Life Connected.

Giving Season: Hazy Gonna Set It Off

There are a lot of moving parts on this episode of "Life in Celina," but the completed puzzle is going to be beautiful and impactful. The Celina Police Association, Rollertown Beerworks and Grace Bridge are teaming up this Thanksgiving to provide meals for those in need. The event, which will be host at Rollertown on Nov. 23, is called "Hazy Gonna Set It Off." It's a combination of storytelling, a seasonal beer and a lot of giving back. This event exemplifies the city's tagline of Life Connected. #lifeconnected– Grace Bridge: https://www.gracebridge.us– Celina Police Association: https://celinapoliceassociation.com– Rollertown Beerworks: https://www.rollertownbeerworks.com– Celina Events: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– 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

New Marketing Director: Beware! (and the ’X Factor’)

Joe Monaco has only been the Celina's Director of Marketing & Communications since January, but he totally gets it. He already understands that every event in Celina has an "X Factor" that makes it over-the-top special. One of those events is the community's annual Halloween extravaganza, Beware of the Square. On this episode of "Life in Celina," Joe shares his story, he talks about what makes events in Celina different and he gives us a run down on this year's Beware. The annual Halloween event is scheduled for Oct. 22 on the Historic Celina Square. It is free of charge. #lifeconnected – Beware of the Square (Oct. 22): https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/beware– Celina Events: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– 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

Oktoberfest: Lederhosen, wiener dog races and so much more

Celina's Oktoberfest has turned into the one of the community's marquee events. The evolution of the event, which is spearheaded by the Celina Chamber of Commerce, is inspiring. On this episode of "Life in Celina," Chamber President Melissa Cromwell shares how this incredible event came to life six years ago, starting at Old Celina Park as a hot air balloon festival and evolving into the festive event it is today. (Highlighted by food, music and wiener dog races.) So, grab your Lederhosen and get downtown on Oct. 1. #lifeincelina– Celina Oktoberfest (Oct. 1): https://celinachamber.org/celina-oktoberfest/– Celina Chamber of Commerce: https://celinachamber.org– Celina Events: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– 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

Cowboy Up! New Festival Celebrates City’s Heritage

Celina is adding to its impressive resume of events. On Sept. 24, the inaugural Heritage Festival will take place in downtown Celina. On this episode, Haley Gatlin (Celina Event Coordinator) and Katie Deeds (Youth Librarian at Celina Public Library) share how this vision to celebrate Celina's cowboy culture came to life. They also discuss all the wonderful things happening during this first-time event. – Celina Heritage Festival: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/heritage– Celina Events: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– Celina Public Library: https://www.celina-tx.gov/379/Library– 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

Mikala Everson and the Sweetest Story in Celina

Mikala Everson decided early in her life that she wanted to honor her grandmother by opening a bakery. At the time, she didn't know about the incredible culinary journey she would travel after high school, or the fact that her bakery – now known as Granny's Sweeties – would be located in downtown Celina, Texas. This is a sweet story - one that started with a little girl and her special relationship with her grandmother. – Granny's Sweeties: https://grannyssweeties.com– Granny's Sweeties on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grannyssweetiescakeandconfections– 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

Touch-A-Truck: The Ultimate Outreach

The concept of Celina's annual Touch-A-Truck event is simple: Give its residents the opportunity to put their hands on all the city equipment they see around the community. But it's the reason why the city puts on this event that makes it so important. On this episode of "Life in Celina," Assistant Fire Chief Eric Everson talks about the importance of this community outreach effort. He also shares his story and what he loves about Celina, Texas. #lifeconnected– Touch-A-Truck: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/touchatruck– Events in Celina: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– The Little Wooden Penguin: https://littlewoodenpenguin.com– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.gov– Celina Fire Department: https://www.celina-tx.gov/196/Fire-DepartmentMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker

Ryan Merritt: Celina’s Major League Impact

Former MLB pitcher Ryan Merritt credits a lot of his success to growing up in Celina, Texas. He said it created a work ethic and a resiliency that gave him a chance to live out his dream. On this episode of "Life in Celina," Ryan shares his baseball journey, which was highlighted by pitching in the 2016 ALCS for the Cleveland Indians. He also talks about how his promising career was cut short, and how the culture of his hometown played a bigger role in his life after he retired. #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

Master Plan: ’All Roads Lead to Downtown’

On this episode of "Life in Celina," Kim Brawner – assistant city manager – got the chance to talk about one of her passions: Building a city. Not just any city, though. On this episode, Brawner discussed the opportunity to help build Celina, a city that has captured her heart. Brawner was specifically brought on "Life in Celina" to discuss the city's Downtown Master Plan. She also sings the praises of her colleagues on city staff, talks about what she loves the most about Celina and shares the community's vision for downtown. #life-connected– 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

The Mill Community Church: Growing Spiritually

It's no secret that Celina is growing. But something you might not think about in regards to the growth ... the need for more churches. Spiritual leaders in Celina recognize this truth, and this spring at least one new church will be planted to pour into this community. On this episode of "Life in Celina," we sat down with Pastor Chad Bailey and his wife, Ryan. They are working along side Frisco Bible Church to plant The Mill Community Church in Celina. During our conversation, Ryan and Chad discuss their journey, they talk about why they chose Celina and they share why they already have a heart for this community. The Mill Community Church is coming to Celina this fall. #lifeconnected – The Mill Community Church: https://themillcc.org– The Mill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themillcc– 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

Splash & Blast: Summertime Extravaganza

It's one of the biggest celebrations of the year, and the city is already gearing up for it. Splash & Blast 2022 is almost here. So, we brought in Cody Webb, director of Celina's Parks and Recreation Department, to talk about this annual extravaganza. Also on this episode, Cody shares his story and his vision for Celina, Texas. He also tells the entertaining story about his job interview with the city years ago. #lifeconnected– Splash & Blast 2022: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/splash– Events in Celina: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/events– Parks and Rec Department: https://www.celina-tx.gov/253/Parks-Recreation– City of Celina: https://www.celina-tx.govMusic: Vocals by Jon Christopher DavisEngineered by Wextrax StudioMusic by Mark Metdker