As difficult as it is to believe, 1971 was 50 years ago. That’s when Newhouse was founded. It is now Kansas City’s oldest domestic violence shelter. More than 660 guests gathered at the Loews Kansas City Hotel on November 13th for the organization’s Imagine A Day Gala. Terri and Phil Thomas were the honorary chairmen, […]

Lauri Burpee Jones of Mission Hills, Kansas, and Mr. Laurence Russell Jones III of Corpus Christi, Texas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Abbey Elizabeth Jones, to Jordan Michael Schmidt, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley John Schmidt of Overland Park, Kansas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. […]

One Park Place was the site for the Kansas City Ballet’s annual Season Launch Party. Angela and John Walker hosted the event, which was held on October 15th. Devon Carney and Jeffrey J. Bentley of Kansas City Ballet welcomed members of The Bolender Society. Afterward, everyone gathered at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts […]

Nearly 400 guests gathered at The LEX at Municipal Auditorium for Off the Wall, a benefit for Sheffield Place. Peter Sunderman and Curt Thomas were the honorary chairmen, and Missy Andeel served as the chairman. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing. Proceeds support Sheffield Place’s mission of healing and self-sufficiency for […]

The University of Central Missouri marked its sesquicentennial during Homecoming, which was held on October 22nd and 23rd. The fun featured a ribbon cutting, an endowment-signing ceremony, a dinner in honor of seven Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, a donor-appreciation breakfast, a party in the park, and even a parade with mules!       Read […]

April 2nd is the date for Red Hot Night 22, a benefit for Children’s Mercy. The event will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center and as a virtual event. Ellen and Peter Clune and Kim and Nick Warren are serving as the honorary co-chairmen. Joe Podrebarac and Rod Eisenhauer are the co-chairmen.    […]

Richard Liggett owned and operated several movie theaters and then, at the behest of his brother-in-law, he went to work for a company that made and sold vacuum cleaners.  You’re not riveted? Let’s try this: One of Richard’s theaters was the Gene Gauntier in Kansas City, Kansas. He named it after his sister, who was […]

BOTARs and Escorts enjoyed a delightful fall evening at Faulkner’s Ranch on October 1st. Partygoers enjoyed a sumptuous barbecue dinner, line dancing, square dancing, and bull riding. Bridget and John Brandmeyer, Jennifer and Tommy Clemente, Anne and Kevin Connor, Stephanie and Doug Dockhorn, Katie and Ryan Duffy, Kathy Dussold, Laurence Frazen, Sharon and Dan Keller, […]

With a degree in psychology from Avila University, and many years teaching at the Multiply Handicapped Preschool at The University of Kansas Medical Center, and later as an administrator at St. Michael’s Day School helping mainstream children with special needs, Melanie Nolker seemed to have a comfortable niche in life. Although, she said, “I come […]

The Lead Bank Rooftop in the Crossroads was converted into Studio 54 for a party hosted by BOTARs Meg Burditt, Anna Harding, Tyler Lockton, Bonnie Longan, Maddie Mann, Claire McCann, Emerson Peavey, Alice Rowland, and Ellie Rose Sachs. The vibe at the October 9th event was distinctly ‘70s, and the music was divinely danceable. BOTARs […]

The Gathering is an annual event, now in its ninth year, that benefits Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ program, New Roots for Refugees. October 5th was the date, with Missy Kuklenski serving as the chairman, at the lovely home of Elin Murphy. The speakers were Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, and Meredith Walrafen, […]

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Fall Luncheon was held at The Capital Grille on October 6th. Mary Leonida, Circle president, and Ann Nigro were the co-chairmen. Deborah Sandler Kemper, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, shared information about upcoming productions, and Gigi Rose will be the chairman for the 2022 Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma.”  […]

December 4th is the date chosen for the Community Ball and Cotillion. Events leading up to it have included the Dads’ Ice Breaker, which was held on October 10th. This event, a chance for the fathers of the participants to mix and mingle, was hosted by the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in […]

Mark D. Sikes, the noted interior designer, was this year’s featured guest speaker at the 10th annual Committee of 100 Celebratory Luncheon at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Liz Maday and Kathy Donovan were the honorary co-chairmen, with Meredith Angrist and Kate Banks serving as the co-chairmen. The September 21st event included coffee on the […]

Becky Sue Nichols of Overland Park, Kansas, and Mr. Mick Andrew Frederes of Denver, Colorado, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jordan Mae Frederes, to Patrick Michael Howell, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Scott Howell of Overland Park. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas […]

J. Rieger & Co. was the site for KidsTLC’s Benefit21, “ELECTRIC.” The festive evening featured custom cocktails, delicious fare, and a live auction. DJ Ashton Martin amped up the music at the After Party, where guests danced the night away. Abby and Kevin Ellis were the chairmen, and members of the Bleakley family served as […]

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Charles King of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jane Louise King, to James Arthur McClure, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Leonard Hertlein of Meriden, Kansas, and the late Mr. James Alvin McClure. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Aloysius […]

Katie Dunn Fitzgerald and Matt Fitzgerald, Karen and Hank Herrmann, Christine and Sandy Kemper, and Yvette and Leo Morton were the honorary co-chairmen for The Rent Party, a benefit for Community LINC. The October 2nd event was held at the Sheraton Crown Center Exhibit Hall. Peggy and Terry Dunn were the 2021 Hometown Hero honorees, […]

This year’s Dream Big Day, a benefit for Children’s Mercy, was held as an at-home celebration on September 25th. A radio broadcast featuring patients’ stories, interviews with supporters, fun music, and more were among the items on the agenda.   Read more from the November 13, 2021 issue of The Independent

The 48th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, will be held on January 15th at the Overland Park Convention Center, with guests having the option of attending virtually. Patti and Tom Schugel are the honorary presidents, and Donna and Mark Teahan are serving as this year’s presidents. The annual Kick-off […]

Jackson County CASA held its third annual Cocktails for CASA – A Night of Hope on October 1st at the Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. The jubilant evening (including the CASA-politan signature cocktail) raised funds to support CASA’s mission of providing children who are in the Jackson County family court system due to abuse […]