Book lovers know the power of a great book. They know that inside those magical pages lies a story that can change lives. As Charles W. Eliot said, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Books allow readers to paint […]

This month, Meagan Dowell  is opening her own business, On the Ball, an upscale daycare and boarding center for dogs in The Shops at Prairie Village. This is a big change for Meagan, who is a certified public accountant. Even with a daunting work schedule, the Rising Star, Class of 2017, has always found time […]

Mary Beth Bavitz and Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Bruce Bavitz, all of Lincoln, Nebraska, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Bavitz, to Peter James Fields, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip James Fields of Westwood, Kansas. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Lincoln East High School. She earned a […]

January 26th was the date for Kansas City Young Matrons’ Magic Ball, a benefit for Avenue of Life. Bonne Illig and Martha Miller served as the co-chairmen, and Maureen and Mike Bukaty were the honorary chairmen. Partygoers gathered at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown and enjoyed cocktails, dinner, a live auction, entertainment by KOKOMO, and […]

Friends of Children’s Mercy welcomed Paul Kempinski, new president and CEO of Children’s Mercy, to Our Town at Cheers to the New Year and You! The event was held at the Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland on January 17th. To add to the excitement, there was the first public preview of the third season […]

Members of the Kansas City Ballet Bolender Society had “Evening With Ramona” on their calendars for January 24th. That night, Melanie and Mike Fenske were hosts at The Carriage Club for Lady of the Camellias or How I Fell in Love with Chopin at Age 4 with Ramona Pansegrau, music director. Special performances by Sarah […]

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball – For the Love of Opera will be held on April 13th at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Joan Braswell and Sherry Love served as co-chairmen for the invitation assembly party and luncheon, which was held on February 6th at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. […]

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Donnelly of Fairway, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Marie Donnelly, to Thomas Michael Ryan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ryan of Manhattan, Illinois. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Campbell and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph […]

Stephanie Meyer grew up in Wichita, Kansas. From there, she went to Kansas State University, where she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations. Stephanie received her master’s degree in public administration from The University of Kansas. She is employed with DLR Group as an education funding specialist and also is in […]

Party like it’s 1799! That was the thought some guests had while dressing for Party Arty 2019. The event was held at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on February 2nd. Young Friends of Art hosted, and the mood of extravagance and rebellion was inspired by the exhibition, Napoleon: Power and Splendor. Chelsea Templeton and Jaclyn […]

February 13th was the date for The Independent’s Top Ten Party at 28 Event Space. Our Town’s deep commitment to philanthropy was on display as The Top Ten Events of 2018 and The Independent’s 2019 Class of Rising Stars were announced. More than 200 guests enjoyed cocktails and delicious fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. […]

David Disney served as the honorary chairman for Metropolitan Community College’s Chancellor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Luncheon. The January 18th event was held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Ron Stallworth, author of Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Investigation of a Lifetime, and Kevin Willmott, a professor of film […]

February 13th was the date for The Independent’s Top Ten Party at 28 Event Space. Our Town’s deep commitment to philanthropy was on display as The Top Ten Events of 2018 and The Independent’s 2019 Class of Rising Stars were announced. More than 200 guests enjoyed cocktails and delicious fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. […]

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Craig Moore of St. Joseph, Missouri, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Joanne Kathryn Moore, to George Guthrie Hinde, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Scott Hinde of St. Joseph. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Joseph Sehnert Moore of Independence, Missouri, and the late Mr. […]

Marilyn J. and Kenneth V. Hager met on a blind date. The person who set them up was a good judge of character – they’ve been married for 43 years now. They are serving as the honorary chairmen of the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball – For the Love of Opera.  The Hagers are […]

Klassie Alcine is a member of the Rising Stars, Class of 2017. She is the director of corporate and community partnerships at The Central Exchange. Klassie is busier than ever helping to make Kansas City a better place to live. She volunteers with American Public Square (APS) to address violence in Kansas City. Klassie served […]

Stems: A Garden Soirée will be held on June 22nd at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Bo and Bill Stueck are the honorary chairmen for the 12th annual event, which is hosted by The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park. More than 2,000 guests will enjoy cocktails, delicious fare, and music in […]

Mark Nuss recently became a director at Summit Equity Group. A 2006 graduate of The University of Kansas School of Business, Mark earned a master’s degree in business administration from the UMKC Bloch School of Business in 2012. Mark is a member of the Centurions Spring Class of 2020. He serves on the social committee […]

Long ago, our scribe called Daniel MacMorris “multi-faceted.” He worked in oil, watercolor, charcoal, and pen-and-ink, creating portraits (including many of prominent Kansas Citians and benefactors and chancellors at The University of Kansas), murals (for the Kansas City Public Library, a local Sears store, and the city hall of Houston, Texas, among others), sketches, and […]

January 24th was the date for the Patrons’ Party for Kansas City Young Matrons’ Magic Ball. The event was held at the Pinnacle National Development Center to honor benefactors of the Ball. Patrons enjoyed delectable fare from Pierpont’s and tours of the beautiful new facility. The Magic Ball, a benefit for Avenue of Life, was […]

Mr. and Mrs. W. Brent Fuson of Prairie Village, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Catherine Fuson, to Jonathan Phillip Horowitz, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Horowitz of Lawrenceville, Georgia. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Patrick Wagner of St. Louis, Missouri, and Cornelia […]