![Homegrown – Being Kind Is Cool](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ActsOfKindness-15-1.jpg)
The week before Christmas, a few families decided to kick off the holly jolly week by taking our kids to see The Grinch. My daughter, who is three, had only been to one movie in her lifetime – actually, to be accurate, she has been to one half of a movie in her lifetime. My […]
Read More![Toast To Olde Tymes – 1978: Fashion Forward](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-18-at-10.26.27-AM.png)
It’s absolutely true that fun is where you find it — and we’ve decided to look for it in 1978. We’re harking back to a time of dressing up and going out. Part of the joy of the events was in getting ready for them. If the contents of The Independent documented what our subscribers […]
Read More![Rachel’s Reads – January 2021](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-11-at-1.31.26-PM.png)
“There are no truths, only moments of clarity passing for answers.” – Michel de Montaigne After finishing high school and college, I thought I would be happy to never read or write another essay. Fast forward several years, and once again the saying of “never say never” completely applies. I think school got me too […]
Read More![Toast To Olde Tymes – Arthur Kraft](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IMG-6154.jpg)
Arthur Kraft: that wouldn’t be a good name for an artist in fiction (insert your own Arts and Crafts joke here), but he was a fine artist, none the less. Arthur, who was born in 1921, may have inherited some of his artistic ability from his mother, Mildred Mayfield Kraft, who designed and made flowers […]
Read More![JCRB|AJC – 2020 Virtual Human Relations Event](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/38_REARDON.jpg)
November 1st was the date for Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC’s 2020 Human Relations Event, “Pursuing Justice Standing Together,” which was held via private broadcast. The evening featured the presentation of the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award to Debbie Sosland-Edelman, as well as a roundtable discussion and thought-provoking conversations. Michael Abrams, Merilyn Berenbom, Margi Pence, […]
Read More![Spotlight on Centurions – Zack Donnelly](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-11-at-12.47.56-PM-300x195.png)
Zack Donnelly is a member of the Centurions Class of 2021. He serves on the legacy project committee and is a member of the Tourist In Your Own Town Task Force. Zack earned a degree in finance and entrepreneurship from The University of Kansas. He is employed with The John A. Marshall Company. Volunteering with […]
Read More![Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City – Virtual Most Wanted Auction](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Reed-Erickson.jpg)
December 12th was the date for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City’s virtual Most Wanted Auction. This year, 31 individuals were honored as Kansas City’s Most Wanted. A record-breaking $1.35 million was raised to support the mission of creating life-changing friendships and changing futures for young people. Honoree Reed Erickson (Front […]
Read More![2021 Jewel Ball Chairman](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-11-at-12.15.37-PM.png)
Susan Campbell Heddens (Mrs. Barret Spencer Heddens III) will serve as the chairman of the 2021 Jewel Ball, which will be held on June 18th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Susie is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dean Robert Campbell. Susie attended Kansas State University and earned a bachelor of science […]
Read More![Crib Note – Grant Allen Hoefer](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Grant-newborn-13.jpg)
A bouncing baby boy named Grant Allen Hoefer was born on August 8th to Whitney Hatfield Hoefer and Derek Hoefer of Lenexa, Kansas. The blue-eyed, blond-haired boy weighed seven pounds, five ounces, and was 18 inches long. His grandparents are Sarah Hatfield and Victoria McVicker, Lynn and Tom Hatfield, and Julie and Greg Hoefer. Great-grandmother […]
Read More![The Folly Theater – 6th Annual Folly Frolic](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/193136.jpg)
November 21st was the date for the Folly Theater’s 6th Annual Folly Frolic (a socially-distanced benefit concert). The Folly was able to stage a live performance, as well as a virtual stream of the event, which featured blues singer-songwriter Kelley Hunt, joined by folk singer-songwriter Kelly Hunt. Co-chairmen Stacy Purvis and Gregory Porter arranged a […]
Read More![Kansas City Ballet Guild – 2020 Nutcracker Ball Private Broadcast](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NutBall20-3.jpg)
November 21st was the date for Kansas City Ballet Guild’s 2020 Nutcracker Ball private broadcast event. The event was led by Co-chairmen Edie Downing and Gail Van Way. Guild President Juliette Singer Spinks presented the 2020 Pirouette Award to Bank of America for its contributions to the performing arts in Our Town. Also featured […]
Read More![Culinary Curiosity – The Town Company](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/TownCompany-29.jpg)
All good artistic endeavors start with setting the stage, appealing to all of the senses… immersion. Let’s set the stage for The Town Company, the signature restaurant in the Hotel Kansas City. The former Kansas City Club is the backdrop for this newly-opened, significantly-renovated, yet historically-preserved hotel at 13th and Baltimore. Once inside the original […]
Read More![HALO – Virtual ArtReach Auction, “The Main Event”](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3.-HALO.jpg)
February 26th is the date for HALO’s Virtual ArtReach Auction, “The Main Event.” The action-packed evening will feature the HALO documentary short film premiere, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and Special Guest Oprah Winfrey interviewing HALO Alumni, Marjai. Proceeds support homeless and at-risk children around the world.
Read More![Children’s Mercy – Virtual Red Hot Night](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RHN_Portraits-0268.jpg)
Children’s Mercy’s Red Hot Night will be a virtual affair on February 20th. Randy Pope and Walter Porter are serving as co-chairmen of the 17th annual event. The evening promises to be great fun, including Dustin Colquitt as emcee, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and inspiring mission moments. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s […]
Read More![Homegrown – Home For The Holidays: Designing A Warm And Welcoming Tablescape With Local Favorites](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ChristmasDecor-Kelsey-14.jpg)
As long as I can remember, I’ve always had a hosting heart that loves to entertain and be with friends. It’s something that is effortless for me, and welcoming friends and family into our home is truly a joy. For me, entertaining does not take one specific form, it’s more of what I, as the […]
Read More![Toast To Olde Tymes – Mary Adele Bryant Georgen](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-21-at-1.34.48-PM.png)
Holiday flowers? We’re thinking hyacinths. Why? In honor of Mary Adele Bryant Georgen, known as Adele, who served for many years as the hostess (the term in use at the time) of the Yuletide Tea Dance. The winter event at the Muehlebach Hotel (now the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown) was a […]
Read More![Rachel’s Reads – December 2020](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-21-at-12.42.22-PM.png)
As this crazy year draws to a close, I have noticed my tendency to take more time for reflection than in previous years. There are quiet moments that I have worked into my morning routine that add a sense of serenity and stillness that I appreciate. As part of my reflection, I figured what better […]
Read More![Culinary Curiosity – Duck and Roll](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DuckRoll-Anne-1.jpg)
Let’s start with a confession or a few. They had me at the name – Duck and Roll redefines clever, and I fell for it. Second confession: going to Duck and Roll I had some preconceived notions regarding Asian-style food. Boy, was I wrong! The idea, the name, the food, the owner, all threw me […]
Read More![Spotlight on Centurions – Demetrius Peterson](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Peterson-Family-1.jpg)
Demetrius Peterson is an attorney at Husch Blackwell, where he conducts investigations for schools on alleged violations of the institution’s policies and federal civil rights law, including sexual misconduct, racial discrimination, and harassment. He has very much enjoyed his time so far with Centurions, where he serves as the steering committee chairman. Demetrius earned a […]
Read More![Cheers to Volunteers! – Chris Elkins MacFaden](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Gale-Chris-Andy.jpg)
Chris Elkins MacFaden started volunteering at The Folly Theater three years ago. Since then, she has become an integral part of the team. Chris has served on the volunteer council as secretary, ushered many events, worked in concessions, and served champagne at the Frolic Bubble Bar to patrons. She received the Volunteer of the Year […]
Read More![KVC Health Systems – Groovy Virtual Gala](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jenny-Howard-Jeff-Jensen.jpg)
Shelley and Evan Howe served as chairmen of KVC Health Systems’ Groovy Virtual Gala. The November 13th event was a celebration of the organization’s 50 years of service to children and their families. Guests enjoyed the 1970’s-themed event at home, complete with a “Funky Epiphany” cocktail, auctions, celebrity appearances, and lots of period music. Proceeds […]
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