Charlie Hadley is from Independence, Kansas. He has been an illustrator and designer at Hallmark Cards for 22 years. He currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas with his wife Lisa and their two children, Henry and Alice. He is thrilled to be a part in this year’s Neewollah festivities.
From the Generalissimo-Since high school, I’ve admired Charlie’s talent for illustrating. What started on t-shirts grew into a successful, life-long career at the oldest and largest manufacturer of greeting cards. Most likely, we’ve all purchased and gifted a card with his artwork at some time or another. Charlie also illustrated the 2011 Neewollah logo.
I knew when I accepted the nomination for Generalissimo, I’d ask Charlie to do me the honor of bringing my vision to life. After selecting the musical, I knew I wanted to tie the notion of adventure into the logo. The logo itself represents a map of Independence and the great adventures that can be experienced here. Neewollah is one of the biggest and best adventures Independence has to offer. From the hundreds of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors, the patient downtown business owners, the commitment from our local law enforcement and emergency medical staff, and the countless carnival and parade-goers, our community comes together in amazing ways to make this 9-day celebration happen. Charlie took my vague idea of a map of Independence landmarks and exceeded my expectations by creating a keepsake I hope we can all be proud of.
I am privileged to serve as Generalissimo this year. It promises to be one of my biggest adventures and I can’t wait to see you there.
Denise Hines