As we have entered a new season with new demands on our time, sometimes the most satisfying feeling is sitting down and devouring an entire book in one sitting. It might be rare to find the time for some uninterrupted binge reading, but below is a selection of recent releases that are all short enough […]

In his second year as a Centurion, Greg Moore has served on the diversity equity inclusion committee, the Sports, Park, and Recreation Task Force, and the steering committee. Professionally, this sports enthusiast has been with the Kansas City Royals’ marketing department, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Pro Athlete, before his current position as COO of Charlie […]

August 24th was the date for the 39th Annual Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic. The event, which was held at Lake Quivira Country Club, supported Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Honoring the late Betty and Ben Zarda, 120 golfers raised more than $160,000 for Catholic Charities’ summer food initiatives, including the Kids Summer […]

Fancy footwork was imperative as Cristo Rey Kansas City’s annual fundraiser, Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, made the switch to a live-streamed event. The honorary chairman was David Johnson, with Julisha Wilkins and Justina Wilkins, Cristo Rey alumnae and seniors at the University of Missouri – Columbia, as honorary co-chairmen. Kathleen Couchonnal, Kathleen Callahan, […]

In the Directors of Philanthropy issue, The Independent celebrates the remarkable people in Our Town who donate so much of their time and talents to charitable organizations.          Also featured in the October 3, 2020 issue of The Independent

Shadow Glen Golf Course was the site for the KidsTLC Open. The event was held on August 17th and featured libations, food stations, and unique games. Players safely hit the links at staggered, assigned tee times, and enjoyed a beautiful day of golf. Proceeds support services that help children deal with the challenges of mental […]

Generations of Kansas Citians would agree that a firefighter’s memorial was an excellent idea. It took a considerable amount of time to create one, but the finished product was well worth the wait. Discussions for a firefighter’s memorial began in earnest in 1968. The city government was receptive to the idea. Mayor Ilus Davis agreed […]

Hometown pride is an ear-perking topic. When I hear my hometown come up in conversation, I perk up and dive deep with Prairie Village pride. I have a passion for my community, because, like so many of us, my hometown is a part of my story. I do love my little bubble, but if there […]

Paul Gardner arrived in Our Town early in 1932. At that time, he was the assistant to the Trustees of the William Rockhill Nelson Trust. Paul took up residence at the Sophian Plaza, across the street from the site where the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art and Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts (later […]

Jordan Daniel Horigan will celebrate future cakedates on February 28th. He is the son of Kelley Smith Horigan and Cole Horigan of Prairie Village, Kansas. Jordan’s thrilled grandparents are Sandee and Greg Smith of Mission Hills, Kansas, and Karen and Pat Horigan of Frankfort, Kansas. This darling boy has blue eyes and brown hair. Jordan […]

Jen Houston is a senior vice president and community relations manager for UMB Financial Corporation. As a member of Centurions, Jen is the chairman for the Centurions’ Spring Cohort’s Environmentalism Task Force, and she has served on the steering committee. Jen has a bachelor of journalism degree and a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish […]

Sometimes the simple solution is the best one. The Salvation Army relies on a multitude of bell ringers stationed beside their signature red kettles for fundraising. Last year, volunteers spent more than 5,000 hours ringing bells. The sound of the bells draws attention to the kettles, and attracts passersby to donate their change – and […]

Henry Wollman Bloch was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in July 1922. He was the son of Hortense Bienenstok Bloch and Leon Bloch. Henry and his brothers, Leon and Richard, were great-grandsons of Betty Kohn Wollman and Jonas Wollman, who was a prominent merchant in Leavenworth, Kansas, during the latter half of the 19th century. […]

Chuck Cuda is a principal/broker at Opes Commercial Real Estate. He is on the board of trustees of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Mid-America Chapter. Chuck has served as a member of the Light the Night executive leadership committee and was chairman of the event in 2018. Chuck organized his own event, Green Tie Gala, […]

Emily Catherine Kerr and Eric Samuel Lund were united in matrimony on August 8th in Vail, Colorado. The bride is the daughter of Cathy and Matt Kerr of Leawood, Kansas. Emily is the granddaughter of Eugenia Cartmell Hovey and Robert Hovey of Mission Hills, Kansas, and the late Philip Martin Cartmell, Jr., and James Kerr […]

Sarah Reed grew up in a small town near Detroit, Michigan. Her father was her first inspiration, and she considers him the best artist that she knew growing up. “He taught me how to draw and what to look for when I create something, like what shapes make up an object and how different colors […]

Join us in our proud send-off to the Class of 2020. We wish the best to these amazing students as they start their exciting journeys around the country this fall. Reverend Vincent Giacabazi, S.J., Rockhurst High School; Tom Rottinghaus, Luke Rottinghaus, The University of Kansas; Katy Rottinghaus, and David Laughlin, Rockhurst High School   Tyoni […]

“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.” – William H. Gass As I have struggled in the last few months, I have found a new sense of artistic resonance in the genre of memoir. These authors play with words and my sense of the world by blending […]

Karen Crnkovich has been a member of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri for 16 years and is serving as the 2020-21 president. Karen has served on the board of directors for four years and in many other roles, including director of fund development, director of training, board assistant, Holiday Mart co-chairman, and advocacy […]

Teaching math might not be everyone’s idea of happiness, but for Moe Chizari, it’s exactly what the semi-retired accountant and volunteer loves to do. Moe spends his free time working with Literacy KC’s program, High School Equivalency Test preparedness. Giving back motivates Moe to do the work of teaching, and the joy comes when students, […]

If you’re driving by 71st Street and Mission Road in Prairie Village, you’ll notice that there’s a new kid in town. He is part of the sculpture Fifties Freedom In The Village. Brad Johnson wanted to honor his bicycle-riding friends, and E.S. Schubert, who is known as Spencer, created the artwork. Both men graduated from […]