The Front Porch

There is a lot of love, faith and history in a slice of Marlo Hofman's pie. The owner of Cross My Heart & Hope For Pie is building on a legacy that was started in the kitchen by her grandmother and cultivated by her momma. Now Hofman, and her two daughter's, are building something special into downtown Melissa (and it all revolves around ... pie and love of the Lord). #powerofcommunity

Cross My Heart & Hope For Pie: https://crossmyheartpie.com/

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

When you set up roots in a community, cool things happen. Mary Ann Little – owner and artistic director at Bella Couture Salon – is living that truth. After moving to Melissa, she opened her boutique hair salon in downtown Melissa. The community welcomed her with open arms, but it was a recent introduction to a certain Melissa resident that makes Mary Ann Little's story special. It exemplifies the heart of this community. #powerofcommunity

Bella Couture Salon: https://www.bellacouturesalonandboutique.com/

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

If you drive through downtown Melissa, Texas, you can't miss Darin Jordan's place. It's small and quaint and smells like heaven. The little log cabin that houses Hidden Aces BBQ is starting to make a name for itself in Melissa (and across the region). A lot of that has to do with the man inside cooking. Since bringing his BBQ pedigree to Melissa, Darin Jordan has generated a special bond with the people who call this community home. #powerofcommunity

Hidden Aces BBQ: https://www.facebook.com/BBQ2019

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 9: When George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, 16-year-old Ashton Mitchell-Johnson got mad. He said he wanted to punch something. But this passionate teenager from Melissa, Texas, channeled that anger and decided to do something impactful (and peaceful) in his hometown. So he did! This podcast is dedicated to Ashton's vision for change - in regards to racial and social injustice in this country. #powerofcommunity

Episode 8: Passion. That one word sums up this episode of "Heart of Melissa" with our featured guest Kellie Maynard, director of the Melissa Education Foundation. She has a heart for anything and everything Melissa, Texas, and that came out on this podcast. #powerofcommunity

Melissa Education Foundation: https://melissaeducationfoundation.com/

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 7: Reed Greer has been mayor of Melissa, Texas, for 11 years. To say that he has a heart for this community is an understatement. He was initially drawn to Melissa for the schools, but now – after more than 18 years – Mayor Greer loves so much more, and he's proud to be mayor. #powerofcommunity

Episode 6: You might know Brooke and Ethan Redden, but do really know them? Do you know how they met and/or got married? Both very cool stories that they share on this episode of "Heart of Melissa." That is an amazing aspect of this podcast ... listeners get the chance to learn something new about our guests - the people they kind of know from the community. Also on this episode ... Brooke and Ethan discuss how they ended up in Melissa and how they fell in love with this town. #powerofcommunity

Redden Concrete: https://www.reddenconcrete.com/

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 5: Need some inspiration or motivation? Listen to this episode of "Heart of Melissa." The passion and energy of our featured guest – Keith Murphy, superintendent of Melissa Schools – is inspiring and contagious. Where does that fire come from? Keith Murphy loves every single kid in his school district. #powerofcommunity

Episode 4: Part of Melissa's story is its bright future. On this episode ... we visit with Dave Quinn, who is leading the charge for economic development in this community. Dave – along with his company, Day One Experts – have been brought in to help Melissa, Texas, grow strategically. We talk to Dave about his goals, vision and expectations for the future of Melissa. #powerofcommunity

Day One Experts: https://d1experts.com/

Dave Quinn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davequinn247/

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

On this special edition of "Heart of Melissa" ... we got the opportunity to spotlight Shannon Sweat and Omar Landrum. We focused on their individual stories, discussed how they ended up in Melissa, Texas, and found out what they love about their community. But our conversation intentionally went deeper. We discussed social and racial injustice in this country and what this community can do to be part of the solution. #powerofcommunity

City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com