The 41st Annual Ben and Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic benefited the food initiatives of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. More than 160 golfers participated in the event, which was held on May 9th at Lake Quivira Country Club.    Featured in the June 25, 2022 issue of The Independent.

Guests had three evenings to enjoy the American Royal ProRodeo this May, each with a different theme: Cinco de Mayo, Nurses Day, and Kentucky Derby. The fun commenced with pre-parties featuring food trucks, libations, vendors, and games. Among the PRCA-sanctioned events were bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and mutton bustin’. […]

Blue Hills Country Club was the site for AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation’s Charity Pro-Am. Each sponsor of the May 16th event received a foursome in the tournament, including play with a Korn Ferry Tour pro golfer competing in the AdventHealth Championship. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Foundation’s unrestricted fund which is used to provide […]

Kids Night Out, a benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, was held on May 21st at the Overland Park Convention Center. Zalman Kohen was the honorary chairman, and Andy Burczyk served as the chairman. The evening’s program featured Abby Eden as the emcee, and Jayden, the Youth of the Year, […]

When a beloved grandmother asks for a poem to be memorized and recited, consider it done. Glenn North, at the age of eight, did exactly what his grandmother challenged him to, and since then, he’s been devoted to poetry – and activism. The poem was “If” by Rudyard Kipling, and it carries with it a […]

The Overland Park Convention Center was the site for the Fur Ball Gala, a benefit for Wayside Waifs. The event, held on May 14th, featured cocktails, a gourmet dinner, an auction, and a program. The honorary co-chairmen were Carol and Joe Suhor and the Honorable Ann Mesle and Terry Christenberry. Gary Lezak served as the emcee, […]

May 17th was the date for Hats Off to Mothers, a benefit for Life Unlimited, which was held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Bonne Illig, Kristina Klug, Kim Stevens, Lenise Ward, Ashlee Bressel, Rachel Thompson, and Angie Mareski, all of VanBrock, served as co-chairmen. The honorees were Zulema Bassham, Jamie […]

April 27th was the date when members of the Kansas City Symphony League’s Ball committee gathered for a Cocktail Reception at the beautiful home of Karen Yungmeyer. Guests learned about the exciting plans for this year’s Royal Gala, “Let’s Have A Ball!” The September 10th event will be held at the Kauffman Center for the […]

“If music be the food of love, play on.” – William Shakespeare With the world feeling so heavy and dark right now, music is a language that can truly speak to the soul. It takes over when words fail and can feel like the soft moonlight only seen in the darkest of nights. It expresses […]

More than 800 guests gathered for Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault’s (MOCSA) Community Luncheon, which was held on April 29th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Janelle Williams Melendrez and Jeffrey Bucholtz were the keynote speakers. Ann Abercrombie and Kristin Tyson were the honorary co-chairmen, and Monica Gray was the […]

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Spring Luncheon was held on May 4th at Lidia’s Kansas City. Members gathered to celebrate the success of the 2022 Lyric Opera Ball, which was held on April 9th at Loews Kansas City Hotel. The new class of Circle members were welcomed, and the 2022-2023 Circle officers were installed. Guests enjoyed […]

More than 1,000 classical music enthusiasts recently gathered at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for Park University International Center for Music’s Stanislav & Friends 2022. Cyprienne Simchowitz and Jerry White served as the honorary chairmen. The evening featured special performances from the world-renowned faculty, students, and alumni of the Park University International Center […]

The Savoy At 21c was the site for Kansas City Ballet Guild’s annual Spring Luncheon. Host Jo Anne Dondlinger planned the May 12th event, which featured beautiful floral arrangements from Craig Sole. Guild President Peggy Beal welcomed the guests, and Jeffrey J. Bentley and Devon Carney, both with Kansas City Ballet, gave an update on […]

April 9th was the date for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s 2022 Gala Benefit. The evening started at the Folly Theater with a performance by the world-renowned Ailey II professional dance company from New York City, followed by dinner, a live auction, and dancing at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Debby Ballard was honored […]

Health Partnership Clinic’s Opening Doors luncheon was held on April 28th. The event celebrated the organization’s 30th anniversary. Christel Bell served as the emcee. AdventHealth Mid-America Region received the annual Founders Award, and Shelby Rebeck, Shawnee Mission School District, was honored with the Leadership Impact Award. The Clinic sponsored video and coloring contests as part […]

The Overland Park Sheraton was the site for Kansas City Young Matrons’ 2022 Magic Ball, which was held on April 30th. Guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, a live auction, a wine pull, and dancing to the music of KOKOMO. Ben McAnany and Eric Vossman were the honorary co-chairmen, and Joni Etherington and Lundy Joyce served as […]

Truman Library Institute’s Wild About Harry event was held on April 28th. The spy-themed event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). William J. Burns, director of the CIA, was honored with the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award. Jeffrey Frank was the keynote speaker. Deanne Porter and Patrick Ottensmeyer were […]

Frank Fitzhugh Buckner Houston (as an adult, he pronounced his last name “Hewston,” although his brother Sid, a newspaperman, preferred “Howston”) was born in December 1899, near the tail end of the 19th century. He was a native of Mexico, Missouri. His father was Algernon Sidney Houston, a lumberman much involved in Masonic activities. His […]

The University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation’s  An Evening of Appreciation was held on April 30th in Warrensburg, Missouri. At the event, 16 donors were inducted into the Founder’s Society, and four were honored with the UCM Founding Philanthropist Award.   Featured in the May 28, 2022 issue of The Independent.

The Overland Park Convention Center was the site for Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Books & Boutiques event. Sarah Smarsh, New York Times best-selling author, was the featured speaker. Proceeds from the event support Saint Luke’s South Hospital’s cardiovascular program.       Featured in the May 28, 2022 issue of The Independent.

The lovely home of  Tina and Jeff Montgomery was the site for the Patrons’ Party for Kansas City Young Matrons’ 2022 Magic Ball. Anne Keil and Debbie Westlund served as co-chairmen for the April 28th event. The 2022 Magic Ball, which was held on April 30th, was a benefit for Sheffield Place. Ben McAnany and […]