was held recently. Volunteers in Our Town held happy hour events and collected baby items for the Family Conservancy. The items are used to stock a Mother’s Market, where Family Conservancy clients can shop. (Front row) Julie Ray, Molly Griffin, Anna Pennington, Katy Hornaday, Samantha Twenter, and […]

Maggie Fitzgerald is a member of the Centurions Class of 2016. She has spent nearly two decades sharing her passion for strategic marketing, branding, and communications in the technology and manufacturing sectors. Maggie is a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and recently completed the Kauffman Foundation’s TechVentures Entrepreneurship Program. She […]

The Black Tie Ball, a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, was held on April 23rd at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Suzanne and Brad Smith served as the chairmen of the 28th annual event that featured “An Evening of Elegance” theme. Ali Edwards, Rusty Smith and Janna LaCock, Leukemia […]

Karen Abramowitz is delighted and honored to be a 2016 Rising Star and to be included in the company of such remarkable professionals who make a difference in Our Town. The award also serves as a humble reminder of the importance of giving back.  She began her career in journalism, working as an associate producer […]

The March of Dimes’ March for Babies Kansas City was held on May 1st in the Kansas City Power & Light District. Proceeds help mothers have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. Ambassador Ashley Higgins with her children, Reece and Carter Ellen McNamara, Chris Suchan and Brad Stephens served as the emcees. More than 10,000 people […]

The Jewel Ball Prelude Party officially kicked off the 2016 Jewel Ball season on June 2nd at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Carol Fryer, Cappy Powell and Laura Redmond served as the Prelude Party co-chairmen.  Amy Volini, Page co-chairman; Susan Jones, Family Liaison chairman; and Sarah Bloss, Page chairman Page Reed, Jewel Ball chairman; and Nancy […]

The ninth annual Books & Boutiques, a benefit for Saint Luke’s South Hospital’s Art of Caring and Comfort, took place on April 16th at the Overland Park Convention Center. More than 900 guests enjoyed shopping and remarks from CBS News’ 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl. The evening prior, a private book signing of Lesley’s book, […]

The Center for Practical Bioethics held its Annual Dinner on May 3rd at the Intercontinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Will Schwalbe, best-selling author of The End of Your Life Book Club, was the keynote speaker. Linda Johnson, Mary Kay McPhee and Kate Marshall Karen Miller, Jane Lombard and Jack Alpert Truman Christopher, Branden Christopher, […]

Unlike many community leaders in Our Town, Gregory Porter had to overcome a myriad of difficulties in his early life. His mother, who spoke and read very little English, came to the United States from Korea to follow her American husband. Due to unfortunate circumstances, she was then forced to support herself and her three […]

The Mission Project’s ninth annual Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Gala was held on May 7th at Lake Quivira Country Club. Guests enjoyed signature mint juleps, horse betting and an appearance by Psylence, an American Royal champion show horse. Shelly and Evan Howe posed with Psylence. Jenna and Tim Crough Additional photos featured in […]

April 8th was the date for Masks for Aid, HNC Living Foundation’s signature event at Starlight Theatre. Guests enjoyed fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions, auctions, and a powerful performance, Elevate, featuring Quixotic. Additional photos featured in the June 11, 2016 issue Photo Credit: Seann Dwyer  

The Lyric Opera Circle’s annual Spring Luncheon was held on May 4th at Mission Hills Country Club. Members enjoyed a delicious lunch, followed by the installation of the 2016-17 elected slate of officers. Fran Gerritz, Michelle Fasel, Janet Bjerke, Gigi Rose, Edith Downing, and Juliette Singer Virginia Long, Sharon Murray and Marcia Garvin Regina Kort, […]

May 2nd was the date for Kansas City Young Matrons’ Installation Day Tea. Members enjoyed a delicious lunch and installation of the new board of directors in their newly located home. Outgoing President Barbara Eiszner passed the gavel to Gail Van Way, incoming president. Debi Roberson, Debbie Best, Debbie Beeler, Debbie Westlund, Debbie Douville, Debbie […]

Christine and Ford Maurer will serve as the honorary chairmen, and Barbara Storm is the chairman of the Kansas City Symphony League’s presentation of the Symphony Ball’s “Evening Overtures.” The event will take place on September 10th in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, […]

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Robert Harlan of Mission Hills are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Haley Elizabeth Harlan, to Gerald Joseph Mancuso, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Michael Mancuso of Our Town. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. V. W. Latimer and Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. […]