Brooke Edmonds recently celebrated her first birthday with family at the beautiful Beaver Creek, Colorado, home of her grandparents, Sandy and Dr. Roger Jackson. She is the darling daughter of Ashley and John Edmonds. Brooke enjoyed meeting her cousin, Alice Beardsley, daughter of Dr. Courtney Jackson and Doug Beardsley. The happy girl shares her home […]

Wil Haygood will be the featured speaker at The Truman Library Institute’s 15th annual Wild About Harry to be held on April 10th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Wil is an award-winning journalist for The Washington Post, and best-selling author of The Butler; A Witness to History. Dr. Donna Shalala […]

For more than 20 years, Jan and Dave Knopke have been loyal supporters of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. They have served on numerous boards, committees and initiatives. Jan and Dave have been instrumental in the success of the annual Snow Ball, with Dave recently ending his 12 year role as the patron committee chairman. […]

Renee Flowers is the executive director of Higher M-Pact, a non profit founded by her husband, Tyrone J. Flowers. The organization is dedicated to transforming the lives of high risk urban youth and communities. Renee is a member of the Centurions Class of 2015 and serves on the communications committee. She also serves on the […]

Deanna and Greg Graves are the honorary chairmen of the Saint Luke’s Foundation’s seventh annual Books and Boutiques. Kim Madden is the event chairman and Dr. Patricia Martin is the medical staff chairman of the April 4th event to be held at the Overland Park Convention Center. Guests will enjoy a gourmet lunch, fashion show, […]

Mr. and Mrs. J. Thomas Cluen of Our Town are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Louise Cluen, to Thomas Elliot Bauer, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin W. Bauer of Wichita, Kansas. Lauren is the granddaughter of Mrs. Ted H. Greene, Sr., of Prairie Village and the late Mr. Greene […]

WNBA star and three-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Women’s Sports Awards Celebration, which kicked off WIN for KC’s 20th anniversary on January 31st at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.  Also featured in the March 8th issue of The Independent Photo Credit: Laura Fitzgibbons Photography […]

Mr. and Mrs. Erich Edward Brandt of Overland Park are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Bristol Nicole Brandt, to Austin Wayne Whiles, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Wayne Whiles of Overland Park. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Charlotte May Schoofs, the late Mr. Robert David Silk and […]

The Liberty Hospital Foundation’s sixth annual Twilight at the TreeHouse will be held on June 13th at the TreeHouse on the Liberty Hospital campus. Jennifer Huyser will serve as the chairman of the fun and casual evening. Proceeds will benefit the programs and services of Liberty Hospital Foundation that support the Liberty Hospital community.  Also […]

Carolyn Jemelka Price of Our Town and Dr. Richard Brooke Price, Jr., of Our Town are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Marie Price, to Nathan John Peterson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Joseph Peterson, of Norman, Oklahoma. Rachel is a graduate of The Pembroke Hill School. She earned a […]

Gina Hopkins is the lead Concerned Mother for Kansas City’s High Aspirations mentoring program. Gina oversees more than 30 volunteer Concerned Mothers whose young men are in the program. She also serves as secretary on the board of directors. High Aspirations serves the social, emotional, academic, and spiritual needs of African American males ages eight […]

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Kansas City will celebrate the 11th anniversary of Hats Off to Mothers on May 16th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Barbara Storm is the chairman of the event which will feature a delicious lunch and fabulous silent auction. The luncheon will honor these outstanding mothers: Marilyn Barth, Sherry Forsee, […]

Maigan and Hayes Thompson of Nashville, Tennessee, welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Charlotte Opal Thompson, on September 9th. She weighed seven pounds, five ounces, and was 21 inches long. Charlotte has blue eyes and brown hair. Her delighted grandparents are Barb and Webster Thompson of Our Town and Diane and Ron Shanks of Delano, Tennessee. […]

Lynn Price is a member of the Centurions Class of 2015. She serves on the steering committee and is a member of the “Wildcard” Task Force. Lynn is a manager of the legal department and a principal of Terracon Consultants. She is a captain for a Polar Plunge team for the Special Olympics of Kansas, […]

Boot scoot on over to Boots & Bow Ties on June 28th on the Crown Center Square. The Coterie Theatre will celebrate 35 years of professional theatre for young audiences with drinks, dinner and a country cabaret. Beth Ingram, Laurie and Chip Ingram and Jill Ingram Reynolds are the honorary co-chairmen, and Johyne Hamra is […]

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial welcomed Diane Lees, United Kingdom’s Imperial War Museums; on January 10th for a day at the Museum. Museum Trustee Brad Bergman donated a tail assembly fin from a French Breguet XVI B2 Bomber. Also featured in the February 22nd issue of The Independent Photo Credit: Todd […]

Mary Lynn Coulson and Zachary John Schwalbach were married on December 28th at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Coulson of Leawood. Her groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Schwalbach, of Hudson, Wisconsin. The evening prior, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner […]

Michaela and Patrick A. Pearce, Jr., held a “Mustache Bash” for their son, Patrick Michael Pearce, to celebrate his first birthday on January 10th. The active little boy enjoys playing with toy balls, and his father, who is a KU graduate and passionate Jayhawk’s fan, hopes that Patrick will play basketball someday for The University […]

The 2014 Community Luncheon will mark MOCSA’s 39th year of service in Our Town. The event will be held on May 2nd at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Erin Merryn is the keynote speaker, and Zulema and Terry Bassham and Christy and Bill Gautreaux are serving as the honorary co-chairmen.  Also […]

Megan Hannahan and Austin Pickett adopted Pop Tart from Great Plains SPCA, and she has quickly settled into her new home. Pop Tart is a three month old American Bulldog mix, a true puppy who plays and sleeps as much as she can. Also featured in the February 22nd issue of The Independent  Megan and […]

The Independent extends our warmest congratulations to Our Town’s non profits, their honorary chairmen, chairmen, committee members, and volunteers for another successful year of philanthropy in Kansas City. Thank you for helping to make Kansas City a community full of care and compassion! Stay tuned for the full feature debuting in this weekend’s issue of The Independent. Also […]