Ingram's May 2024

Dining and Opining

Memories of old friends, lively conversation and a few laughs linger for those who shared the experience of covering Kansas City business.

by Dennis Boone

Some business lunches are soon forgotten, sometimes within hours of paying the bill. Some will stick in the memory, always. Falling into the latter category was a gathering that took place a genera tion ago—on the first business day of 2004, to be precise: Jan. 2. One might infer that date could indeed be memorable for blessing us with an early-winter high temperature of 62 degrees (yes, in January!). But that day’s gathering at the late, great Fron dizi’s Restaurant sticks in the mind for those who dined there that day: a col

Ludwell Gaines wanted a publication that would “be an essential, authoritative, timely and positive source of information about the economic thrust and focus of Kansas City.”

lection of Ingram’s magazine publish ers past and present, whose contribu tions covering the development of the Kansas City region, eventually would combine into a 50-year legacy.

At the table that day were Richard Kappa, Woody Overton, Bill “Doc” Worley, Mike Russell, Michelle Swee ney and Joe Sweeney, and while they couldn’t be present, phone connections

Torch Bearers: Leaders of Ingram’s at various times over its history included Richard Kappa, (back row, left), Woody Overton, Joe Sweeney and Mike Russell; and (seated) Michelle Sweeney and Bill Doc Worley.

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I ngr am ’ s

Kansas City’s Business Media

May 2024