Anna, TX July 2024 by City Lifestyle

Texas Built, Texas Proud.

We’re proud to help strengthen our communities and build trusted partnerships along the way.

At Crossland, we don’t just build structures, we build relationships. Building So Much More is more than a motto—it’s our mission. Our commitment to personalized service goes beyond construction. We are proud to build the communities where we live, thrive, and volunteer.

From complete educational campuses and vibrant community facilities to expansive industrial parks and state-of-the-art retail centers, our portfolio is as diverse as Texas itself.

If you have a building project on the horizon, we’d love to chat!

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Welcome Home

HOME to me is not a place, it is a feeling! When I go home, it is an effortless way for me to feel grounded and reminds me of what truly matters in life. It is a sentiment that resonates deeply with all of us, it highlights belonging, warm memories, and cherished moments. If you are looking for inspiration to transform your house into a home, we hope that flipping through the pages of this issue guides you in this endeavor.

We will also recognize a local limelight for his contribution of service to Anna, Texas. Nate Pike served as the former mayor of this sweet town since 2017. Thank you for volunteering your time, servant heart and the impact on the community.

In our July issue, we will also spotlight several top attractions. Whether it be a walk in Slayter Creek Park, listening to music at Barn Hill Vineyards, rock climbing at the YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp or a picnic at Natural Springs Park, I encourage you to take the time to appreciate a couple of the hidden gems in Anna, Texas.

We would like to thank all our veterans for their service in honor of the Fourth of July. We have so much respect for the men and women who make the choice to serve and protect our nation. Thank you for defending our freedom. We salute you!

Sincerely,

ANGIE TERRY, PUBLISHER @ANNACITYLIFESTYLE

July 2024

PUBLISHER

Angie Terry | angie.terry@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Shannon Roberts | shannon.roberts@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Holly Farrow Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Celina Education Foundation supporting Anna ISD CTE & Steam 2: Keeping Anna Beautiful by cleaning litter at Slayter Creek Park 3: Riding in the truck at Touch A Truck

Supporting our friends through Best Buddies International 5: Spraying water with the fireman at Touch A Truck

Meeting the policemen while in the neighborhood

Chilling out with the cops

business monthly

Local Realtor Gets It

Driven for success providing the best Customer/Agent experience with being personable, reachable, knowledgeable and hopefully becoming a great friend in the process. Helping you tackle your real estate needs however big or small, ensuring you have a great experience time after time. Candice is dedicated to making sure you are prepared and confident going into your real estate transaction and have the wonderful experience that will have you look to me for your future needs.

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HVAC Service Company

Beat the Summer Heat! KMI - A/C & Heating proudly serving surrounding North Texas communities. KMI A/C and Heating is dedicated to providing the best possible solution for your home or business. You can count on KMI to provide you with a system and solution that fits your unique needs and since KMI installed many systems in this area, we’ve earned a reputation for doing the job right the first time.

Complete Human Capital Management

Payroll - Human Resource Guidance - Talent Acquisition - Risk Management Strategies - Tailored Employee Benefits. The mission of Barnes Employment of Texas is to provide excellent service to our clients, life changing opportunities to our employees, and make positive impacts in the communities we serve.

ENJOYING SUMMER

In the moments between fishing in our pond and swimming in the pool, our family will celebrate birthdays and have outdoor parties. True to form, I love creating something traditional in an untraditional way. My beach ball garland is a spin-off of the traditional balloon garland. Everyone uses balloon garlands… so let’s make one out of beach balls instead! Everyone serves a birthday cake… how about one carved out of a watermelon for a crazy twist?? I hope you join me in the making of these fun additions to a party!

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEANN PARKER

Beach Ball Garland

Have you ever noticed that when blown up, beach balls have a little plastic loop that forms where they are blown up and sealed? It makes for the perfect place to string twine through and use as an outdoor “balloon” garland! String it up, add some extra beach balls to the pool or yard and you have all the party decorations you need!

Materials

• 2 packs of assorted sized beach balls (assorted 20”, 16” and 12” for a total of 36)

• 1 pack of mini beach balls (5” sized, total of 25)

• Thin rope or twine

• Air pump

Instructions

1. Using an air pump, blow up all the beach balls... It takes a while!

2. Arrange inflated beach balls in a line on the ground, alternating sizes as you go.

3. Starting on one end, thread your string or twine through the blow loop of each beach ball until you reach the end.

4. Tie each end of your beach ball garland to a post or tack to a wall.

Watermelon Cake

A cake that you could eat for breakfast! Made only of fruit and (if you want to go real crazy) some fresh mint and whipped cream too. A few years ago we started making watermelon cakes for our summer birthday celebrations due to one of our little ones suffering from food allergies. In order to make a cake that even she could enjoy, the watermelon cake was born in our lives. Even if you don’t have family or guests with food allergies, this cake is a thriller and loved by all!

Ingredients

• 2 large watermelons

• Assortment of berries and fruit

• 4 wooden skewers

• Toothpicks

• Whipped cream (optional)

• Fresh mint (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep both watermelons by cutting off the rinds and sculpting to create a cylinder shape with a flat top and bottom. Make the bottom cylinder bigger and the top cylinder slightly smaller.

2. Stack your smaller watermelon on top of the larger using wooden skewers to support the center.

3. Use assorted berries and fruit to decorate the outside of your watermelon cake. For the sides of the cake, use toothpicks to help the berries stay in place.

4. Serve alone or with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

“I love creating something traditional in an untraditional way.”

DIY Your Way To a Bug-Free Summer

Adult- and Kid-Friendly Natural Bug Repellents from A Beautiful Mess

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY A BEAUTIFUL MESS

Adult Blend Kids Blend

(age 15 and over)

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 8 drops lavender essential oil

• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water (minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 4 drops lavender essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water (minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

*The grain alcohol is used as a preservative as well as a carrier for the oils, but you can also use a product like this instead of grain alcohol at a 1:4 ratio (1 drop essential oil to 4 drops Solubol) if you’d rather and then just fill the rest with water to fill the 2-ounce spray bottle.

While there can be concern about citrus oils on the skin when exposed to sunlight, lemongrass isn’t a photosensitive oil, and if lemon essential oil is steam-distilled rather than cold-pressed (Oui Fresh essential oils are cold-pressed) it can be used on the skin. So just make sure to note which one your lemon oil is and only spray on clothes if you don’t have a skin-safe lemon oil (which is an application method a lot of people prefer anyway if they are more sensitive to oils).

WHERE MEMORIES ARE WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THE WALLS

Home Sweet Home

ARTICLE BY ANGIE TERRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CENTURION AMERICAN

As the centerpiece of Anna’s west side, this community is where neighbors can enjoy an exceptional quality of life.

When the Villages of Hurricane Creek development was designed, the goal was not only to build charming homes, but also to create a place where homeowners could come together to form friendships and lasting memories.

The Villages of Hurricane Creek, Anna’s newest master-planned community, is located off Highway 75 & FM 455. This community will include over 984 single-family units, four hundred multi-family units, and a collection of garden homes and townhomes. Only 25 minutes from Downtown Dallas, this prime location in a key area of suburban growth, excellent onsite amenities, and the highly ranked Anna ISD make this community well-suited for families and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, yet still being close enough for an easy commute. Upon completion, The Villages of Hurricane Creek will include green space and a variety of creeks, ponds, trails, open space, lookouts, and park areas. Anticipated commercial inclusions include restaurants, retail, and a hotel - the first in Anna.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. The developer, Centurion American

Development Group, had a vision and wanted to create a community that residents would cultivate a sense of belonging. Centurion works closely with local municipalities, commercial developers, and public-school systems as part of the overall master plan. Their established relationships with the area’s top builders allow them to implement the latest design concepts ranging from upscale, luxury homes in secluded neighborhoods to affordable housing communities for first-time home buyers.

One of the builders in the Villages of Hurricane Creek, First Texas Homes, is a true leader in the industry and is no stranger to success. They distinguished themselves through solid commitment to excellence, quality, and total customer satisfaction. First Texas Homes have a unique approach to home building and will make a homeowner’s needs top priority. They allow custom changes to their acclaimed floor plans and ensure that each customer receives a truly custom-quality home at a production builder price. For over a quarter-century, First Texas has been building on the cornerstones of exceptional quality, superior design, absolute value, and unsurpassed customer service.

First Texas Homes uses a unique approach to homebuilding that incorporates in-house architectural planning with unprecedented design flexibility. “ ”

We are featuring several floor plans of First Texas Homes that are available in the Villages of Hurricane Creek – Sheffield, Princeton, Ellis, and Collin.

The Sheffield floor plan features a stunning front elevation with steep roof pitches, cedar, and stone accents. A grand entrance with soaring ceilings, a curved stairway, a linear fireplace, and luxury vinyl flooring throughout the first floor. Each bedroom has an attached bathroom, game room area, theatre room and large covered patio which make this a magnificent home for entertainment. A kitchen lover’s delight with granite countertops and a large island workspace!

The Princeton floor plan stunning elevation graces this home with a double-door entry. Embracing an open floor plan, the residence features a gourmet kitchen with 42” custom cabinets, a spacious island adorned with quartz countertops, and an expansive butler’s pantry featuring a built-in cabinet. and an eye-catching decorative backsplash. The family room is enhanced by a 60” linear fireplace and a gracefully curved staircase. A convenient mudroom is situated off the garage, and the covered patio offers a perfect setting for outdoor gatherings or a peaceful evening!

The Ellis floor plan is a four bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom plan that includes a dining and family area, as well as a beautiful gourmet kitchen, equipped with the latest desired features. The primary bathroom has a separate tub and shower, a double vanity, and a walk-in closet. Additional features include extensive trim work, custom architectural detail throughout, tile floors in all wet areas, gutters, security system and so much more!

The Collin floor plan features a stunning front elevation with metal roof, stone accent, & steep roof pitches. A grand entrance with soaring 18’ to 20 ceilings at the foyer with three windows as you walk up the iron rail stairs that are open to below to bring in natural light, a covered patio, a linear fireplace, and luxury vinyl flooring throughout the first-floor primary areas. The oversized game room area and open concept make this a spectacular home for entertainment!

If you are inspired to find a community that highlights your belonging, brings you warm memories and cherished moments, I encourage you to visit First Texas Homes at the Villages of Hurricane Creek.

ARTICLE BY SHANNON ROBERTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CITY OF ANNA & PIKE FAMILY

Mayor Thank You

FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND VISION FOR ANNA

Anna’s Fire Station #2 Groundbreaking

“I’ve been blessed with some great mentors who have taught me the principles of servant leadership, and I apply those principles in my professional interactions as well as in my community service.”

In November 2017 Anna’s population of 12,680 elected Nate Pike for Mayor with a landslide vote. Mayor Pike’s servant leadership successfully guided Anna’s tremendous growth to over 27,000 citizens in May 2024 and attracting countless businesses upon his departure. Pike, originally from Denison, Texas and Baylor University graduate has resided in Anna with his wife Lacey and two children, Peyton and Addison, since 2012.

Mayor Pike is passionate about supporting the communities he serves and is currently active in the following civic organizations: Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center, North Texas Young Professionals, Denison High School Alumni Association, Denison Rotary Club, McKinney Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership McKinney Alumni Network. He is also a candidate for the Certified Financial Planner designation and in 2018 was recognized among the top 40 under 40 in Grayson County.

Cited for his work as a financial advisor with the Utter Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Pike sees his role as seeking a level of trust with clients, much the same way he approached his duties as Anna’s Mayor of one of the fastest growing cities in North Texas. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors!

Nate Pike, AWMA Financial Advisor for Wells Fargo Advisors

Nate.Pike@wellsfargoadvisors.com

903-893-622

Pike with his wife Lacey, two children Peyton and Addison

Nate Pike (Anna Mayor 2017 - 2024)

The Pike Family at AT&T Stadium

Pike at D Magazines’ CEO Awards

Jackson Heatherly | Anna HS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

HIDDEN

2 3 4

of anna GEMS 4

Places for Family Fun for Summer and Beyond

ARTICLE BY ANGIE TERRY

1: NATURAL SPRINGS PARK

Enjoy family time at the gazebo, walking trails, fishing pier and dog park at Natural Springs Park.

2: SLAYTER CREEK PARK

Slayter Creek Park offers tennis courts, ball fields, basketball, skate park, shuffleboard, horseshoes, frisbee golf and splash pad.

3: YMCA COLLIN COUNTY ADVENTURE CAMP

Experience the fun of zip lining, fishing, canoeing, archery, rock climbing and shooting range at the YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp.

4: BARN HILL VINEYARDS

Barn Hill Vineyards hosts ticketed live music tributes and cover band events.

Slayter Creek Park

Barn Hill Vineyards

YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp

Natural Springs Park

Candice Tate

City Manager’s Monthly Update

Sponsored by T Wilson Associates

As we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month this July, the City of Anna reaffirms its commitment to enhancing our green spaces and recreational opportunities. This annual celebration, spearheaded by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), highlights the vital role parks and recreation play in building strong, vibrant and resilient communities. This year’s theme, “Where You Belong,” emphasizes the inclusive and welcoming nature of our parks and recreation programs.

We are thrilled to announce the latest developments in our city’s parks. Following a comprehensive public input survey, we selected Hunter Knepshield to design a new playground for Natural Springs Park. The playground’s manufacture will take 18–22 weeks, with construction starting in September and completion anticipated by November 2024.

In addition to Natural Springs Park, we are working on two new parks: John Flavel Greer and Anna Crossing. John Flavel Greer Park, part of the Woods at Lindsey Place development, will include a dog park, multiple playgrounds, trails and various amenities while preserving the site’s mature trees. Construction is slated to start as early as Summer 2024, with 90% of the plans already reviewed.

Anna Crossing Park, a 28-acre neighborhood park, will feature both active and passive recreation areas, incorporating neighborhood input. The design process is underway, with construction expected to begin in Winter 2025.

This Parks and Recreation Month, we celebrate our community’s dedication to fostering a sense of belonging through inclusive and accessible parks. Together, we continue to demonstrate why our local parks are truly “Where You Belong.”

CREATING YOUR HOME

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY JOHN

The art of styling your home.

Home styling is more than space planning and staging - the most important part of the discovery is you. It’s personal. It’s about learning what brings you joy, sourcing and coordinating the things you love, and arranging them in a way that functions beautifully, looks stylish, and, most importantly, feels like home.

When it comes to styling your home, Sandy Mahoney from Create Home, a curated home store, encourages you to keep in mind these three simple things:

FAVORITES

“Some people don’t recognize their own favorites,” says Sandy. “We have a job to find what favorites work.” She understands that people know what they like generally but can struggle to pull those things into their home. Incorporating a client’s favorite aspects into a design, even small things like an antique clock, a gift from a family member, or a piece of art that they love, are what turns a space into a home.

COLLABORATION

More than knowledge of home decoration, architecture, and style, a big part of an interior designer is simply pushing people out of their comfort zones. “Stylists get people to think about something they haven’t thought about before,” Sandy explains. “Crafting ideas between the expertise of the designer and preferences of the client produce better ideas than any single party could come up with on their own.”

STYLING

Sandy laughs when pressed about styling. “I mean, we don’t cut our own hair,” she remarks. Her point here is that home stylists, like hair stylists, have a specific area of expertise. They enhance the function of space, solve challenges, and have a wealth of experience to draw from. They know how to build rooms around clients’ preferences while still creating an aesthetic space they know the client will love.

PRO-TIP:

When using a neutral palette combine texture and contrast to create a softer look that feels like home.

Weaving some of everyone’s favorite things into the design process creates a connection to the space and your home.

An important aspect of designing a home for the whole family is getting input from everyone. “If each person is involved, even in a small way, it creates a different connection to your home,” says Sandy. She adds that there are a lot of ways to involve every member of the family, from letting them add to specific rooms to simply including some of their favorites around the house. “We’ve had kids come paint part of the walls in their room with their favorite color to let them feel like they’re part of the process.” However, Sandy ensures that everything comes together in the end. “Don’t worry, we always re-paint.”

Sandra Mahoney, founder of Create Home in Excelsior, MN, has been sought out by clients and followers for her artful, eclectic design and keen ability to create home collections. As a real estate broker, interior designer, and home builder, Sandy loves helping people. For years, she has helped many find and design their homes.

Adventure Awaits

Chance Adventure Co gives families the freedom to hit the open road in classic style.

Kelley and Sam Chance have it figured out when it comes to spending quality family time together with their two young sons, Sully, 9, and Grady, 7. They literally took a chance in 2013 and bought Stella, a 1984 Airstream Excella, as a renovation project. One family camping trip and they were hooked. Now they are true vintage Airstream enthusiasts.

They sold Stella, but the “silver bullet” calling never left and Chance Adventure Co was born. Sam had talked for years about renovating and renting Airstreams.

ARTICLE BY JUDY GOPPERT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLEY PHOTO

“There’s something magical about those silver trailers, especially the old ones. They have such character, and many stories within their aluminum walls.”

“Once the pandemic hit, it was now or never,” Kelley says. “We welcomed Carolina into our family, a 1983 31’ Excella, and she’s been rocking out camping trips with us and our clients since early last year. In 2020, she traveled to Yellowstone, Glacier, the Badlands, Upper Peninsula in Michigan, Indiana Dunes, Kannapolis, Kansas and more. Georgia, a 1978 31’ Sovereign Land Yacht, is currently being renovated from the frame up.”

They will be adding to their fleet soon and are adding an Airstream Renovation Workshop on their Tonganoxie property. They also have the Chance Adventure Co shop, loaded with outdoorsy inspired items.

Adventure is a part of life for this active couple, who live on 10 acres. They have horses, garden, hike, bike and explore.

“By far, our favorite thing to do as a family is travel and spend time outdoors. We hiked the three miles roundtrip, 480-foot climb to Delicate Arch when the boys were 8 and 5, biked through the Badlands, kayaking Lake Michigan. We’ve had so many incredible experiences connecting the four of us, and connecting us to nature via camping,” she says. “The boys have learned a deep appreciation and love for Mother Earth, to navigate the terrain using a compass or their own wits, to identify and care for the flora and fauna around us, and they’ve gained so much confidence and courage through it all.”

Each trailer is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each rental. Airstreams are available for rental for road trips, or they can deliver and set up at local locations.

“There’s something magical about those silver trailers, especially the old ones. They have such character, and many stories within their aluminum walls,” she says. “Making them a part of our family story just made sense.”

Visit ChanceAdventureCo.com for more information or call 913-669-9251.

TUESDAYS IN JULY

Popsicles in the Park - Van Alstyne

215 E Van Alstyne Parkway, Van Alstyne, Tx 75495 | 5:00 PM

Join Van Alstyne Parks and Recreation every Tuesday in July beginning July 9th for FREE popsicles in the park courtesy of Union Home Mortgage! Don’t forget July is National Parks and Recreation Month! Bring your friends and family!

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT

3 Nations Brewing Anna, Texas - Karaoke Night

101 S. Powell Pkwy, Anna, Texas | 7:00 PM

Join in the fun for Doc’s Karaoke every Tuesday at 7pm!

JULY 4TH

Barn Hill Vineyards Presents: Fireworks/Fleetwood Mac covered by Fleetwood X 11917 County Road 509, Anna, Tx 75409 | 8:00 PM

This 4th of July weekend, enjoy the music of Fleetwood Mac, covered by Fleetwood X , followed by FIREWORKS at BarnHill!

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JULY 10TH

Senior Book Club

Sherley Heritage Park, 101 S. Sherley Ave, Anna, Tx 75409

Free meet-up to discuss the monthly book and themes. Titles will be listed in the online registration portal. Please purchase your own copy of the book. Located at the Train Depot at Sherley Heritage Park. For ages 50+. Cost: Free Register: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/anna-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMwMDczNDU=

JULY 26TH

Teen Blacklight Paint Night

Sherley Heritage Park, 101 S. Sherley Ave, Anna, Tx 75409 | 8:00 PM

Get your glow on! Come paint a neon canvas painting that really POPS! Led by Recreation staff. Cost: $15 Register: https://www.annatexas.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=6400