A Celebration of the Year’s Accomplishments

We looked back . . . and we looked ahead . . and we enjoyed each other’s company!

That’s what the Arts & Recreation Foundation leadership did in November to celebrate another year of doing what we do to enhance quality of life in Overland Park.

Members of the ARFOP Board of Directors and the “Friends” advisory boards gathered at InterUrban ArtHouse in Downtown Overland Park for a short business meeting, fellowship, and the opportunity to get acquainted with Overland Park’s newly-appointed City Manager Lori Curtis Luther.

Tanya Wilson, outgoing ARFOP Board President, recapped the year’s accomplishments and thanked the entire leadership team for their hard work and dedication that resulted in the return of all special events, successful membership drives, and the contribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Parks and Recreation Department. In turn, Marga Spangler, ARFOP Treasurer, thanked Tanya for her outstanding leadership for the past two years. Phil Bressler begins his term as Board President in January.

Following a welcome from InterUrban ArtHouse CEO Angi Hejduk (who also serves as Friends of OP Arts Treasurer), Lori Luther shared her excitement about “coming home” to Overland Park where she had served as an assistant city manager over 15 years ago. She spoke of the changes in the City since that time and some of the challenges ahead for the City. When asked about the City’s partnership with ARFOP, she said that it was a welcome change for her to have such a strong, mature nonprofit partner because she had only been involved in the start-up stage in other cities.

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to come together and celebrate all of our accomplishments and to look ahead to continued partnerships.