The Stack the Decks committee members and staff met on February 11th to plan this year’s festivities.  The Associated Youth Services‘ 5th Annual Stack the Decks Casino Night will be held on April 8th at The Ritz Charles.  Proceeds will help AYS serve Kansas youth in crisis this year. Also featured in the March 5th issue of The Independent   […]

TNT, a gigantic garage sale, will be held at St. Teresa’s Academy on April 1st and 2nd.  The sale will feature furniture, housewares, antiques, linens, kitchenware, books, and more.  Brenda Doyle, Carol Gardner, Shellie Kemna, Karen Stacy, and Lisa Thomsen are serving as co-chairmen of the event. Also featured in the March 5th issue of The Independent […]

Guests gathered at the beautiful home of Patty and Charles Garney on December 13th for a holiday cocktail party. Members of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and their spouses, along with alumnae of Cottey College, enjoyed an evening of delicious food and learned about the College’s comprehensive campaign. Also featured in the February 19th issue of The […]

The 2010 Greater Kansas City Business Hall of Fame Annual Dinner was held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown on November 11th.  The event honored Clinton Burns, Robert McDonnell, Kenneth Baum, Michael Brown, and Dan Hesse for their extraordinary contribution to Our Town.  Julie Schlatter served as event co-chairman, and Brian Burns was the chairman. Proceeds supported Junior Achievement […]

Planning for the Kansas City Rose Society’s 2011 Rose Show has begun.  Committee members are looking forward to the June 5th event.  This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Kansas City Rose Society. Also featured in the February 19th issue of The Independent Magazine Photo Credit: The Kansas City Rose Society   Monique Elfman, […]

Whitefield Academy‘s annual dinner and auction will be held on February 12th at the Ritz Charles Conference Center.  Guests will enjoy a live and silent auction, delicious dinner and live music from the students at the school.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Whitefield Academy and its mission to provide classical Christian education for students in Our […]

The Wild About Harry Kick-Off Meeting was held on December 15th and Nancy and Herb Kohn served as event chairmen. The Wild About Harry celebration will be held on April 28th and will feature a keynote address by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and honor Christopher “Kit” Bond. W.H. “Bert” Bates and Edward Matheny […]

The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City hosted its 18th Annual Grants Awards Luncheon on December 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel.  Grants were awarded to 19 local agencies for programs benefiting women and girls in Our Town.  Kanyere Eaton was the keynote speaker.  Amy Davis, Sherri Wattenbarger and Carrie Doctor-Hartman served as luncheon co-chairmen.  A […]

Saint Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary hosted the 24th Biennial Holly Ball on December 4th at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza.  Guests enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, and dancing to the tunes of Galaxy.  Caren Nelsen and Cacki Smith served as co-chairmen.  Proceeds from the event benefited the Emergency Department of Saint Luke’s Hospital. Also […]

The HEARAid Gala took place on November 13th at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel.  G. Richard Hastings was the honorary chairman.  Jeff Greiner was honored for his contribution in the field of cochlear implants.  Guests enjoyed a wonderful performance from Las Vegas headliner Larry G Jones.  The beautiful home of Ann Dickinson was the […]

The Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC) Human Relations Dinner was held on November 21st at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel.  Donald J. Hall, Jr. was honored for his significant contributions of time, effort and expertise to improve the lives of people in Our Town and beyond.  For his efforts, he was presented with the 2010 Henry W. Bloch […]

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary recently held its annual Membership Tea at the lovely home of Madeline Wrobley.  Guests enjoyed refreshments and each other’s company. Gloria Findley-Grogger serves as president of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. Also featured in the January 8th issue of The Independent  (Front row) Jeanne Cockayne, Madeline Wrobley, host;  and Louanne […]

The 16th Annual Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon was held on December 11th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.  The festivities featured the Kansas City Youth Ballet performing excerpts from The Nutcracker, and holiday carols sung by the St. James Academy Honors Choir.  Guests enjoyed watching the magicians perform, taking photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy […]

Mission Valley Hunt committee members are well underway planning for their Annual Hunt Ball on February 5th.  A Patrons’ Party will be held on February 4th at the lovely home of Kelly Cole and Charles Shrout, and will be co-hosted by Julie and Mike Honsinger.  Members will round up their horses and hounds for a […]

Third-generation Swirk Jewelry owners Tracy and Brian Swirk opened the doors of their Plaza store on December 10th to greet friends and customers and celebrate the business’ 100th anniversary.  Brian’s grandfather, Ben Swirk; opened a jewelry store downtown a century ago.  Ben’s son, Joe Swirk; moved the store to the Country Club Plaza in 1965, where it […]

Ozanam‘s 27th annual Hollywood Holiday Gala was held on December 2nd at The Westin Crown Center Hotel.  Guests enjoyed cocktails, silent and live auctions, a delicious dinner, and entertainment by the boys and girls at Ozanam.  Katherine Bontrager Houlehan and Joseph Houlehan served as chairmen.  Proceeds from the evening benefited scholarships and services for the boys and girls […]

Members of the Lyric Opera Circle gathered for the Holiday Luncheon on December 1st at Webster House.  Everyone eagerly anticipates the Lyric Opera Ball, which will take place on April 2nd at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel. Also featured in the January 8th issue of The Independent Magazine Rhea Winslow, Suzanne Shank, 2011 Ball co-chairman; Tricia Scott, president; and […]

Newhouse House Party was held on November 20th at the Ritz Charles.  The theme was “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and all funds raised at the event will benefit the women and children served by the shelter.  Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, live music and silent and live auctions.  One lucky live auction winner will receive a custom-made […]

The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties held its annual Mother’s Tea on September 19th as the official kick-off for the 2010 Community Ball and Cotillion.  The event recognized the mothers of the 60 high school seniors that have been honored with an invitation to participate in the event.  The Mother’s Tea was hosted at the lovely home of Renee […]

Amy Barickman‘s new book Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion & Fun launched on September 2nd with an event at the Kansas City Public Library and a reception at the Simpson House.  A percentage of book sales that evening benefited Enchanted Makeovers, an organization that transforms shelters for women and children into places of […]

Helzberg Collections™ celebrated the grand opening of its flagship store on the Country Club Plaza on October 7th.  Many guests joined in for the unveiling of the dramatic new store setting and to meet Olympic gold medalist, Dorothy Hamill, as she debuted her exclusive Love, Help and Hope Collection™.  Proceeds from the event benefited Susan G. Komen® for […]