The Overland Park Convention Center was the site for Benedictine College’s 50th Annual Scholarship Ball on February 26th. Colleen “Cocoa” and Kevin O’Malley and Lené Westerman served as the co-chairmen. The Cross of the Order of St. Benedict was awarded to Lené Westerman and Janet and Larry Wilcox. John Holt served as the emcee. Featured […]

Debbie Brock has been a wonderful volunteer with Wayside Waifs for 10 years. She is a dog socializer, works the reception desk, and helps at the front desk in Adoptions. Debbie also trains new volunteers, helps with shy and fearful dogs, and is a foster parent to cats and dogs. Thank you, Debbie, for sharing […]

This much is undeniable – Christianne (Chris) Bohannon has a delicious sense of humor and a big heart. Everything else about this St. Louis born – but Kansas City is home – animal lover can be subjective, but the humor and the heart are self-evident. Acrylic paint and brushes are her tools, but improv could […]

February 25th was the date for HALO’s Virtual Art Auction, “Defying the Odds.” The action-packed evening featured live and silent auctions, the premiere of the HALO Documentary Short Film, Ziere, and special guest appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Bryce Dallas Howard, and more. Participants enjoyed musical performances by Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary, Blessing Offor, […]

A celebration of the remarkable pets of Our Town.  Sponsored by:                                       Featured in the April 16, 2022 issue of The Independent.  

  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hunter of Prairie Village, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison Lynn Hunter, to Zachary William Silvestri, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Silvestri of Nashville, Tennessee. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Byron Duncan of Prairie Village and the late Mr. Duncan, and […]

The Patrons’ Party for Wild About Harry, a benefit for the Truman Library Institute, was held on March 19th. Deanne Porter and Patrick Ottensmeyer, the honorary chairmen, and Tamara and David Campbell, the chairmen, were the hosts as guests gathered at Union Station Kansas City for an expedition on the Southern Belle. Clifton Truman Daniel […]

Raelynn Ann Rockwell and Mitchell Reed Briggs were united in matrimony on February 22, 2022 (yes, that’s 2/22/22) at Hotel Kansas City. The bride is the daughter of Rochelle Rockwell and Rick Rockwell, both of Des Moines, Iowa. Raelynn is the granddaughter of Rose and Richard Kettells of Des Moines, and Dorothy Rockwell of Indianola, […]

Deanne Porter and Patrick Ottensmeyer are the honorary chairmen for Wild About Harry, the 23rd annual event benefiting Harry S. Truman’s legacy and presidential library. Tamara and David Campbell are serving as the chairmen, and the gathering will be held on April 28th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The festivities […]

Sometimes everything can be overwhelming. There have been several times during the last few years with the pandemic, war, and the terrible news cycle, where it all just feels like too much. Even my usual methods of escaping into a new world or character can feel like just another thing to be accomplished rather than […]

Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) will host its Community Luncheon on April 29th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Janelle Williams Melendrez and Jeffrey Bucholtz will be the keynote speakers. They will discuss the intersectionality of violence and discrimination. Ann Abercrombie and Kristin Tyson are the honorary co-chairmen. Janea […]

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma,” will be held on April 9th at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Members of the Circle met at Hallbrook Country Club recently to assemble the party favors for the upcoming gala. With lunch and socializing, the pre-ball event was a complete success!      Featured […]

Who is the new little miss at the home of Lacey Owen Maughan and Kevin Maughan? Why, that’s Eleanor Emma Maughan – and you can call her Ella. This darling blue-eyed blonde was born on December 13th. She weighed eight pounds, nine ounces, and was 22 inches long. Her doting older brothers are Thomas Richard […]

The Children’s Relief Association (CRA) promotes the health and well-being of the children and families served by Children’s Mercy Hospital through charitable and volunteer activities. Since 1922, CRA, and its predecessor, Mercy Auxiliary, have provided volunteer services and allocated more than $4.1 million to Children’s Mercy Hospital. The organization’s 300 current active and associate members […]

Andrea Nelson spearheaded the organization of the third annual Green Tie Gala, which benefited the Opes Charitable Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Her tireless efforts included interacting with sponsors and securing live and silent auction packages – and that was in addition to creating all visual aspects of the event. Thank you, Andrea, […]

Boots & Pearls: Wine & Whiskey was held on February 25th at The Museum at Prairiefire. The event was a benefit for Alphapointe, which works to empower people with vision loss to achieve their goals and aspirations. Nearly 600 guests enjoyed fine wines and whiskeys from around the world, delectable edibles, and lively entertainment.    […]

The bright-eyed and adorable Calum Sinclair Osmundsen made his entrance into the world on November 9th. Cal is the son of Megan Sinclair Osmundsen and Mark Osmundsen of Prairie Village. The blue-eyed, light brown-haired boy weighed seven pounds, eight ounces, and was 20 and one-half inches long. Cal is the younger brother of Lydia (who […]

Kathryn Marie Ricker of Kansas City, Missouri, is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter, Cydney Grace Ricker, to Benton Clark Glaze, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Clark Glaze of Kansas City. Cydney is also the daughter of the late Mr. Robert Patrick Ricker, Jr. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. […]

The K-State Alumni Association hosted the 15th annual Wabash CannonBall on February 25th. Nearly 900 guests attended the black-tie event, which was held at the Overland Park Convention Center. Proceeds help to provide scholarships for K-State students from the metropolitan area.            Featured in the April 2, 2022 issue of The […]

Bernadette and Dr. Scott Ashcraft were honored with the Founder’s Award at Romantic Revels. The event, a benefit for the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (HASF), was held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza on February 12th. Jessica and Jason Chanos were the chairmen. Guests enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, […]

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” Amelia Earhart In this toast to trailblazing women, I wanted to recommend memoirs and biographies of women who have changed history in eight different fields. There is a politician, an activist, a scientist, a writer, an artist, a sportswoman, a business […]