Life Connected. Magazine: May-June 2024

MAY/JUNE 2024

CELINA FIRE CHIEF MARK METDKER RETIRES AFTER 16 YEARS OF SERVICE IN CELINA, TEXAS

Chief Metdker has spent nearly half a century in Public Safety

Joe Monaco, Director of Marketing & Communications

Kelly Blue, Marketing & Communications Manager

Stephanie Webb, Senior Digital Media Analyst

Courtney Ford, Graphic Designer

Marc Rylander, Chief Communications Officer (Gray Reed Advisory)

Cassie McKnight, Cassie Lee Photography

A NOTE FROM THE MAYOR

CELINA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Experience Life Connected.

Greetings Celina residents and friends.

I think I am finally safe to say, “Happy Spring!” This truly is one of the most exciting times in our community as the grass greens, the flowers bloom, spring sports ensue, and our historic Downtown Square prepares for its biggest and most exciting activities of the year. This is a fantastic time to experience Life Connected.

As Friday Night Markets are already underway, let me remind you to get these memorable evenings on your calendar. These are one of the activities we plan that keep alive the spirit of our hometown and the legacy of generations of residents who spent their weekends with neighbors and friends on our beloved Square. Along with these monthly events, be ready for movies and music to return to the Square, and make sure you mark your calendars for Celina Cajun Fest on May 11th. Celina Cajun Fest is one of the largest parties we celebrate, and it is complete with Cajun music, crawfish, cold drinks, local vendors, kids’ activities, and an evening concert from country music great Aaron Watson. The event is free, although tickets can be purchased now for your crawfish platter at www.lifeincelinatx.com/ cajunfest.

This edition of Life Connected. Magazine is full of information about these events and other happenings around town that will keep you informed and engaged with life in Celina. So much excitement is developing at an unprecedented pace, and I hope you will take time to read this magazine, in digital or print form, and make a commitment to stay involved in all that’s going on around the community. As we grow, the way we guard the heart and heritage of this community is to stay connected to one another.

On the following pages, you will find a couple of tender farewells. In March, we celebrated the life and service of Celina’s first and only Director of Library Services. Linda Shaw was a friend to everyone who knew her, and her legacy goes beyond literacy, as her impact is forever etched into our lives and the history of our City. We look forward to honoring her life and service as her vision for library services comes into fruition.

This summer will also mark the retirement of Celina Fire Chief Mark Metdker. Chief Metdker has faithfully served the City of Celina for over a decade through a career here that included a stint as Police Chief and Fire Chief. He oversaw the planning for the growth and construction of our three fire stations, as well as architecting a long-term plan for the growth of the department, long after he retires. I want to thank Chief Metdker for his service and wish him the most enjoyable years in his retirement.

Thank you for taking time to catch up on all things Celina in this edition of Life Connected. Magazine. I look forward to saying hello to you and your family out and about town and hope you will do the same when you see me out with mine. Let’s get ready to enjoy a fun-filled spring and summer together as we enjoy living and doing life in the greatest city there is.

Jay Pierce MAYOR PRO TEM, PLACE 2

Wendie Wigginton DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM, PLACE 4

Andy Hopkins PLACE 3

Philip Ferguson PLACE 1

Mindy Koehne

Brandon Grumbles

the LEGACY of LINDA SHAW

A life of love, literacy, and service

Across the storied chapters and generations of a rich rivalry shared between geographical neighbors in the Town of Prosper and the City of Celina, very little love was shared, and even fewer gestures of kindness were expressed between communities steeped in passion for their hometowns. Athletic competitions and their outcomes most often fueled the fires of what some would recall as bitterness felt by one place and people towards the other. Celina faithful would never be caught wearing Prosper Green, and Bobcat Orange was forbidden south of the Ownsby Farm. “It’s just the way it was,” legacy residents in Celina would say. The two towns simply had very little in common. Except one thing; well, one person. Linda Shaw.

Despite the power and prowess of the athletic teams they would field for those highly-anticipated games, their municipal budgets lacked any such shine. And with volunteer firefighters responding to emergencies and county-provided deputies policing the region, a salary for a librarian was certainly not something either farming community could afford. Unless, of course, Prosper and Celina could agree, for once, to share something. They met Linda Shaw and were captivated by her love for literacy, and children, and community, and they finally found someone worth appreciating together.

For a number of years, Linda Shaw quietly divided her time as librarian for the City of Celina and for the Town of Prosper. As she did everywhere she went, she built robust library systems with the same intensity with which she built lasting friendships. Her friendship was so rich that peers said she was more like family to the people she served. She cared authentically and loved deeply. Books were her tool and reading her method of reaching inside of an individual and unlocking something special from the heart and soul of everyone with whom she shared her literary love. In two distinct hometowns, separated by only a few miles, Shaw became a shared fixture. Her knowledge of what it would take to build a successful library and her vision for the way to do it with excellence laid the groundwork for both communities to have the library services they enjoy today.

As for Celina, she is the only Director of Library Services we ever knew. In 2009, when the Wichita, Kansas, native arrived on the historic Downtown Square, she saw a suite of offices set aside to become a library. She never really saw the offices; she could already see the library. It wasn’t surprising to anyone that, within a number of months, books filled the space, and the people soon followed. Her passion, by her own admission in a recent podcast interview, was people. And though her formal education training was in music, she always loved books and spent time around libraries, and realized that was a path that would allow her to best brush with people. The library next to City Hall was a place where both reading and relationships flourished.

Her dream and vision for Celina’s library continuously reached beyond traditional bookshelves. She wanted to build collections while she expanded imaginations. If one was a crafter or an entrepreneur, by her own words, she wanted them to have a place in our Celina Public Library. She was a master of having books donated and maximizing the space she had, even as it became more and more inadequate over the years. She was often an overlooker of big fines, as long as the borrower returned the book. She was even part-time counselor, like the time a Police Officer’s wife came in to see her in a panic, because her husband told her that if she didn’t get her library fine paid, she could be arrested.

Linda laughed and loved to retell this story over the years. Just like she loved story time and all of the children’s programming at the library. She celebrated when it was loud, and the atmosphere was fun. With toddlers, she would get under a parachute; with infants, she would read with expression and emotion that would widen their eyes, while endearing their mothers to the library for life. She watched those babies grow up and made sure to stay on those parents about keeping Celina’s youth reading as they grew.

Linda Shaw’s final season as the Director of Library Services for the City of Celina was spent in more of a design-build role. Her greatest joy centered around the construction soon to burst forth from the land behind City Hall. She longed to see the new municipal complex built, and believed the space reserved for her new library could be the crown jewel of the project for generations to come. In her heart and through her clear vision for the project, she could already smell the pages of the books, and hear the joy of the children, and be renewed knowing readers would have a beautiful space in this City to gather and connect with traditional and non-traditional library services.

Perhaps the only thing more pronounced than Linda’s vision was her quiet, enduring faith. It had sustained her through many turns and trials in life and library service. And it was also the spark that fueled her to love and serve people with the same intensity she dreamed about that construction project that would finally afford Celina a library and the necessary services for a community like this. Sadly, for the residents of Celina and for her colleagues she loved in this City and our neighbors to the south, Linda’s faith became sight before her new library could. Yet, in the hours and days following her passing, her legacy was already on full display as people and places she had loved and served now stood and served in her place.

In death, just as in her impactful life, Linda Shaw, once again, brought out the best in the two former rival hometowns she had once served when that was all but forbidden. It is only fitting that, in her final moments of need, first responders from Celina and Prosper were both by her side providing care and comfort for her. Leslie Scott, Prosper’s Director of Library Services, stepped in and faithfully served the staff in Celina so that the normal and regulatory functions of Linda’s library on the Square didn’t miss a beat as those closest to her grieved her sudden loss. Celina lit the historic Water Tower to honor Linda’s life, as all would have expected. But for those who number their years lived in this area in decades, her impact was, perhaps, most recognized as the Town of Prosper—for multiple nights—unprecedentedly lit the top of their town hall in Bobcat orange, to honor the life and love and legacy of Linda Shaw.

Celina residents and our friends will never forget the vision, passion, and leadership of Director of Library Services Linda Shaw. From us, she is gone too soon. But for us, she made a mark on our lives, our love for reading, and the spirit of this community that will, forever, be remembered.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

MARCH - APRIL 2024 RECAP

The start of 2024 has been action-packed for our City Council, with new faces, exciting developments, and welldeserved recognitions. Here’s a recap of the key highlights from March and April. This is just a glimpse into the busy world of our City so stay tuned for further updates and developments as we move forward together!

(1) The City Council was honored to welcome Cornerstone Ranch to the Council Chambers to celebrate National Development Disabilities Month. Our friends from Cornerstone Ranch led the City Council Meeting in prayer and in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge of Allegiance. (2) Mayor Ryan Tubbs read a Proclamation in honor of the City of Celina Purchasing Department in celebration of Public Procurement Month. (3) Mayor Ryan Tubbs read a Proclamation celebrating National Surveyor’s Week. Marcos Madrid (President) and Kyle Reiner (Director) of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors were in attendance to accept the Proclamation.

The City of Celina is a “Home-Rule Municipality” governed by a Mayor and six City Council members who are elected by the residents. The City Council Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 5 PM inside City Council Chambers located at 112 N. Colorado St in Celina.

MORE ABOUT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

If you’re curious about how to speak at City Council, check out the recent video, “How to Speak at Council,” as part of City of Celina’s In The Know video series. These videos will help keep our Celina residents informed and you guessed it...in the know! Full City Council photo albums are available online at lifeincelinatx.com/photo-albums Watch City Council recap videos on YouTube: @CityofCelinaTexas

(4) The City Council had the honor of welcoming Jessica Dunn from CASA of Collin County, Dan Powers from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, and Terri Green from Foster Friends. The organizations were presented with a Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation highlighting the vital work that they do to protect and support our community’s children. (5) City Council recognized and honored City of Celina staff members who were selected as this year’s Employee of the Year and Core Values Award winners. In addition, staff members were recognized for their years of service to the City of Celina.

All City Council Meeting agendas are posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Each meeting is livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot attend. Streaming information and agenda packets can be found online at celina-tx.gov/citycouncil.

WATER CONSERVATION & LEAKS

Water conservation is critical despite the planet being predominantly water-covered. Many regions still face clean water shortages, emphasizing the need for responsible water use and conservation efforts. Overwatering, particularly in landscaping, poses various risks such as drowning plant roots, stressing shallow-rooted plants, and promoting weed growth. It’s also environmentally harmful and wasteful.

To conserve water outdoors, follow these steps:

Prevent Evaporation: Water lawns early in the morning or evening, avoid windy days, and use drip irrigation or lowangle sprinklers. Cover pools and spas to prevent water loss.

Choose Water-Efficient Plants: Opt for drought-resistant and native plants that require less water. Many cities provide lists of water-efficient plants suitable for local climates.

Collect Rainwater: Install rain barrels or cisterns to collect water from gutters for watering plants. Use water efficiently and avoid wastage by sweeping instead of hosing down surfaces.

Maintain Lawn Properly: Keep grass at a height of three inches during summer, avoid cutting more than one-third of its length at once, and leave clippings on the lawn instead of bagging them.

By implementing these measures, individuals and communities can contribute to water conservation, ensuring a sustainable water supply for future generations while protecting the environment.

CHECK YOUR SPRINKLERS FOR WASTED WATER

Efficient irrigation is crucial to prevent water wastage, especially considering that up to half of outdoor irrigation water may be lost due to inefficient systems. The Texas A&M Irrigation Technology Program highlights that a single broken sprinkler head can waste up to 10 gallons per minute. To ensure your sprinkler system is efficient, follow these steps recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Program.

Inspect, Connect, Direct & Select

Inspect: Turn on your sprinkler system briefly to check for clogged, broken, or missing sprinkler heads.

Connect: Check for leaks at points where sprinkler heads connect to pipes or hoses. Even small leaks, like those the size of a ballpoint pen tip, can waste thousands of gallons per month.

Direct: Adjust sprinkler nozzles to avoid watering driveways, houses, or sidewalks, focusing water only on the landscape.

Select: Ensure your irrigation controller is properly scheduled for the seasons or use the “Seasonal Adjustment” feature if available.

Residents in areas served by Upper Trinity Regional Water District can get a free Sprinkler System Check-Up by a licensed irrigator. Additionally, signing up for weekly lawn watering recommendations at WaterMyYard.org can help optimize water usage. For further guidance, visit the Upper Trinity Regional Water District website or contact them directly. By implementing these steps, individuals can reduce water waste, save money, and contribute to water conservation efforts.

CHECKING FOR COMMON LEAKS

Detecting and addressing leaks in your home can prevent costly water bills and potential water damage. Here’s how to identify common leaks:

Check Your Usage: A significant increase in water consumption, exceeding 12,000 gallons per month, indicates a potential leak issue.

Use Your Eyes: Inspect areas like cabinet backs and under basins for signs of mold or unpleasant odors, which may indicate hidden leaks.

Monitor Your Water Meter: Ensure no water is running in your home, then observe the water meter. A changing meter indicates a fast-moving leak. Delayed changes suggest a slow leak.

Toilet Leak Detection: Leaky toilets can waste hundreds of dollars annually. Use food coloring or dye in the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl after 30 minutes, it indicates a leak allowing water to flow from the tank without flushing.

For efficient monitoring of water usage, consider using Sensus Analytics available at https://MyCelinaH2O.com. By promptly addressing leaks, homeowners can prevent water wastage, avoid costly repairs, and contribute to water conservation efforts.

16 YEARS IN CELINA

HONORING CELINA FIRE CHIEF MARK METDKER

“It has been the highest honor to have done what I have loved, and to have given of myself through this calling to the people I have served for nearly half a century.”

- CHIEF MARK METDKER

“I was 18 years old, had just graduated from high school, and I was ready to saddle up on a fire truck and begin my lifelong career as a firefighter . . . so I thought,” recalls Celina Fire Chief Mark Metdker. Like so many boys he grew up with, young Mark Metdker had a passion and a dream of serving in Public Safety. Jumping into his gear and onto a truck and racing across a community with lights and sirens blazing to help a stranger in need would be the ultimate intersection of a calling and a career. He longed to have his chance to join a department and fulfill his dream. In 1975, shortly after his graduation from Lewisville High School, the growing City of McKinney, Texas, was hiring, and Metdker’s dream became a reality.

Public Safety was a point of great pride in the Metdker family. Young Mark came home every day of his childhood hearing behind-the-scenes stories from Denton County. His dad proudly wore a badge as a Deputy Sheriff there, and his mom served in the office of a Denton County Judge. But the bloodline ran even deeper than that. Chief Metdker’s uncle (his father’s brother) was the first paid Fire Chief in the City of Richardson, a position he held for three decades. And many of his cousins and nephews, across the generations, served as firefighters. Perhaps no one, however, had more of an impact on Mark Metdker’s career than the one who has stood by his side since the second month after he joined the McKinney Fire Department in 1975.

Though she had never donned a Public Safety uniform of her own, she loved her young fireman, and he madly loved her. Fresh out of high school, Mark and Cheryle Metdker were married and began a life together that is as strong as ever these 49 years later. “I was fresh out of high school, ready to chase my dream, about to settle into marriage with Cheryle, and I was just 18 years old,” Chief Metdker exclaimed.

“The process was so different back then,” Chief Metdker explained. “A young guy, just out of high school and eager to serve was a prime candidate to become a firefighter.” But for two years, the man who would go on to become the storied leader of one of the fastest-growing departments in the State of Texas was unsettled.

Chief Metdker is a Fire Chief today who is known for his servant leadership style in his department. Throughout the industry, he is recognized as a keen scout and developer of young talent. Perhaps, in 1977, those hidden gifts gave him a sense that something was off just a bit. In the midst of working in a career for which he had dreamed, he was battling a tug-of-war inside. “Here I was, a 20-year-old-kid working in the area I grew up in, doing what I had always wanted to do, and I had this realization that I wasn’t quite yet mentally fit to tackle the task,” Chief Metdker shared.

“Being a first responder is a rush, and it gave me great fulfillment; but I knew if I was ever going to reach the level of success that I longed to achieve as a firefighter, I would have to step back for a season.”

Reluctantly, but showing wisdom beyond his years, Chief Metdker hung up his uniform and helmet and took a temporary detour in his career, never taking his eyes off of that calling. For almost six years, he refined his life and leadership in the private world, working for Otis Engineering, a company in Carrollton that made safety equipment for Halliburton’s Oilfield Division.

There, he could grow in his knowledge and understanding of safety products and a host of personalities with whom he would work. He would make friends easily, a trait that would follow him throughout his career, but he always gravitated towards watching those marked as leaders. Attracted most to those who led by serving, he carefully watched all who managed or provided oversight at the firm. He recognized, quickly, the traits he wanted to develop, in the event he would one day have the chance to lead. Those years were long, but they were transformative. And although thriving in his work environment, Chief Metdker’s drive and desire to return to his first love of Public Safety was overpowering.

In 1983, about the time the epicenter of Dallas dining had shifted from the Stemmons and I-635 corridor to the new restaurant row in Addison, Texas, that Town was in desperate need of firefighters who could tackle the task of leading and leveraging their skills in in a rapidly-growing suburban North Dallas environment. Armored now with a confidence and readiness to return to the life of a first responder and with a Fire Chief ready to welcome him to the Town of Addison, Metdker joined the Addison Fire Department, the place he would call home for nearly a quarter century. Reinvigorated with that passion from his childhood to fight fires, but now doing so with a mantle of maturity and leadership, he quickly rose through the ranks in the booming North Dallas community. From the back of the fire truck, he worked his way to Fire Prevention Captain, and made a name for himself around Texas as one of the highly-regarded future Public Safety leaders in Texas.

Those who know Chief Metdker would agree that he’s never been one looking for the next opportunity or assignment. And after the unique journey that led him to Addison, he was not going to be in a hurry to leave. During his long tenure there, he developed relationships that he would carry with him throughout life. Anyone can come to the ribbon cutting

of a Celina Fire Station today and see the legacy of his leadership looking at the Hall of Fame of North Texas Chiefs and top brass he counts as friends and former colleagues who attend every event. Like former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Tom Landry, Chief Metdker trained his guys to be the greatest leaders in the field. Knowing that would often take them from his department onto other places, he pushed them to their best, and they became just that. So many leaders in Fire Departments today are from his pedigree. He trained the best, and he became the best.

By 2008, the City of Celina was settling into the reality that robust growth was inevitable. Up until recent years, fire service had been provided by the care of a highly-respected Volunteer Fire Department. But by then, there were eight full-time firefighters in the department, and it was apparent that was only the beginning.

Celina needed strong leaders—visionaries who could lead a Fire Department and who had experience attracting and developing talent, architecting the vision and plans for a growing department, and leaders who could walk the tightrope of a community steeped in tradition but open to the looming transition. The Celina Fire Department found

that uniquely and perfectly qualified leader in Chief Metdker. He was hired by Chief Jerry Duffield as Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of Celina.

“I’ll never forget showing up to the Fire Station my first day on the job,” Chief Metdker remembered. “It was a special place—a metal barn behind the lumber yard. It wasn’t much, but it was what we had for the moment. My first order of business was to begin to help shift the thinking of our department from that which was seen to that which was yet to be seen.”

During his first years in Celina, between fire and paramedic calls, he was preparing his department and City leaders for unprecedented growth. By 2010, only two years into his tenure, the City of Celina named Metdker as Fire Chief of the Celina Fire Department. He would eventually get some office space in an older home near the former football stadium (most recently known as C-Town), but with that, would come even more responsibility. In December of 2012, in the midst of selling civic leaders on the plans for multiple new fire stations, they sold him on the idea of a joint role of Fire Chief and Police Chief for the City of Celina. Surely, this would be a temporary assignment. Temporary, indeed, for nearly four long years.

The growth and development of Celina would ultimately make the wearing of both hats nearly impossible, and in October of 2016, Chief Metdker was able to hand off his policing duties and, once again, return to his first love. At the same time, his growing department was moving from the metal barn behind where the lumber yard once stood to a beautiful new Central Fire Station on Preston Road (SH 289). With multiple bays, the best in technology and equipment, and comfortable quarters for his personnel, Chief Metdker had brought the Celina Fire Department to a respectable home that would seem gigantic at the time but would

be a catalyst for the design and construction of two more stations that would soon follow. In April, Fire Station #3 was dedicated, and once again, the leadership tree of Chief Metdker was present to celebrate another of his accomplishments. Instead of eight full-time personnel, Celina now boasts 66, and growing.

Chief Metdker’s philosophy with his beloved personnel across the years has been fairly simple: treat people outside the station the same way you treat people inside the station. With neither, is there a chance for an error, he tells them. “We are in the business of changing people’s lives,” Chief Metdker shared. “Outside of our walls, people call on us on some of the worst days of their lives, and they will always remember how they were treated by first responders. That is why we treat the citizens like family members. And inside our walls we also treat each other like family.”

He then shared some forward thinking, although no one was ready to accept the imminence of his own counsel. “I tell folks that what you want to hear at your retirement celebration is not about the calls you made or the heroics, but what you meant to your fellow firefighters. Did you mentor others?

Did you inspire others to be the best, to always do the right thing, to be the example? You want your co-workers to stand up and say, ‘I am the person I am because of him . . . a better firefighter, husband, father, son, or brother.’ That’s the most important thing we do here. We change lives.”

Sixteen years have far too quickly passed since Chief Metdker arrived in Celina and began etching his legacy into the foundation of this community. As Celina folks and friends celebrated the milestone of the third fire station’s opening, Chief Metdker quietly announced that he was ready to hang up his uniform and helmet—this time, for good. It was time to leave his professional love and to ride off into the sunset with Cheryle and their kids and grandkids. The peace and tranquility of retirement years could not be more deserved by a better public servant.

Yet, for a large contingency of people in Celina, hopes were quietly shared that such day would never come. Celina’s Fire Chief will soon trade an office for a countryside home that has been his and Cheryle’s retreat while he served here. With less of his time committed to leading and growing a staff, he looks forward to time spent with their two sons, their daughter, and their four grandchildren. He will stay connected to Celina through his son, Steve, who works for the Parks & Recreation Department. He will remain a part of Public Safety through his son, Jake, who is a Fire Captain in Anna. And he will enjoy some fun with his daughter, Katelyn, works at the Border Casino in Thackerville. Those four grandkids will keep he and Cheryle young, and they will all most assuredly keep that ever-familiar Chief Metdker smile glowing for years to come. For many, it seems too soon; however, for Chief Metdker, the time is right.

“It has been the highest honor to have done what I have loved, and to have given of myself through this calling to the people I have served for nearly half a century,” Chief Metdker shared with gratitude. “Through the best days of this job, and the challenging days along the way, I have strived to live and lead in such a way that, when it came time for me to leave, the department would not miss a beat, because of the caliber of the team we have built. The Celina Fire Department is beyond that point—they will not just survive beyond my tenure, but they will thrive. It will be my joy to watch them from the comfort of a porch overlooking a beautiful pond…to cheer them on…to pray for their care…and for them to know that I am the one who is truly better for having had the chance to share this season of our professional lives together.”

ODESSA HELM Meet

Situated on the north side of Fire Station #3, the mural holds significant historical significance as it chronicles the Fire Department’s history, which was established in 1912. Chief Mark Metdker highlighted that the mural, prominently displayed on the station’s exterior, portrays Dr. Stalkup, the City’s inaugural dentist and first Fire Chief. The mural not only celebrates the legacy of a pivotal figure but also serves as a visual testament to the Fire Department’s rich heritage.

Artist Odessa Helm was chosen by a panel including members of the Arts & Culture Board, resident David Barnes, Chief Metdker, and Council member Andy Hopkins, who was tasked with creating the mural. This selection marked a milestone in the City’s Public Art Selection Process Pilot Program, initiated after approval by the City Council in September 2023. In November, a selection panel convened to review submissions and unanimously decided that Helm’s visual testament made her the ideal artist for the project.

By intertwining art and history, the Fire Station #3 mural embodies the essence of community engagement and cultural preservation. As visitors and passersby admire Helm’s work, they will also be immersed in the narrative of the City’s evolution and the fundamental role of individuals like Dr. Stalkup in shaping its identity. The mural not only beautifies the station but also serves as a testament to the power of public art in fostering a sense of pride and connection among residents while preserving the stories that define the community’s past.

FIRE STATION #3 UNCOUPLING CEREMONY

On Thursday, April 4, the Celina Fire Department welcomed Federal, State, and County Representatives along with our City officials to celebrate the Grand Opening of Fire Station #3 with a traditional fire hose uncoupling ceremony. Fire Station #3, which is located at 4400 FM 1385 in Aubrey, is a new state-of-theart 23,000-square-foot facility that will house five apparatus bays, a community room, living, dining, and sleeping quarters, a gym, locker rooms, and a training room. Fire Station #3 was designed by Addison-based Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) Architects and was constructed by Crossland Construction, the general contractor that also built Fire Station #1 located on Preston Road.

Check out the full photo gallery!

Check out the recap video!

GRAND OPENING

The Celina Fire Department celebrated the Grand Opening of its new Fire Station #3 on Saturday, April 6, with a community-wide event. Residents had the opportunity to tour the facility, participate in a traditional wipe-down ceremony, and help push Celina’s newest Fire Engine into its new home. Located on the western boundary of Celina, Fire Station #3 aims to improve response times within the City limits, ensuring enhanced safety and emergency services for our residents.

Check out the full photo gallery!

Check out the recap video!

POLICE DEPARTMENT

The City of Celina Police Department recently held its annual awards banquet, celebrating the outstanding achievements of its officers and staff. This year’s ceremony recognized a wide range of contributions, from exemplary service on the streets to dedication behind the scenes. In the following photo gallery, we capture the highlights of the evening, honoring those who keep our community safe.

Civic Achievement Sgt. Jeremiah Phillips

Certificate of Merit & Top Shot (Rifle) Ofc. Jedediah Urban

Certificate of Merit Ofc. Edward Veracruz

Most Felony Arrests & Rookie of the Year

Ofc. Travus Lemon

Most Calls for Service

Ofc. Frank Alegre

Servant Leadership

Ofc. Matthew Wassmer

Servant Leadership Graham Smith

Life-Saving Award

Ofc. Aaron Sparkman

Life-Saving Award

Cpl. Jensen DeGroot

Civilian of the Year PSO David Thomas

Supervisor of the Year Sgt. Joshua Armstrong

Officer of the Year Michael Ganatos

Top Shot (Pistol) Sgt. Jeremy Wilson

CITY OF CELINA

OUSLEY PARK TRAIL & STREAM RESTORATION

The design of the Ousley Park Trail & Stream Restoration is ongoing, and construction is set to begin in Fall 2024 with an anticipated completion date of Winter 2026.

WILSON CREEK PARK PHASE 1

The first phase of Wilson Creek Park will involve the construction of Roseland Parkway from Sunset Boulevard to the site of the future Elementary School. Construction is set to begin in Spring 2024 with an anticipated completion date of Phase 1 in Spring 2025.

OWNSBY PARKWAY (PRESTON RD TO COIT RD)

The Ownsby Parkway Reconstruction Project is currently underway with a four-lane concrete road and enhanced infrastructure and is anticipated to be completed in Winter 2024. The estimated cost of the project is $13,300,000.

CHOATE PARKWAY (KINSHIP PKWY TO ROSELAND PKWY)

Road expansion and infrastructure improvements for Choate Parkway from Roseland Parkway to Kinship Parkway are 60% designed. The estimated cost of the project is $13,200,000.

CELINA POLICE HEADQUARTERS

The Celina Police Headquarters will open in Summer 2024, and the first phase of the project will include the main headquarters, community room, training room, office space, kitchen, and courtyard. The estimated cost of the project is $31,500,000.

FIRE STATION #3

Fire Station #3 opened in April 2024 and includes five apparatus bays, community room, living, dining, and sleeping quarters, gym, and locker rooms. The cost of the project was $14,200,000.

PARVIN ROAD (FM 1385 TO DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY)

Asphalt improvements were made on Parvin Road from FM 1385 to Legacy Drive. The estimated cost of the Parvin Road asphalt improvement is $4,500,000.

NEW MEXICO DRIVE (ASH ST TO PECAN ST)

Road and infrastructure improvements on New Mexico Drive from Ash Street to Pecan Street are currently under design. The estimated cost of the project is $1,400,000.

COIT ROAD (VEST LANE TO CHOATE PKWY)

Road expansion and infrastructure improvements on Coit Road from Vest Lane to Choate Parkway is 90% designed. The estimated cost of the project is $11,500,000.

COIT ROAD (CHOATE PKWY TO COLLIN COUNTY OUTER LOOP)

Road expansion and infrastructure improvements on Coit Road from Choate Parkway to Collin County Outer Loop is 30% designed. The estimated cost of the project is $3,000,000.

OLD CELINA PARK PLAYGROUND

Construction is set to begin on the Old Celina Park Playground this summer with an anticipated opening in Summer 2025. The estimated cost of the project is $7,340,000, which has been funded through a grant.

LEGACY HILLS WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY

The Legacy Hills Wastewater Reclamation Facility will be a new 0.95-million gallon facility with construction set to completed in Summer 2024. The estimated cost of the project is $38,700,000.

DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE

The design of the Downtown Parking Garage will be completed in Summer 2024 with construction set to begin in Fall 2024. The City Hall Parking Garage is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2025.

LIBRARY & GOVERNMENT CENTER

The future site of the Government Center will be located on N. Colorado Street. The project is currently in design and will include a new Public Library, Park, City Hall Offices, Community Space, and Downtown Police location. The estimated cost of the project will be $70,000,000.

PARKS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

The former Bobcat Fieldhouse will be renovated for the new Parks Administration Building. The design will be completed in the Summer 2024 with an anticipated construction date in Fall 2024. The estimated cost of the project is $6,000,000.

PLAY CONNECTED

PARKS & RECREATION GUIDE

Welcome to another edition of Play Connected! As spring quickly heats up to summer here in Celina, our Parks & Recreation Department is buzzing with activity. From energetic youth basketball games to the gentle hum of Senior Center gatherings, Celina’s parks are a vibrant hub for our community. Whether you’re looking to lace up your cleats for softball practice, hone your skills with karate classes, or simply enjoy a day at the playground with the family, the parks throughout our community welcome you. In this preview of Play Connected, we dive into a growing fitness program, explore upcoming activities at the Senior Center, and celebrate the ongoing success of our youth sports leagues. So grab your picnic basket, sunscreen, and sense of community spirit – it’s time to get out and Play Connected in Celina!

PROGRAMMING

Registration for Summer Programming is now open! Residents can sign-up for any of these classes at the following: bit.ly/CelinaRecReg or using the QR code below. All fitness programming is $20 and is a onetime payment for the full program dates listed and are Ages 16+.

ZUMBA WITH BRITTANY

Monday evenings @ 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Monday evenings @ 7:30 - 8:30 PM

Dates June 3, 10, 17, 24

July 8, 15, 22, 29

August 5, 12, 19, 26

Wednesday evenings @ 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Dates June 5, 12, 19, 26

July 10, 17, 24, 31

August 7, 14, 21, 28

Zumba is a cardio-based class that combines Latin and international music with simple, repetitive dance moves to create a dynamic calorie-burning workout for people of all fitness levels and age groups.

DRUMBA WITH LUCY

Tuesday evenings @ 6:00 - 6:45 PM

Dates June 4, 11, 18, 25

July 9, 16, 23, 30

August 6, 13, 20, 27

Drumba is an exercise format that combines regular and weighted Drumba Stix with combinations of dance steps and exercise moves to create a fast-paced, intense cardio workout for the upper and lower body. It can be done seated or standing and is a fun cardiovascular workout for all ages and abilities!

BARRE FITNESS WITH BRITTANY

Tuesday evenings @ 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Dates June 4, 11, 18, 25

July 9, 16, 23, 30

August 6, 13, 20, 27

Utilizing a ballet barre and mat work, this class weaves together elements of ballet dance, Pilates, and weightlifting that tones your entire body, especially the legs, glutes, and core. Set to fun, upbeat music, this low-impact class is excellent for all levels of fitness.

ART CLASSES

COMING SOON! Scan the QR code for more info!

SCAN TO REGISTER!

BOOT CAMP FITNESS

Tuesday mornings @ 5:45 - 6:45 AM

Dates June 4, 11, 18, 25

July 9, 16, 23, 30

August 6, 13, 20, 27

Thursday evenings @ 7:30 - 8:30 PM

Dates June 6, 13, 20, 27

July 11, 18, 25

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

A fun, encouraging workout that alternates between high and low intensity exercises using timed intervals of free weights, body weight, plyometrics, cardio, abdominal strength, and balance work. Boost your metabolism and build muscle!

HIIT WITH BRITTANY

Thursday mornings @ 5:45 - 6:45 AM

Dates June 6, 13, 20, 27

July 11, 18, 25

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

HIIT is a full body workout that uses short bursts of cardio and various strength exercises to tone your entire body. Designed for all fitness levels, this high energy class burns calories, builds muscle, and brings the fun with energetic music.

INTRO TO SPANISH FOR YOUTH

Ages 7-9: Tuesdays afternoons @ 2:30 - 3:30 PM

8-week online course | $90 | limit to 10 kids

Dates June 4, 11, 18, 25

July 2, 9, 16, 23

Ages 10-13: Thursday afternoons @ 3:00 - 4:00 PM

8-week online course | $90 | limit to 10 kids

Dates June 6, 13, 20, 27

July 11, 18, 25

August 1

INTRO TO SPANISH FOR ADULTS

Ages 14+: Thursday evenings @ 7:30 - 8:30 PM

8-week online course | $90 | limit to 10 kids

Dates June 6, 13, 20, 27

July 11, 18, 25

August 1

TEXAS KENPO KARATE

Monday & Wednesday evenings @ 5:30 - 6:15 PM

8-week course | $60, Basic Training 1 | Ages 12+

Dates June 24 - August 21

Kenpo is more than just a self-defense system. It’s a practical and effective approach tailored for each student. While the system provides a structured foundation, it also encourages freedom of ideas and movement while fostering creativity.

YOUTH SPORTS

& RECREATION

SOFTBALL, AND BASEBALL

COMMUNITY LUNCHES

THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE IS BACK!

The Celina Public Library is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge for all ages! Kids can keep track of their reading minutes in a provided log and earn prizes based on their progress. There will be a Summer Reading Kick-off Party on Friday, May 31, at 10 AM where you can pick up your log and a brochure with all the program information. After that, logs and brochures will be available at the Library front desk.

Every Thursday is prize day where kids can collect age-appropriate rewards for their reading minutes like small toys, pencils, and keychains. On Fridays, there will be special events instead of Storytime, featuring guest appearances, entertainers, and educational programs.

This is a fantastic opportunity to encourage kids to keep reading throughout the summer and have some fun along the way!

JOIN US FOR THE SUMMER READING KICK-OFF PARTY!

Friday, May 31, at 10 AM in the Library

MAY PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY!

Toddler Tuesday

Tuesdays 11 AM - 12 PM | Library | 18 months - 3 years

Dance, play, shake up egg shakers and play with the beloved parachute - all to get those toddlers moving! No program on May 28th

Baby Storytime

Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Library

Bring your little ones (up to 18 months) to our weekly Baby Storytime. An easy way to socialize your baby, help them recognize colors, and work on hand-eye coordination. We’ll work on gentle lap play, tickles, building memory, motion, and vocabulary skills.

Pokemon Trading Day

Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30 PM | Library

Are you interested in showing other trainers your collection, or even trading cards? Join us each week and bring your Pokemon cards.

Storytime

Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Council Chambers

Listen to stories, dance, play, and create a themed craft. No program on May 31st

Teen Gaming

Tuesday, May 14, 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Library

Teens join us in the early evening for a break with their choice of board games or Super Smash Bros on our Game Cube. Only this time: it’s tournament style!

LEGO Building Hour

Thursday, May 16, 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Library

Make a friend, make a scene, create a building, and have some fun!

CHECK CELINA-TX.GOV/LIBRARY OR @CELINAPUBLICLIBRARY ON FACEBOOK FOR JUNE’S CALENDAR & MORE SUMMER READING PROGRAM INFO!

Take a stroll through Old Celina Park and read through our newest Storybook Trail features!

“On the Same Page” is an adults-only Book Club that meets on the first Tuesday at 10 AM of the month in the Celina Public Library.

MAY & JUNE EVENT CALENDAR

5/3 FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET | 6 - 9 PM

Celina’s Downtown Square

Friday Night Market presented by Amavi Celina is a great way to get outside, shop local, eat delicious food, and listen to live music – all held in Celina’s historic Downtown Square. Friday Night Market features a fantastic variety of vendors with something for everyone. Make sure to #ShopLocal and support our homemade, handmade, and homegrown vendors. Scotty Schafer will be May’s musical guest on the Texas Republic Bank Stage.

LIFEINCELINATX.COM/FNM

5/4: CINCO DE MAYO | 2 - 10 PM

Celina’s Downtown Square

Hosted by El Puente de Celina and City of Celina, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire in 1962. Celina’s Cinco de Mayo celebration occurs every year on the Downtown Square and features live music, local food and market vendors, traditional dances, and activities for kids of all ages. All net proceeds from Cinco de Mayo go towards scholarships for Celina High School students.

CINCODEMAYOCELINA.COM

5/11 CELINA CAJUN FEST | 2 - 9 PM

Celina’s Downtown Square

Celina Cajun Fest presented by Texas Land & Homes is the biggest crawfish boil in North Texas and is one of the City’s largest and most popular events of the year. Country music star Aaron Watson will be performing a live concert on the Methodist Celina Medical Center Stage and will be joined by Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns, New Orleans Suspects, and Jason Elmore. In addition, attendees will enjoy some of the finest crawfish in Texas to go along with local vendors offering food, drinks, and unique items. Gator Country will be back performing two live shows presented by Rex Real Estate and will be bringing back the massive Kong, a 13-foot gator, for attendees to view.

LIFEINCELINATX.COM/CAJUNFEST

5/14: CITY COUNCIL MEETING | 5 PM

City Council Chambers

Celina City Council Meetings occur on the second Tuesday of every month at 5 PM in the City Council Chambers located at 112 N. Colorado St. City Council Meetings are livestreamed and recorded.

CELINA-TX.GOV/LIVESTREAM

6/29: SPLASH & BLAST | 5 - 10 PM, Old Celina Park

6/7 FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET | 6 - 9 PM

Celina’s Downtown Square

Friday Night Market presented by Amavi Celina is a great way to get outside, shop local, eat delicious food, and listen to live music – all held in Celina’s historic Downtown Square. Friday Night Market features a fantastic variety of vendors with something for everyone. Make sure to #ShopLocal and support our homemade, handmade, and homegrown vendors. Jessica Maeve will be June’s musical guest on the Texas Republic Bank Stage.

LIFEINCELINATX.COM/FNM

6/11: CITY COUNCIL MEETING | 5 PM

City Council Chambers

Celina City Council Meetings occur on the second Tuesday of every month at 5 PM in the City Council Chambers located at 112 N. Colorado St. City Council Meetings are livestreamed and recorded.

CELINA-TX.GOV/LIVESTREAM

6/14 MOVIE NIGHT ON THE SQUARE | 7 PM

Celina’s Downtown Square

Reminiscent of an outdoor drive-in theater, our Movie Nights on the Square presented by Sinacola features a massive inflatable movie screen with seating on the bleachers, or bring your blanket and sit on the lawn. Each event includes a free Kids Zones courtesy of Cambridge Companies before the start of the movie and free popcorn courtesy of Cody Paxman State Farm. June’s movie will be Super Mario Bros.

LIFEINCELINATX.COM/MOVIENIGHT

6/15 POLICE DEPARTMENT CAR SHOW | 8 - 10 AM

3025 S. Coit Road

Rev your engines and grab your coffee mugs because the Celina Police Department’s Traffic Section Second Annual Car Show is back, and it’s all about cars, camaraderie, and caffeine! Roll into the new Celina Police Headquarters for a morning filled with classic, exotic, and custom rides that’ll have you saying, “Wow!” Sip on some hot brew, hang out with fellow car lovers, chat with your local police officers, and soak up the good vibes. This is a free event so make sure to bring your crew, bring your ride, and let’s make this event one for the books.

FACEBOOK.COM/CELINAPOLICE

Splash & Blast presented by REX Real Estate is Celina’s Biggest Backyard Bash of the Summer! Immerse yourself in live music with The Party Kings, Buffet Beach Band, and Barefoot Nation on the Methodist Celina Medical Center Stage. This family-friendly outdoor event is free to the public and features a large Kids Zone with water slides, foam pits, rock wall, and the popular Ninja Nation Obstacle Course. Our patriotic celebration will conclude with an incredible Fireworks Show courtesy of Sinacola and Celina ACE Hardware. LIFEINCELINATX.COM/SPLASH

A GU I D E TO A GU I D E TO

June 29

Splash & Blast, presented by REX Real Estate, is Celina’s Biggest Backyard Bash of the Summer! Join us at Old Celina Park on Saturday, June 29, from 5 to 10 PM for a FREE day of unforgettable fun for the whole family! Dive into the thrill of our Kids Zone filled with water slides, bubble pits, and so much more! Kids can conquer the Ninja Nation Obstacle Course (closed-toe shoes required), and adults can enjoy a great variety of food and beverages vendors while listening to some of the best cover bands in North Texas.

1 EVENT SCHEDULE EVENT SCHEDULE

5 - 6 PM: Barefoot Nation

6:30 - 7:30 PM: Buffet Beach Band

8 - 9:30 PM: The Party Kings

9:30 PM: Fireworks Show

3 dogs dogs

Due to the nature of the event, it is recommended that you leave any non-service animals at home. High temperatures and loud fireworks cause high levels of anxiety and stress for dogs. If you decide to bring your dog, they must remain on a leash at all times, and owners are required to pick up pet waste. Non-service animals are prohibited on the event shuttles.

2

how to have fun in the sun - celina style!

how to have fun in the sun - celina style!

BRING:

Blankets & lawn chairs

Sunscreen & bug spray

Personal bags

Closed-toe shoes

Wagons & strollers

Reusable water bottles

Personal small coolers

Food truck appetite

Good time vibes

4 safety safety

LEAVE:

Golf carts or ATVs

Glass containers

Fireworks, sparklers, laser pointers, confetti or explosives

Drones or other flying devices

Alcoholic beverages

Illegal substances

No open flames or grills

The City of Celina Police Department provides on-site security and monitors park grounds throughout the event. Please keep your personal belongings with you at all times. Should you and your child become separated during the event, a Lost Child Station will be located at the Celina Police Department tent on the northwest of the stage. Parents can pick up a free child ID bracelet at the Police Department tent.

5 park & play park & play

There will be no on-site public parking allowed or vehicle ride-share drop-offs at the event site. Handicap parking will be available at the north parking lot at Old Celina Park. Free park and shuttles to and from the event will be available from 5:00 – 11:00 PM at the event. Attendees can park at Collin College – Celina Campus and Celina High School for the event.

CITY SERVICE & CORE VALUES AWARDS

The City of Celina recognized and honored employees at its annual Service & Core Values Awards luncheon on Wednesday, March 27, at Two29 on the Square. Award winners were nominated by their Department Directors as individuals who exemplify and showcase the City’s Core Values of Excellence, Community, Integrity, and Service.

Employee of the Year

Catherine Oduro, Senior Civil Engineer

Excellence Award

Trevor Dimock, Service Desk Analyst

Excellence Award

Carl Hager, Chief Building Inspector

Community

Alan Anderson, Operations Superintendent

Danielle Mayfield, Recreation Specialist

Julie Holden, Senior Accountant

Ryan Quigley, Purchasing Agent

Ian Burkhardt, Meter Technician

Sharelyn Drummonds, Code Enforcement Officer

THE BIG HUNT

To celebrate the Easter holiday, local churches played host to The Big Hunt, one of the largest Easter Egg Hunts in the area where children were able to bring their Easter baskets to Old Celina Park for a morning of fun-filled egg-hunting adventures. It was an “Egg-straordinary” community event filled with big smiles, lots of eggs, and a great way to come together as a community.

Touch-a-Truck presented by Cook Children’s Health Care System was a “wheelie” awesome event! Visitors from across North Texas came to Old Celina Park on Saturday, April 13, for this annual open house event to hop on board one of our many City vehicles, interact with our department representatives, eat some delicious food, and enjoy the family-friendly activities that filled the day.

Celina’s Downtown Square