The residents of Our Town love the summer months, and The Independent delights in sharing your special moments.                                          

Guests had the opportunity to view the construction of LongHouse, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens’ new visitor center when the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park hosted Stems: A Garden Soirée at the Arboretum on June 25th. Everyone enjoyed sampling wines (in signature hand-painted wineglasses!) and delicious fare from local restaurants. The […]

July 8th was the date for Band of Angels’ Art That Blows event, which was held at The Abbott. Partygoers enjoyed great music, a unique atmosphere, and the chance to bid on one-of-a-kind art pieces, which were all made from recycled music instruments.     Featured in the August 20, 2022 issue of The Independent. […]

The Reverend Dr. Ted Pierce of Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church gave the invocation when Welcome House held a Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 23rd for the soon-to-be Welcome House Recovery Center. It will provide temporary shelter for more than 100 men seeking assistance in dealing with substance use disorder. The amenities will include classrooms, offices, a […]

The Folly Theater has just begun the most extensive renovation project in its history. To celebrate, there was a Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 21st. Among the upcoming attractions are wider seats, an upgraded bar and restrooms on the balcony level, and, in order to help the stars shine, revitalized dressing rooms. Bought your tickets yet […]

Kathy Hunt Woodward (Mrs. Phillip Scott Woodward) was the chairman for The Jewel Ball, a benefit for The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony. The event was held on June 18th at the Museum. Mary Jane Young Barnes (Mrs. Bryant Page Barnes) was the honorary chairman, with Anne Potter Russ (Mrs. Norbert […]

The UMKC School of Medicine’s 50th Anniversary Benefactor Party was held at the stunning home of Rachael and Dr. Nelson Sabates. A jazz trio from the UMKC Conservatory provided entertainment for the guests. The Honorable Brenda and Charlie Shields served as honorary chairmen.        Featured in the July 23, 2022 issue of The […]

Friends and family gathered on May 24th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to toast Starr and Tom Wagstaff, as they received the Lifetime Legacy Award from Saint Luke’s Health System. The loyal and generous couple have devoted 50 years of service to the Saint Luke’s community in Our Town. Cheers to the […]

Loch Lloyd Country Club was the course of choice for the recent C&C Group Alphapointe Pro-Am. Funds raised by the record number of golfers support youth programs at Alphapointe, which offers comprehensive rehabilitation and training services for people who are blind or visually impaired.           Featured in the July 23, 2022 […]

June 6th was the date for the KidsTLC Open Golf Tournament, which was held at Shadow Glen Golf Course. Golfers hit the links and helped KidsTLC celebrate its 50th anniversary. Players enjoyed libations, food stations, games, and more. Proceeds support the organization to help transform the lives of children and families experiencing challenges with mental […]

The spectacular Hyde Park home of Brian Williams was the site for the annual “Jolly for the Folly” Garden Party on June 5th. Guests enjoyed delectable picnic fare and mint juleps – and even the weather was perfect.       Featured in the July 23, 2022 issue of The Independent. Photo credit: Elements Studio […]

Children and carnivals just go together, and they were reunited in June at Faulkner’s Ranch, where a rootin’ tootin’ good time was had by all! Honorary Chairman Dana Outlaw saw to it that the western theme was as perfect as the name association! Proceeds from Carnival for CASA benefit the mission of advocating for children […]

The Kansas City Country Club was the site for The Jewel Ball Debutante Tea, which was held on June 12th. Kathy Roney and Alexis Woodward were the co-chairmen. Joan Marsh and Sally West served as tea pourers.           Featured in the July 23, 2022 issue of The Independent. Photo Credit: Wirken […]

Family Health Care’s 11th annual Tacos & Beer on the Boulevard was held at Boulevard Brewing Company. The festive event featured delicious fare from Hefter Catering, an open air booth, great music from DJ Anthony Cangelose, and a silent auction. Lisa Walter and Kaitlin Walter were the co-chairmen, and BJ Kissel served as the emcee.  […]

                    Featured in the July 9, 2022 issue of The Independent.

Sometimes a single sartorial decision can bring about life-altering consequences. Brian Keith Gamble could not possibly have known, when he donned his 2015 Crestwood Red Mid Basketball Shoes for the flight home to South Carolina on Christmas morning 2015, that he’d be meeting a dazzling ballet dancer later that day.  And Kansas City Ballet Company […]

The Kansas City Symphony League held its annual Spring Luncheon on May 11th at The River Club. Jenny Erdman and Silvy Brookby were the co-hosts for the event, and Symphony Ball Honorary Chairman Marny Sherman was the special guest.       Featured in the June 25, 2022 issue of The Independent. Photo Credit: Heirloom […]

The Jewel Ball Prelude Party officially kicked off the 2022 Jewel Ball season on June 2nd. The festive event was held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Lauri Jones and Jenny Turner Tuttle served as the Prelude Party co-chairmen. This year’s Debutantes, Gentlemen of The Jewel Ball, and Escorts were introduced to representatives […]

The Belles of the American Royal are pleased to announce that Amy Ball Polen will serve as the BOTAR president for 2022. Amy is a BOTAR, class of 1991. In addition to leading several committees, Amy was vice president of public relations in 2006, vice president of The BOTAR Ball in 2012, and vice president […]

The Folly Theater’s annual Folly Golf Tournament was held on May 23rd at Oakwood Country Club. Alex Solorio served as the chairman. Golfers enjoyed a bagpipe serenade for the early start and finished with scotch and cigars in the afternoon.         Featured in the June 25, 2022 issue of The Independent. Photo […]

On May 12th, a luncheon was held at The Kansas City Country Club in celebration of the CRA 100th Anniversary. Members of Mercy Auxiliary, the predecessor of the Children’s Relief Association, began donating their time, talents, and funds to Children’s Mercy Hospital in 1922. Doe Loftus served as the CRA 100th Anniversary chairman, and Julie […]