The Front Porch
The American front porch represents the ideal of community in America. Just like on this community podcast, it’s where stories are celebrated. Welcome to The Front Porch – the official community podcast of Melissa, Texas. On every episode, we share the stories of the people who live and work in this community. We also capture the heart of Melissa, Texas. This is The Front Porch.
Episodes
April 17, 2024 • 28 mins
Season 2, Episode 11: Coming out grad school, Tyler Brewer's first "real" job was with the City of Melissa. Ten years later, he's never left. On this episode of The Front Porch, the executive director of development explains what he loves about Melissa, Texas, and why he's so proud to work here. Since he's also oversite for some many different departments within the community, he has some profound insight on how Melissa is growing....
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April 3, 2024 • 23 mins
Season 2, Episode 10: Before jumping into commercial construction and owning/operating a local restaruant, Joseph Armstrong was a former youth pastor. During that season of his life, he learned the importance of focusing on other people. That life lesson continues to have ripple effects across his life, including with his role on Melissa's City Council. On this episode of The Front Porch, we hear Joseph's story, we talk about why h...
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March 20, 2024 • 28 mins
Season 2, Episode 9: Tammy Davis is a longtime resident of Melissa, Texas. She also has a huge heart for giving back. It’s safe to say that Tammy Davis is selfless, and you’ll quickly find out in our conversation where her kind heart comes from. On this episode of The Front Porch, we'll get to know this Godly woman who has a heart for serving others and positively impacting her community. #frontporch
Links:
25 Project: Website
Directi...
Links:
25 Project: Website
Directi...
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March 5, 2024 • 27 mins
Season 2, Episode 8: It didn't take Bridget Saxton long to fall in love with Melissa, Texas. As the new communications manager for the city, Bridget has grown fond of this community in a very short amount of time. On this episode of The Front Porch, we'll discuss Bridget's passion for Melissa, and we'll discover how she ended up here. She also discusses some of the challenges facing Melissa, and she talks about her support staff in...
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February 21, 2024 • 25 mins
Season 2, Episode 7: Dana Conklin will be quick to tell you that she is a "victim of her raisin'. " She is definitely a servant leader, and she points to her upbringing for establishing that foundation of giving back. From serving on the Melissa City Council to her involvment with Rotary, Dana is creating ripple effects throughout her community. On this episode of The Front Porch, we get to know this amazing woman with a giving hea...
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February 6, 2024 • 34 mins
Season 2, Episode 6: I bet you didn't know that Mayor Jay Northcut has run 20 marathons. I bet you also didn't know that he loves comic books. On this episode of The Front Porch, we pull back the curtain and really get to know the elected leader of Melissa, Texas. Besides revealing his hobbies on this episode, Mayor Northcut also shares his story, and he talks about how much Melissa has changed since he moved here almost 23 years a...
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January 23, 2024 • 43 mins
Season 2, Episode 5: There is nothing like a good comeback story - a story highlighted by resilience, love and selflessness. This is one of those stories! Our featured guest on this episode of The Front Porch is Courtney Willis. Courtney and her husband founded Mission Regan after the blessing-riddled adoption of their youngest son. They were barreling towards rock bottom, but their faith forced them to surrender and their lives ha...
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January 9, 2024 • 28 mins
Season 2, Episode 4: Preston Taylor and his young family now call Melissa, Texas, home. When he's not blazing a trail in commercial real estate, he is the chairman of Melissa's Planning and Zoning Comission. On this episode of The Front Porch, we will share Preston's impressive story. Spoiler Alert: This guy is an all-star - a real go-getter. But the coolest part of his story revolves around the love he’s already established for Me...
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December 19, 2023 • 25 mins
Season 2, Episode 3: Deric Salser and the Salser Development Group are leaving a profound impact on Melissa, Texas. On this episode of The Front Porch, Deric Salser shares the vision and story and expectations of Gateway Village, which is starting to take shape downtown. Maybe you have seen the progress or heard whispers about the project, but Deric Salser tells the story behind this signature development and paints a beautiful pic...
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November 29, 2023 • 30 mins
Season 2, Episode 2: Kelton Brewer drowned when he was two years old. Based on accounts from the incident, Kelton said he actually died. But thanks to a neighbor, and Plano Fire and Rescue, he was revived and survived the near-tragic accident. Since that moment, the Melissa High School graduate has wanted to pay it forward. And that's exactly what he's doing as a firefighter and paramedic in Melissa. His journey, which carried him ...
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November 29, 2023 • 27 mins
Season 2, Episode 1: Erik Stokes hasn't been the Police Chief in Melissa, Texas, for very long. But he already has a heart for this community – and according to him, it starts with the people. After a long tenure – and working up the ranks – in Farmer's Branch, Chief Stokes finally got the opportunity to put his policing philosophy and his leadership skills to the test. After listening to this one-on-one conversation, you'll see wh...
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October 7, 2021 • 36 mins
Episode 30: Mike Demsky has started a new chapter in his life. After spending many years in the golf industry – working at some of the best courses and clubs in North Texas – he decided it was time for a new adventure. That's when this 11-year resident of Melissa, Texas, was handed the keys to the Doug Out Sports Grill. Not only is he the general manager of Melissa's newest restaurant and lounge, he is playing a major role in the ...
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September 16, 2021 • 28 mins
Episode 29: The importance of relationships in Melissa, Texas, keeps coming up on this podcast. Symmetry Sports Construction, which has played a significant role in almost every sports facility in Melissa, wholeheartedly believes in that philosophy. On the company website it says: "We believe in the relationships we cultivate and the synergy it creates." That is why Wayne Poage, director of sales for Symmetry, was recommended as a ...
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September 2, 2021 • 25 mins
Episode 28: Lynn Vanlandingham, owner of Five Tool Baseball, has a passion for baseball. The cool part of his story is that fact that he has partnered with a community – Melissa, Texas – that has a passion for the game as well. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," Lynn shares how that partnership was formed, but more importantly how it has grown into something special. He also talks about what drives him every day. #powerofcommun...
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August 19, 2021 • 38 mins
Episode 27: Kent Jones Davis has called Melissa, Texas, home for more than 14 years. He has a heart for this community, but we wanted to bring him on the podcast to talk about the amazing ripples he's generating across the world with The 25 Project. Kent, the executive director for the global ministry, has a heart for Jesus, and his organization is spreading that love to underprivileged children in countries like the Dominican Repu...
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June 18, 2021 • 33 mins
Episode 26: Dena Norton has a servants heart for Melissa, Texas. She is the Director of Community Outreach, which runs the food pantry in Melissa. When Dena talks about the food pantry, and the amazing people they serve, she lights up. It was very fitting that we recorded this episode of "Heart of Melissa" at the place where her and her volunteers are changing lives.
Also on this episode: We discuss Melissa Schools ... what it's li...
Also on this episode: We discuss Melissa Schools ... what it's li...
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June 3, 2021 • 39 mins
Episode 25: Teenagers provide a completely different perspective about community. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," we got the chance to visit with Carson Ross and Kadyn King, seniors in the Class of 2021 at Melissa High School. They discussed what they love about their hometown and what they're going to miss the most when they leave for college. #powerofcommunity
Melissa ISD: https://www.melissaisd.org/
City of Melissa: https:/...
Melissa ISD: https://www.melissaisd.org/
City of Melissa: https:/...
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May 20, 2021 • 40 mins
Episode 24: A series of powerful events led Marcus Eckert to Melissa, Texas. It started with a high school football game ... next came a hug from Duke Sparks ... then an answered prayer in the form of bird that landed on his back fence. That bird was a cardinal, and when Marcus Eckert saw it, he knew his life was about to change. Now, Marcus is the principal at Melissa Middle School. Just like everyone who works for Melissa Schools...
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May 6, 2021 • 21 mins
Episode 23: Stacey Piyakhun doesn't mix her words. She has a heart for the people in Melissa, Texas, and she does a beautiful job expressing that love and admiration. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," Rev. Piyakhun – lead pastor at Melissa United Methodist Church – she puts on several different hats to explain her passion for her community. Spoiler alert: She has a handful of drop-the-microphone moments. #powerofcommunity
Meli...
Meli...
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April 15, 2021 • 29 mins
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 surrounding communities. #powerofcomm...
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