Prosper - Celina | April 2025

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Prosper Celina Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 MAY 130, 2025

Going beyond books Prosper looks to potential bond to expand its library

One of the largest draws to the Prosper Library is its program oerings, like those for children under 12. The library oers hundreds of programs, but it is limited in what it can oer in its current location attached to Town Hall. Library ocials hope to oer more programs in a larger facility. (Courtesy Town of Prosper)

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BY SAMANTHA DOUTY

Prosper ocials are taking steps to expand the town library for its thousands of patrons. Town ocials are looking at a potential November bond to build a new facility in the coming years to better meet the needs of its rapidly growing town, Prosper Town Manager Mario Canizares said. A bond committee was created earlier this year to evaluate how to move forward. Town sta implemented the 2025 Library Master Plan earlier this year, and it showed Prosper’s current library, which was built in 2018, is falling short for the growing town. Nearly a quarter of the town’s population are active library card holders. Since the library opened, Prosper’s population has grown over 90% to more than 42,000 residents. “The library is a beloved community hub, but it was built in a whole other era seven years ago,” Library Services Director Gary Landeck said. “The town has grown a lot since then.”

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Impacts

Prosper

3 Cilantro Taco Grill The Mexican restaurant oers various tacos, including picadillo, pastor, carnitas and barbacoa. The menu also includes tortas, burritos and various dinner plates. Cilantro Taco Grill was founded in Chicago in 2013. The Prosper restaurant marks the company’s rst location

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outside of Illinois. • Opened April 18 • 1470 W. Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.cilantrotacogrill.com

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4 Radi.8 PrimaCare & MedSpa The establishment oers several services such as injectables, as well as hair restoration and styling. • Opening in May

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• 2760 W. First St., Ste. 20, Prosper • www.radi-8-primacare-medspa.com

2 Shipley Do-Nuts This is the rst Prosper location for the franchise. It oers more than 60 kinds of donuts including its glazed donut. Shipley also oers iced, lled and cake donuts in addition to fritters, bear claws, coee and kolaches. • Opened in April • 1440 W. Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.shipleydonuts.com

Now open

1 Outback Steakhouse The Australian-themed steakhouse is best known for its steaks, chicken and seafood. It also features appetizers such as the Bloomin’ Onion and oers soups and sides. • Opened April 1 • 840 S. Preston Road, Prosper • https://locations.outback.com/texas/prosper

Relocations

5 Lily Claire Boutique The boutique moved into its new location on Broadway in downtown Prosper. The boutique was formerly located at 201 S. Main St. and moved inside the

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Inappropriate Trucker Hat location temporarily before moving to its new permanent spot. Lily Claire oers a mixture of boho, modern and vintage apparel. • Relocated April 4 • 106 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.shoplilyclaire.com

Worth the trip

Now open

Fritz’s Adventure The business is an adventure park where guests can climb, tunnel, jump, run, slide, rappel, and zip through more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, according to its website. The website also states Fritz’s Adventure can host group events, eld trips, birthday parties and corporate events. The company announced Aug. 29, 2023, that it was opening a location in The Colony. • Opened April 2 • 5651 Nebraska Furniture Mart Drive, The Colony • www.fritzsadventure.com/the-colony Union Bear The restaurant, a concept of 33 Restaurant Group, is the third Union Bear location, joining locations in Denton and Plano, according to its website. Beers served at the restaurant include those brewed by Union Bear sta, including the Union Bear Light, a lager; the No Coast IPA; the UB Pomegranate Blueberry Sour; a variety of ales; and more. The drink menu also features hand- selected spirits, cocktails including frozen drinks, and a wine list. • Opened April 8 • 308 W. Virginia St., McKinney • www.unionbear.com

In the news

6 Chick-l-A Prosper Town Council members approved a specic-use permit to allow the town’s third Chick-l-A location during a March 25 meeting. The site is located in the same overall development as the town’s incoming H-E-B, which is expected to open sometime this summer. Chick-l-A serves chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fries and more through its drive-thru, dine-in and carryout service. • Located at the corner of Dallas Parkway and Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.chick-il-a.com 7 Chili’s The restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary in March. The restaurant’s menu features American and Tex-Mex cuisine including burgers, chicken, fajitas and pasta. • 1081 S. Preston Road, Prosper • www.chilis.com

8 Boundaries Coee The drive-thru coee stand oers lattes and frozen drinks. It also serves nitro cold brew, teas and classic coee drinks. Specialty drinks include the Zebra Mocha which is a frozen coee made with dark and white chocolate, and the Pomberry Punch tea, which is made with pomegranate and fresh blueberry. • Opened April 4 • 1410 W. Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.boundariescoffee.com

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Impacts

Celina

BY KAREN CHANEY, HANNAH JOHNSON & JACOB VAUGHN

Indian dishes, including vegetarian options such as chili paneer and dal tadka. • Opening January 2026 • 400 W. Frontier Parkway, Celina • www.desidistrict.com 5 Discount Tire The business will offer services such as tire inspections, rotations and pressure checks. • Opening March 2026 • 4400 S. Preston Road, Celina • www.discounttire.com 6 Grace Bridge The nonprofit provides food and clothing to those in need. • Opening September 2025 • 402 S. Oklahoma Drive, Celina • www.gracebridge.us 7 Walmart The retailer offers groceries, clothes and more. • Opening early 2026 • Located on the corner of Preston Road and Collin County Outer Loop, Celina • www.walmart.com

Now open

1 Children’s Lighthouse The school enrolls children from infancy through 12 years old. • Opened March 12 • 3520 Dallas Parkway, Celina • www.childrenslighthouse.com/celina 2 The Silos in Celina The restaurant offers three menus: The Yard, Silos Restaurant and Cigar Lounge. • Opened in March • 300 N. Oklahoma Drive, Celina • www.silosincelina.com 3 Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care It offers medical services from allergies to broken bones. • Opened April 1 • 1341 South Preston Road, Ste. 100, Celina • breezeurgentcare.texashealth.org

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Government

Censure of Celina council member fails after tie Celina City Council member Philip Ferguson was not censured after a tie vote by the council April 8. What happened? On the night of the vote, three members voted in favor, two abstained and Ferguson voted against the censure. Celina Mayor Ryan Tubbs said the censure was approved and adjourned. However, those abstained votes are counted as “no” votes under the city charter, according to a review by the city’s legal counsel, said Joe Monaco, Celina’s director of marking and commu- nications, on April 14. Council members Wendie Wigginton and Brandon Grumbles abstained from the vote. With all of the votes accounted for, there was a tie on the censure motion, which means the item failed and Ferguson was not censured, Monaco said. The mayor could vote on a tie but was not

Celina works to address water needs Celina officials are pursuing projects to address the city’s growing water needs. At its April 8 meeting, Celina City Council approved two contracts and received details about Lake Ralph Hall, all of which could help diversify the city’s water supply. The overview The two contracts were for the design of pump station wells and a water storage tank, which the city is funding. Ralph Hall is a lake on the North Sulphur River in southeast Fannin County that’s been in the works for 30 years. It is currently under construction. Lake Ralph Hall would be the first lake owned solely by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District to serve North Texas commu- nities, including Celina.

Vote breakdown

For

Eddie Cawleld; Andy Hopkins; Mindy Koehne

Against

Philip Ferguson

Abstain*

Wendie Wigginton; Brandon Grumbles

*ABSTAINED VOTES ARE COUNTED AS “NO” VOTES UNDER THE CITY CHARTER.

SOURCE: CITY OF CELINACOMMUNITY IMPACT

required to on this motion. The setup

The censure order the council voted on regarded allegations of unprofessional remarks and unau- thorized actions by Ferguson. A censure is a formal expression of disapproval that requires a majority vote by the council, Tubbs said at the April 8 meeting. Council members Andy Hopkins and Mindy Koehne initiated the censure process.

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$10M in sales tax to fund Wilson Creek Park Celina will use $10 million in sales tax funds to support work at the undeveloped Wilson Creek Park. City Council approved a contract between the city and the Celina Community Development Corporation authorizing the use of sales tax for the project at an April 8 meeting. The work will include design, equipment and improvements to the local park. The background In July 2023, City Council adopted the Wilson Creek Park Master Plan and staff have worked with Dunaway Associates and Dean Construction on the park’s design since then. The contract is part of a $50 million project to develop the 100-acre park by fall 2026. The CDC’s financial commitment will not exceed $10 million in principal, along with additional

Temporary modular buildings approved Prosper Town Council approved the purchase of two modular buildings for the Public Works Department. The two modular buildings will come from Boxx Modular for $712,224, which council approved during its regular meeting April 8. The details The Public Works Department currently operates from three modular buildings of varying sizes and ages. The two buildings being replaced cover a combined area of approximately 6,700 square feet. Boxx Modular’s proposal includes two new buildings totaling around 6,000 square feet. The temporary buildings will be used until the completion of the new Public Works and Parks Service Center, expected in late 2026.

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money to cover interest and financing costs. The funds are part of the 2025 certificate of obligation issuance scheduled for pricing in May. Phase 1 of the project will feature two large multipurpose game fields to support sports such as soccer, football and cricket. Other work in this phase will include the entry roadway, parking, restrooms and a pond designed for non-potable water irrigation. The first phase of construction is set to cost about $30 million.

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Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

CISD adjusts elementary attendance zones for new school

Celina ISD officials approved new attendance zones for elementary school students as the district is opening its fifth elementary school for the 2025-26 school year. Long story short Margie Moore Vasquez Elementary School will open in the southeast portion of the district. Stu- dents in this area were previously zoned to Martin or O’Dell elementary schools. Incoming fifth grade students will be eligible to stay at Martin Elementary; however, siblings would not be eligible, Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau said. Families who elect to stay must provide their own transportation. Looking ahead CISD expects to open three elementary schools east of Preston Road by 2027.

Updated zones: 1 Tommie Dobie Bothwell Elementary 2 Lykins Elementary 3 Bobby Ray and Afton Martin Elementary 4 Donny O’Dell Elementary 5 Margie Moore Vasquez Elementary

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SOURCE: CELINA ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

CISD proposes GPA change to reflect student courses Celina ISD is looking to revise its grade point average system to account for all courses stu- dents take. Proposed GPA adjustments

CISD names new principal of O’Dell

Grades will be weighted by three categories: • On-level courses would be a 5.0 • Honors courses would be a 5.5 • AP and dual credit courses would be a 6.0

Lisa Phelps has been named the new princi- pal of Celina ISD’s O’Dell Elementary School. Phelps currently serves as a principal in Lewisville ISD and was announced as CISD’s new principal in an April 10 news release. Phelps will begin her role in July. “Mrs. Phelps’ previous success building and leading a collaborative and innovative school culture demonstrates her commit- ment to the growth of every learner, young and old,” CISD Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau said in the release. Career history Before acting as principal of LISD’s science, technology, engineering and math academy Polser Elementary School, Phelps held leadership positions at several LISD campuses.

The current GPA system accounts for some but not all classes taken by students. The proposed GPA changes would look at using all courses to calculate averages. Changing the GPA weight scale was only discussed by the board of trustees and district staff, and no action was taken by the board during its March 24 meeting. The change in grade point average would go into effect for incoming fresh- men, Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau said. Current situation A student’s GPA currently reflects the first four core courses—English and language arts, math, social studies and science—taken while in high school. The weight of GPAs are currently split into two levels:

SOURCE: CELINA ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• The first level is a 4.0 and includes on-level courses • The second level is a 5.0 and includes advanced courses, such as advanced placement and dual credit classes The proposed policy change would take into consideration all courses taken by students in ninth through 12th grade. This includes courses for fine arts, athletics, career and technical education, and other electives. CISD is the only school district in the area that counts solely core classes when calculating GPA, Maglisceau said.

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Prosper ISD registration open for students Registration for new and returning students is open for Prosper ISD. The 2025-26 school year begins Aug. 12. Regis- tering students early helps PISD officials better plan student schedules, transportation routes and staffing assignments, according to the district. What you need to know Information for returning students needs to be updated by May 23. Returning student information can be updated through Skyward Family Access. The district has further instructions and details for completing the student registration online. Families are required to provide updated proof of residency to complete the student registration process. This can be: • A current electric, gas or water bill

Frisco voters consider future arts center Frisco voters will see two items on the May 3 ballot to potentially bring a perform- ing arts center to the city and Prosper ISD. The new center will potentially bring Broadway shows to Frisco, officials said. It will also create a space for PISD students to use. The proposed location for the Frisco Center for the Arts is within the roughly 7 miles of PISD land inside Frisco’s city limits. The district’s students will have first right of refusal for the facility’s community hall. If the center comes to fruition, students can see potential internships not just for theater production but venue operations and more, PISD Deputy Superintendent Greg Bradley said during an April 22 board meeting.

Important dates to note in 2025-26 Aug. 12: first day of school Oct. 10 and 13 : student holiday Dec. 22-Jan. 5: winter break March 16-20, 2026: spring break May 20, 2026: last day of school

SOURCE: PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Closing document for a home • Signed lease agreement If necessary, families must also provide updated immunization records. There may be delays in students receiving their schedule, bus transportation availability and teacher assignments if student information is not updated by May 23. Families of students new to Prosper ISD must create a new enrollment Skyward account. A child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 to enter kindergarten or must be 6 years old on or before Sept. 1 to enter first grade.

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Transportation

Events

BY SAMANTHA DOUTY & JACOB VAUGHN

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

Delays up cost of Ownsby Parkway construction Celina will pay an additional $140,274 for services related to the construction of Ownsby Parkway. The project included the construction of six lanes on Ownsby, according to the city’s website. City Council approved a change order in this amount as part of its consent agenda April 8. The increased cost is due to electric pole relocation delays. This relocation led to a three-month delay in the project. Construction was completed in January, according to the city’s website. The design work on Ownsby from Preston Road to CR 83 began in 2022. The city entered into an agreement with Costco Wholesale Corporation that year. The agreement required the city to complete construction of Ownsby by the end of 2026. What happened? In 2022, City Council authorized staff to begin the right-of-way acquisition process for the project.

Prosper’s First Street nears completion First Street from Stuber Elementary School to Dallas Parkway is still under construction and is projected to wrap later this year in Prosper. Traffic has been shifted to the new concrete pavement, according to an April 8 update on the town’s capital improvement website. Crews are currently working on grading and placing fill for Legacy Drive and the westbound lanes of First Street. Con- struction is about 72% complete.

The Redwine Band Enjoy a public concert with the Texas country and Top 40 music cover band The Redwine Band at Celina’s Light Farms neighborhood. • May 16, 6 p.m. • Free • 1234 Homestead Court, Celina • www.visitcelina.org/event/public-concert-the-red- wine-band-at-light-farms Jimmy Anderson The Brass Tap will host music act Jimmy Anderson. • May 16, 6:30 p.m. • Free Memorial Day Ceremony Join the Town of Prosper to honor the men and women who served at Frontier Park Pavilion. The ceremony will include an invocation, presentation of the colors, national anthem, pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. • May 26, 10 a.m. • Free • 1551 Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/672/memorial-day-ceremony • 790 N. Preston Road, Ste. 80, Prosper • www.jimmyandersonlive.com/shows

May

Celina

Lacey Ingram & Scotty Isaacs Head to The Gin for live music from singer-songwriters Lacey Ingram and Scotty Isaacs. • May 2, 7:30-10:30 p.m. • Free • 204 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.theginprospertx.com/prosper-the-gin-events Cinco de Mayo in Celina Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a parade, traditional dances, music, food, shopping and more in Celina Town Square. Proceeds from the event will go toward student scholarships. • May 3, 2 p.m. • Free • 141 N. Ohio St., Celina • www.cincodemayocelina.com 380 Acoustics Enjoy musical entertainment 380 Acoustics at the sports bar The Tavern on Broadway. • May 8, 7 p.m. • Free (admission) • 350 W. Broadway St., Ste. 60, Prosper • www.thetavernprosper.com

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Due to a lack of progress on multiple tracts, staff moved to acquire the land through eminent domain. However, the acquisition wasn’t final- ized until months after GCEC, the electric utility company, was notified that it would need to move some of its facilities. In October 2023, the city was notified that the telecommunications company Altice also had infrastructure that would have to be relocated as part of the project, causing further delays. RPMx, the contractor, requested a time impact delay cost of $379,282 from the city. Staff objected to this charge because the project was still within the allocated calendar days for the work. Staff agreed on charges of $140,274.

Celina Cajun Fest The 13th annual festival includes live entertainment, food and a kid’s zone. Casey Donahew is this year’s festival headliner. The event will feature Cajun food such as gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish platters. Crawfish platter tickets can be purchased online beforehand.

Prosper

• May 10, 2-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 141 N. Ohio St., Celina • www.lifeincelinatx.com/cajunfest

FIRST ST.

PROSPER 950 S Preston Rd (469) 535-5539 LITTLE ELM 27100 Hwy 380 (972) 347-9630

Community

BY CODY THORN

Lake guide

2025

The Dallas-Fort Worth area features a number of man- made lakes that offer boating, fishing, camping and outdoor adventures throughout the year. Check out these nine lakes that are worth the trip in all parts of the metroplex. Eagle Mountain Lake The lake spans 8,694 acres and was created in 1934. It is a reservoir that was formed by damming the West Fork of the Trinity River, according to the Trinity Regional Water District. Activities: fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, boating, camping, volleyball, paddle boarding Cost: Free (admission) Amenities: hiking trail within Eagle Mountain Park, Shady Grove Park, Twin Points Park, boat rentals, cabin rentals • 10200 Ten Mile Bridge Road, Fort Worth • www.eaglemountainlake.org Joe Pool Lake The 7,400-acre lake is a tributary of Trinity River. It was approved in 1965 and was originally Lakeview Lake until 1982, when it was renamed after former Congressman Joe Pool, according to the Texas Water Development Board’s website. The lake is located in Denton, Ellis and Tarrant counties. Activities: camping, boating, fishing Cost: $20 per car for up to six people, $2 for each additional person Amenities: Cedar Hill State Park, Loyd Park, Lynn Creek Lake Arlington The 50-acre lake is tributary of West Fork Trinity River and located north of Interstate 20, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife’s website. Activities: fishing pier, boating, camping, playground, sailing Cost: $5 boat usage fee Amenities: Richard Simpson Park, Bowman Springs, Eugene McCray Park, 2-mile walking trail, sailing lessons, boat rentals • 6300 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington • www.arlington.org/listings/lake-arlington/573 Lake Ray Hubbard Created in 1968, the 22,000-acre lake features nine beaches and is located in Collin, Dallas, Rockwall and Kaufman counties on the East Fork of the Trinity River. It was originally named Forney Lake, according to the lake website. Activities: fishing, camping, boating, water skiing, hiking, biking Cost: $4 fee per car Amenities: Rockwall Harbor entertainment center, Lakeside Park, Pecan Grove Park, Terry Park, John Paul State Park, Britton Park • 6399 FM 1382, Dallas • www.joe-pool-lake.org

Grapevine Lake The 8,000-acre lake features 9 miles of trails and operates 11 public access boat ramps. Activities: boating, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, camping, kayaking Cost: free (admission) Amenities: Vineyard Campground and Cabin, DFW Surf, parks

Branch Park Cottonwood Park, East Hill Park, Harbor Lane Park, Hidden Cove Park, Lake Park Lewisville, Little Elm Park, Oakland Park, Pilot Knoll Park, Stewart Creek Park, Sycamore Bend Park, Westlake Park, Willow Grove Park • 600 Sandy Beach Road, Lewisville • www.lake-lewisville.org White Rock Lake The 1,015-acre city lake is 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas. It started as a water reservoir in 1913 and became a city park in 1929, according to White Rock Lake’s website. Activities: fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking Cost: free (admission) Amenities: 9.3-mile hike/bike trail, boat rentals, White Rock Lake Museum, Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas Arboretum, a dog park, pavilions for rent, a fishing pier • 8300 Garland Road, Dallas • www.dallasparks.org/235/white-rock-lake This list is not comprehensive. Lavon Lake The lake supplies water to member cities of the North Texas Municipal Water District. Activities: fishing, camping, boating, swimming Cost: $5 per vehicle Amenities: Collin Park Marina, hiking trails, parks, boat rentals • 3375 Skyview Drive, Wylie • www.lake-lavon.com

• 2 Grapevine Lake, Grapevine • www.tinyurl.com/mvvyz47y

Jones Park, Elgin B. Robertson Park, Windsurf Bay Park • 599 Terry Lane, Heath • www.lake-ray-hubbard.com Lake Worth The 3,489-acre lake was created in 1914 and is located in the Fort Worth city limits, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. Activities: boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, water skiing Cost: free (admission) Amenities: 6-mile trail, dog-friendly, herd of American bison, Marine Creek Lake • 4033 Marina Drive, Fort Worth • www.tinyurl.com/5dkyrfxn Lewisville Lake The lake spans 29,980 acres with 233 miles of shoreline. Originally called Lake Dallas, water storage began in 1928 after the creation of the Garza Dam on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ website. Lewisville Dam was created in 1948 and Lake Dallas’ dam was breached, combining the two lakes. Activities: camping, hiking, biking, golf, swimming, water skiing, fishing, boating, paddle boarding Cost: $5 per vehicle Amenities: Party Cove boating area, boat rentals, fishing guides, marinas, Arrowhead Park, Copperas

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

JUST FORE! YOU

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT APRIL 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WEEKENDER: A Big Time in Big Spring CRITTER: Gray Fox MADE IN TEXAS: A Recipe for Stunning Ceramics OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas FEATURE PREVIEW: The Texas Monthly Profile of Scottie Scheffler

Above: Hotel Settles, in Big Spring.

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

CRITTER

Gray Fox

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY ONE? Look for a black stripe, typically run- ning down the length of the animal’s back. Gray foxes also have a “bright orange patch on the side of their face and neck,” says Amanda Veals Dutt, a postdoctoral scientist at Sul Ross State University. That distinguishes the species from the slightly larger, non-native red fox (which settlers near Waco introduced for hunting in the 1890s) and two smaller species: the swift fox, found in the Panhandle, and the kit fox, which roams West Texas. WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT? It can thrive in a range of habitats, in part because it’ll eat almost anything —mice, small birds, insects—and it seems to enjoy living close to humans. Attacks on us (or dogs or cats) are rare, but rabbits and guinea pigs might make a tasty snack. And if you keep chickens? “They’re basically ice-cream cones running around,” says John Tomeček, a carnivore ecologist at Texas A&M University. ANY URBAN FOX TALES? In October 2021, in front of at least one hundred onlookers at the San Antonio River Walk, firefighters rescued a baby gray fox stranded on a window ledge about 25 feet o¥ the ground. More re- cently, Bethany Snowden, a lieutenant with the city’s animal care services department, sent colleagues to scoop up a fox that had wandered into a court- house. “We enjoy saving urban wildlife,” she says, adding that both foxes were transferred to Wildlife Rescue and Re- habilitation, a local sanctuary. —Rose Cahalan

WEEKENDER

A “Big” Secret in West Texas With a grand hotel and a rich history that includes oil, rail, and Midnight Cowboy , this Permian Basin town holds some surprises. BY COURTNEY BOND

a diner-style room complete with red vinyl– topped chrome stools. At the south end of town, the four-hundred- acre Comanche Trail Park is home to Big Spring’s big spring. Well, what’s left of it. The railroad, the ranches, and all the other busi- nesses of civilization long ago drained the water table, but ocials utilize what they call artificial outflow, making for a nice waterfall that spills into a reservoir. Continue your educational journey during lunch at Local’s, a onetime school building down the street from the park. After lunch, fill up on the town’s more modern history at the Heritage Museum of Big Spring. For supper, pop in at J Jayz Bar and Grill (across from the Train Car) for colorful cock- tails and the kind of food—burgers, quesadillas —needed to soak them up. Or head back to home base and enjoy a whiskey sour and chicken-fried steak from Settles Grill. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

FRIDAY: If you did nothing else but spend a night at Hotel Settles, your visit would be worthwhile. A dust-colored brick building rising fifteen stories, its glowing red rooftop sign visible for miles, the crown jewel of Big Spring exemplifies the word “landmark.” Catty-corner to the hotel, across Runnels Street, is what appears to be downtown’s most popular restaurant, Devour. Inside a narrow space, patrons pair giant margaritas with hearty American fare that includes burgers, pork chops, and bacon-wrapped quail with green onions and hot honey. After dinner, make tracks two blocks north and one street over to the Train Car Cigar Bar. SATURDAY: The sign outside still says Dell’s Café, but this spare restaurant with the odd name of Neutral Ways serves fat egg-filled tacos and classic American breakfast plates in

The entrance to Comanche Trail Park.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

MADE IN TEXAS

From Wheel to Table Restaurants around the country are turning to this Dallas ceramist for artful dinnerware.

BY AMANDA ALBEE

OUT THERE

was born. He attended St. Mark’s School of Texas, where he fell in love with his ceramics classes. At Southern Methodist University, he fulfilled an elective requirement with a ce- ramics course, in which he learned how to use awood-firedkiln,adays-longprocessthatem- ploys ashes to create one-of-a-kind textures and colors. Ortega turned his hobby into a side business while working in the corporate world. In 2018, when he received an order for more than nine hundred pieces to stock Beverley’s Bistro & Bar, on Fitzhugh Avenue, Marcello Andres Ceramics became a full-time enterprise. Ortega opened his current location, which also serves as an event space, two years later. Ortegafulfillsordersforrestaurantsaround the state and beyond: Tatemó, an intimate Mexican tasting menu spot, in Houston; Texas- centric Isidore, in San Antonio’s new Pull- man Market; and Juniper, an Italian bistro in East Austin. Ortega sees his art as having “a conversation with clay.” Fortunately for us, there are lingering —and beautiful—questions to answer.

YOU WON’T FIND “Do Not Touch” signs in Marcello Andres Ortega’s studio and retail space, housed in a Quonset hut just south of downtown Dallas. The ceramics artist encour- ages visitors to the showroom to feel and hold his plates, bowls, and copitas—small cups used for drinking mezcal, sherry, and other spirits. Formed out of Texas clay and natural minerals and fused in fire in one of the workshop’s five kilns, the appeal of the dinnerware extends be- yond the tactile. The primary palette of creams, taupes, and dark grays invites you to appreciate whatsitsatopeachdish:forexample,anorderof avocado toast’s shock of green against the neu- tral canvas of a plate. “The food is the art,” says Ortega of the earth tones he prefers for dishes. Ortega traces his love of dinnerware to the nightly sit-down family meals of his childhood, a ritual important to his Chilean- born parents, who moved to Dallas before he

Meanwhile, In Texas At a feedlot in Carrizo Springs, a man witnessed a group of cattle pin a coyote against a fence before it es- caped unharmed. An American Airlines flight was evac- uated and delayed for nearly five hours at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after a passenger alerted cabin crew to a Wi-Fi hot spot titled “there is a bomb on the flight.” Upon discovering an unconventional hunting blind made from a portable toilet, Henderson County game wardens used a hidden camera to catch a man who was using it to hunt deer on private property without the owner’s consent. More than one hundred canisters of nitrous oxide were discovered in the car of a Houston dentist who had sped through town, ignored commands to pull over, led police on a brief chase, and, finally, stopped and allegedly ad- mitted to inhaling the laughing gas as he was driving. Port Arthur authorities announced that a man is under investigation for child endangerment after he posted a video on social media in which he used a baby dressed in winter clothing to wipe snow o his car’s windshield. A man in Travis County told police he “won’t press charges” and just wants his dog back after he was approached near his home by a man who shot him in the foot, grabbed his French bulldog, and fled in a car. —Meher Yeda

Marcello Andres Ortega throwing a sculpture in his studio on February 4, 2025.

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Scottie Scheffler at Royal Oaks Country Club.

Palm Beach Gardens home, and ended his own life. As they learned of Murray’s death, some players spoke to reporters and others declined. Sixteen-year pro Peter Malnati wanted to talk. He also was not a big star, but he was aable, articulate, and thoughtful—and he happened to be the contestant who had played with Mur- ray the afternoon before. Malnati struggled to collect his thoughts on national television. The full weight and measure of the singular stresses of the game seemed to wobble him at a tender moment. “This is going to be really hard,” Malnati said, his voice shuddering. “We all want to beat each other.Andthensomethinglikethishappensand you realize that we’re all just humans.” There would be a service for Murray in early June, before the Memorial Tournament, at Muirfield Village Golf Club, near Columbus, Ohio. Brad Payne, who serves as a chaplain on the PGA Tour, helped organize it. He had coun- seled Murray through his personal struggles— anxiety, alcohol abuse—and had talked with him about the pervasive sense of loneliness and dread he just couldn’t seem to shake, even as he achieved remarkable success, rising into the top fiftyintheworldafterwinninginHawaiiatthe beginning of 2024. Before the service, Payne also counseled the players who were sched- uled to speak, a group that included Scottie Scheer,thenumberoneplayerintheworld. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

ON A FRIDAY afternoon last May, late in the second round of the PGA Tour stop in Fort Worth, Grayson Murray pocketed his ball and toldocialshefeltunwell.Hewithdrewfrom the competition, cleared out his locker, and aimed his courtesy vehicle toward the airport. Few spectators noticed. Murray was thirty years old and had won twice on the tour, which is two more times than most professional golfers ever win, but he was not the kind of incandescent star who drew massive galleries and heavy media attention. He had two holes left to play when he hit the last shot of his life. The next day, word filtered through the old, pecan-lined fairways of Colonial Country Club that Murray had flown to Florida, gone to his

FEATURE PREVIEW

Great Scottie! Shhhhhhh. Quiet Please. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s most dominant golfer, is approaching the toughest part of the course. BY KEVIN ROBBINS

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Business

BY KAREN CHANEY

The arcade features claw machines. Pinball, skee-ball and driving arcade games will be added this year.

Married couple Katie Dunn and Taylor Witt, Celina residents, own and operate Little Wooden Penguin.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Little Wooden Penguin brings fun, relaxation to Celina Although reasons people go to Little Wooden Penguin in Celina varies, business owners Katie Dunn and Taylor Witt said the vibe remains the same.

Drink options are written with dry-erase markers above the taps. The tap menu features rotating items.

dry erase menu wall but others rotate. “We have a really extensive selection of cock- tails,” Dunn said. “Most people don’t expect that, they think it’s a beer bar, but Taylor and I love tequila, so we have a really insane tequila list.” Food trucks are onsite whenever Little Wooden Penguin is open. The American Gothic Pizza food truck is there every Wednesday. There is a rotation of tacos, sandwiches, empanadas, as well. “You get to try something new all the time,” Dunn said. “We say the vibe is always the same but the experience is always dierent.” Also of note Teens have also found it be a good date spot. “We have so many couples that are 14-to-16 years old who putt-putt then they just sit outside and eat some ice cream,” Witt said. The business is focused on the community and the customer experience. “I love our customers. It’s cool to see dierent people come in, whether they’ve been in once, twice or 200 times, they are, for the most part, good people,” Witt said. “It’s a good community. We actually enjoy being here.”

“The people who come in for the rst time usu- ally end up just enjoying the chill environment,” Dunn said. “Even if you’re normally hoity-toity, there’s something about sitting outside on a picnic table that makes you feel like you’re just chilling.” What’s happening? Little Wooden Penguin, located in Celina’s entertainment district, opened in 2020 and oers indoor and outdoor experiences. Myriad of game options are available including putt-putt golf, arcades, bingo and trivia. Other events include live music, chili cook-os, cookie decorating and more. “We have a die-hard crew for trivia, then we have a die-hard crew for bingo. Then we have the ‘I watch all of my sports here’ group,’” Dunn said. “We’ve managed to t into people’s schedules.” On the menu Drink choices include alcoholic and non-alco- holic beverages. Popular tap items, whether its beer, wine or cocktails, always have a place on the

Little Wooden Penguin opened in Celina in 2020 and is located in Celina’s entertainment district.

212 N. Oklahoma Drive, Celina www.littlewoodenpenguin.com

PROSPER CELINA EDITION

Going beyond books From the cover

Finding the right fit

The details

The overview

Three sized options were identified for the library, which the bond committee will consider.

The Town’s Bond Committee will review several areas of need this summer including roads, parks and recreation and the library with each of those areas being its own potential proposition. A new library is projected to range from $35 million to $70 million, Landeck said. That total includes the new facility and books, but it does not include staffing. Staffing needs will be addressed through the town’s annual budget, as needed. The goal for the potential new library is to create a space that would be sustainable and useful for Prosper 30 years into the future, Landeck said. “For many Prosper residents, the library is the single most common point of contact with the town,” Library Board member Danielle Philipson said during a March council meeting. “We need to be sure that the Town Council’s vision of excellence

The Library Master Plan, which the Town Council approved in March, outlines a strategic vision for the library’s evolution by addressing the town’s rapid community growth, the current facility’s offerings and any future demands, according to the plan. The town is projected to have 72,000 residents at build out in 20-to-25 years. The library is currently housed in Town Hall, where it has 10,000 square feet. Officials always knew the location would be temporary and it would eventually be taken over by town staff, Canizares said. “We knew that what we were moving into at the time was bigger and better, but it wasn’t forever,” he said.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Option 3:

72,000 square feet

50,000 sq. ft.

33,000 sq. ft.

$70 million that meets Prosper’s buildout requirements

$50 million with phased expansion

$35 million with phased expansion

SOURCE: TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

in municipal services continues to be executed and that the physical expression of that vision meets high public expectations. ”

Public library square footage per capita Cities with a population of 25,001-50,000:

1.2

Anna

Diving into library offerings

Keep in mind

0.9

Celina*

Year-over-year decrease Year-over-year increase The Prosper library has seen an increase in the number of books available along with checkouts and cardholders.

0.8

Coppell

The library’s existing collection consists of physical and electronic books, with adults favoring the e-book options, Landeck said. The library also offers free space for community meetings. If a new space were approved, the library could eventually act as an event venue, Canizares said. “It’s more than books, it’s a community gather- ing space,” he said. With or without a bond, Landeck wants to look at expanding the library’s hours of operations to eventually be open seven days a week, Landeck said. If the bond is not placed on the ballot or it fails,

0.4

Southlake

2022

2023

2024

0.3

Prosper

Books

29,564 28,913

30,766

0.1

Little Elm

Checkouts

N/A

111,327

128,468

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Cities with a population of over 50,000:

Card holders

9,985 10,937

11,558

0.7

SOURCE: TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Frisco

0.3

McKinney

the town will look at doing extra days of programs and minor renovations of the existing space to optimize it, Landeck said. “Libraries are really good at that—we can be really creative on shoestrings,” he said.

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

SOURCES: 720 DESIGN, TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT *USING THE PROJECTED SIZE OF CELINA'S UNDER-CONSTRUCTION LIBRARY

3248 S. Preston Rd. Ste 240 Celina, Texas 75009 Bus. 972-382-6070 www.HunterGoldsworthy.com Hunter Goldsworthy Agent

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