The beautiful home of Anne and Howard Elsberry was the setting for the Benefactor Party for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “An Evening of Bel Canto,” on April 5th. Guests enjoyed cocktails, a delicious buffet and a performance by the Lyric Opera Resident Artists. Carol and C. Humbert Tinsman were the honorary chairmen, […]

The University of Kansas Health System and The University of Kansas Medical Center’s Advancement Board held its annual Spring Board Meeting and social at the Academic Medical Center on April 26th. The board, comprised of business and civic leaders from Our Town, is a powerful advocate for the academic medical center. Pat McCown is the […]

April 23rd was the date for Royals Charities’ 11th annual Celebrity Golf Tournament at Shadow Glen Golf Club. The event raised $100,000 for Royals Charities and the Special Olympics KC Metro. Joe Randa, Kansas City Royals   Doc Worley, Les Smith, John Wathan, Kansas City Royals; Don Wagner and Marsh Dean   Cam Gallagher, Kansas […]

What’s new at Powell Gardens? Plenty! April 13th was the date for the dedication of the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden. On the 14th, Union Station Kansas City’s Innovation Center was the site of a dinner in celebration of reaching the halfway point in the Strengthen Today to Ensure the Future Campaign. In other good […]

April 6th was the date for Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Books & Boutiques at the Overland Park Convention Center. Frances Mayes was the keynote author. Proceeds from the event support the creation of an outdoor physical therapy garden at the future Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. The Rehabilitation Institute will offer the best robotics and enhanced therapeutic […]

Nearly 1,000 guests gathered for the fifth annual Welcome House Breakfast on April 25th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Grant Baumgartner served as chairman of the event that raised awareness and funds for the Kansas City residential sober living recovery organization. Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf delivered a powerful keynote address chronicling his personal […]

Truman Library Institute’s 19th annual Wild About Harry was held on April 19th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. David McCullough was honored with the 2018 Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award. Jo Ann and Bill Sullivan were the honorary chairmen, and Betsy and Tim Triplett served as the chairmen. […]

April 12th was the date for Jackson County CASA’s 18th annual Light of Hope Breakfast. Dianne Shumaker, Shumaker Family Foundation; received the Light of Hope Award for the Foundation’s generous support of CASA. Russ Welsh served as the honorary chairman. CASA Volunteer and Keynote Speaker Lisa Carpenter gave a moving address about the childhood experiences […]

April 5th was the date for a Patrons’ Party for Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Books & Boutiques at the AMC Theatre Support Center. Guests enjoyed an opportunity to meet Frances Mayes, New York Times best-selling author of Under the Tuscan Sun. Frances signed copies of her latest novel, Women in Sunlight. Lee Ann and Brent Bloss […]

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City’s annual Match Appreciation Banquet was held on April 8th at the Overland Park Convention Center. More than 1,000 Bigs and Littles gathered for the event that celebrated life-changing friendship. Matches enjoyed pre-show entertainment and were recognized by their match length. The Little Spotlight and Big of the […]

Cathi and David Brain served as the honorary chairmen for The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s Stardust Gala on April 7th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, dining and dancing to classic Kansas City big band jazz, with 17 musicians and Molly Hammer, vocalist; under the direction of Artistic Director Clint Ashlock. Sally […]

April 8th was the date for The Kansas City Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Celebration at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Julia Irene Kauffman and the late Muriel McBrien Kauffman were honored, as well as many others from Kansas City Ballet’s past and present. Former and current dancers each introduced an era of the Kansas […]

Cathy Baier and Maria Maffry served as co-chairmen of the Women’s Employment Network’s Annual Luncheon, “MORE Than I Thought I Could Be,” on April 4th. The event drew more than 1,100 guests. Recipients of the 2018 Beth K. Smith Award were Elizabeth and James Ferrell, Kate Ferrell Banks and David Banks and Pamela Breuckmann. They […]

April 5th was the date for CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties’ Promise of Hope luncheon at the Ritz Charles. More than 700 guests heard how CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children. Adoptive parents Jodi and Dr. Ryan Fischer and their CASA volunteer, Carol Dykman, shared their moving story […]

The Kansas City Symphony Alliance (KCSA) will host the 49th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse through May 13th. The home is located at 445 West 56th Street. Judy Barackman and Vandra Solomon are serving as the co-chairmen. The first Symphony Designers’ Showhouse was presented in 1970. The project has enabled KCSA to contribute more than five million […]

More than 800 guests gathered for Benedictine College’s annual Scholarship Ball. Joan Moyer Kemlage and Thomas Kemlage and Pamela Schaefer Kramer and Kevin Kramer were honored with the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict. Lené Westerman and Kate McClard Carr and Patrick Carr were the co-chairmen, and John Holt served as the emcee. Jeanne […]

Vanessa Williams was the featured performer at the 31st Anniversary Cabaret. She dazzled the audience with her voice and wit. The event, a benefit for Rose Brooks Center, was held on February 25th at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. More than $600,000 was raised, and the funds will be used to end […]

The 15th Annual ArtsKC Awards Luncheon was held on March 8th at the Kansas City Convention Center. More than 1,000 guests enjoyed the creative event that featured acclaimed performers, an artist reception and Featured Artist Cheryl Eve Acosta whose sculptural pieces were on display before the event. Cheryl handcrafted each of the five awards that […]

March 3rd was the date for Notre Dame de Sion School’s A Toast to Sion Gala. More than 400 guests celebrated Sion at the 32nd annual event. Alison Begley Schissler ’80, and Samuel Schissler and Paetra Desmarteau Serra ’87, and Gino Serra served as the chairmen. Kris and Jason Townsend and Davon Hazley and Malcolm […]

March 27th was the date for Newhouse’s Annual New Day Luncheon at Grand Street. Loren Halifax served as the emcee. The mission of Newhouse is to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing the tools that allow individuals and families to make positive choices and lead self-sufficient lives. Vicki Kraft, Newhouse; Tracy Lockton and […]

The March of Dimes’ Signature Chefs Auction will be held on October 18th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Guests will enjoy sampling the chefs’ creations for a special tasting experience. The festive evening also includes cocktails, silent and live auctions and fund-a-need. Jenny Thomas and Makenzie Eisel   Carolyn Long […]