Top Ten Events of 2023 Issue

There were just a couple of snowflakes in the air on January 15th, just enough to enhance the atmosphere of the 31st annual Snow Ball, but not too many as to create problems for the 1,700 partygoers in attendance at the gala!

Crown Center Exhibit Hall hosted the supporters of the Catholic Charities of Kansas event, which raised a heartwarming $870,000. Boasting the ever-popular martini bar, ice sculptures, and hot music, the evening was a resounding success! The proceeds will be used to help more than 75,000 people of all faiths with emergency assistance, counseling, and health care.

Snow Ball Presidents Mr. and Mrs. Kent Crippin

Susan McSpadden and Monte Mace

In The Spotlight

“A Toast to Opera” will celebrate the rich history and enduring beauty of the timeless art form of opera! The Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, under the direction of Co-chairmen Deanna Diebolt and Sharon Barry, promises to be an elegant affair with curated silent auction items, pop-up opera performances, dinner, and dancing to the sounds of Lost Wax.

The April 20th gala will be held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Carmen Sabates is serving as the Lyric Opera Circle president. Proceeds support the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Ball Co-chairmen Deanna Diebolt and Sharon Barry with Lyric Opera Circle President Carmen Sabates

Join Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy for its 50th Jubilee Civic Service Celebration on March 10th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and an inspirational program during which Mindy Corporon will be honored for her tireless commitment to overcoming hate with kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. Mindy is the co-founder of the non profit, SevenDays. Jane and Josh Sosland are the event chairs, and Jean Zeldin and Carl Puritz are the sponsor committee co-chairs. Serving as Honorary Co-chairs are Dianne Cleaver and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, Peggy and Terry Dunn, and Debbie Sosland-Edelman and Alan Edelman.

The ALS Association’s A Night of Hope event is set for March 2nd at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Enjoy a delicious dinner, a live auction, and an awards presentation. George Brett, Kansas City Royals baseball legend, will be honored for his exceptional commitment to the fight against ALS. Special highlights of the night will be the presentation of the Tom Watson Award for Courage to Michelle Melland, and the George Brett Award for Commitment to Davis Bethune & Jones. Katie and Mark Moreland are serving as honorary chairs for the event. Committee members include Michelle Twibell, Ruth Ann and Terry Betzelberger, Sean Hogan, Jen Benjamin, Lisa and Scott Hallier, Trey Humphrey, and Alissa Wehmueller. Visit alsa.org-midamerica to learn more.

I Wonder –which young man behaved perfectly as the ladies doted on him?

Kansas City Scott Gallagher (KCSG) introduced a new program in early 2023 to provide an inclusive and adaptive soccer experience for all children. The program, STARS (Success Through Adaptive Rec Soccer), is led by Jessica and Adam Lamb, who bring a wealth of experience to the program. Jessica is an occupational therapist in the Lee’s Summit School District, and Adam serves as the boys director of coaching at KCSG. The couple’s biggest inspiration is their son, Ollie. When Ollie was diagnosed with autism, their passion to provide him with a fun and adaptive soccer experience was born. The program brings together soccer coaches, volunteers, and occupational, physical and speech therapists, and behavior specialists to provide the best possible experience. It also provides a way for young soccer players to improve their readiness and cognitive skills, motor development, and basic soccer skills. Thank you, KCSG and Jessica and Adam, for the wonderful work you are doing to bring the joy of soccer to every child.

Join Notre Dame de Sion on March 2nd at The Abbott for its 38th Annual Gala Auction. This year’s Toast to Sion theme is “Noir et Blanc.” Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite black and white cocktail attire. Enjoy delicious bites and sips, silent and live auctions, dancing into the night, and a chance to win the $10,000 super cash raffle! Mass will be celebrated before the event. To learn more, visit ndsion.edu.

Miles Henry Floyd Dunn arrived on December 5th, much to the delight of his parents, Sarah Ingram Dunn and Alec Dunn, and older sibling John Oliver Dunn! Weighing eight pounds, 12 ounces, and reaching 20 and one-half inches long, the newest member of the Dunn family has beautiful brown hair and grey eyes, and resembles his 14-month-old brother. Miles Henry is the grandson of Laurie and Chip Ingram of Our Town, and Julie and William Dunn of Greenwood, Mississippi. He is the great-grandson of Beth Ingram of Kansas City, Missouri; Jeanette and Floyd Dunn, Jr., of Yuma, Arizona; and Jean Jondahl, also of Greenwood, Mississippi.

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Harriman-Jewell Series will present Ema Nikolovska, Mezzo-Soprano: American Recital Debut in concert at the Folly Theater on March 6th. This will be the first time that American audiences can hear Macedonian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska in recital. She has won many honors and prizes throughout her career and has traveled extensively showcasing her amazing voice. Audiences will enjoy selections from Schubert, Strauss, Margaret Bonds, Debussy, Medtner, and Slonimsky. Howard Watkins will be the pianist for the performance. Visit hjseries.org for tickets. n

I Wonder –whose incident with Cherries Jubilee might just be the talk of the town?

R. Good Photography

Bride’s Book

Ericka Jean Schubert and James Austin Howe were joined in matrimony on October 14th at Pippin Hall Farm and Vineyards outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. The bride is the daughter of Lisa Schubert Hickok and John D. Hickok, Jr., both of Our Town; and Kristy and Bart Schubert of Bradenton, Florida. She is the granddaughter of the late Betty and Donald Merrill, Donna Schubert Adams, the late Charles Schubert, the late Dorothy Ann and John D. Hickok, Sr., and the late Theresa and Bob Krupicka. Her groom is the son of Elaine and Kerry Howe, and the grandson of the late Ginny and Bruce Howe, and the late Florence and John Wallace.

The groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner the evening prior to the ceremony at Charlottesville restaurant, C&O. The gorgeous vineyard wedding venue was the site of an exquisite reception, following the ceremony, hosted by the bride’s parents, where an unforgettable band made the evening even more special. The couple is at home in Kansas City and looks forward to a honeymoon in Austria. More at kcindependent.com.

Sera Petras Photography

Bridesmaids Kathryn Howe, Holly Howe, and Lauren Paul, the bride, and Zoe Gryparis, Taylor Shepard, Kelly Connors, and Brittney Brice, bridesmaids

The Wedding Party: Kathryn Howe, Matt Everett, Holly Howe, Brittney Brice, Alex Kendall, Lauren Paul, Jeff Miller, the bride and groom, Henry Trahan, Zoe Gryparis, Shanay Kapadia, Taylor Shepard, Greg Perin, Kelly Connors, and Eric Zishka

Matt Insco, Dr. Dietlinde Heilmayr, Arlo Insco, Kari Lickey, Mark Smith, Kyle Smith, Robin Smith, Parker Smith, Stephanie Miller, the groom and the bride, Lisa Hickok, John Hickok, Ben Karlin, Elias Karlin, Megan Insco, Ezra Karlin, Mike Insco, Scott Merrill, Nancy Merrill, Dean Merrill, Libby Jones, Ross Merrill, and Brittany Lott

THE INDEPENDENT’S 2024

Jason Banks, Vice President, National Procurement Director, JE Dunn Construction

“Courageous excellence,” is how Stephenie Smith of Sophic Solutions describes Jason Banks. She goes on to say that she “... appreciates his ability to both care for others and move the needle professionally.” This dynamic leader is excelling in his career because he pays attention to the networking opportunities both on and off the field. April Graham, Bloch Graduate Programs at the Bloch School of Management at UMKC, said of Jason, “He is always looking for opportunities to help and connect others with the resources and networks to make good things happen in the community, and Jason leverages his networks generously to help others.”

Jason first came to know Donnelly College almost 15 years ago as a volunteer. That relationship grew during the years, and he now serves as board president. During his tenure, he has participated in the selection of a new college President, a $30 million dollar capital campaign, and the construction of a new academic building, all of which was in support of Donnelly College’s mission to provide higher education access to those who might not otherwise be served. Following the theme of education, Jason also serves on the board of trustees at The Pembroke Hill School, where his son attends, and leads the children’s ministry at his Church. He is a previous board member of Entitled Learning, Kansas City Young Audiences, and KC Rising’s IDEAS Driving Committee.

Among Jason’s talents, André Davis, Built Interior, put it simply as, “He goes out of his way to ensure others have a voice and to make the playing field more equitable for everyone.” April Graham added, “Jason is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and is actively facilitating positive change both in his work and through his volunteering.” And, that brings us back to one of his most rewarding professional projects, BUiLD (Blacks United in Learning and Development), which is the Black employee ERG at JE Dunn. Jason is part of a leadership group responsible for strategy and overall development and growth of this initiative. In 2022, the group held its first National Summit, focused on celebrating, supporting, and amplifying the voices of black employees at JE Dunn. It’s no wonder then, that Jason was named JE Dunn’s Community Volunteer of the Year in 2021 by his employer.

Amy Barnthouse, Community Volunteer

Amy Barnthouse possesses an impressive list of qualities fitting for a Rising Star, not the least of which is this compilation, according to Mary Lambrechts, Church of the Nativity... “including maturity, leadership, discretion, confidentiality, faithfulness, prudence, flexibility, and wisdom.”

The list is not a surprise once Amy’s accomplishments are outlined. Serving as committee chairman for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Snowflake Committee since 2020, Amy has made quite a name for herself. The Snowflake Committee is comprised of young, philanthropic professionals who represent the future of the Snow Ball, the organization’s largest fundraiser. Since her placement in this position, the Snowflake Committee numbers have quadrupled, and Amy herself has encouraged more than 200 people to get involved with Catholic Charities. She did this by soliciting sponsors to cover a portion of the cost for young professionals to attend the 49th Annual Snow Ball. This powerful gesture ended up garnering more than $60,000 in donations, and sold out Snowflake tables at the event! Pam Kramer said of Amy, “She is creating a new generation of Snow Ball patrons who are engaging with Catholic Charities.”

In addition, Amy served as the president of Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph Junior Board from 2017 to 2019. She raised $120,000 through an event called Soiree, for young Kansas City professionals. She has also assisted Catholic Charities with building and renovation projects and collected toiletries and supplies to aid the homeless population in Kansas City.

When she is not dedicating her time to Catholic Charities and the boots-on-the-ground work they do, she has also served as a sponsor for the Church of the Nativity’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult process (RCIA). This program involves mentoring other female adults interested in growing in their faith and becoming Catholic. And, in her free time, Amy volunteers for The Big Slick charity weekend, to benefit Children’s Mercy Hospital. In a variety of ways she assists everyone during the weekend, but most importantly, she is the ambassador to the VIP sponsors. Julie Riggle McKee attested that, “Amy carries out the Ambassador role with grace and poise that creates a lasting impression on our key supporters.” Friends Mary and John Campbell stated, “Amy is a determined driver and uses her strong leadership skills for the betterment of others.”

Megan Bubb, Founder, The Bubb Team, ReeceNichols Real Estate

CLASS OF RISING STARS

What could possibly be the common denominator of the following: rodeos and horse shows and cowboy boots, Girl Scouts, ball gowns, board positions, real estate, school auctions, the Ballet, the Fireside Committee, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society? Megan Bubb is the tie that binds all of these and more together into one life of a mom, a career professional, and a volunteer. Starting with a 20-year career in real estate, where she has been recognized as the top one percent of realtors in the Kansas City metro area, Megan is an enthusiastic client-favorite in the buying and selling of residential real estate with ReeceNichols.

Moving into the realm of being a mother of two girls, Megan has volunteered for both of their Girl Scout troops and served as a troop leader for one. She has served as a committee member and chairman for the Belinder Elementary PTA, serving as the Belinder auction co-chairman this year, and in 2023, and was the chairman of Belinder Gives during 2017 and 2018. Addie Perry added, “She is instilling a heart for volunteerism in her daughters and leading by example.”

Leading by example is evident in Megan’s commitment to having served as the volunteer coordinator for the 2023 Country Club Swim Association of Kansas City’s Swim Champs, and she is one of the Carriage Club swim chairs this year. Courtland Gerhart, assistant general manager at the Carriage Club, worked with Megan quite a bit, and said, “Not only does she volunteer, she always goes above and beyond to help as well as always making the environment fun and inviting. She will make any situation fun, including stuffing 1,000 name tags!”

Possibly the biggest loves of Megan’s volunteer life are BOTAR and The American Royal. For more than 14 years, Megan has served on committees, including the executive board of the Belles of the American Royal. In addition to that commitment, Megan always signs up for school tours at the Royal, works at the rodeos and horse shows, and currently holds a board position at the Royal.

Adding in her work at Village Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army, the Ballet Guild, The Jewel Ball, and The Nelson-Atkins’ C100 Luncheon Committee, and Megan is involved in almost every aspect of civic responsibility possible. Sarah Ruane summed it up by stating that, “Megan is an exemplary Kansas Citian and a star.”

Laura Palacios, Senior Director of ISLL, The Mind Trust

Simply put, having Laura Palacios on an organization’s team is a huge win! Dr. Jessica Mindnich explained, “Laura is the epitome of a service leader. Because of her humility, it is easy to overlook the depth of her experience, expertise, and accomplishments.” Laura’s impact on the Kansas City community and the Latinx community, particularly, cannot be overstated. Her roles include: past president of the board of National Society of Hispanic MBAs; former treasurer and current member of Young Latino Professionals; termed City of Kansas City Neighborhood Tourist and Development Fund committee member; past board member for Literacy KC; 2013 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year Candidate; newsletter editor for the Independence Plaza Neighborhood Council; and former governance committee member for United Way - Greater Kansas City. And, certainly not the least of which, Laura was a Gates Millennium Scholar, promoting her into a world of academic excellence and personal development.

Laura’s civic leadership has provided a backbone to several candidates for school boards, city, county, and state elected officials, and various appointees. Gene Willis declared, “Her passion and savvy show up through civic engagements by reminding candidates to be a true voice of the people that they represent, with these candidates being as diverse as Our Town.” She has proved to be a much-sought-after speaker for events. And, just as importantly, when she is an attendee, she’s the first to lead a standing ovation for someone she admires.

Using her voice for the communities she serves and lives and works in is of the utmost importance to Laura. Her volunteer time at Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City led her to recruit and advocate for Bigs of color, especially in Latinx communities. “It’s important to note that Laura is a champion for all marginalized groups and never shies away from speaking truth to power. She never closes doors behind her. Instead, she always holds them open,” Tahir Atwater, Jackson County CASA, explained. This summary from Theresa Garza is clear and to-the-point: “Laura’s commitment and service throughout Kansas City has had a ripple effect on the lives of so many.”

Photo Credit: Tom Styrkowicz

THE INDEPENDENT’S 2024

Lindsey Rood-Clifford, President and Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Theatre

While Lindsey Rood-Clifford is, no doubt, honored to be named the first female president and CEO of Starlight Theatre, she will also be sure to explain that it took years of effort and professionally honing her skills to be considered for this historic role. As Margaret PerkinsMcGuinness, Kansas City Public Library, pointed out, “Her appointment as the first female director in the historic Starlight Theatre’s 73-year history is a testament to her unwavering dedication and commitment to her craft.” While Lindsey started at Starlight as a student intern 17 years ago, Margaret also said, “Her interpersonal skills and ability to bring people together for a common cause are truly remarkable. Lindsey is an exceptional leader, fundraiser, and community champion.”

In addition to her devotion to Starlight, Lindsey served as president of the board of directors for the Kansas City Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2023 after serving for six years on the board, including as president-elect. She is also a past chairman of Kansas City’s National Philanthropy Day Celebration. She is a 2017 graduate of the Kansas City Chamber’s Centurions Leadership Development Program. In that capacity, Lindsey led two intensive task force benchmarking trips to Vancouver and San Diego. Gretchen FitzGerald, Blue Cross Blue Shield, called her leadership of those trips, “Nothing short of exceptional.” Above and beyond those civic duties, Lindsey serves on the board of In the Name of GRACE, a partner to Oxford House that provides transitional homes to people recovering from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Nancy Whitworth, McCownGordon Construction, added, “While everyone knows she works tirelessly for Starlight, less well-known and equally profound in its impact on people’s lives is Lindsey’s role on the board of In the Name of GRACE.”

With a previous career in event management at Kansas City Free Health Clinic (now KC CARE Health Center), Lindsey advised her then-boss, Kirk Isenhour, that he could save event planning monies by making several changes. Of course, it worked, and Kirk called her, “One of the most dedicated, passionate people that I have come to know in not-for-profit circles.” Two of Lindsey’s most ardent supporters, Joe Reardon and Donna Thomason, had this to say respectively regarding Lindsey, “She is the epitome of what it means to learn, serve, and lead.” And, “She is meteoric. Lindsey is a catalyst for change. She is a uniter.”

Jorge Soberón-Hernández, Vice President, Community Development Manager, Arvest Bank

Jorge Soberón-Hernández carries with him the culture and heritage of his upbringing in Mexico City, and along with that he bears an impressive list of organizations whose culture and heritage have been positively impacted by the work that he does in our community. He moved to Kansas City in 2005 and graduated from The University of Kansas with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. From there, he worked for four years at the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City. Dr. Tamara Falicov, University of Missouri-Kansas City, stated, “This experience strengthened his desire to serve immigrants and those most in need of assistance. His current role at Arvest Bank is at the vanguard of serving minorities.”

Carlos Gomez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, explained, “Jorge has a special passion for teaching financial literacy with underserved communities, knowing that teaching capital wealth to the poor will break poverty cycles.” Carlos also said, “During the pandemic, Jorge volunteered his time with the Hispanic Chamber to produce videos in Spanish to the Spanish-speaking immigrant community, giving advice of confidence, resources, and to ensure that all communities had accurate information to keep their families safe.”

The organizations that have benefited from the volunteer work Jorge does are too numerous to list, but include: current board member at CABA (Central Avenue Betterment Association), current board member at El Centro, and former board member at the International Relations Council. He gives of his time and talents to Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, the Consulate of Mexico, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Hispanic Development Fund, Junior Achievement BizTown, Westside CAN Center, Lead to Read, Harvesters, KC Scholars, and many more. Sara Swearingen, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, boasted, “Jorge comes to BizTown once a month, and the students and the staff love having him. He is so helpful with the Spanish-speaking students.”

CLASS OF RISING STARS

PJ Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, Country Club Bank

PJ Thompson’s heart and desire to give back is as impressive as the story in the background of PJ’s life. Working a job at Creighton University soliciting donations from alumni turned out to not be the drudgery he anticipated - instead he loved connecting with fellow alumni, and gained valuable lessons in fundraising. Those lessons have helped him navigate some tragedy, but also provided him with a very rewarding volunteer history.

PJ’s friend, Zach Perry, passed away from acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 31. PJ committed to supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through fundraising, and promoting education, research, and advocacy for the organization. In a remote pandemic environment of raising money, PJ found that his old skills of networking and talking directly to people paid off.

In another unfortunate incident, his childhood friend, Maxwell T. Ward, passed away from undiagnosed cardiovascular disease. With a group of friends, he helped found the Maxwell T. Ward Foundation in 2017. The Foundation helps children with cardiovascular issues by funding heart screenings, and through its contributions to The Children’s Mercy Max Ward Endowed Fund, which assists children with congenital heart conditions by providing medical equipment, supplies, adaptive strollers, cribs, and much more.

PJ is a member of the Kansas City Chamber’s Centurions Leadership Development Program, class of 2024. During his second year, he served as co-chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. PJ also serves as an advocate for Kansas City G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow). He has volunteered as technical advisor for businesses in the program. PJ also advocates for the organization by soliciting other technical advisors and encouraging donations. According to Brandon Calloway, Kansas City G.I.F.T., “PJ is not afraid to try new things and look for creative solutions.”

In his role at Country Club Bank, PJ has found numerous ways to impact others with his leadership and volunteer service. Through his involvement with Team Impact, an employee-run initiative at the bank that helps facilitate volunteer opportunities, PJ promotes community involvement with co-workers. He was the chair of the program in 2022 and continues to serve on the committee today.

Ben McAnany, McAnany Construction, said, “PJ has touched many lives over his career, and it is because of his willingness to ask hard questions and find equitable answers that he helps to create a better KC for all of us.”

Each member of the 2024 Class of Rising Stars received a framed print by Kansas City-based artist, Jess Bundy. Jess is a self-taught artist who focuses on watercolor and ink creations. Her vibrant and colorful pieces center around Kansas City and pop culture. Jess can be found at pop-up events around Our Town, along with her Etsy shop, Etsy.com/shop/beautifeltshop or on Instagram @Beautifelt.

Photo Credit: Tom Styrkowicz

Join Newhouse for its Worthy Pop-Up Bar on March 1st and 2nd at The Maverick Event Space. The event celebrates the importance of self-care, empowerment, and healthy relationships. Enjoy delicious handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, beer and wine, inspirational messages, and lots of fun with friends. Guest bartenders will compete to raise the most funds and win the exclusive Cocktail Shaker Trophy! This year’s bartenders include Adam Miller and Ike Opara, Amy Moore Harris and Nate Keller, Austin Miller and Garrett Fugate, Andrew Black and Melanie Clark, Brandon Brazda and Hollie Haskins, Dawn and Manu Rattan, Jen Mann and Nicole Feltz, Hayley and Chip Chalender, Jim Erickson and Steven Anthony, Jon Otto and Terrell Jolly, Kevin Zimmerman and Chris Bannister, Josh Zach and Ryan Othmer, Kolbie Jacoby and Dan Doty, Kurt Jensen and Max Bartlett, Mariel Walker and Audrey Masoner, Lakshmi Komatreddy and Adi Walavakar, Mary Jane Judy and Kara Lowe, Michah Walje and Sam Noel, Nora Freyman and Brooke Tippin, Nick Giuliani and Jake Durham, Pat Frederick and Jon Lee, Tashayla Person and Tony Marquez, Tyler Rzepka and Matt Moderson, and Theodis Watson and Michael McDonald. To learn more, visit newhousekc.org.

Rei Hotoda, the Fresno Philharmonic music director, will be the guest conductor for the Kansas City Symphony’s classical concert, Joyce Yang Plays Tchaikovsky, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on March 1st through the 3rd. This high-energy performance features Joyce Yang playing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in addition to selections from Gabriela Lena Frank and Dmitri Shostakovich. For ticket information, visit kauffmancenter.org n

I Wonder –if that gallant gentleman has any idea how much the ladies are really swooning around him?

THE TOP EVENTS OF 2023

The Independent is pleased to honor the many remarkable organizations in Our Town who do so much good for the community.

We celebrate the passionate and dedicated individuals who support these organizations and work tirelessly to make so many outstanding events happen throughout the year. The success of these events helps make Kansas City a wonderful place to live.

The 2023 Top Ten categories and their honorees are based on net dollars raised at events held in the calendar year of 2023, as submitted by the non-profit organization. We publish information in the following categories: golf tournaments, multi-day events, walks/runs, luncheons, nationally-sponsored events, and gala events. This year, we are delighted to include a new category, Impact Players. Congratulations to all of the honorees, you make Our Town shine!

THE TOP FIVE GOLF EVENTS OF 2023

Tom Watson’s

Randy

Tee Up for Down Syndrome Golf Tournament $241,896.80

Brett Fuller, Tom Wagstaff, Ryan Cocherl, and Shawn Cocherl

2.

Trent Green Golf Classic

Michelle

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City

$241,896.97

Hubbard, Lauren Kepler, Bobby Bell, Joe Gilhaus, and Lynn Newkirk

1. First Tee Greater Kansas City

Day for Kids Golf Tournament $257,483

Vance, Kent Sunderland, Tom Watson, Charlie Sunderland, and Mark Sievers

3. Down Syndrome Innovations

4. Bright Futures Fund

Bishop Johnston’s 6th Annual Golf Classic $188,966

5. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

The 42nd Annual Ben and Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic $149,874

HONORABLE MENTION Congratulations!

Alphapointe~ C&C Group Pro-Am Presented by Bank Midwest Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts Kansas City ~ Scout Golf Classic Variety KC ~ Golf Tournament

* Honorable mention is listed in alphabetical order by organization name.

Eain Hubber and Brian Switzer

(Front row) Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Phil Connealy, Tom Zarda, Bernie Zarda, and Dana Zarda Rieke (middle row) Sean Scott, Karen Zarda Sneed, Nancy Zarda Saylor, Zach Zarda, and Jesse Dull (back row) Alex Biddlecombe, Joanie Davila, Ala Margy Nonemaker, Janet Myers, Kristen Fanning, Heath Fanning, and Donny Dequine

Christopher Hotchkiss

THE TOP FIVE MULTI-DAY EVENTS OF 2023

1.

Children’s Mercy Big Slick Celebrity Weekend 2023 $2,868,997

Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City Most Wanted Auction $1,087,975

2.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art ShuttleCork $1,619,588

3.

Most Wanted Honorees: (First row) Shane Gifford, Sophie Zahn, Anya Brandmeyer, Katie Grimes, Chandler Thompson, Helen Ortiz-Turley, and Dennis Ortiz (second row) Chris Moore, Charlie Gilstrap, Jim Zahn, Bill Brandmeyer, Shawn Frost, Mandy Danforth, Joy Moeller, and Sami Dunn (third row) Jason Parks, Luis Padilla, Anthony Valles, Douglas Adams, Carly Sands, and Meagan Halpin (fourth row) Alex Atkinson and Brooke Jeske (fifth row) Eboni Fondren, John M. Woychick III, Gary Shertenlieb, Shannon Kilkenney, David Bird, and Paul Silvio (sixth row) Chris Davis, Cody Oshel, Luke Shanno, and Luke Ellis

Rob Smith Photography

Hosts Heidi Gardner, Jason Sudeikis, Paul Rudd, and Rob Riggle (out of camera range) Eric Stonestreet and David Koechner, hosts

Guests toasted to a fabulous 2023 ShuttleCork event.

Kyle Rivas

Mark McDonald

4. Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake $617,764

5. Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City Legacy Golf Tournament $166,613

(Front row) Joey Schmidt and Kari Harris (second row) Andrew Vogliardo, Paige Peterson, Jordan Cronan, Hannah Neel, and Brittany Davis (third row) Anna Munguia, Megan Furney, Chloe Mussman, Madeline Simonds, and Riley Jimenez (fourth row) Mohammed Dia, Maddy Trofholz, Sahin Hoque, and Kevin Clarke

Jamison Bosch, Danny Murphy, Mario Urquilla, and Darron Story

Kansas City University

Kansas City University would like to celebrate and honor Deron Cherry, co-founder and 30-year benefactor of Score 1 for Health. The program was established in 1993 and provides free health screenings to more than 14,000 elementary school students in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri. His goal is to give children hope for better and healthier lives. Deron, a Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame inductee and six-time All-pro safety, and Kansas City University are proud of this combined commitment to service in children’s health care.

Deron Cherry, Deron Cherry Foundation; with a Score 1 participant being assessed by a medical professional.

Dr. Ed O’Connor, Deron Cherry, Dr. Marc B. Hahn, KCU; and Annette Campbell, Score 1 for Health

Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School students with Deron Cherry

Deron Cherry on the playground with Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School students

Dr. Marc B. Hahn, KCU; and Deron Cherry

A KCU student doctor and Score 1 participant

A Score 1 screening event was held on the KCU campus in September.

Cristo Rey Kansas City

Cristo Rey Kansas City’s 18th annual Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, “Night at the Copa,” will be held on April 27th at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. In advance of the big night, the Big Reveal event was held on January 25th at CBIZ to announce the contestants: Angela Blackburn, Brian Dahl, Ana Nubia Duin, Shannon Knopke, Luis Maes, Laura Schmidt, Helen Ortiz-Turley, and Rodney Whittington. The honorary chairs are Kelli and Andrew Alldredge, and the co-chairs are Melissa Skeens and Kathleen Couchonnal. Proceeds support a Catholic, college-prep and career-ready education for high school students with economic need. More at kcindependent.com.

Sister Maureen Hall, SCL

Contestant Angela Blackburn with dance professional Kris Haney

Contestant Brian Dahl with dance professional Laura Szymanski

Contestant Rodney Whittington and dance professional Toni Dodd

Contestant Ana Nubia Duin with dance professional Will Manning

THE TOP TEN IMPACT PLAYERS

Annie Tuttle Photography

Amanda Ford

4.

Truman Heartland Community Foundation

Toast to Our Towns Gala $138,250

5.

Sexually Abused Children’s Relief Endeavor (SACRED)

11th Annual ‘Kids Are Sacred’ Gala and Auction $125,936

Johanna Russel, Jimmy Frantze, Mark Chavey, Julie Chavey, Andy Fox, Laura Gish, Donna Drass, Stephen Drass, Rod Crawford, and Pam Crawford

Brittany Carrie, Dawn Walters, Ryan Anderson, Phil Verhaeghe, Kate Frevert, Kevin Frevert, Jen Beardsley, and Steve Beardsley

Alissia Canady, Mary Ricketts, Lavell White, Rachel Bennett Price, Deanna Brazil, Stephen Price, and Katie VanderVelde

Toast to Our Towns Gala

7.

6.

The Aztlan band performed at the 2023 Blanco y Negro event.

Julie Gibson with Veronica and Tony Calligan

Larry Lewis, Growing Futures Early Education Center

Martha Duran and Tanesha Thompson, Growing Futures Early Education Center

Strang Hall Chef Dai’Quon Watts and his team in the photo bus

Coko Henderson played bass guitar with the Flashback KC Band.

8. Answering the Call

Trivia Night $76,483

9. Giving Hope & Help 10th Anniversary and Scholarship Awards Gala $52,526

Lindsay St.

Well done, Laura, on being a 2024 Rising Star! Laura is a “consistent force for good in our community.”

– Tahir Atwater, Jackson County CASA

Germain, Jaqueline Braswell, Felissa Johnson, Jessica McClellan, founder; Kevin McClellan, Reverend Frances Spearman, Jill Hays, Renee Sutherland, and Stacey Koenig

Jennifer McGehee, Ronnie Doumitt, and Kristin Bailey, all of Answering the Call

Wes and Kayleigh Wasmer, James and Hero Oakes, Nick and Emily Mcquillen, and Chris and Lauren Wheeler

Shelby Doumitt, Jennifer Roscher, Jill Wisniewski, Chase Roscher, and Rusty Craft

Host Jessica Ayala welcomed the guests.

QUINQUENNIAL 1910-1914

NEW PUBLISHERS

By 1910, the founding fathers of The Independent, George Creel and Arthur Grissom, were no longer part of the paper. Arthur Grissom had passed away in 1904 from typhoid fever, unfortunately before the typhoid vaccine was developed. George Creel made some “not-so-wonderful” business decisions along the way, and shortly before 1910, he had given The Independent to Clara Kellogg and Katherine Baxter, printers who had been producing the magazine since its inception.

LINGERIE

While this is not what we think of when the word “lingerie” is mentioned today, this display of a modern piece for a trousseau must have been a bit edgy in 1910. “White lingerie model with black chip hat trimmed in willow plumes. The entire costume was furnished by the Emery, Bird, Thayer Co. and illustrates the ease with which the modern girl may be furnished with a ready made trousseau, and how superior in cut and finish this season’s ready to wear frocks are, when compared with those in former years. The photograph was taken in the new Strauss-Peyton Studio, in the Woolf building, 1024 Walnut St., where busy people may have their portraits made without taking time to ride to the other Strauss-Peyton picture shop at 31st and Troost.”

By Anne Potter Russ

BLUE BOOK

One of the great projects of the KelloggBaxter printing and publishing team was the Kansas City Blue Book and Club Directory. “Containing the names of nearly 20,000 persons, arranged alphabetically and classified by streets.” The publication of this phone-book-of-sorts continued through the 1960s, and was eventually replaced by the White Pages and the Yellow Pages. (We can not imagine the amount of work it took to produce, with names and street crossreferences! And, it is possibly the easiest way to find where our relatives lived - back in the day.)

TAKE FLIGHT

We can’t help but wonder… what the people sitting in the $1 seats for this National Aviation Meet would think of commercial airliners of today, as well as multi-million dollar high-speed fighter jets working all over the world. Also, today there would not be a thrilling race between an automobile and an aeroplane!

Bits and pieces of the comings and goings of the residents of Kansas City were much talked about, really until the mid-20th century. Hard to imagine any publication posting information about our neighbors’ current travel schedules.

GOSSIP FOOD

Yet another service provided by The Independent, although we’re not sure we could subscribe to this way of living… Good Things To Eat (ahem). Note that Sundays include the Dinner and the Supper, lest anyone go hungry.

BEAUTIFICATION

The Paseo - both the parkway and the park - were conceived in thoughts of city beautification, but of course, not without controversy. In the early 1900s as a part of a larger city-wide movement, The Paseo was designed by George Kessler and named after Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City. The construction of both was preceded by an eviction of Black, low-income citizens to make way for the project, in which the boulevard measures 10 miles in length.

Just a bit of fluff to round out our look at the early 1900s!

Catholic Charities of Northeast

With more than 2,000 guests in attendance, Ball to benefit Catholic Charities of No colossal success! Veronica and Peter Mal Jack Newman served as the honorary presidents. Th Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kan tunes of Emerald City Band. Proceeds support m provide help, hope, and hospitality to people of all

Mike and Allison Marchese, Jason and Molly Megan and Mike Chalfant, and Abbie O

Jim and Mary Buche, table committee co-chairmen

50th Annual Snow Ball Presidents Peter and Veronica Mallouk and 50th Annual Snow Ball Honorary Presidents Kathy and Jack Newman

Tray Wiltse, Brooke Budke Wiltse, and Bridget and Chris Lee

Conner and Alyssa Teahan, Natalie Teahan G Chris Teahan, Caroline Stuckey, Marcus Teah

Sam Beever and Elianne Haikim Beever, Lilli Zarda, and Phil Connealy and Amy Nigro Connealy

Fran and Neil Douthat Claire Korba,

Kristine and Stephen Penn, patron committee co-chairmen

Kansas

, the much-anticipated 50th Annual Snow ortheast Kansas on January 20th was a louk were the presidents, and Kathy and e black-tie evening featured remarks from nsas, a gourmet meal, and dancing to the ore than 30 programs and services that faiths and ages.

More at kcindependent.com.

Sammy Kopecky, Samantha McClure, Brian Turner, and Kathy White

Green, Joane and Bryan Wilkerson, ’Grady and Timothy Wilkerson

Gates and Joe Gates, Lena Gorev, han, and Donna and Mark Teahan

Ellie Carmody, and Gabby Naylor

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, D.D., and Mel McAnany

Veronica and Peter Mallouk, 50th Annual Snow Ball presidents, celebrated the generosity of the community.

Nancy and Ken Mellard, Angie and Chris Dierks, Diane and Ken Williams, and Wanda and Steve Wilkinson

Drew and Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

Christina Hager with Ken and Marilyn Hager

Dr. Robert and Karen Thompson with Dorothy and Dr. Joseph Barnthouse

Jeanne and Charlie Haake

THE TOP FIVE BREAKFAST/ LUNCHEON EVENTS OF 2023

1.

Women’s Employment Network WEN Annual Luncheon $350,716

2.

MOCSA Community Luncheon $300,133

3.

Jackson County CASA Light of Hope Breakfast • $236,133

John Vaglio, board chair; Angie Blumel, Jackson County CASA; Jake Jacobson, emcee; and Jeff Blaesing, honorary chair

Survivor Speaker Volunteers: Jenn Toro, Helen Emmott, Jessi Bixler, board member; Sarah Noble, Aaron McGinn, and Monica Gray, board member and event committee co-chair

Lynnette Williams, Tonia Bomar, and Sherry Turner, WEN

Renee Gartelos, Sherry Turner, WEN; and Kim Jones

Arlan and Leah Vomhof, community support committee co-chairs; Melanie Fenske, board member; Jodi Kantor, keynote speaker; Julie Donelon, MOCSA; and Denise and William Marshall, community support committee co-chairs

Josh and Ann Rowland, honorary chairs

Twin Images Photography

Matthew Hicks

Brian Rice Photography

4.

5.

Luncheon Committee Members: (Front row) Heather Pluard, Kelly Anders, Amy Thompson and Shelley Copaken, co-chairmen; Mina Steen, C100 board president; Lisa Schellhorn and Kay Newell, honorary co-chairmen; Carmen Sabates, Kay Martin, Cathy Schultz, Stephane Bradley Cooch, and Ken Sherman (middle row) Tennille Adkins, Emily Eckles, Ellen Algrim, Gail Wordekemper, Chasitie Walden, Lucy Coulson, Jamie Berg, Jen Becker, Katherine Ellis, Mary Spilker Peavey, and Barbara Spilker (back row) Lacey Maughan, Jan Anderson, Katherine Schorgl, Tamara Campbell, Amy Volini, Gaye Cohen, and Julana Harper-Sachs

Dia Wall, emcee; with Amy and Travis Mattox, 2023 luncheon chairs; and Brad Hamilton, 2024 luncheon step-up chair

THE TOP FIVE WALK/RUN EVENTS OF 2023

1.

Head for the Cure

21st Annual Head for the CureKansas City 5K $545,180

2.

Down Syndrome Innovations

Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk $280,076

3.

Wayside Waifs

Strutt With Your Mutt $189,819

CONGRATULATIONS, JORGE!

“Jorge Soberón-Hernández is a true servant leader, always looking for the solutions and never asking for anything in return.”

– Carlos Gomez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City

Peter Whittaker and Madison Millentree

(Front row) Taylor LeBlanc, Susan Sight, Ethan Sight, Rory Sight, and Piper Sight (back row) Abigail Sight, Betty and Leonard Hershman, Bobby Sight, Nina Finn, Benjamin Sight, Rob Sight, and Ashley Sight

Julie Towsley and Louis Forck

GUS, the Groundhog

The Elliott Family

NOTEWORTHY

Jackson County CASA

The 2024 Light of Hope Breakfast, benefiting Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), will be held on April 10th at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. The honorary chairs are Madeleine M. McDonough and Cyd Slayton.

Midwest Trust Center at JCCC will present The StepCrew in Yardley Hall on March 3rd. Sure to delight audiences, this performance features a dynamic dance production combining three styles of percussive dance - Irish Stepdancing, Modern Tap, and Ottawa Valley Stepdancing. The company is led by Cara Butler and brothers Jon Pilatzke and Nathan Pilatzke and includes Christine Carr and Julie Fitzgerald. They will be joined by band members, dancers, and fiddlers from various musical groups. For tickets, visit jccc.edu.

I Wonder –if there will be a rush of babies who are named Stanley in about nine months?

Kansas City Young Matrons’ Magic Ball, “There’s No Base Like Home” is set for March 9th at the Overland Park Marriott. Jennifer and Rex Hudler are serving as honorary chairs, and Shelly McVay and Julie Cain are the co-chairs. The event benefits Inclusion Connections, an organization which serves young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Enjoy a Wine, Bourbon and Purse Pull, a live auction, and dancing to the sounds of DJ Kevin T. To learn more, visit kcym.com.

March 9th is the date and the Overland Park Convention Center is the place for Avila University’s 48th annual Steer Dinner & Auction. Marilyn and Kenneth Hager are serving as honorary chairs for the event. Enjoy silent and live auctions, a delicious dinner, and a program. Auction Committee Members Kate Greub, Karen MacLean, Michele Kerwin, Cathy McDaniel, Perri LaTerza, and Emilee Rehling are hard at work to make this night a huge success. To learn more, visit avila.edu.

Cheers To Volunteers!

Having gone through rehabilitation therapy at Ability KC, Travis Mattox is the perfect volunteer and ambassador for the organization. Suffering from a stroke in 2017, Travis found that it was a challenge to bring back his speech and mobility. With all of his therapies under one roof, Travis realized what a special place Ability KC is. He vowed to give back his time and energy, and that’s exactly what he’s done. Travis was honored with the 2022 Impact Award and served as co-chairman of the 2023 Ability KC Luncheon with his wife, Amy Gattermeir Mattox. Thanks to Travis for helping to provide brighter futures!

More at kcindependent.com.

Amy and Travis Mattox at the 2023 Ability KC Luncheon

The 2023 Light of Hope Breakfast

CASA Board Chair Kisa Caruthers with Angie Blumel, Jackson County CASA

Twin Images Photography

Big Slick Event Leadership and Hosts: (Front row) Bill Arnold, Paul Rudd, and Jason Sudeikis (back row) Joan Koechner Charbonneau, David Koechner, Mauria Stonestreet, Eric Stonestreet, Mandi Rudd, Gloria Rudd, Julie Riggle McKee, Rob Riggle, and Mark McKee (out of camera range) Kathy and Dan Sudeikis and Jamey and Vince Stonestreet

(Front row) Mary Atterbury, Fur Ball Honorary Chairmen Tom and Jill Turner, and Peter Brower (back row) Bob and Diane Johnson, Al Atterbury, Connie Brower, and Linda and Woody Cozad

J.

Photography

2.

Congratulations, Amy!

“She serves as the hands and feet of those in need.”

– Lindsay Smither, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

3. American Heart Association Kansas City Heart Ball $705,602

4. Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimers $528,679

5.

(Front row) Moxie Calabro and Maxton Calabro

(back row) Ashlee Lund and Meghan Calabro

Roxie Armstrong with Garen Armstrong and his children, Abrielle, Aiden, and Aspen

6.

7.

Peyton Dios, Dean Specker, Sawyer Warren, Andy Taylor, Steve McKay, Julie Henke, Jennifer Parrish, Becky Taylor, Heather Hampton, Ryann Caponetto, Suzie Huff, Stacey Hutcheson, Kymm Campbell, Renee McKay, and Pam Colvin

Kicking off the 2024 Kansas City Heart Walk

8.

9.

10. American

Avery, Quincy, Hunter, Lana, and Nora

Ben Brundige, Anne Brundige, Tom Watson, the late Chace Brundige, George Brett, Elsa Brundige, and Tyler Brundige

Chris Bayne got a shave!

Union Station Kansas City was the site for the 2023 event.

LAND BEYOND

BY PAUL HORSLEY

IF YOU BUILD IT:

Kauffman Center designs personalized series to enhance its vision and mission

ee Brice is a Country artist whose song about a man grieving his brother’s death in Afghanistan soared to the top of the charts in late 2012. Black Violin consists of two classically trained string players who have determined to fuse hip-hop with a wide range of styles. Wheel of Fortune LIVE! is a touring version of a TV game show that has aired continually since 1975. And Jean Fruth is a camera whiz who has devoted her career to making sports photography into an art form. So what sort of presenting series could possibly weave such a disparate collection into a “whole”?

Enter Kauffman Center Presents, a local series that you might be surprised to learn has been a part of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Art’s offerings since its grand opening in 2011. And just as the arching canopy of glass and steel at 16th and Broadway has transformed the city’s skyline, this series has invigorated an already dynamic performing-arts scene with a diverse array of experimental, traditional, and family-oriented presentations from around the world: filling the stages of the Center with music, dance, theater, natural history, and photography.

While it’s true that two-thirds of the 300 to 325 annual bookings at the Center are programs of the three resident organizations (the Lyric Opera, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Kansas City Symphony), and that another 75 or so are hosted by other groups (such as the Harriman-Jewell Series, the American Theatre Guild, and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra), the remaining 20 to 25 Kauffman Center Presents shows have a clearly defined aim: to fill in the gaps.

“We see the purpose of these programs as providing options for our community that aren’t otherwise provided through our residents and other locally-based arts organizations,” said Paul Schofer, president and chief executive officer of the Center since 2014 (and before that, chief financial officer), “and providing programming that is diverse and extraordinary: and is for everyone.”

Building such a series can be complicated in a community with such a canopy of performing-arts options, but the goal is to find artists who might not be an easy fit at other venues. “From the start,” Paul said, “we have tried not to be competing with anyone in the immediate community.”

The Center has used its own series partly “as a tool for engaging new audiences,” he added. Reaching young audiences is a primary goal. In June 2023, for example, the Center (in conjunction with Tobin Entertainment) brought Bluey’s Big Play: The Stage Show, which sold out four houses and brought 6,000 children and their parents downtown. “Many of these individuals may not ever have set foot in the Center before,” Paul said. And for these newcomers, “getting them in the door is the challenge. Once they’re here, they’ll come back.”

The Center and its resident companies also host between 40 and 50 school matinees every year, which bring some 50,000 children into the Center. The hope is that these young people might grow into Kauffman Center regulars: And not because of some amorphous financial bottom-line, but because of the clear urgency of the Center’s vision, as stated at kauffmancenter.org: “… to enrich the lives of everyone in our community through extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences.”

These “extraordinary experiences” consist of more than just the performances onstage. They involve a patron’s whole process of arriving, parking, and entering the lobby (the “ritual” of concertgoing, as architect Moshe Safdie characterized it). Also, the helpful and friendly staff and even the easy access to concessions and restrooms. “It is the experience up to the curtain opening that is so important,” Paul said. “Most of the things that you see on our stages you can see anywhere in the world, but the experience up to that point is where we can differentiate ourselves.”

Kauffman Center Presents: Remaining events, Spring 2024

March 6: The Irish Tenors; Helzberg Hall

March 12: From Sandlots to Stadiums: Inside America’s Favorite Pastime, with sports photographer Jean Fruth; Muriel Kauffman Theatre

March 14: Bruce Hornsby & yMusic present BrhyM; Helzberg Hall

April 13: Croce Plays Croce: 50th Anniversary; Muriel Kauffman Theatre

April 17:

Wheel of Fortune LIVE!; Muriel Kauffman Theatre

April 23: The Blue Zones: Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity, with photographer David McLain; Muriel Kauffman Theatre

May 21: Saving Our Blue Planet, One Hope Spot at a Time, with oceanographer Sylvia Earle; Muriel Kauffman Theatre

For tickets to Kauffman Center Presents events, call 816-994-7222, or go to kauffmancenter.org. To reach Paul Horsley, performing arts editor, send an email to paul@kcindependent.com or find him on Facebook (paul.horsley.501) or Twitter/Instagram (@phorsleycritic).

Frances Marshall

yMusic is a classically oriented chamber ensemble that has also performed with Paul Simon, Ben Folds, and Bruce Hornsby.

AJ Croce took up the mantle from his famous father, singer-songwriter Jim Croce (“Time in a Bottle”), who died in a plane crash at the age of 30.

A longtime photographer for National Geographic magazine, David McLain specializes in images that inspire empathy for humans around the world.

Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and oceanographer who has devoted her career to protecting the ocean and its wildlife.

In addition to his career as a singer, South Carolinian Lee Brice has written songs for Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, and numerous other Country stars.

Kauffman Center Presents has two parts: One is the series of programs that during the past 12 seasons has included everyone from George Benson to Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin to Alice Cooper, John Cleese to Mariachi Vargas, Willie Nelson to “Weird Al” Yankovich. This spring the series brought back the highly innovative Black Violin, and upcoming performances including the durable Irish Tenors and three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby (onstage with yMusic).

“In such a variegated series, each event presents a unique ‘marketing challenge,’” said Karen Badgett, director of marketing and community engagement. “We utilize emails that go out to 100,000 people who are interested in the Kauffman Center,” she added. “And social media is a really big way for us to connect with our target audiences.”

The other portion of Kauffman Center Presents is the series of Trailblazing Talks, live presentations dealing with various aspects of history, self-help, and the natural world — an innovative mix that the Center has crafted to take the place of the former National Geographic Live.

Both series have become vital to the identity of the Kauffman Center, as more and more significant artists are finding the Center a special place to perform. One prominent artist has declared the Kauffman Center as not just his favorite, but as the only venue at which he wishes to appear locally. “He called his management and said, from now on we’re not going anywhere else,” Paul said. “He loves it here.” More at kcindependent.com.

The Irish Tenors: Anthony Kearns, Declan Kelly, and Ronan Tynan

Jean Fruth founded Grassroots Baseball, a non profit that promotes amateur baseball for young people around the world.

Singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby is a Grammy Award-winning artist with a wide range of talents and experiences.

Wheel of Fortune LIVE! is a spinoff from the 50-year-old television game show, one of the most popular in history.

Bluey’s Big Play

Violinist Kev Marcus and violist Wil B. formed Black Violin.

Sarah Walor

Graham Tolbert)

Mason Aschenbrenner

Mark Clennon

THE TOP TEN EVENTS OF 2023

1.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

The 49th Annual Snow Ball $3,553,937

3.

Children’s Mercy Red Hot Night $2,150,455

2.

Catholic Education Foundation

Gaudeamus $2,275,041

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann with Pam and Kevin Kramer, Snow Ball presidents

RJ Gildea, board chair; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, and Karen and Craig Gaffney, Gala chairs

Liz Lewis, 2022-2023 board president; Anita and Dean Newton, honorary co-chairs; Angela Hurt, honorary co-chair; Paul Kempinski, Children’s Mercy; and Maureen Kempinski, and Meagan Dowell and Michael Condon, co-chairs

Brian Turner

Kyle Rivas

4. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Kids Night Out 2023 with Dan + Shay $1,943,988

Event Chair Andy and Jackie Burczyk with Honorary Chairs Mary Jane and Michael Judy

5. Wayside Waifs Fur Ball Gala $1,876,856

Angelee, Event Co-chairs Nick and Margaret Davis and Joann Fuller and Forrest Cook, and Faith

Mark McDonald

Andrea

Nigh Photography

JEDunnConstruction Presentedby

6.

Benedictine College

Annual Scholarship Ball $1,757,339

Larry Juricek, Co-chairman Lené Westerman, Honorees Jack and Kathy Newman, Amy and Stephen Minnis, Benedictine College; and Co-chairmen Colleen and Kevin O’Malley

8.

Symphony League

The Symphony Ball $1,379,114

7.

Police Foundation of Kansas City A Call for Backup $1,569,909

Tye Grant, Police Foundation of Kansas City; Sherry and Gary Forsee, event co-chairs; William Barr, keynote speaker; and Buzz Willard, event co-chair

Maestro Michael Stern, Kansas City Symphony; Gina Penner, Ball co-chairman; Shirley Bush Helzberg, Ball honorary chairman; and Julie McCann, Ball co-chairman

Rita Clark

9.

10.

Kamal and Mary Lynn Mikhail, Denise Bade, Dr. Melinda Estes, Dr. Tracy Stevens, and Bill Bade

Rockhurst High School Rockhurst Spectacular Auction $1,310,546

Chris Crum

(Front row) Father Gary Menard, SJ; Natalie Hartman, Shannon Lillis, Christy Poe, and Amanda Tynes (back row) Father Vincent Giacabazi, SJ; Kyle Hartman, Patrick Lillis, Mike Poe, Lawrence Tynes, and David Laughlin

Denise and Bill Bade, Dr. Melinda Estes, Dr. Tracy Stevens, and Mary Lynn and Kamal Mikhail

HONORABLE MENTION Congratulations!

This 2023 event raised net proceeds of more than $1,000,000:

Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy

Leading with Love

These 2023 events raised net proceeds of more than $800,000:

American Royal Association

Junior Premium Livestock Auction

Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer Hope Gala

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City

The J’s Annual Fundraiser KC SuperStar

Newhouse

Imagine a Day Gala

The following organizations raised net proceeds of more than $600,000:

Inclusion Connections

Gala FashionAbility

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City

Spark of Hope Gala

Truman Library Institute

Wild About Harry

These 2023 events raised net proceeds of more than $400,000:

Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

Sunday Night Live

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Jazzoo

Rose Brooks Center Cabaret Starlight

36th Annual Benefit Gala: ENCORE!

UMKC Friends of the Conservatory Crescendo 2023

The following organizations raised net proceeds of more than $200,000:

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Romantic Revels Gala

Heartland Therapeutic Riding

Tux ‘n’ Boots

Hillcrest Transitional Housing

23rd Annual House Party Gala and Auction

Mother’s Refuge Night of Compassion

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College Wild Life!

* Honorable mention is listed in alphabetical order by organization name.

• Calendar OF Events

FEBRUARY

24 Benedictine College; Scholarship Ball; The Scholarship Ball is a night of fun and camaraderie for alumni and friends of the college. The evening includes Mass, cocktail reception, dinner, program, entertainment, and dancing, all wrapped around the presentation of the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict to Colleen and Kevin O’Malley; Overland Park Convention Center; 4 p.m.; $250. Contact Shana Vaughn: 816-914-4257 or svaughn@benedictine.edu or benedictine.edu/ scholarship-ball.

24 The HALO Foundation; “Defying the Odds”: A HALO Art Auction Benefiting Homeless Youth; The event features a live and silent auction, including orphan artwork from around the world and from local and nationally-recognized artists, entertainment by Lost Wax, and the HALO Documentary Short Film premiere of Caylin; The Midland Theatre; 6 p.m.; $150. Contact Nicole Gerken: 816-472-4256 or nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org or haloworldwide.org/event/kcaa24.

24 Horizon Academy; A Novel Night: Harry Potter; An evening of dinner, auctions, and live entertainment with a Harry Potter theme to benefit Horizon Academy’s mission of educating children with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities; Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 6:30 p.m. Contact Cindy Wissinger: cwissinger@horizon-academy.com.

25 Rose Brooks Center; Cabaret; Cabaret is an event to bring an entire community together to raise awareness about our mission. Join Event Chairs Michelle Emanuel Johnson and Jeff Johnson in your best cocktail attire for a cocktail hour, sit down dinner, and an epic musical guest; Loews Kansas City Hotel; 5 p.m.; $300. Contact Kerry Schmittling: 816-605-7112 or kerrys@rosebrooks.org or cabaret24.givesmart.com.

29 Belles of the American Royal; Cocktails & Couture;  Please join us as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the BOTAR Organization with the Cocktails & Couture fashion show; Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at Kansas City Convention Center; 6 p.m. Visit botar.org.

MARCH

1 and 2 Newhouse; Newhouse Worthy Pop-up Bar; The Newhouse Worthy Pop-up Bar is focused on self-care, empowerment, and healthy relationships - things we are ALL worthy of! Bartenders compete to raise support for survivors at Newhouse. Guests enjoy delicious drinks, fun photo backdrops, and interactive portions to celebrate their inherent worth; The Maverick; 5 p.m.; $50. Contact Christopher Stibbs: 816-462-0508 or chris@newhousekc.org or newhousekc.org/events.

2 The ALS Association; Night of Hope; Night of Hope is The ALS Association’s premier dining event. This event brings together more than 500 guests for a delicious dinner, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, and award presentations to cap off another year of progress; Arrowhead Stadium. Contact Sarah Howard: 913-374-1278 or sarah.howard@als.org.

REMEMBER WHEN

9 Years Ago

Trent Green Golf Classic

Ronald McDonald House Charities of KC $172,416

Trent

2 Hope House; In Your Corner for Hope; In Your Corner for Hope is a collaborative fundraiser hosted by Hope House, KC Golden Gloves, and Christy’s Champs. These three organizations each strive to educate and empower those who have been in difficult situations, including domestic violence and bullying. Join us as we come together as one; Uptown Theater; 7 p.m. Contact Bri Otto: 573-286-7363 or botto@hopehouse.net or hopehouse.net/calendar-of-events.

2 Notre Dame de Sion Schools; 38th Annual Gala Auction; Toast Sion at our 38th Annual Gala Auction “Noir et Blanc” at The Abbott! Enjoy delicious food, drink, dancing, and entertainment that is sure to delight. This event will feature live and silent auctions, plus a live drawing for our $10,000 super cash raffle; The Abbott; 6 p.m. Contact Molly White: 816-601-4797 or mwhite@ndsion.edu or ndsion.edu/gala.

3 American Lung Association in Kansas & Greater Kansas City; Fight for Air Climb; Step up and make a positive impact by climbing steps and help us improve lung health for all Kansas and Greater Kansas City residents. Fun, fellowship, team building, and family entertainment will fill your morning as you climb in honor of a loved one or for the pure challenge; One Kansas City Place. Contact Tammy Rock: 913-353-9166 or tammy.rock@lung.org or kcclimb.org.

3 Growing Futures Early Education Center; PB&J (Pickleball & Jams) Tournament; 30 teams will face off in the Pickleball & Jams Tournament. Each team will be guaranteed three games of play; Overland Park Chicken N Pickle; 9 a.m. Contact Jessica Hoffman: 913-649-9714 or jhoffman@growingfutureseec.org or growingfutureseec.org.

8 Park International Center for Music; Stanislav & Friends 2024; Witness the magnificence of Park ICM’s award-winning alums, faculty, and students all on one stage and all in one night. This year’s grand finale features two virtuosos, Stanislav Ioudenitch and Behzod Abduraimov, performing Francis Poulenc’s captivating Concerto for Two Pianos & Orchestra; Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts; 7 p.m.; $50. Contact Lisa Hickok: 816-584-6484 or lisa.hickok@park.edu or icm.park.edu.

9 Avila University; Steer: Annual Fundraiser for Student Scholarships; Join the Avila family at the 48th Annual Steer Dinner & Auction. This tradition brings together more than 400 Avila alumni, friends, and community members in support of future and current students; black tie; Overland Park Convention Center; 6 p.m.; $250. Contact Abbie Bliss: 816-501-3613 or abigail.bliss@avila.edu or avila.edu/alumni/steer-dinner.

9 Kansas City Young Matrons; Magic Ball, “There’s No Base Like Home”; Enjoy a delicious plated dinner, drinks, a live auction, and dancing. The evening will benefit Inclusion Connections, a local non profit serving young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community; black tie optional; Overland Park Marriott; 6:30 p.m.; $300. Contact Shelly McVay: 913-515-6929 or shelly_mcvay@yahoo.com or kcym.com.

10 Folds of Honor Kansas City; 3rd Annual Honor and Serve Pickleball Tournament; Drink with a purpose at this year’s Honor & Serve! Sign up as a team of two for $100 or as a single for $50. All players are guaranteed to play three games. We invite you to sponsor this event and make a generational impact by sending a child to school in 2024; Chicken N Pickle - Overland Park; 4 p.m.; $100. Contact Folds of Honor Kansas City: 913-944-2620 or kansascity@foldsofhonor.org or onecau.se/ pickleball2024.

10 Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy; Civic Service Celebration; HBHA honors Mindy Corporon at its 50th Civic Service Celebration dinner. The evening will feature cocktails, a kosher dinner, the award ceremony, and an entertaining video connecting Mindy’s foundation for the betterment of our world through kindness and faith to HBHA’s educational culture; Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Contact Kerry Cosner: 913-327-8156 or kcosner@hbha.edu or hbha.edu.

16 Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City; Soirée 2024; The Friends’ annual fundraising gala, Soirée 2024, will include a silent auction and a live auction hosted by Master Sommelier, Doug Frost. The 2024 Honorary Chairs are Cindy and Jay Longbottom; Hotel Kansas City; 6 p.m. Contact Mary Clare Wagner: 816-561-9999 or maryclare@chambermusic.org or chambermusic.org.

APRIL

5 Bishop Sullivan Center; Speakeasy: A Night for the Neighborhood; The evening will include casino games, signature cocktails, dinner, raffles, live and silent auctions, and dancing to the tunes of Crossroad Sound; 1920’s cocktail attire encouraged; The Abbott; 6 p.m. Contact Jennifer Walker: 816-231-0995 or jennifer.walker@bishopsullivan.org or bishopsullivan.org/speakeasy.

5 Kansas City Repertory Theatre; 2024 KCRep Gala; KCRep celebrates its 60th anniversary with a 1960’s themed gala. Reminisce about six decades of KCRep history and enjoy dinner, dancing, a live auction, and music performed by KCRep artists; Loews Kansas City Hotel; 6 p.m.; $250. Contact Nancy Steinacker: 816-235-6107 or nsteinacker@kcrep.org or kcrep.org.

6 American Jazz Museum; Believe In; This is our signature fundraising event. The gala will include silent and live auctions, entertainment, a plated dinner, and adult beverages; semi-formal; 5:30 p.m. Contact Darron Story: 816-517-9454 or dstory@kcjazz.org or americanjazzmuseum.org.

7 Northeast Community Center: Home of Harmony Project KC; Stringo: A Musical Take on Bingo!; Join the musical fun of Stringo! Now in its third year, this event features instrumental versions of your favorite songs and special performances from the students of Harmony Project KC! Enjoy great food, drink, and get ready to shout STRINGO!; Boulevard Brewing Company; 5 p.m.; $100. Contact Crystal Posey: 816-231-7738 or crystal@necc-kc.org or necc-kc.org.

10 Jackson County CASA; Light of Hope Breakfast; The awardwinning Light of Hope Breakfast brings our community together to enjoy a free, plated breakfast while we share our story and honor special community partners, and an exceptional volunteer; Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center; 7 a.m. Contact Lara Klover: 816-785-4097 or lklover@jacksoncountycasa-mo.org or jacksoncountycasa-mo.org.

10 SevenDays; Kindness Breakfast; Hosted by our 2024 Kindness Youth Leadership Team and special guests, you will leave inspired to promote kindness through education and dialogue. A highlight of the morning will be a focus on area youth spreading kindness and the 2024 Ripple of Kindness Award Winner; United Methodist Church of the Resurrection - Leawood Campus; 7:30 a.m. Contact Ruth Bigus: 913-707-7746 or ruth@sevendays.org or sevendays.org.

11 Bright Futures Fund; The 15th Annual School Bell Breakfast; Striving to make a Catholic education available to all those who want it, Bright Futures Fund’s School Bell Breakfast is a wonderful way to start your day. This award-winning gala features breakfast and a special keynote speaker; Arrowhead Stadium’s North Club; 7:30 a.m.; $50. Contact Christopher Hotchkiss: 816-756-1850 or hotchkiss@diocesekcsj.org or brightfuturesfund.org/schoolbellbreakfast.

11 Center for Practical Bioethics; 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner; Keynote address by New York Times opinion writer Dr. Daniela Lamas, pulmonary/critical care physician, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, who writes about modern issues in medicine with real-life stories and compassion. Honorary Event Chairs Robin and Marc Hahn; The Abbott; 5:30 p.m.; $199. Contact Cindy Leyland: 816-979-1357 or cleyland@practicalbioethics.org or practicalbioethics.org/featured-event/40th-anniversary.

11 The Family Conservancy; Brew for Books; A laid-back benefit to get books into the hands of KC kids. Support early literacy and join us for Boulevard Beer, Waldo Pizza, an auction, and live music; Boulevard Brewing Company; 6 p.m. Contact Alyssa Perbeck: 913-742-4181 or aperbeck@tfckc.org or thefamilyconservancy.org.

11 Health Partnership Clinic; Opening Doors Luncheon Benefit; The annual fundraising luncheon raises critical funds for uninsured adults and children who need quality, accessible and affordable health care in Johnson, Miami, and Franklin Counties. Enjoy a patient’s testimonial and a video highlighting the clinic’s mission in action; Overland Park Convention Center; 11:30 a.m.; $100. Contact Drew Meyer: 913-276-7012 or dmeyer@hpcks.org or hpcks.org.

13 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City; Kids Night Out 2024; Enjoy dinner, silent and live auctions, and an interactive program featuring a performance by Thomas Rhett; Overland Park Convention Center; 5 p.m.; $600. Contact Julie Kaul: 816-462-0131 or jkaul@helpkckids.org or kidsnightoutkc.com.

13 The Children’s Place; Party for The Place; With a delicious dinner, mission-filled program, and exciting auction, this highly anticipated event culminates with an after party with music and dancing; Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 5:30 p.m. Contact Denton Williams: 816-363-1898 or williamsd@childrensplacekc.org or childrensplacekc.org/party.

13 Kansas City Ballet,BARRE KC; Kansas City Ballet, BARRE KC Soirée; Dance the night away with friends and enjoy drinks, appetizers, and performances by the Ballet’s Second Company. Proceeds help fund the R.O.A.D. Scholarship Program; Crossroads Hotel; 6 p.m. Contact Alexis Strauss: 816-931-2232 or barre@kcballet.org or barresoiree.org.

13 KC Pet Project; KC Pet Project 5K; Join KC Pet Project to compete in the annual KC Pet Project 5K in Swope Park! All participants get a commemorative medal. Sign up to support the 16,000 homeless, abandoned, and often injured pets that will arrive at KC Pet Project this year; Swope Park; 8 a.m. Contact Tori Fugate: 816-683-1340 or tori.fugate@kcpetproject.org or kcpetproject.org/5k.

Do you have a Gecko that is into Art Deco? Or a fox that hangs out in Crocs? Perhaps a frog that has its own blog?

20th Paw Print Issue!

ON THE COVER

Publisher • Rachel Lewis Falcon

Editor •Nancy Sachse

Art Director •Lisa M. Shea

Non-profit Director and Digital Media Strategist • Annie England

Director of Sales and Production •Lauren Cashman

Performing Arts Editor •Paul Horsley

Content Manager •Anne Potter Russ

Director of Program Guide Operations •Christin Painter

Office and Circulation Manager •Laura Gabriel

Feature Writers •Monica V. Reynolds and Anne Potter Russ

Cartoonist •Charlie Podrebarac

13 University Academy Foundation; 22nd Annual Gala; Join us for a hole-in-fun event that supports UA students and alumni on their academic and career journeys. Enjoy themed mini-golf throughout the halls of UA, games, cocktails, prizes, a beautiful sit-down dinner, dancing, and inspiring stories from students and alumni; University Academy Foundation; 6:30 p.m. Contact Natalie Spar: 816-269-4586 or natalie@uafoundationkc.org or uafoundationkc.org/annual-gala.

16 Women’s Employment Network; WEN Annual Luncheon; For more than three decades, WEN has helped women in Kansas City on their way to financial independence. Join us for the WEN Annual Luncheon to celebrate our clients and hear how WEN advances positive change in the lives of women, their families and the community, one woman at a time; Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center; 11:30 a.m.; $125. Contact Erin Cole: 816-822-8083 or ecole@kcwen.org or kcwen.org/luncheon.

17 City Year Kansas City; Idealist Gala; Guests will enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner, and programming, where we will celebrate our AmeriCorps members and their work in KCPS, along with community members who are showcasing idealism throughout the KC area; business attire; 5:30 p.m. Contact Bridget Barclay Sudol: 816-841-3506 or bridget.barclaysudol@cityyear.org or cityyear.org/kansascity.

17 Women’s Committee - UMKC Conservatory; UMKCConservatory Scholarship Luncheon; Featuring a three-course lunch, silent auction, and musical performance by student scholarship recipients. The auction includes jewelry, home accessories, artwork, and gift certificates to restaurants and events; Indian Hills Country Club; 10:30 a.m.; $100. Contact Michele Hamlett-Weith: 913-269-1993 or mchwdc@gmail.com or conservatory.umkc.edu/alumni-and-giving/constituent-groups.

18 Reach Out and Read Kansas City; For the Love of Books; Enjoy a lively afternoon with a delicious lunch and an opportunity to learn about Reach Out and Read Kansas City; Grand Street Cafe; 11 a.m. Contact Jennie Andra: 913-558-3073 or jandra@kumc.edu or reachoutandreadkc.org.

18 Truman Library Institute; Wild About Harry; This is the 25th annual dinner supporting Harry Truman’s legacy and presidential library. Enjoy live music, a patriotic cocktail reception, and dinner, followed by the presentation of the 2024 Truman Legacy of Leadership Award, and a keynote address by best-selling author and journalist, Evan Thomas; Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 6:15 p.m.; $200. Contact Kim Rausch: 816-400-1214 or kim.rausch@trumanlibraryinstitute.org or trumanlibraryinstitute.org/wild.

19 Heartland Therapeutic Riding; Tux ‘n’ Boots; Enjoy a night of fun and inspiration. Tux ‘n’ Boots boasts a fabulous silent and live auctions, dinner, open bar, and dancing to the ever-popular sounds of Lost Wax. This one night provides more than 80 percent of HTR’s operating budget, so we would love to have you join us to support our riders; Heartland Therapeutic Riding Barn; 6 p.m. Contact Sarah Ferguson: 913-481-4963 or sarahferg0826@gmail.com or htrkc.org.

19 Job One; Cause-ino Night; Enjoy Vegas-style fun and play with purpose to benefit the mission of Job One. The evening will feature an appetizer buffet, bar, and entertainment, along with casino games, blackjack, mouse races, and more for a chance to win great prizes! Attire is “casino fabulous” – have fun with it; Arrowhead Stadium; 6 p.m.; $150. Contact Rebeca Swank: 816-905-6104 or rswank@jobonekc.org or causeino.org.

19 KVC Health Systems; KVC Gala at The Abbott; Enjoy mouthwatering food, overflowing cocktails, captivating live music by Lost Wax, and exciting surprises - all with a fun twist! All proceeds will benefit children and families in crisis served by KVC Health Systems; The Abbott. Contact Amanda Smasal: 913-912-0457 or asmasal@kvc.org or kvc.org/events.

20 Hillcrest Hope; Night of Hope Gala; Join us for the Rhinestone Rodeo. Dust off those boots and clean up those jeans, pearl snap it up or sundress it down. Grab those cowboy hats and get ready for a night of fun. Ride the bull… if you dare! The event will include silent and live auctions, and live entertainment by Travis Marvin; $100. Contact Dustin Prockish: 816-708-0171 or dustinp@hillcresthope.org or hillcresthope.org/events-calendar/night-of-hope.

Congratulations

The on Society 2024 CLA SS OF

Amy Barnthouse, Jason Banks, Megan Bubb, and PJ Thompson

to The Independent’s

Jorge Soberón-Hernández, Laura Palacios, and Lindsey Rood-Clifford