September 20th was the date for First Call’s 6th Annual Celebration Evening, A Night of Recovery and Hope with Francine Ward. Guests enjoyed dinner, a silent auction, a raffle, and fund-a-need at the Regnier Center and Nerman Museum at Johnson County Community College. Licia Clifton-James and Mayor Sly James served as the chairmen. Owen and […]

The Independent is pleased to honor the many remarkable people in Our Town who share their time and talents with so many different organizations. We celebrate these passionate and dedicated individuals who make Kansas City a wonderful place to live. Wayside Waifs *Wayside Waifs is a charitable animal shelter whose purpose is to place adoptable […]

More than 130 guests and patrons attended The Gathering, a Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas event to support the New Roots for Refugees program. The fourth annual event was held on October 4th at the lovely home of Ann and Mike Hays. After perusing the farmer’s market offerings of Menuka Regmi, a New Roots for […]

September 18th was the date for Powell Gardens’ eighth annual Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm-to-Table Dinner. Rosemary and Byron Banta were the honorary chairmen, and Ken Millsap and Jay Wilson served as the chairmen. Proceeds from the event support youth education programs at the Gardens. Ken Millsap, Beth Whalen and Jay Wilson The Heartland […]

September 1st was the date for The YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s Cheers for Challenger event at Teva Pharmaceuticals. Jenny Burkhead, Denise Sanker and Greg Westbrook served as the co-chairmen. Proceeds support the YMCA Challenger program for individuals with special needs.  Mark Hulet and Michelle Ford Additional photos featured in the October 29, 2016 issue […]

Trudy and Jack Gabriel served as the chairmen, and the Dunn Family and JE Dunn Employees were the honorary chairmen of the National World War I Museum and Memorial’s second annual Night at the Tower. More than 500 guests enjoyed the September 17th event. Living Historians Deb Rinehart and Tom Bradbeer flanked Chairmen Jack and […]

September 24th was the date for Madminton, Our Town’s second annual badminton tournament. Guests enjoyed two-on-two tournament play, drinks, lawn games, a costume competition, and entertainment. Proceeds support the 65 shelters, pantries and 14 school districts that Giving the Basics serves. Bob Hamilton posed with his son, Jon. Holly Bisbee, co-chairman; and Evelyn Hill Arina […]

Lucinda Rice-Petrie, member and past-president; led Kansas City Young Matrons’ Heritage Hike on September 26th. In honor of their Centennial year, this year’s route included the Hyde Park neighborhood and ended at the former home of KCYM founder, Carolyn Farwell Fuller.  Members were able to see the Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain on their annual hike. […]

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) hosted New York’s Ailey II in a weeklong residency from September 27th to October 1st. KCFAA’s Gala took place at the Folly Theater on September 30th and honored Bunni Copaken as this year’s Janet K. Miller Award recipient. Ailey II dancers Board Member and Founder Allan S. Gray […]

Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Ballet Bash was held on October 1st at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. Kimberlee Ried and Erik Bergrud were the chairmen, and Nancy Lee and Jonathan Kemper served as the honorary chairmen. Angela Lee Gieras, Angela Smart and Jean Paul Wong and Heather Wong Chris Cribb and Megan […]

Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners was the setting for CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties’ Hops & Barley Backstage Ball on September 23rd. Guests dressed as rock musicians or fans and enjoyed cocktails, dining stations, a silent auction, and entertainment by Saucy Jack. Jake and Jocelyn Jacobson Laurie and Keith Kremer Additional photos featured […]

September 12th was the date for the Kansas City Young Matrons’ first Reassembly Day Tea in their relocated clubhouse. Members enjoyed a lovely brunch, and the annual meeting began with a “Chicago” themed-skit to promote the upcoming Magic Ball, “All That Jazz.” Debbie Westlund, Anne Keil and Christy Jennings, decorations committee members Sue von Geyso […]

Mayor Sly James, City Manager Troy Schulte, the Kansas City, Missouri, Parks Department, City Council members, and honored guests recently announced the City of Kansas City, Missouri’s intention to build a new shelter for the animals of Our Town. The current shelter, operated by KC Pet Project, was built in 1972 and has been considered […]

On September 9th, members and friends of Kansas City Ballet’s BARRE KC gathered for a Welcome Back Dancer Party. Guests enjoyed an open rehearsal at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity and a Meet the Dancer Reception at The Exchange at Lead Bank. Kyle Ward, Miranda Horton and Tyler Vaughters  KCB Dancer Angelina […]

The 11th Annual Carnival for CASA, a benefit for Jackson County CASA, was held on September 10th. Children and adults alike enjoyed all of the attractions of Paradise Park, as well as face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, cotton candy, and pony rides. Abraham Kuhl served as the honorary chairman. Annalyse Robins waited patiently while […]

The 2016 BOTAR Royal Welcome was held on September 9th at the American Royal. BOTARs, Escorts and Royal Escorts and their families enjoyed a delicious buffet and celebrated the upcoming BOTAR Ball. Margaret Stadler and Addie Perry served as the co-chairmen. The 67th BOTAR Ball will be held on October 22nd at the Muehlebach Tower […]

The Belles of the American Royal held its annual Presidents’ Tea on September 10th at The Kansas City Country Club. Past Presidents Julie Townsend Smart and Carol Fryer served as co-chairmen of the Tea, where the 2016 BOTAR class and Pages were introduced. The BOTAR Ball will be held on October 22nd at the Muehlebach […]

August 28th was the date for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Season Kick Off Party. More than 100 Ballet enthusiasts mingled and enjoyed cocktails on the Rooftop Terrace at Three Points. KCB II Dancer Gavin Abercrombie, Linda Shoare and KCB II Dancer Cameron Thomas Lisa Glassman, Jeffrey J. Bentley, Kansas City Ballet; and Kathy Nordhus […]

The Mothers’ Tea for The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ 66th Annual Community Ball and Cotillion was held at Lake Quivira. Mothers and daughters of the Cotillion were given a preview of the Cotillion dress and enjoyed a delightful buffet of high tea refreshments. The Ball will be held on December 3rd at […]

The 26th annual Strutt With Your Mutt, a benefit for Wayside Waifs, was held on September 18th in Brookside. The event featured a 5K run and a 3K walk, as well as fun fare, contests and entertainment. The Companion Protect team prepared for the Strutt.  Kris Ketz’s dog, Tank, helped to emcee the event. The […]

The University of Kansas Hospital’s Treads & Threads was held on September 9th at the Kansas Speedway. Leslie and George Brett were the honorary chairmen, and Barclay and Frank Ross served as the chairmen of the event that featured signature cocktails, delicious fare from local restaurants and a special performance by Train. Guests were greeted […]