Life Connected.

Downtown Update: Detour Towards Progress

It was time to get an update on major projects happening in Downtown Celina. We turned to our experts, Kim Brawner (assistant city manager) and Andy Figueroa (director of public works). We discussed everything from current detours downtown to exciting projects on the horizon. We even talked about potholes. Coming Soon: The city's "Clean Sweep" initiative, which is scheduled for April 1. #lifeconnected– Celina Service Requests: https://www.celina-tx.gov/1443/Service-Requests– Clean Sweep: https://www.celina-tx.gov/1232/Celina-Clean-Sweep– Celina Map Galleries: https://celina-public-gis-celinatx.hub.arcgis.com – Celina Strategic Plan: https://www.celina-tx.gov/1257/Strategic-Plan– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Swirls Bakery: A Sweet Love Story

Kim and Cleveland Wickliffe are living proof of God's perfect timing and the power of love. From their rekindled romance to moving to Celina to start a small business, their story has been nothing short of beautiful. There was a definite theme that kept coming up on this episode of "Life in Celina" ... love. It starts with their personal love story and carries over to the love that Cleve pours into his baked goods, especially his cinnamon rolls. That love has carried over to the community they now call home. #lifeconnected– Swirls Bakery: https://www.swirlsbakery.com – The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Epic Journey: Intentional Living Leads to Celina

It took Brenda and Erik Spencer a trip across the country to end up in Celina, Texas. Their journey started in Seattle, they traveled to 49 of the 50 states over the course of two years and then they fell in love with Celina. Now they call Celina home. On this episode of "Life in Celina" we talk about their epic journey, how they discovered Celina and what they love about their new hometown. #lifeconnected– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Vicky and David Hogue: Different Level of Giving

Celina has a giving heart! That has shown up countless number of times on this community podcast. Our featured guests on this episode of Life in Celina – Vicky and David Hogue – exemplify that giving spirit. After suffering a loss for a spot on Celina School Board, Vicky Hogue's eyes were opened to a new way to positively impact her community. Her and David are all in! If there is volunteer opportunity in Celina, Texas, there is a great chance you'll find David and Vicky there – with their sleeves rolled up and giving back. #lifeconnected– Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer.celina-tx.gov– Citizens Academies: https://celina-tx.gov/1430/Citizens-Academies– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Boys State: A New Generation of Leadership

Texas Boys State, which is spearheaded by the American Legion, is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. On this episode of Life in Celina, we get to meet four young men who represented Celina at last year's event. We discussed their biggest takeaways and how much it meant to them to be part of this prestigious program. We also got to visit with leaders from American Legion Post #145 – KJ Clark and Butch Wilson – to talk about the program and the ripple effect it has had on Celina, Texas. #lifeconnected– Boys State: https://www.bluemaycreative.com– American Legion Post #145: https://www.facebook.com/celinapost145/ – The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Kelly Blue: Getting to the Heart of Small Businesses

We kick off our third year of Life in Celina with a heart-felt and creative home run! Our featured guest, Kelly Blue, has a heart for small businesses in Celina, Texas. As the owner of her own small business – Blue May Creative – she knows and understands the challenges of effectively marketing your company. She wants to help Celina entrepenuers. On this inaugural episode of 2023, Kelly shares her story, she talks about falling in love with Celina and she offers marketing advice to anyone running a small business in this community. #lifeconnected– Blue May Creative: https://www.bluemaycreative.com– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Leigh Glendenning Roberts: Celebrating the Pillars of Celina

Leigh Glendenning Roberts has called Celina, Texas, home for a long time, and she has a genuine heart for her hometown. When we asked her what she loves about Celina, her answer was beautiful. It may have been the best answer we've had to that particular question. On this episode of "Life in Celina," Leigh talks about her role getting the Main Street Program started in Celina and her role in the Celina Education Foundation. #lifeconnected– Celina Education Foundation: https://celinaeducationfoundation.org– Leigh Glendenning Real Estate: https://www.leighreal.com– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Connor Nichols: Legacy of Grit and Faith

Where to start? That was the million-dollar question when Connor Nichols sat down to record this episode of "Life in Celina." This Celina High School graduate had so much to discuss – including a brand new ministry that focuses on pouring into coaches. We definitely discuss his powerful outreach program, which is called GRIT, but we started the conversation talking about growing up in Celina and the amazing fingerprints his family is leaving on this community. #lifeconnected– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

The Gift (and the event) That Keeps on Giving

The Celina Gift Tour is one of this community's most popular events. This year, it sold out in a matter of hours. We still wanted to release this episode of Life in Celina, though. This conversation captures the essence of what Celina, Texas, is all about - from the over-the-top events to the people and their giving hearts. We got the chance to catch up with Alexis Jackson, executive director of the Celina EDC. She paints a fun and festive picture of this annual event. (We also asked for a quick update on EDC news). #lifeconnected– Celina Gift Tour: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/gifttour– Celina Events: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– Celina EDC: https://celinaedc.com– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Toys for Tots: All About the Kids

This episode of "Life in Celina" is all about giving back. And it's all about local kiddos. With Christmas two months away, Collin County Toys for Tots is in full swing. On this podcast, we hear from three people heavily involved in this year's toy drive. We got the chance to talk to KJ Clark (Preston Trail Rotary Club), Maria Legall (Collin County Toys for Tots) and Corbett Howard (Lamar National Bank). Each one has a passion for this giving back initiative and the ripple effect it has on Celina and the rest of Collin County. #lifeconnected– Collin County Toys for Tots: https://collinco-tx.toysfortots.org– Preston Trail Rotary Club: https://rotarycelina.org– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker