Instagramming McKinney

By Beth Shumate, MCVB Communications Manager

McKinney is fertile ground for photographers, from the historic district to the parks to our own Croatian village, Adriatica, and beyond.

Any good-weather weekend finds families walking through the historic downtown square, a photographer trailing them, to find that perfect spot for the perfect family memory shot. Or maybe you’ll see agency photographers scouting unique backdrops for some type of product shots, be it clothing, accessories or even vehicles.

One such beautiful Saturday (just last weekend, in fact), I had the privilege of accompanying a visiting group of photographers around the historic square. A couple of them had digital cameras to document this stroll, but all of them, including me, were armed with their Smartphone cameras, seeking unusual angles and subject matter to share via the popular app, Instagram.

McKinney resident Shawn Roller posted a photo promoting this “Instameet” on the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Destination McKinney Facebook page. I wasn’t familiar with this type of meet-up group, so decide to head to the meeting point (in front of the McKinney Performing Arts Center) at the appointed time to check it out. I found 10 participants, ready to head out on a quest for cool pictures of downtown McKinney; half of the group were locals while the other half hailed from elsewhere in the metroplex – Euless, Dallas, Richardson, and The Colony. Some knew each other, having participated in earlier Instameets elsewhere in the area, while others exchanged Instagram user names and got acquainted before heading off. 

I must say, as someone who promotes McKinney and who loves to spend time on the square, allowing myself to follow these folks around without wearing my usual tour guide hat was quite refreshing…and doing so allowed me to experience McKinney again through fresh eyes. These new friends headed off down alleys and into tight spaces, wide open ground, looking high and low, and often snapping close-up shots of little details or interesting angles not immediately noticeable, not unless one takes the time and makes the effort to see it.

We spent a total of two hours together, encountering numerous photographers and families along the way, some doing high school senior portraits, and even a couple of guys with fancy cameras and lights, shooting photos of an equally fancy motorcycle. We made a wide loop – east on Louisiana, across Hwy. 5 to the Flour Mill (a favorite place of all involved), and back westward on Virginia before scooting north of Tennessee, then heading west to Church Street. We turned the corner at Virginia, stopping briefly at the MCVB Visitors Center to grab a bottle of water or can of soda. These Saturday visitors then headed off to enjoy dinner on the square, with the residents recommending their favorite places to the out-of-towners.

What a fun way to spend an afternoon, and how fun to see a new kind of tourism – created through social media networking – at work/play in our very own city!

Jeyson Paez, resident of The Colony and organizer of the metroplex group, InstaDFW, has held 10 of these meet-ups since November 2012, the largest being one in downtown Dallas where 40 folks turned out. Next up? “I want to do one at the Fort Worth Stockyards,” said Paez, who is also a freelance photographer.

We’ve shared some of these Instagram photos (and others we found from McKinney) on a special Pinterest board. Or if you’d rather see them directly through Instagram, search for tag “#historicmckinneygramsesh”.

If you Instagram and want to share your photos, drop us an email and we’ll share them on our Facebook page and add them to our Instagram board on Pinterest.

Many thanks to Jeyson, Shawn, Brandi Hussey, Crystal Hexamer, Jessica Wright, and the other Instagrammers for letting me tag along. It was a blast!

Unique By Nature? Yes, We Are!

On the nature trails at the Heard.

“What’s unique about it?”

That’s a question we frequently get at the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau. Those of who live here, know: it’s that “special something” that brought most of us here, the reason we chose to call it home.

McKinney’s 2012 Honor!

And Money Magazine obviously gets it, too, considering they just named our city the #2 Best Place to Live in America, up from #5 in 2010 and #14 in 2008. (They publish the list for cities our size every two years, and it is practically unheard of for a city to make three consecutive lists, much less move up in ranking each time.)

So what is unique about McKinney? That’ll take several blog entries to explain, so today, we’ll start with a word that is in that description – our nature (which was even incorporated in our logo in the way of a tree). Most cities have trees and nature; we know that. But McKinney’s nature is different.

A predator bird presentation at the Heard amphitheater

Over the years, those who have sculpted McKinney into what it is today have worked diligently to incorporate and preserve nature in as many ways as we can. In this blog entry, we talk about one of those special places where visitors and residents can enjoy nature to its fullest and most pristine.

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary

The Heard, which will celebrate its 45^th  anniversary on Sept. 30, offers so many cool opportunities to enjoy nature, we are devoting an entire blog entry to it. (We’ll cover other McKinney nature in our next blog entry.)

Wetlands Eco-Adventures at the Heard

This museum was the vision of McKinney native Bessie Heard (1886-1988) who donated the land and started the museum back in 1967 when she was 80 years old. The beautiful 289-acre wildlife sanctuary on which the Heard Museum sits features more than six miles of natural walking and hiking trails, some more hilly than others as they wind through woodlands, prairies, and grasslands. More adventurous guests can even call ahead and schedule an Eco-Adventure (a canoe tour of the wetlands) or for groups of 10 or more, challenge themselves on the high and low elements of the ropes course in the Heard’s deciduous forest tree canopy.

Inside the Heard’s butterfly house

A nature museum displaying native wildlife and special exhibits also houses a store that kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring for books, maps, science tools, toys, T-shirts, and do-it-yourself kits of all kinds. Also on the property, guests will find a beautiful outdoor amphitheater where concerts, bird and wildlife lectures, and other events take place throughout the year. In the summer, the Heard’s Native Texas butterfly garden and butterfly house are filled with brilliantly-colored winged creatures and numerous species of flowers.

We recommend you peruse the Heard’s website to learn of all the educational programs and events they offer, including children’s camps, night hikes, birdwatching and tagging, snake feeding, the Animals of the World exhibit, as well as Spring, Halloween and Christmas events, and many more. And their science building and other facilities are available for church gatherings, meetings, weddings and other events.

Watch out for the spitting dino!

The pièce de résistance at the Heard, though, would have to be the Dinosaurs Live! event happening annually from fall into winter. (The animatronic dinosaurs will inhabit the sanctuary starting Oct. 2 this fall until Feb. 3, 2013.) Walk the nature trails to find them hiding along the paths, moving and making noise in natural settings. Their Halloween at the Heard event is especially thrilling for youngsters as they trick-or-treat along the nature trails at dusk, watch an outdoor movie and compete in a costume contest. But be careful – there is usually a water-spitting dino among them, always a favorite with the kids! Bring the camera to capture poses with the 46-foot T-Rex and his friends, who are all made right here in McKinney by Billings Productions.

The 46-foot tall T-Rex is a favorite among kids.

Whether you’re visiting us in McKinney, or that “special unique something” has caught you, too, and you’ve decided to call McKinney home, there is a little piece of nature for everyone.

More examples of how you can enjoy nature in our city will come in this blog entry’s sequel next week.

Visit McKinney Texas: Where to find us!

Remember “everything McKinney” is always at your fingertips with our Smartphone app. Links for downloading it to iPhone, iPad and Android can be found HERE. And if you need to check out McKinney on your computer, you can find us at our website or on Facebook and Twitter. We’re even working on growing a Pinterest page! And if you’d rather pick up the phone, you can contact the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau at 214-544-1407 or tollfree at 888-649-8499.

April Blooms in McKinney

Flowers bloom at Chestnut Square's Farmers Market

The old adage may be “April showers bring May flowers,” but in McKinney, we don’t have to wait until May to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. It’s safe to say that the heavy rains we had in March have already contributed to some beautiful colors and foliage around town. And in April, the sights can only get better!

Enjoy the first full month of spring with a wide variety of fun activities, with major emphasis on “all things art!”

Outdoor Fun!

Heard Butterfly Gardens

Celebrate Nature Family Festival (4/14; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) This one-day outdoor festival features live concerts, “green” and other vendors who want to support nature and The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, interactive animal presentations, kids’ activities, guided trail tours, and canoe/kayak demonstrations. Guests will also enjoy our Live Animals of the World and Animal Superheroes exhibits, and the Native Texas Butterfly Garden.

McKinney’s Farmers Market at Chestnut Square Historic Village begins its regular weekly season (4/7, 14, 21, 28; 8 a.m. to noon.  Monthly at Chestnut Square , you can enjoy Ghostly Haunting Tours held the third Saturday;  tours of the grounds and homes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m.; and trolley tours of the historic district which leave Chestnut Square every second and fourth Saturday at 11 a.m.

Old Red Lumberyard

You can also enjoy outdoor shopping at the monthly Third Monday Trade Days (April 13-15) and Old Red Lumberyard Junk Market (April 13-14).

For those wanting to get some exercise for a great cause, McKinney’s Relay for Life event will take place at the main ballfield at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch (4/27-28).

Easter Photo Ops

The city-sponsored annual Easter Egg-stravaganza (4/7) features family fun at Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex located at 1986 Park View Ave. This free event starts at 11 a.m. Have the kids’ pictures taken with real, live bunnies (4/7) when you make an appointment for the Easter Bunny Photo Shoot,  available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Children can take a bunny home for the day on Sunday on availability.)

April is Arts-Crazy!

McKinney is busting at the seams with artist offerings in April.

Ladies Night Out

The Heard-Craig Center for the Arts hosts the monthly free Art History Brown Bag lunch-time discussion (12:30-1:30 p.m., 4/4). The gardens at the Heard-Craig House are once again the site of the annual April concert series, Music in the Garden, featuring free concerts on Thursdays (4/5, 12 & 19).  The Young Artist Competition of the McKinney Musical Arts Society takes place in the Heard-Craig Performance Hall (4/13-15) while the 48th Annual Collin County Art Show fills the hall and gallery (4/20-22). People who enjoy making crafts will enjoy the Pinterest Party (4/12) in the hall, with all attendees leaving with a completed project of their choice.  Then near the end of the month, women will fill the hall for Ladies Night Out (4/26), a fun evening of arts, shopping and food-tasting that serves as a popular annual fundraiser for the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts.

The Young Actors Guild of the McKinney Repertory Theatre offers a thought-provoking spring coming-of-age story dealing with Nazis and Jewish death camps, “And a Child Shall Lead” (4/6-8) on the Courtroom Theatre stage in the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Also at MPAC this month are pianist-singer Charlotte Martin (4/13) and Country Music Award-nominated singer-songwriter Collin Raye (4/20).

And of course, you can try your hand at African drumming every month, courtesy of Drums Not Guns on any Saturday morning at Old Settlers Recreation Center or during the Fourth Friday Drum Circle in Mitchell Park.

Chalk Walk at MPAC

The monthly Second Saturday arts events including the regular monthly gallery exhibit openings and live music will take place that evening as usual (7-10 p.m.), but during the day, visitors to the square will enjoy Arts in Bloom (4/14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). The event’s activities include:

• Art Walk with artists displaying and demonstrating their art along the sidewalks and in some of the businesses on the downtown square;
• Chalk Walk when the sidewalks around the McKinney Performing Arts Center come to life with incredible chalk art;
• MISD Student Art Show in the MPAC gallery; and
• DD and the Studebakers perform jukebox favorites from the 1950s and 60s in the MPAC Courtroom Theatre (7:30 p.m.).

The Second Saturday (4/14, 7-10 p.m.) art offerings include the following:

Garret Art Gallery will be featuring McKinney resident Jenny Archbold, a graphic/commercial and fine artist who works in pencil, ink, pastel, watercolor and acrylic. 111 E. Virginia St., 972-548-9361.

Character Studies by Nathaniel Smyth

Over at Laura Moore Fine Art Studios, artists featured during Arts in Bloom are Elaine Adams, Amanda Beller, Linda Chidsey, Audrey DeFord, Shayna Duvarney, Pernie Fallon, Julia Forsyth, Sona Knox, Elizabeth Lane, Don Matschull, Laura Moore, Nathaniel Smyth, Joseph Taub, Amy Taylor. Then that night for Second Saturday, Laura welcomes artist Nathaniel Smyth for the opening of his exhibit, Character Studies. 107 S. Tennessee, 214-914-3630.

Debra Linker at The Artist’s Loft will host artist Lynne Hubner teaching a Whiteline Print Workshop from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with students creating 6″X 8″ multicolored prints through the use of this technique developed in 1915 New England using one woodblock, one carving tool, watercolors and a spoon. We will cover image transfer to the block, carving and inking techniques. Students should come to class with drawings and or photo reference. Call 972-345-6311 for details.

Orisons Fine Art and Framing Gallery welcomes well-known Taos Master Artist Charles Collins in his return to the Dallas area to open his only Dallas-area exhibit.  Collins will be bringing several original oil paintings rarely seen outside of his gallery, the oldest gallery in Taos, New Mexico.  110 E. Louisiana St., 972-529-1441.

2nd Saturday Magic Show: Each Second Saturday, the Main Street Magic & Fun Company hosts a Cabaret Style Magic Show at 7 or 9 p.m. in our Magic Attic Theater. Tickets are only $10 and include a complimentary glass of wine for those 21 and older. Children are admitted to the 7 p.m. show. Seating is very limited so call 214-274-7802 to reserve your tickets. 211 N Tennessee Street.

JCD at Wales Manor

Also on the second Saturday, the popular “Music Under the Stars” concert series opens its 2012 season at Wales Manor Vineyard & Winery as Jon Christopher Davis takes the stage with special guest Byron Dowd.

Performers from across McKinney will take the stage later in the month (4/20-21) for the annual McKinney Has Talent competition, our city’s version of American Idol, hosted by the McKinney Repertory Theatre on the MPAC stage. Then the last weekend of the month (4/28), American Passport: A Journey Through the World Music, hosted by the Cultural Concert of International Music, will provide attendees with a glimpse of the world through the eyes and music of children.

Garden, Animal & Farm Fun

Gardens at Myers Park

Myers Park & Event Center offers a month of wide variety as always with the Collin County Master Gardeners will have a garden tour (4/4, 972-548-4219); dog and livestock shows including Lone Star 4H Horse Club (4/7; 972-658-5201); Dallas Agility Working Group (4/14-15, 972-540-1413); Ducks Unlimited banquet (4/19; 972-658-1961); and Chisolm Trail Texas Longhorn Association cattle show (4/21; 254-630-0053); Basic Ag Field Day (4/27; 972-548-4233); and the Collin County Master Gardeners plant sale (4/28; 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; 972-548-4219).

Also, the Collin County Farm Museum located at Myers Park is offering another Model T class (4/14, 10 a.m.-noon) when attendees get a hands-on course in starting the museum’s 1911 Model T. (There are more steps to it than you’d think!)

The Farm Museum's 1911 Model T

(A second session to be held at a later date will cover the actual driving of the car and is open only to those completing the first class.) Myers Park is located at 7117 CR 166.

JUST ADDED

Here are a few events for which we’ve just received details:

• The 2nd Annual WAM Chef’s Challenge (4/19) at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club involves chefs from Bailey’s Prime Plus, Louisiana St. Grill, Holiday Inn and Suites, and Stonebridge Ranch Country Club competing for the win! WAM will be supporting a great cause this year, the Children and Community Health Center McKinney.

If you learn of something else going on in McKinney this month, please let us know. As always, you can learn more about McKinney’s events by visiting VisitMcKinney.com and by downloading our free Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. (For links to the Apple Store and Android Market, click here.)

New Year, New Opportunities

We hope 2012 is off to a great start for you and, we want to challenge you to try something new this year. Sign up for a class to learn a new skill, attend an event you’ve never attended, or try that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, but have never managed to step in the door.  We see the new year as a chance for new opportunities, and we plan to relish in them and take them on! Now here’s what you have to look forward to in this first month of 2012.

Learn Something New!
January is chock full of opportunities to try something new or take on new hobbies, so why not challenge yourself!

• Adults can consider Intuitive Painting (ongoing), crazy patchwork quilting (1/16) and more at The Artist’s Loft on the downtown square.
• Kids in grades 1-8 can take part in free weekly dance classes, presented by Chamberlain Performing Arts, at the Boys & Girls Club while those 7-14 can take a Discover Art class (1/6) at the McKinney Community center or a variety of “Discover” classes including art, African culture, and modeling at Old Settler’s Park Rec Center.
• Also at Old Settler’s every Saturday at 10 a.m., ages 10 and up are invited to be part of the hand drum circle where they’ll learn the art of hand drumming; drums are provided for those who don’t have them. The sponsoring organization, Drums Not Guns, also hosts a Fourth Friday Night Drum Circle in Mitchell Park (Church/Louisiana) from 7-10 p.m. each month.
• Learn how to be “green” at the Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop ($50 each; 1/21) offered by the city’s Office of Environmental Stewardship and AgriLife Extension office; participants will make their own rain barrel for use in collecting and using rain water.

Claim the Spotlight
Those craving the spotlight have the opportunity to audition for three stage productions this month:

•  ”Hairspray” and “Dear Edwina,” (McKinney Youth Theatre, 1/13-21); productions are later this spring.
• “Crossroads,” (McKinney Repertory Theatre, 1/13-14); production is in March.

Or pretend to be an Olympic ice skater while twirling on the ice during the Winter Blast at the Dr Pepper Star Center (1/28).

Appreciate the Arts...and Animals
Performance and visual art enthusiasts can take in an art exhibit opening, a musical or a night of comedy during this first month of 2012.

• The McKinney Youth Theatre presents the “Wizard of Oz” at the Heard-Craig Performance Hall (1/13-22).
• Second Saturday (1/14) features a new exhibit opening of Elizabeth McDonald at Laura Moore Fine Art Studios, while the Garret Art Gallery holds over their popular miniatures exhibit and sale from December. Orisons Art & Framing features the wildlife portraits of K.D. Hafley (pictured). Live musical performances are on tap at the eateries and wineries on the square and over at Hank’s Texas Grill.
• Also during Second Saturday, enjoy the sounds of two bands – “The Patient Patient” and “Taylor Thrash” during the Winter Jam, a fundraiser for New Life Church of McKinney’s College Ministries (at MPAC, 1/14).
• The Four Funny Females (pictured right) return to the Courtroom Theatre at the McKinney Performing Arts Center for the first of three early 2012 shows (1/21).
• The McKinney Community Concert Association presents the 3 Inspirational Tenors at Faubion Middle School (1/7). These are annual membership performances, but call 972-542-2960 prior to the show to see if any tickets might be available.
• And don’t forget! The dinosaurs are still stationed along the nature trails at the Heard Natural Science Museum through Jan. 29. While there, check out the Animal Superheroes indoor exhibit as well.

Here Comes the Bride
McKinney Performing Arts Center will host its second “Walk Down the Aisle of History” Bridal Show (1/21) featuring a wide variety of the vendors and venues that help make McKinney the “Wedding Capital of North Texas.”

Unique Shopping
McKinney’s monthly shopping opportunities are back, of course, with TreasureSpotters being open 1/7-8, and Third Monday Trade Days taking place 1/13-15. (Old Red Lumberyard will not have a January market.)

Go, Dog, GO!
Myers Park & Event Center starts off the year with a full calendar including a livestock show and a handful of dog agility shows. All are free for spectators and a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon with the family, especially those with kids who love animals!

• Collin County Livestock Show (1/4-7)
• Happy Hounds Dog Show (1/14-15)
• Alamo Area Whippet Dog Show (1/21-22)
• Lone Star Poodle Club Dog Show (1/21-22)
• Texas Kennel Club Dog Show (1/28-19)

For more information, visit the Myers Park calendar.

As always, you can learn more about McKinney’s events by visiting VisitMcKinney.com and by downloading our free Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. (For links to the Apple Store and Android Market, click HERE.)

Unique by Nature, Unique by Design

Greetings from McKinney, Texas, and welcome to our first VisitMcKinneyTexas blog! We’re a fast-growing community situated 30 miles north of Dallas. We pride ourselves on our unique qualities: a well-preserved and quite large historic district (over 1400 buildings, both commercial and residential), our parks and open spaces, our “green” initiatives, and our Texas hospitality.

A scene from McKinney's Hometown July 4th parade around the historic downtown square.

From the quaint historic downtown square (complete with courthouse in the center, circa 1875) on our east side to the healthy living and athletic-oriented Craig Ranch area on the west side, McKinney truly offers something for everyone.

Through this blog, we’ll be sharing aspects of our community from the people who know it best – shop owners, wedding planners/venue management, “green” experts, arts community members, restaurateurs, historians, and more. Watch for new entries at first every couple of weeks, and building to weekly as our following grows. Look for upcoming information on McKinney as:

• A growing & thriving arts community including our art galleries, stage productions and live music.
• An eclectic shopping & dining center.
• The wedding capital of north Texas.
• A health-conscious community encouraging personal fitness, athletic competition, and healthy living.

We’re also open to suggestions, so if there is a topic you’d like to see covered in our blog that relates to McKinney, to Texas, or any related topic a visitor to our area would find interesting, please submit it to us and we’ll see what we can do to get the topic covered in the near future.

Thank you for stopping by our new blog, and we look forward to providing you with some information that’ll both inform and entertain you… that’ll help you understand why McKinney isn’t only “Unique by Nature,” but also “Unique by Design.”

For more information about McKinney, go to VisitMcKinney.com.

You can also download a free Smartphone app for iPhone, iPad or Droid by clicking this link: http://tinyurl.com/VisitMcKinneyApp.