![Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Miller!](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.47.38-PM.png)
Melanie Renee Lerma and Jonathan Lee Miller were married on August 26th at the Mountain Mermaid in Topanga Canyon, California. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Blanca Lerma of Los Angeles, California, and the late Mr. Richard Anthony Lerma. Melanie is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Martinez of El Paso, Texas, and […]
Read More![Kansas City Young Matrons – 100th Birthday Party](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.19.49-PM.png)
Kansas City Young Matrons gathered on September 16th at the Brass on Baltimore for a 100th Birthday Party. The event was the culmination of an 18-month Centennial Celebration. More than 200 members enjoyed dinner, dancing, birthday cake, and a celebratory toast. The historic club has served Our Town for a century and is looking forward […]
Read More![Kansas City Young Audiences – Benefit Concert for Arts Education](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.15.35-PM.png)
Susan and Chip Schmelzer were the honorary chairmen, and Jana Meyers served as the chairman for Kansas City Young Audiences’ Benefit Concert for Arts Education on October 7th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell performed a concert of Broadway favorites with the Kansas City Symphony. […]
Read More![Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties – Community Ball and Cotillion](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.13.03-PM.png)
December 2nd is the date for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ 67th Annual Community Ball and Cotillion. The debutantes and their escorts represent more than 20 local schools in Our Town. (Front row) Julia Atkins, Caroline O’Keefe, Bianca Tucker, Carly Hofmann, Catherine Henne, Colleen Crabtree, Avery Cahill, Mallory Brajkovic, Ellie Miller, Rachel […]
Read More![First Call – Celebration Evening](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.10.04-PM.png)
More than 350 guests gathered for First Call’s Celebration Evening: A Night of Recovery & Hope on September 14th at The Gallery Event Space. Partygoers enjoyed a delicious dinner and an inspiring address from Keynote Speaker Mackenzie Phillips. Brooke and Jeffrey Kuntz served as the chairmen. Proceeds help support the mission of First Call to […]
Read More![Women’s Foundation – We Work for Change](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.02.29-PM.png)
October 3rd was the date for Women’s Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, We Work for Change at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power was the keynote speaker. Christy and Bill Gautreaux and Yvette and Leo Morton were the co-chairmen, and Dana Abraham and Jenny Haile […]
Read More![The Farmer’s House – Fall Feast](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-2.01.07-PM.png)
The Farmer’s House Farm in Weston, Missouri was the beautiful location for the third annual Fall Feast. Guests enjoyed a fun-filled evening with cocktails, a family-style dinner, beautiful decor, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit The Farmer’s House which helps support the lives of youth and young adults with developmental disabilities. John David […]
Read More![The Family Conservancy – Blue Carpet](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-1.59.53-PM.png)
September 29th was the date for The Family Conservancy’s sixth annual Blue Carpet event at Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. Kendra DeMarrias shared her inspiring story of hope and healing, and the Francis Family Foundation was honored with the Betsy Vander Velde award. The Family Conservancy helps children and families achieve a lifetime of […]
Read More![Congratulations, Sarah & Nick!](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-1.58.10-PM.png)
The Reverend and Mrs. James Michael Shaffer, formerly of Our Town, and Mr. Thomas Claxton Mitchell of Prairie Village, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Jackson Mitchell, to Nicholas Matthias Stasio, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Carmelo Stasio of Houston, Texas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. […]
Read More![Harriman-Jewell Series – Prelude 2017](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/HJSpre_0056.jpg)
Harriman-Jewell Series’ Prelude 2017: Theme and Improvisations was held on September 25th at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Guests enjoyed a thrilling performance by pianist Charlie Albright, as well as cocktails, dinner and a silent auction. Proceeds support Harriman-Jewell Series’ free community programming – Discovery Concerts and Education Events. Clark Morris, Harriman-Jewell Series; […]
Read More![Cheers To Volunteers! – Jessica Dickson](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/coachesvscancer2016-52.jpg)
Jessica Dickson has served as the chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer Season Tipoff for the past three years. She has been on the committee for more than 10 years. Jessica’s dedication – and her passion – have been instrumental in making this event such a tremendous success. Coaches vs. Cancer: (Front […]
Read More![Catholic Charities Foundation of NE KS – Kick-off Meeting](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_8270.jpg)
The members of the Snow Ball Patron and Table Committee of Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas recently held their kick-off meeting. That marked the official launch of the fundraising campaign for the 44th Annual Snow Ball. Ken Williams, Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas; spoke about the highlights of the 2017 fiscal year and […]
Read More![CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties – Hops & Barley Ball](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Michelle-Heckmann_BP6I0551.jpg)
Disco duds and mirror balls were just part of the fun at Hops & Barley Ball: A Night of Disco 70s Style, a benefit for CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties. The September 22nd event was held at Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. Partygoers enjoyed entertainment by Boogie Wonderland, cocktails, dining stations, and a […]
Read More![Kansas City Ballet Guild – Diamond Ball](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/LarryFLevenson-KCBalletBall-2017-E-P-238.jpg)
Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Diamond Ball kicked off Kansas City Ballet’s 60th anniversary season on October 7th at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Loren and Tom Whittaker were the honorary chairmen, and Melanie and Mike Fenske served as the chairmen. More than 450 guests enjoyed a cocktail party, delicious cuisine, breathtaking decor by […]
Read More![The Dish With Ann – rye on The Plaza](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-1.33.34-PM.png)
Husband and wife co-owners and Chefs Megan and Colby Garrelts of Bluestem fame will be opening a second location of their hit restaurant, rye, on the Country Club Plaza on November 24th. Joy and Jeff Stehney of Joe’s Kansas City BBQ are helping launch this second location. The 7,000 square foot restaurant will have a […]
Read More![National World War I Museum and Memorial – Night at the Tower](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20170916_WWI_NightAtTheTower_0389.jpg)
More than 400 guests enjoyed the National World War I Museum and Memorial’s third annual Night at the Tower on September 16th. Jeanette and Kevin Prenger were the chairmen, and members of the Hall family served as the honorary chairmen. Partygoers were treated to eclectic food and beverages, an exclusive auction and an all new […]
Read More![Powell Gardens – Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm-to-Table Dinner](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_4781.jpg)
The ninth annual Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm-to-Table Dinner was held at Powell Gardens on September 24th. Debbie and Eric Tschanz served as honorary chairmen, and Beth Bader and Kurt Becker were the chairmen. More than 130 guests attended, and the evening began with cocktails in the Heartland Harvest Garden. Chef Vaughn Good of […]
Read More![2017 Class of Rising Stars – Jake Jacobson](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-1.10.26-PM.png)
Jake Jacobson is the director of public relations at Children’s Mercy. According to Rachel Hodgson, Great Plains SPCA; he has accomplished more than many non-profit public relations professionals in their entire careers and continues to reset the bar higher and higher. “Jake is able to tap into skills and experience from a diverse background […]
Read More![Lyric Opera Circle – Lyric Opera Ball Kick-off Party](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_16.jpg)
Hallbrook Country Club was the lovely setting for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball Kick-off Party, “Apéritifs and Arias,” on September 21st. Ball Chairman Monica Mitchell-Werp and Paul Werp and Sharon and Lou Smith were the hosts. Guests enjoyed entertainment from the Lyric Opera Resident Artists: Lauren Auge, Marlen Nahhas, Tim Murray, and pianist […]
Read More![Catholic Charities Foundation of NE KS – Snow Ball](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-17-at-1.04.40-PM.png)
Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ 44th Annual Snow Ball will be held on January 20th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, formal dinner and dancing into the night. Susan and Mike Gangel are the honorary presidents, and Maureen and Mike Bukaty are serving as the presidents of the […]
Read More![Prelude 2017 – Benefactors’ Party](https://kcindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/preGala_0009-300x196.jpg)
The beautiful home of Laura Robinson was the perfect setting for a Benefactors’ Party for Prelude 2017, a benefit for the Harriman-Jewell Series. Guests enjoyed a night of celebration, complete with stunning views of the West Bottoms and a September sunset. Dr. Loretta Britton, Robert True, Harriman Council chairman; and Prudence True Ed Milbank […]
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