Anna, TX June 2024

Charming Landmarks of Anna

Are You In Good Hands?

Everyone’s insurance needs are different. I’m here to help you find the coverage you need with the savings you deserve. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing that everything from your car to your identity is protected. Contact me today to learn more!

Welcome to Anna City Lifestyle

Howdy, and welcome to the premiere issue of Anna City Lifestyle! It is impossible to convey the excitement that I feel about our publication and what we will bring to the Anna, Melissa, and Van Alstyne communities each month.

I am honored to bring this publication to you, and my goal is to connect readers to the special people and happenings this unique area has to offer. Our magazine will make every effort to highlight the most positive aspects of living in this North Texas area each month. I pray these stories along with the amazing brands represented will resonate with you as you seek to learn more about our communities. We trust the beautiful photos and articles about special people and places in the Anna, Melissa, and Van Alstyne areas will keep you entertained with the desire to read every word!

In this launch issue, we are featuring our most favorite landmarks of Anna. From the oldest extant railroad station in the State of Texas, Anna Depot, to the local resident’s and traveler’s favorite stop, Spurlock’s Malt Shop, you will find the sweet charm of this small Texas town.

For those of you I have not met, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Angie Terry, and I grew up in Allen, TX. I have been married to my husband for 31 years, and we have been blessed with two amazing children. I am extremely proud to say that we all are Former Students of Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Whoop!

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to my launching partners, friends and family that have supported me in this endeavor. I cannot wait to meet each of you and learn what you love about Anna, Melissa, and Van Alstyne!

Sincerely,

ANGIE TERRY, PUBLISHER @ANNACITYLIFESTYLE

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Angie Terry | angie.terry@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Shannon Roberts | shannon.roberts@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Leya Bryant Grubbs

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

Photo by Danny McFadden

Ella Anderson |

Anna HS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Sponsored by Lamar National Bank

It is with great pleasure to announce the Outstanding Student Athlete of the Month as selected by Anna Independent School District Athletic Coaching Team. This month’s selection is Ella Anderson. Ella Anderson is a senior at Anna High School. She wears #3, plays forward and is a captain for the Coyote Varsity Soccer team. Ella loves playing soccer and has played on the varsity soccer team for all four years of high school. This year, she was voted District 11-4A MVP for the 2023-24 season. In her high school career, she has also been recognized as a two-time District Offensive MVP, fourtime First Team All-District, Honorable Mention AllState, First Team All-Region and two-time Off Season Queen. Ella also has interests outside of athletics.

In school, her favorite subject is Math, she describes her favorite color as icy blue and her favorite sports team is FCD MLS. Ella has been involved in sports medicine, likes to play pickleball and has been employed at Bahama Bucks for the last two years. She has been recognized as a four-time Academic All-District and 2024 Academic All-State, and she is aiming to graduate with honors from Anna High School.

Congratulations to Ella and her selection as June Outstanding Athlete of the Month! She has a bright future ahead of her as she plans to continue her soccer career at Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi! We cannot wait to see her future accomplishments!

business monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Chiropractic Care

At Spark Life Chiropractic, they are a whole family focused practice, utilizing neurologically-centered technology and techniques to locate the source of any health challenges you or your loved ones may be experiencing, in order to spark true healing from the inside out. Dr. Sparks empowers families to become more connected to themselves and their communities through consistent chiropractic care!

Scan to read more

Auto and Home Insurance Coverage

Kari has gotten to know many local families as an Allstate agent in Anna and enjoys being a part of the community, and building local relationships. She is committed to helping local residents assess their immediate and long-term needs and choose options that will help them achieve their goals. Kari was a proud sponsor of the recent Anna Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. You are in good hands with Kari!

Scan to read more

Award Winning Brewery

3 Nations Brewery is neighborhood brewery designed to be family-friendly. Their goal is to help anchor the community of Anna with activities for everyone, and they are kid and dog friendly! Enjoy many activities including karaoke, corn hole, bingo, trivia, live music, beer, wine, as well as non-alcoholic drinks!

3 Nations Brewery was a proud sponsor of the most recent Anna Fire and Police Softball Event benefiting the Collin County Child Advocacy!

Scan to read more

City Manager’s Monthly Update

Sponsored by T Wilson Associates

Slayter Creek Park has always been an active park for our neighbors. Yet, the Slayter Creek Park of today, looks much different and more active than the one of two years ago. Why? Because the City Council and staff had a vision to enhance the Park to meet the increasing needs of our growing community. The overhaul of Slayter Creek Park started last year when the city unveiled the new and improved Splash Pad. The renovated Splash Pad took the place of the old and added an additional 2,000 square feet of water features, turf play areas and shaded tables. The Splash Pad opens for business this summer on June 1.

includes 18,000 sq. ft. of fun, including a concrete pump track, various elevated sections, rails, ledges and more.

Just to the west of the skatepark and splash pad are nine new pickleball courts. We heard loud and clear from neighbors that they wanted pickleball courts and it almost seems that nine isn’t enough!

During the first quarter of this calendar year, the city officially opened our new skatepark. Like the splash pad, the new skatepark took the place of the old and expanded the offerings for our community. The skatepark now

If that isn’t enough enhancements, we’ve also added additional basketball courts, a new outdoor Fitness Court, expanded parking, and a second restroom near the splash pad. Anna’s Slayter Creek Park has truly blossomed into a regional destination for recreation.

Have fun this summer Anna neighbors!

CHOOSE YOUR BREW

MIX-AND-MATCH THE PERFECT SIX PACK

When the hot summer months roll around, many people reach for a cold, refreshing beer to cool off. There are many different types of beers that are perfect for enjoying during the summer months. Whether you prefer a light and crisp ale, a fruity wheat beer, or a bold and hoppy IPA, there are plenty of different beer types that are perfect for enjoying during the summer months.

BREW: FOOD PAIRINGS:

Blonde Ale

TASTE NOTES:

Light-bodied and smooth, an easy-drinking beer known for its simplicity.

One of the most popular craft beer styles; a hoppy, moderately strong ale of golden-to-copper color.

LIGHT AND SPICY FOODS: cajun chicken wings, grilled salmon, Monterey Jack cheese

GRILLED AND SPICY FOODS: burgers, steaks, Indian curries, ginger spiced desserts

Fruit Beers

Used with wheat ales and lagers, brewers can choose from a variety of fruits for the desired flavor.

Hefeweizen

A cloudy, unfiltered style of German wheat beer with refreshing flavors of banana and clove.

ACIDIC AND LIGHT FOODS: salads with fruity dressings, pickled dishes, fruity desserts

LIGHT DELICATE FOODS: salads, Gruyere cheese, seafood, sushi

Radler

Oatmeal Stout

Also known as a Shandy, a refreshing, low-alcohol drink combining beer and citrus soda.

A dark, full-bodied, roasty, malty ale with a complementary oatmeal flavor.

LIGHT AND SPICY FOODS: seafood, salads, fruit tarts, spicy shrimp, thai curry

RICH AND SALTY FOODS: lobster, french fries, mushrooms, blue cheese

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

ANNA TRAIN DEPOT

In 2004, the Anna Area Historical Preservation Society was initially founded by Jan Sherley Miller and several longtime friends with one goal: “rescue, relocate and restore” the Anna Train Depot. When the railroad came through the area in 1872, there were no settlers. The depot, built in 1885, served as the area ingress for cotton, grass, and other agricultural necessities. This funneling of goods laid essential

ARTICLE BY LEYA BRYANT GRUBBS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY FARROW

PHOTOGRAPHY

First Christian Church

roots for the town. The railroad abandoned the depot in the mid 50s, and in the early 60s, it was in jeopardy of being torn down. A local businessman acquired it for hay storage. In the late 1990s, a developer purchased the land, and the depot was set to be demolished. The depot was donated to the Preservation Society in 2007. It was moved to a temporary location. According to Linda Bryant O’Neal, a lifetime friend of Jan Sherley Miller, “After many bake sales and fundraising efforts, they were able to get the depot moved to its current location in Sherley Heritage Park on May 8, 2018.” The Anna Depot remains the oldest railroad station in Texas.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

There are few more beautiful historical structures in North Texas than First Christian Church of Anna. Founded by pioneer settlers in the mid-1800s, the church was not built until 1890. Its origins began in the now-nonexistent community of Mantua. After Mantua’s decline due to the success of bustling new railroad towns such as Anna, Mantua church members and early Anna resident Rebecca Sherley organized First Christian Church in 1882. The services were held in the Sherley home until it burned in 1886. The church was then built on the Sherley property after the fire. It is known to be one of the earliest Christian churches

A. Sherley & Bro.

Hardware Store

“ YOU DON’T JUST STUMBLE UPON YOUR HERITAGE. IT’S THERE, JUST WAITING TO BE EXPLORED AND SHARED.

- ROBBIE ROBERTSON ”

in Texas, receiving its Historical Marker in 1994. Marthe Sherley Adams, who has attended the church since she was an infant and has served as an Elder for many years, said, “The congregation today remains a close family with descendants from the original Mantua church as well as many newcomers.” For over 100 years, the little white church has been a beacon of faith, family, and fellowship within the community.

A. SHERLEY AND BRO. HARDWARE STORE

When Anna was established in 1872, two brothers, Andrew and Fred Sherley, opened one of the first Anna businesses. In 1894, they

built a structure to house their successful hardware store. Up until it’s closing in 1979, the store sold many goods such as farming supplies, furniture, cotton, groceries, grain and even wagons. It also served as a museum. This building, Collin County’s first brick structure, is a testament to early Texas commercial building design. The building remains in the family, with a rich history and promising future. Marquin Miller Hunn, great-granddaughter of Fred Sherley, expressed her excitement about the restoration, saying, “I am extremely excited about the restoration of our family property and sharing its history. It will be a true historical Texas destination and great for the Anna community.”

THE MALT SHOP

Built in 1959 and remaining in its original location, you can’t miss “the malt shop,” as it's referred to by the locals, showing off the iconic neon sign, the first of its kind in town. The beloved local landmark has been in continuous operation. M.T. Reaves and family operated the shop for thirty-three years. Joe and Becky Greer purchased the shop in 1998. In 2012, Mike and Kristi Spurlock Perez began Spurlock's Malt Shop. Becky Greer, the building’s current owner, stated, “Kristi is the granddaughter of Gilbert Spurlock of Lamesa, Texas, who operated Spurlock's Super Dog Drive-In. Gilbert created the secret family recipe for their trademark ‘super dog’ batter. Hand-dipped frankfurters become their delicious Super Dog.” The restaurant has remained true to authentic malt-shop classics such as burgers, hotdogs, milkshakes, malts, and fried specialties. A favorite among Anna residents and visitors alike, Spurlock’s Malt Shop is a popular, local gathering place with a 1950s nostalgic feel and rich family history.

Spurlock's Malt Shop

Perfecting Your Golf Swing

ARTICLE BY DANIEL SCHOWENGERDT

Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.

Get fit for equipment.

01.

If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip. The clubs don’t swing themselves, so don’t neglect instruction and practice, but getting the right equipment is a vital piece of the puzzle.

On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.

As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.

02.

Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.

We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.

03.

Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.

There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads:

Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz

Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs

Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)

04.

Practice your short game every day.

You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.

Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.

Position the ball in the back of your stance, just inside your back ankle. This will help avoid hitting it thin. That ball position will also help you hit the ball with a descending blow, and as Dave Pelz says, “hit the little ball (golf ball) before the big ball (the earth).”

Turn your feet 30 degrees toward the target and have 70% of your weight on your front foot which also promotes the descending blow.

Use a putting stroke to hit the ball. That’s right—do not use your hands or wrists for power. Using a putting stroke just off the green will create consistency and clean contact.

Don’t take the club back very far (depending on the length of the shot) and make sure your follow-through is 20% further than your backswing. This will ensure accelerating through the ball.

Use the right club. I use anything from a 9 iron to 60-degree wedge for this shot. Use a 9 iron or wedge when you need the ball to roll further once it hits the green, and use a more lofted club for less roll. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

If you perfect this shot, you’ll be chipping in and getting up and down much more often.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party

Your next event, served alfresco

Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.

Insider Tips for Hosting:

• Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste.

• Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.

• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer. For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect.

• “You can’t go wrong with fresh flowers,” Hannah says, “but keep bouquets low to not interfere with conversation flowing. For fall, I like richer, jewel-toned florals to mix and match and keep whimsical. I vary glass vases with bur - nished brass for warm fall vibes.”

• An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.”

• Follow the French principle of mise en place or everything in place before your event. “This is actually our company’s name,” Kyle says. “It’s that important to us. Make sure the wines are all open, cocktails are pre-made, place settings are out, candles are lit and music is playing. When guests arrive, it gives that wow-factor and shows you intentionally made them feel special.”

• To build confidence as a host, start small and practice. “Keep the menu and guest list small,” Kyle says. “Choose recipes you already have confidence in. If you make a great Beef Stroganoff, then go with that. People will love it!”

• As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.”

Read on for some of Chef Kyle’s favorite recipes.

Fresh Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Hardwood Smoked Bacon

Yield: 6 servings

• 4 cups Brussels sprouts, raw, halved

• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil

• ¼ cup yellow onion, sliced

• 1 tablespoon garlic, sliced thin

• 1-2 cups bacon, smoked, thick cut, large dice

• Salt, pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons real butter, unsalted

• Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F for convection setting, (425 °F conventional).

2. In mixing bowl, add oil and cut raw Brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Place seasoned sprouts on baking sheet and bake in oven until done, about 20-40 minutes (soft yet still with good texture and crispy edges with some dark brown color). Remove from oven.

4. Place large sauté pan on medium heat and render bacon. Add a splash of olive oil to get it going, if needed. Cook until bacon is crispy and golden brown, 5-10 minutes.

5. Add onions to pan and cook until soft, 5-8 minutes.

6. Turn heat to high and add garlic and butter and cook for 1 minute.

7. Add roasted Brussels sprouts to pan and toss all together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

8. For optional garnishes, add fresh chopped parsley.

9. Serve and enjoy!

CHEF NOTES:

• If Brussels sprouts are large, cut in quarters.

• Rendering bacon means extracting the bacon fat which adds a lot of flavor to the dish.

Heirloom Root Vegetable Hash

Yield: 6-10 servings

• 2 cups heirloom carrot, cubed

• 2 cups heirloom rutabaga, peeled, cubed

• 2 cups heirloom parsnip, cubed

• 1 cup heirloom turnip, cubed

• 2 cups heirloom marble potatoes, halved

• 3 tablespoons rosemary, fresh, de-stemmed, chopped

• 1 tablespoon thyme, fresh, de-stemmed, chopped

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• Salt – to taste

• Pepper – to taste

• Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F on convection setting (425°F conventional).

2. In mixing bowl, add oil and raw cut vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Place seasoned vegetables on oiled baking sheet and bake in oven until they are caramelized and tender, about 30-60 minutes. Will be soft yet still with good texture and crispy edges with some lightly charred areas.

4. Remove from oven once finished cooking.

5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

6. Enjoy.

Cranberry Orange Zest Sauce

Yields 4 cups

• 3 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen

• 1 cup cranberry juice, sweetened

• 1 piece orange peel

• 1 each orange for zesting

• ½ cup orange juice, freshly juiced

• 3 each cinnamon stick

• ¼ teaspoon clove, ground

• ¼ teaspoon allspice, ground

• ½ cup sugar

• Pinch salt

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. In medium saucepot on high heat, add everything except orange peel and orange zest. Bring ingredients to boil, then reduce to a simmer with lid.

2. While simmering, stir occasionally with rubber spatula ensuring bottom does not burn. Simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens.

3. Remove lid and add orange peel and season to taste. Can add more sugar or spice if needed.

4. Once sauce is thickened and most liquid has evaporated, remove orange peel and cinnamon sticks and remove pot from heat.

5. With hand-held blender, puree sauce, keeping some texture.

6. Freshly grate in orange zest, stir and season to taste.

7. Transfer sauce to jar and place in refrigerator to cool overnight.

8. Enjoy!

CHEF NOTES:

• Enjoy with all types of poultry and game birds.

• Do not use ground cinnamon.

• Can puree with blender if you do not have hand-held blender.

• Consistency should be thick sauce and not a jelly.

“Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.

Bringing Joy

Back into the Kitchen

Chef Dennis Prescott Talks Falling in Love with Feeding People and the Connection Food Creates

Whether you know him from the Netflix hit Restaurants on the Edge or from his absolutely mouth-watering food photos as @dennistheprescott on the ‘gram, this former-musician turned internationally-renowned Chef is an amazingly talented, thoughtful, and globe-trotting force to be reckoned with. When it comes to inspiration for creating experiences around food and your community, as well as creating travel bucket lists to some of the world’s

most unique and delicious destinations off the beaten path, Chef ‘Dennis The Prescott’ is a culinary change maker whose feed you’ll want to feast on.

Originally an aspiring musician, Canadian-born Dennis Prescott’s journey began while in university with a single invitation from another solo musician who asked him to tour with him around the US. This eventually took him to Nashville where they began making records and pursuing their musical dreams.

In the midst of all of this eating take out, dollar menus, etc, had become a way of life for Dennis. A friend stressed that he needed to start taking care of himself, and the advice was simple: “You need to start eating better.” He knew his bad eating habits weren’t good for mind, body or spirit, but he didn’t know where to begin to make changes. However, Prescott thought to himself, “I KNOW good food because I have literally traveled all over America, all over Canada, and into Europe with my music, eating great food and learning what I like.”

The Start

Dennis went to a nearby library and borrowed three books only to have his friend ask why he chose those in particular. Dennis remembers saying verbatim, “I don’t know? The guy on the cover looks kinda good looking, and I feel like I could probably pull these recipes off, and he seems really happy too!” As it turned out they were three books by Jamie Oliver; it’s just that he had no idea who Jamie Oliver was at the time.

Flash forward and Dennis’ first dinner-hosting experiment was made up of twenty people from the music studio, all sitting in camping chairs with beer koozies and makeshift tables in his apartment.

“I remember at the time this moment of, okay, the food is on the table, it’s a stressful thing, and then everybody tucks in and they take their first bite, and there’s a moment of hush that kind of came over everyone; it got really quiet just for a second, and then everyone started talking and getting into it and I fell in love with food right there at that moment. I didn’t realize that you can create these beautiful experiential moments at the table in the same way that I did playing someone’s favorite love song. Knowing that that was a thing to me was the most fascinating thing in the world.”

Dennis even got to the point where he was cooking so much that he started to forget what recipes he had successfully made, so he began a photo journal and started taking photos of all his completed dishes. And so it began like it does for most; Dennis began posting food photos to Instagram for the next few years.

“All of that was initially with no agenda, no intentionality; I just loved it and I wanted to share. I fell in love with feeding people.”

Regarding social media, Dennis’s professional advice is to check your DMs. A person who worked at Food & Wine Magazine at the time sent him a DM, asking if he would do recipes for the magazine, which turned into writing a monthly column. That experience helped him land a cookbook deal, which led to a wealth of TV and media publicity and Dennis feels he owes a lot of his success to that first opportunity with Food & Wine Magazine. Oh, and did we mention he is a self-taught photographer who now does all of his own food shots? This guy has drive.

His drive and innate talents ultimately led him to the opportunity of a lifetime via another DM. This time, it was a Netflix executive producer who offered him the chance to work for two seasons on Restaurants on the Edge, a show where “three food and design experts travel the world to revive failing restaurants by connecting them to the local culture beyond their gorgeous views.“

If I can inspire more time as a community at the table, then that’s a win.”

What followed were 13 episodes over nine months where they traveled to and filmed restaurant revivals that included three in Canada, one in the continental US, one in Hawaii, and others outside of North America, including Hong Kong, Slovenia, Austria, Malta, St. Lucia and Finland.

Travel Recommendations for Foodies

“Slovenia borders Italy and Croatia, which is to say there are a lot of shared values in and around food; they have really great cheese, dairy, beef, pasta, but very few tourists, hardly any. So if you love Italy, that kind of specific travel and food experience, particularly Northern Italy, because you can see the Alps from where they are. It’s picture perfect, a beautiful place, and also where orange wine is from.”

Dennis also highly recommends Costa Rica, Hawaii and Finland.

“Most people love the idea of travel, but we tend to pick the same places when we travel, and there is nothing wrong with that, they are amazing for a reason, but when you get off the beaten path a little bit, you learn the difference between vacation and travel.”

One of the most common fears Dennis hears from people cooking and/or grilling at home is, ‘where do I start? I don’t know how to get going, so I just don’t.’

Rather than overcomplicating it, Dennis recommends cooking the things that bring you joy — things that are on a restaurant menu you can’t NOT order because you’re so pumped that those dishes are on there.

“Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.”

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

OCCURS EVERY TUESDAY DURING THE MONTH

Railcar Farmers Market - Van Alstyne

263 N Main Dr. Van Alstyne, Tx 75495 | 3:00 PM

Enjoy local produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, pickles, honey, soaps and MUCH more each Tuesday.

JUNE 1ST

Cars & Coffee - Van Alstyne

152 N. Main Dr., Van Alstyne, Tx 75495 | 8:00 AM

If you like cars and coffee, this is the place to be! The Cars & Coffee – Van Alstyne group meet downtown on the first Saturday of every month from 8:00a. – 10:00am to show off some awesome rides and socialize. So, if you have a cool ride or just want to see 100 or so come on out!

JUNE 7TH

BarnHill Vineyards Presents: “Pride in the Name of U2”

Barn Hill Vineyards | 8:00 PM

6:45 PM - Gates open / Pre-show. Enjoy the music of U2 performed by tribute band "Pride in the Name of U2" at BarnHill Vineyards in Anna, Texas. BarnHill is a different kind of live music venue with a rustic barn, horses & donkeys, and Texas wine. We're a laid back family-owned business in our beautiful Anna, TX country setting.

JUNE 11TH

Summer Rec-ess - Kite Craft Fest: Design, Create, Fly!

Pavilion - 425 W Rosamond Parkway, Anna, Texas 75409 | 10:00 AM

Learn about, design, create and fly your own kites with us. It will be a soaring good time! Cost: $3

JUNE 22ND

Vinyasa Style Yoga @ the Park

Pavilion 425 W Rosamond Parkway, Anna Texas 75409 | 9:00 AM

A beginner to intermediate vinyasa style yoga class. This class will provide a mix of appropriately challenging postures and gentle stretching to increase strength, flexibility, and wellness. Cost: $0.

Link to Register: Register for Yoga @ the Park

https://secure.rec1.com/TX/anna-tx/catalog/index/3a61cec3defee0ade6b22788928baeaf?filter=c2VhcmNoPXlvZ2E=

JUNE 29TH

Boots and Booms

120 W. 7th Street, Anna, Texas 75409 | 10:00 AM

The Boots and Booms celebration will feature a wide variety of food trucks offering delicious culinary delights, ensuring there is some thing for every palate. In addition to the live music and culinary delights, attendees will be treated to a magnificent firework display that will illuminate the night sky, filling it with dazzling colors and patterns.

Meet the Publisher

Texas A&M University

“From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.” Texas A&M University always feels like home to me!

Family

My why and my everything! Family means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.

Isla

One of my favorite vacations with family and friends is to Isla Mujeres. You can always make more money, but you can’t always make memories!

Sophie is one of my favorite co-workers. I always say the world would be a better place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as my dog!

Life is short, drink Diet Coke. This drink is my favorite and a must for my morning pick me ups!

Sophie

Diet Coke

Mujeres, Mexico

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!