Anne and Kevin Connor, Ann and Joe Hodes and Melissa and David Skeens are serving as the co-chairmen of St. Teresa’s Academy auction, We Thank Our Lucky Stars. The November 21st event will be held at the school. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a gourmet dinner catered by Garõzzo’s Ristorante, more than 800 exciting silent and […]

As a young black woman growing up in Our Town’s urban core, Melissa Robinson had a lot to overcome. Her life could have taken many turns, but she decided early on that she wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of her dreams.  After Melissa graduated from North Kansas City High School, she […]

December 4th is the date for the Women’s Foundation’s Annual Luncheon, to be held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Arianna Huffington, chairman, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group; is the featured speaker. The mission of the Women’s Foundation is to promote equality and opportunity for women of all […]

Hannah Hasselquist was born and raised in Our Town. She graduated summa cum laude from Benedictine College with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and dance. Hannah is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. She is the co-chairman of the Arts Task Force and serves on the retreat planning committee and the […]

Sarah and Jon Baum are the honorary chairmen for MOCSA’s annual Johnson County Fall Forum on October 7th at the Overland Park Marriott. Honorary Chairmen Jon and Sarah Baum Also featured in the September 5, 2015 issue of The Independent Photo Credit: David Remley  

Grab your girlfriends, grab a cocktail and grab a shopping bag! Holiday Mart, a benefit for The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, will be held from October 22nd through the 25th at Bartle Hall. Ladies’ Night Out will be held on October 23rd. The event will feature signature cocktails, delicious fare from PB&J Restaurants, […]

October 24th is the date for Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Boo Ball. The sixth annual event will take place at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, and guests will enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and HOWL 2 GO dueling piano entertainment. Proceeds will support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Saint Luke’s East Hospital. Boo Ball Committee: […]

Cathy Fligg Frame is serving as The Belles of the American Royal 2015 president. It has been one of the her most favorite organizations to be a part of. “My Aunt Nancy once gave me the best advice: ‘Surround yourself with people who are older and younger than you are, and you will always have […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s Holiday Mart will be held from October 22nd through the 25th at Bartle Hall. Committee members are busy planning the fun-filled, four day event. Shayla Hammeke and Katie Minnis are serving as the co-chairmen. Holiday Mart has raised nearly $10 million for community projects since its inception in […]

Brent Blacklock is a partner with TPP Certified Public Accountants. Brent is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. He serves on the Healthcare and Aging Task Force and the projects committee. Brent and his wife, Audrey, have two children, Grace and Hannah. Hannah Blacklock with her father, Brent Blacklock  

Janine Akers and Ryan Anderson are serving as co-chairmen of the ninth annual Stand Up for Synergy on November 7th at the Improv Comedy Club at Zona Rosa. Billy Gardell, star of the CBS television show Mike and Molly, is the featured performer. Proceeds support domestic violence prevention, shelter and support for children, women and […]

Ann Dickinson is the honorary chairman, and Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley is serving as chairman of the Kansas City Ballet’s Nutcracker Ball at Union Station Kansas City. The December 4th event will feature cocktails, dinner and dancing to the Michael Beers Band. This year’s Ball will kick off the all new Nutcracker, featuring exciting choreography, beautiful […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s 28th annual Holiday Mart will take place at Bartle Hall from October 22nd through the 25th. Shayla Hammeke and Katie Minnis are the co-chairmen. Proceeds help the JLKCMO to continue its legacy of giving funds and volunteer hours to Our Town. Shayla Hammeke and Katie Minnis, co-chairmen   Also […]

On June 1st, Rachel Sexton started serving as president of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri. Rachel is thrilled to be part of an organization that is developing women leaders by giving them significant volunteer opportunities. She is the chief operating officer of VPR Companies. Rachel and her husband, Brian King, have three children, […]

Gail Gray is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. She serves on the projects committee and the Law and Order Task Force. Gail is the vice president of operations at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. She and her husband, Robert, have a daughter, Jasmine. Also featured in the August 8, 2015 issue of The Independent   

Jeremy Lillig feels honored to be one of The Independent’s Rising Stars of Philanthropy and finds it to be a great privilege to be able to contribute to our wonderful Town. Philanthropy is an ingrained part of his professional, civic and personal life. As managing director of the Bright Futures Fund, Jeremy helps to improve […]

October 6th is the date for the American Cancer Society’s eighth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Season Tipoff at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. Bonnie and Herb Buchbinder, Lynne and Ed Elder, Lisa Garney, and Liz and Greg Maday are the honorary co-chairmen, and Lindsey and Darcy Stewart and Jessica and Ryan Dickson are serving […]

The Kansas City Young Matrons’ new president is Barbara Eiszner. Barbara has been a member of KCYM since 1999. Founded in 1917, KCYM is beginning its 99th year. This year, the KCYM Clubhouse, which is listed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places, will be physically moved from its original Oak Street location to a […]

Judy and Jim Heeter are the honorary chairmen of the Kansas City Young Audiences’ Benefit Concert for Arts Education. The October 3rd event will be held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will feature Tony and Emmy Award-winner Kristin Chenowith, who will perform with the Kansas City Symphony in Helzberg Hall. […]

Eighteen-year-old Chaeyoung Park will be the guest artist with the Kansas City Symphony at the Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “Rhapsody in Blue,” to be held on September 12th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Joan Horan is the honorary chairman, and Elaine Mann and Annette Sherrow are serving as the co-chairmen. Chaeyoung […]

The Harriman-Jewell Series’ Prelude 2015: Building on the Past. Imagining the Future will be held at the 1900 Building. Members of the Karbank family are the honorary chairmen, and Prudence and Robert True are serving as chairmen of the September 21st event that will celebrate the start of the Series’ 51st season. Guests will enjoy […]