Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fischgrund of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Chloe Caroline Fischgrund, to Douglas Mason Williams, the son of Mrs. Stuart Hoover of Olathe, Kansas, and the late Dr. Keith Williams. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harold Vandiver, the late Mr. […]

Happy days are here again at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum! The National Baseball Hall of Fame finally recognized what all of us have known for decades: that Buck O’Neil belongs in the Hall of Fame. The announcement was made by Josh Rawitch, Hall of Fame president. “I’m still basking in the glow of everything […]

December 15th was the date for University of Central Missouri’s holiday Sesquicentennial Celebration, which was held on December 15th at the Carriage Club. The festive event capped off a year of festivities to celebrate University of Central Missouri’s 150th anniversary. More than 100 alumni, friends, and supporters of the University attended the festive event, which […]

During the past 50 years, The Parker Foundation has granted funding requests of more than $56 million to improve the lives of people living in San Diego, California. On learning this, we knew to smile bravely and murmur, “How nice,” while stifling a shriek. It’s not just our envy of Southern California weather and proximity […]

December 1st was the date for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Holiday Luncheon, which was held at the Dining Experience at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Guests enjoyed a three-course lunch, festive decor, and entertainment by visiting guest artist, Soprano Danielle Beckvermit, who was accompanied by Neal Long. Exciting plans for the 2022 Lyric […]

Julia Irene Kauffman hosted the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Ball Benefactor Cocktail Party. The Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity was transformed into a holiday wonderland for the November 18th event. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the Nutcracker Ball, which was held on November 20th at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Tempe Ostergren Elsberry and […]

Dr. Laura Elizabeth Gibbons and Dr. Adam Michael Gray were married on October 9th at Indian Hills Country Club. The bride is the daughter of Karen and Dr. Bob Gibbons of Prairie Village, Kansas. Laura is the granddaughter of the late Gladys Downs, the late William Downs, and the late Clara and Robert Gibbons. Her […]

HALO, which provides housing, healing, and education services to young people who are homeless, will hold Defying the Odds: A Livestream HALO Art Auction, on February 25th. Auctioneer Tanna Guthrie and Rebecca Welsh, the organization’s founder, will serve as hosts of the live auction, and Rebecca will also be the speaker. The event will feature […]

Mrs. Irvine Oty Hockaday, Jr. served as the honorary chairman and Mrs. Barret Spencer Heddens III was the chairman for The Jewel Ball. A profusion of orchids and a purple glow infused The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with the vitality of a summer night on November 27th, when the Debutantes and Gentlemen of The Jewel […]

Missy Andeel, Human Relations Consultant, American Century Investments Missy Andeel’s career has taken her to a variety of cities. Fortunately for Our Town, she has now lived here for more than a decade. There’s an old adage, “Bloom where you’re planted,” and Missy is someone who believes in putting down roots. Missy spent 12 years […]

Happy New Year! As promised in my December column, a few of our reader favorites from 2021 were The Push by Ashley Audrain, The Rainbow by Carly Schabowski, Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell, and Intimacies by Katie Kitamura. To celebrate a new year of fantastic books, I […]

December 4th was the date for The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas’ 71st Annual Community Ball and Cotillion, which was held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Laurel Thomas and Sara Willimon were the Ball co-chairmen, and Marsha Oyer served as the Cotillion chairman. Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner, elegant decor, […]

The HALO Foundation’s #ArtDoesGood Campaign was a huge success. More than $22,260 was raised to help provide a haven of creativity, future-focused art and life skills programs, and professional development training for 111 kids in a HALO Learning Center for one year.   Read more in the January 8, 2022 issue of The Independent

Mr. and Mrs. William Frank Parrish of Venice, Florida, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Nicole Parrish, to John Patrick Jandl, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Paul Jandl of Prairie Village, Kansas. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Venice High School. Heather earned a bachelor of science degree in […]

The Folly Theater’s annual Folly Frolic was held on November 20th. Guests enjoyed a ’20s-themed reception, followed by a performance of Two Lost Souls with Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery.          Read more from the January 8, 2022 issue of The Independent Photo Credit: Kelly Powell

The 16th Annual Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, a benefit for the students of Cristo Rey Kansas City, will be held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. The Kansas City Irish Cultural Center was the setting to announce the eight hometown heroes who will dance for the students of Cristo Rey […]

Family Health Care KC’s Champagne & Chocolate event was held on November 6th at The Loretto Grand Ballroom. Alisyn and Charles Earnest and Katie and Ryan Gound were the co-chairmen. Greg Carroll and Midnight Blue Jazz performed. Partygoers enjoyed delicious sweets from Kansas City’s finest restaurants, bakeries, and chocolatiers. Proceeds support Family Health Care KC, […]

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ 48th Annual Snow Ball will be held on January 15th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Friends from St. Ann Catholic Parish gathered to garner support for the Ball at the beautiful home of Fran and Neil Douthat. More than 100 young professionals attended the annual Snowflake Happy Hour at […]

Loews Kansas City Hotel was the site of the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Ball on November 20th. Michael D. Fields served as the honorary chairman, and Karen Yungmeyer and Tempe Ostergren Elsberry were the co-chairmen. Peggy Beal, Guild president, and Jeffrey J. Bentley, Kansas City Ballet, presented the Pirouette Award to Dr. John D. […]

Friends and supporters of The American Royal celebrated another successful season with many special events, including the World Series of Barbecue, the 122nd American Royal Livestock Show, the Chairman’s Uptown Hoedown, and six equine events. The organization also brought barbecue back to the West Bottoms with the first American Royal Backyard Barbecue Competition. Proceeds from […]

The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City was the site for The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AFPGKC’s) National Philanthropy Day Awards Reception and Program on November 11th. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and a program that included the presentation of awards for the Spirit of Philanthropy – Individual/Family, Spirit […]