Winifred Wittmann Lunning turned heads in New York – and probably everywhere else she went – back in the 1930s. Long before fashion models were celebrated as superstars, she graced the pages of  both Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. As the Kansas City Star described her in November 1936, “She is a tall blonde, rather pale, […]

The Symphony Ball “Royal Gala” Benefactors’ Party was held on August 28th at The Capital Grille on the Country Club Plaza. Partygoers enjoyed “home-run” cocktails and culinary delights. The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “Royal Gala,” was held on September 10th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Marny and John Sherman were the Ball […]

The 4th Annual Green Tie Gala, hosted by the OPES Charitable Foundation, was held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown on August 20th. Chris Frantze served as the event chair, and Chuck Cuda is the organization’s founder. Dave Frantze was the Green Tie Honored Survivor. The evening’s festivities included a gourmet dinner, a performance by […]

The Lyric Opera Circle celebrated the start of its 35th year on September 7th with a luncheon at the Carriage Club. Circle President Mary Beth Gentry recognized Founder Judy King and Charter Members Sharon Murray, Virginia Long, and Emilia Barksdale. Juliette Singer Spinks and Edie Downing, who are serving as the 2023 Lyric Opera Ball […]

Reassembly Day Tea was held on September 12th for the members of the Kansas City Young Matrons. Joni Siplon, the president, welcomed everyone to the event, which included both brunch and a business meeting. Julie Maggart, past president, was thanked, and Bobbie Messick was honored for her hours as a volunteer. A highlight was the […]

August 27th was the date for the BOTAR Presidents’ Tea, which  took place at The Kansas City Country Club. Past presidents were introduced to the BOTAR Class of 2022 and Pages. A fashion show of historic gowns, followed by the unveiling of this year’s selection, was part of the festivities. The BOTAR Ball will be […]

Lidia’s was the site for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Annual Kick-off Party on August 21st. Angela Moore, Lisa Sirridge, and Susan Sands were the hosts. Guild President Melissa Ford welcomed the guests, and then Devon Carney, the Ballet’s artistic director spoke about the exciting upcoming performances.  Featured in the October 15, 2022 issue of […]

Susie and Chuck Caisley served as the chairmen of Jazzoo. More than 2,800 guests gathered for the gala, which was recently held at the Kansas City Zoo. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, delicious fare from 50 restaurants, music from six local bands and DJs, and entertainment from Kansas City Aerial Arts.. Proceeds help to provide food and […]

Glynnis Greer Conger and Brock William Hightower were united in matrimony on September 3, 2021, at Villa Regina Teodolinda in Lake Como, Italy. The bride, who is known as Gigi, is the daughter of  Meg and Michael Conger of Scottsdale, Arizona. Her groom is the son of  Lorraine and William Hightower of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. […]

For some, service is what they do, and for others, it is an extension of who they are. Alisha Thomson is the latter; engaging in volunteerism is something that is woven through every stage of her life story and is the backdrop of her career success. Alisha grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and later moved […]

Lake Quivira Country Club was the site for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas’ Mothers’ Tea on September 18th. The event was for the mothers of the debutantes and escorts who will be participating in the 72nd Annual Community Ball and Cotillion, to be held on December 3rd. The honorees are […]

“More than kisses, letters mingle souls.” – John Donne There is something incredibly intimate about reading an epistolary novel. It feels a bit like finding a box of letters and discovering the thoughts and feelings that drove someone. Books that are told through the perspective of diaries and letters can sometimes make characters seem more […]

On August 25th, members of the BOTAR Class of 2022 gathered for the BOTAR Reveal. Miniature bottles of wine served as place cards at the festive event, which was held at the lovely home of Courtney O’Farrell. Each BOTAR had the same question: “Who will my escort be?” By the time the evening was over, […]

In the Directors of Philanthropy issue, The Independent recognizes the hardworking and passionate volunteers in our Town who share their time and talents with so many different organizations. We celebrate these dedicated individuals who make Kansas City a wonderful place to live.    Featured in the October 1, 2022 issue of The Independent.

The beneficiary of this year’s Chiefs Charity Game was MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault). August 20th was the date, and Arrowhead Stadium (where else?) was the place. The annual event, created by Lamar Hunt and continued by the Hunt family, was first held in 1985. Proceeds are earmarked to assist MOCSA in expanding […]

Courtney Alexandra McCray and Christopher Jordan Swope were united in matrimony on June 18th at Beano’s Cabin in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The bride is the daughter of Sandra Morello McCray of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Chandler McCray of Mission Hills, Kansas. Courtney is the granddaughter of Mary Morello of Canton, Ohio, and the late Frank […]

Mr. and Mrs. James Patrick Muehlberger of Overland Park, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Alexandra Jayne Muehlberger, to Vincent Maxwell Privitera, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Anthony Privitera, Sr. of Kansas City, Missouri. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Marcus Klein of Leawood, Kansas, […]

What can you tell about someone just by seeing their picture? In October 1939, in a feature titled, “Names in the News in the World of Kansas City Business Women,” our scribe wrote, “Faune Leask, whose investment activities have kept her well to the front in financial circles for a number of years, is probably […]

Pathway To Hope’s annual Donor Appreciation Event, “A Taste Of Wellness,” was held on August 14th at Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery. Pathway To Hope was founded in 1988 by Sharon and Dick Lawrenz, who struggled with a mental health diagnosis of a family member. The organization is committed to encourage, empower, and educate individuals […]

Dr. and Mrs. Richard Thomas Hale II of Garnett, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Abby Lynn Hale, to Cooper Dean Heidebrecht, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Grant Smith of Overland Park, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Allen Heidebrecht of Branson, Missouri. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of […]

Flynn Alling Williams came bouncing into the world on June 10th. This darling baby boy weighed seven pounds, nine ounces, and was 20 and one-half inches long. His blue eyes and red hair are his adorable calling card. The son of Kristen Smith and Shane Williams of O’Fallon, Illinois, Flynn is the grandson of Sandee […]