The Front Porch

Episode 22: Trey Graham wears a lot of different hats. He's the lead pastor at First Melissa ... he does the radio play-by-play for Melissa football ... he's an author ... and he hosts two radio shows. (That's not even counting being a dad and husband.) Pastor Graham has called Melissa home for almost 20 years, and he has developed a special place in his heart for the people in Melissa and the sur...

Episode 21: Melissa City Manager Jason Little has his finger on the pulse of this community. He has served in his current role for 15 years, and he has a servant's heart for Melissa, Texas. On this episode we discuss the community's expectations of excellence, how Jason got to Melissa and some cool things on the horizon. City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/ Music: https://www.purple-pla...

Episode 20: George James has called Melissa, Texas, home for a long time. Thirty-five years to be exact. He's seen a lot of changes in his community, especially in regards to Melissa Schools. James has been on the school board for 19 years. He was right there when Melissa High School opened, and he'll be right there as the district continues to grow and change. He couldn't be more excited. #powero...

Episode 19: Ryan Ross, pastor at City Church Melissa, has a huge heart for this community. The vision of his church captures that beautifully: "We are a community of people living for the glory of God and the good of the city." On this episode of Heart of Melissa, he shares how God has blessed him and how God continues to bless City Church. #powerofcommunity City Church Melissa: https://citychurch...

Episode 18: Diane and Lillie Miller have called Melissa, Texas, home for a long time. Their roots run deep. As Melissa continues to grow and evolve, the owners of Parris Hill Farm and Ranch are determined to hold on to some of the history, while giving back to the community they love. #powerofcommunity Parris Hill Farm & Ranch on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parrishillranch/ City of Melissa:...

Episode 17: Kenny Deel has a passion for the kids in Melissa, Texas, and he has dedicated his entire career to Melissa Schools. Deel was recently honored for that passion and dedication. In August of 2022, the first football game will by played at Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. When he was asked to describe how he felt when they made the announcement about the new name, he said: "It was mind blowing."...

Episode 16: Michelle Stradling and her husband, Jesse, ended up in Melissa, Texas, because of the water tower. Not really. But kind of. They have a fun, adventurous story that got them from Arizona to Texas and ultimately to Melissa. They moved to town in the middle of a global pandemic, but that didn't keep them from falling head-over-heels in love with their new community. City of Melissa: https...

When Victoria Marshall asked her family what they thought about her opening a boutique in downtown Melissa, she was certain they would squash that idea. They didn't. They actually encouraged the former school teacher and Mary Kay director to go for it. So, she did ... and now she's excited about being a key part in the downtown's evolution and growth. #powerofcommunity Kay Marie Boutique: https://...

Duke Sparks is on fire for Melissa, Texas. After a storied career as a coach and administrator across the state, he landed in Melissa at a pivotal time in his life. He was entrenched in this community when an unimaginable tragedy ripped through his family, and it was his strong faith and the community's support that carried him through that darkness. Now, he's a beacon of hope in Melissa, focusing...

Rachel Buckley is giving back to Melissa, Texas, in a very unique way. She is a partner/trainer for Camp Gladiator. Not only is she helping people live a healthy lifestyle, she is building a community inside a community that she has fallen in love with. (Oh...do you have any excuses for not living a healthy lifestyle? Rachel has heard them all, and she's not impressed.) #powerofcommunity Camp Glad...

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 He...

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...

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...

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 c...

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:...

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 Eth...

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 Exp...

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 p...

Episode 3: What do you get when you combine an entrepreneurial spirit with community pride? Melissa, Texas, is lucky to know the answer to that question. For the last 35 years, Doug Zadow has developed a love and passion for his community. He has been part of a team that has set the bar high in Melissa, Texas. But more importantly, Doug Zadow – chairman of Melissa Sports – has helped catapult the...

Episode 2: Covid-19 has impacted everyone in some shape, form or fashion. High school seniors were effected in a very profound way. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," we share the stories of Grayson Hurst and Bella Blankenship, seniors at Melissa High School. We wanted to hear how the coronavirus impacted their world. #powerofcommunity Melissa ISD: https://www.melissaisd.org/ City of Melissa:...

Episode 1: Danielle Dorman-Chapa moved to Melissa her sophomore year of high school. The city limit sign read: "Population: 301." She thought her life was over, even though she loved how beautiful it was. After she started her family, she moved back with a new love and appreciation for her hometown. Now, she's all in! She explains why during this inaugural episode of "Heart of Melissa." #powerofco...