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: […]

November 7th is the date for the March of Dimes’ Nurse of the Year Awards to be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. The event recognizes nurses from a variety of nursing practice settings whose strength, courage and perseverance advance their profession. Karen L. Miller, The University of Kansas School of Nursing; […]

Deanna and Greg Graves were the honorary chairmen, and Dr. Patricia Martin and Kim Madden served as co-chairmen of the Saint Luke’s Foundation’s seventh annual Books & Boutiques. Marlo Thomas was the featured speaker, and each guest received a signed copy of her new book, It Ain’t Over. Proceeds from the event support the Emergency […]

The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky exhibit opened in Paris at musée du quai Branly on April 7th. To celebrate this milestone exhibit, The Nelson-Atkins Board Chairman Shirley Bush Helzberg and Julián Zugazagoitia attended the Paris opening with a group of patrons from Our Town, as well as collectors from other cities. The […]

Lorrie and Rick Miles were the honorary chairmen, and Andy Burczyk served as the chairman of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City’s Kids Night Out on March 28th at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event featured a “One Night Only with Al Pacino” theme and more than 1,100 guests enjoyed cocktails, […]

April 3rd proved to be the perfect day for the rescheduled Kansas City Tip-Off benefit concert for Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet. The March 1st snow had kept the two-time Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Duo of the Year winners Thompson Square from their date at the Uptown Theater. Guests were treated to a delicious dinner […]

Treads & Threads will roar into the Kansas Speedway on September 5th to benefit The University of Kansas Hospital. Debbie and Russ Welsh are serving as chairmen of the event that will feature Grammy-nominated artist Gavin DeGraw, a packed dance floor featuring the Emerald City Band, gourmet fare, and specialty beverages. Proceeds from the event […]

Mr. and Mrs. William Terrence Kilroy of Our Town are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kyle Elizabeth Kilroy, to Joel Anthony Nelson, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Garth Nelson of Fort Collins, Colorado. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Dan Edward Maurin of Kansas City, Kansas, and the late Mr. […]

The 11th Annual Saint Luke’s Home Care & Hospice Golf Tournament will be held on June 16that Staley Farms Golf Club. Players will enjoy breakfast, lunch, a gift, and a great round of golf. Proceeds will support compassionate and high-quality services to patients and families in Town. Also featured in the May 17th issue of The […]

April 9th was the date for Jackson County CASA’s Light of Hope. The event supports Jackson County CASA’s work as advocates for abused and neglected children under court protection and will help provide more Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Karen Daniel was the honorary chairman, and Jacque Hansen served as the chairman.  Also featured in […]

Zac Richmond, the Business Intelligence Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Centurions Class of 2014, helps identify and organize community service opportunities. He has taken full advantage of the service opportunities provided by the program and currently leads his 80 classmates in service hours contributed.  Also featured […]

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lyon Benjamin of Overland Park are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Blair Yukon Benjamin, to Daniel Mark Aires, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Aires of San Diego, California. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Yukon and the late Mr. and […]

June 28th is the date for the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park’s Stems: A Garden Soirée. Co-chairmen Linda and DeWayne Bridges recently opened their beautiful home to board members and committee members to preview a tasting from the two wineries that will be featured at Stems, Dos Puentes and Don Manuel Villafañe. Josh […]

April 6th was the date for the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s Civic Service Award Dinner at the Overland Park Convention Center. Bari Freiden and Michael Klein were the honorary co-chairmen, and Susan and Nate Bergman served as the chairmen. More than 500 guests enjoyed the “Seeding the Future” themed-event that honored Dr. Irene Bettinger, and […]

To celebrate Beth Ingram’s birthday, the Rhinestone Cowgirls cruised to the Bahamas. There were many toasts and many laughs, while everyone savored the magnificent scenery. Congratulations, Beth! Also featured in the May 3rd issue of The Independent  Birthday Girl Beth Ingram Beth Ingram, Marie Haynes, Annette Sherrow, Kit Smith, and Sue Massman The view from […]

Join Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Co-Chairmen Mary Jo O’Byrne, Diane O’Byrne and Caitlin O’Byrne at the Speaking of Women’s Health Conference, to be held on October 3rd at the Overland Park Convention Center. As Our Town’s premier women’s health education program, the conference is designed to educate women to make informed decisions about the […]

March 29th was the date for Cristo Rey Kansas City’s Dancing with the Kansas City Stars at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Ryane Delka, Larkin O’Keefe, Jenny Murphy, Stann Tate, Dr. Valerie Chow, Chris Hernandez, Rick Jones, and Kevin Ryan, along with their Allegro Ballroom partners, performed for more than 1,000 guests. […]