To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org. The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of AFPKC. Julianne DeLessio is employed with Union Station Kansas City as its donor and corporate relations manager, where she works with corporate partners and sponsors, as […]

The Overland Park Convention Center will be the site for the 49th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, on January 21st. The black-tie event will include a cocktail reception, a delicious dinner, and dancing. Marcia and Nelson Newcomer and The Newcomer Family are serving as the honorary presidents, and Pam […]

Kathleen Mary Sullivan and Nicholas Anthony Kolarik were united in matrimony on May 29th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of Lisa and Bill Sullivan of Kansas City. Kathleen is the granddaughter of Kathleen Wirtz of Kansas City and the late John Wirtz and the late […]

Winifred Wittmann Lunning turned heads in New York – and probably everywhere else she went – back in the 1930s. Long before fashion models were celebrated as superstars, she graced the pages of  both Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. As the Kansas City Star described her in November 1936, “She is a tall blonde, rather pale, […]

The Symphony Ball “Royal Gala” Benefactors’ Party was held on August 28th at The Capital Grille on the Country Club Plaza. Partygoers enjoyed “home-run” cocktails and culinary delights. The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “Royal Gala,” was held on September 10th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Marny and John Sherman were the Ball […]

The 4th Annual Green Tie Gala, hosted by the OPES Charitable Foundation, was held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown on August 20th. Chris Frantze served as the event chair, and Chuck Cuda is the organization’s founder. Dave Frantze was the Green Tie Honored Survivor. The evening’s festivities included a gourmet dinner, a performance by […]

The Lyric Opera Circle celebrated the start of its 35th year on September 7th with a luncheon at the Carriage Club. Circle President Mary Beth Gentry recognized Founder Judy King and Charter Members Sharon Murray, Virginia Long, and Emilia Barksdale. Juliette Singer Spinks and Edie Downing, who are serving as the 2023 Lyric Opera Ball […]

Reassembly Day Tea was held on September 12th for the members of the Kansas City Young Matrons. Joni Siplon, the president, welcomed everyone to the event, which included both brunch and a business meeting. Julie Maggart, past president, was thanked, and Bobbie Messick was honored for her hours as a volunteer. A highlight was the […]

August 27th was the date for the BOTAR Presidents’ Tea, which  took place at The Kansas City Country Club. Past presidents were introduced to the BOTAR Class of 2022 and Pages. A fashion show of historic gowns, followed by the unveiling of this year’s selection, was part of the festivities. The BOTAR Ball will be […]

Lidia’s was the site for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Annual Kick-off Party on August 21st. Angela Moore, Lisa Sirridge, and Susan Sands were the hosts. Guild President Melissa Ford welcomed the guests, and then Devon Carney, the Ballet’s artistic director spoke about the exciting upcoming performances.  Featured in the October 15, 2022 issue of […]

The character of Violetta Valéry that Giuseppe Verdi and librettist Francesco Piave created for the operatic stage began provoking controversy from the moment of La traviata’s premiere in 1853. For moralists, including the Venetian censors of the day, this “fallen woman” (a literal translation of the title) presented an inappropriately positive image of a 19th-century courtesan: […]

Susie and Chuck Caisley served as the chairmen of Jazzoo. More than 2,800 guests gathered for the gala, which was recently held at the Kansas City Zoo. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, delicious fare from 50 restaurants, music from six local bands and DJs, and entertainment from Kansas City Aerial Arts.. Proceeds help to provide food and […]

Glynnis Greer Conger and Brock William Hightower were united in matrimony on September 3, 2021, at Villa Regina Teodolinda in Lake Como, Italy. The bride, who is known as Gigi, is the daughter of  Meg and Michael Conger of Scottsdale, Arizona. Her groom is the son of  Lorraine and William Hightower of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. […]

For some, service is what they do, and for others, it is an extension of who they are. Alisha Thomson is the latter; engaging in volunteerism is something that is woven through every stage of her life story and is the backdrop of her career success. Alisha grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and later moved […]

Lake Quivira Country Club was the site for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas’ Mothers’ Tea on September 18th. The event was for the mothers of the debutantes and escorts who will be participating in the 72nd Annual Community Ball and Cotillion, to be held on December 3rd. The honorees are […]