Life + Culture

Lifting Lives Together

L.I.F.T. R&R: Connecting People With Resources To Heal, Grow, and Thrive In Collin County Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Provided by L.I.F.T. R&R In the face of unimaginable loss, Rolanda Macharia turned tragedy into a mission of hope. After her husband of 19 years died in 2014, she found herself navigating a new and difficult reality. "With five children to care for and no time to grieve, I faced logistical hurdles while searching for emotional healing. In this process...

Life + Culture

Grassroots Charitable Assistance

Burress Family Foundation: This Nonprofit Enables Donors To Support Community Article by Julie Brown Patton HELPFUL BEGINNINGS Jason Burress, owner/managing partner of Burress Injury Law, with his spouse, Christina, formed Burress Family Foundation in 2022 to extend the outreach to nonprofits and expand the law firm's college scholarship program. The Foundation provides structure, coordination, resources and transparency to its mission. BFF MISSION The hallmark of this giving...

Arts + Culture

Alternative V-Day Snacks

Craving Something Other Than Chocolate Or Strawberries For Valentine's Day? Article by Julie Brown Patton RASPBERRY-LEMON CHEESECAKE Pretty raspberry bites or swirls in creaminess are both stunning, scrumptious. MINI MERINGUE KISSES  Bypass chocolate kisses to provide sweethearts with melt-in-mouth, bite-sized desserts.  CANDIED FIGS Pleasing, chewy treats made by simmering/soaking fresh figs in sugar syrup then drying. WATERMELON HEARTS Cut heart shapes from the middle of...

Arts + Culture

Denizen, Peppy Songwriter-Singer

KellyMarie Spencer Offers Catchy, Vintage-Inspired Melodies From McKinney Article by Julie Brown Patton | Photography by Erin Goodrich "I’ve been scribbling lyrics since I was about 10 years old," confides McKinney resident KellyMarie Spencer. She's the self-proclaimed "girl who wrote an entire album of songs inspired by the TV show The Office ," called 'It Is My Album.' The Office was a mockumentary sitcom television series. KellyMarie says she wrote all the album's songs during the 2020...

Fitness

Ready To Transform?

Body Fit Training Delivers 50-minute Functional Training And Strength-Based Program In McKinney Article by Julie Brown Patton Cardio U. Hyper. XTX. Pump. Balanced. Strength Endurance. Power. Beast Mode. Among these Body Fit Training fitness classes in McKinney are coach-led options that complement various wellness goals. In essence, members indicate it's like having the benefits of personal trainers in a small group setting.  Body Fit Training, located at 7560 State Highway 121, Ste. 300, is...

Fitness

Performance. Character. Community.

D1 Training Prosper Delivers Athletic-Based Fitness With Cutting-Edge Programs, Personalized Support For Athletes Of All Ages Article by Alexis Jacobs D1 Training Prosper, located at 100 S. Preston Road, opened on July 15, 2024, bringing an elite training facility to the heart of the community, marking the arrival of the sports-science-backed fitness concept that’s redefining what it means to train like an athlete. The facility operates under the leadership of Kevin and Jen Hanks, lifelong...

Fitness

Enhance Wellness, Flexibility, Strength, Community Connections

YogaSix McKinney Classes Offered At Two Convenient Locations Article by Alexis Jacobs | Photography by Provided by YogaSix Located in McKinney, YogaSix has become known as a hub for health and wellness in North Texas. With two locations—YogaSix West McKinney, established in August 2020, and YogaSix North McKinney, which opened in January 2023—the franchise's managers say they are redefining the yoga experience to be accessible, interactive and welcoming to all. YogaSix offers six core classes...

Life + Culture

Providing Children Aspirations

Little Hearts Of Hope: Supporting Children During Family Members' Cancer Battles Article by Alexis Jacobs Kerri Steele, founder and executive director of Little Hearts of Hope, understands the emotional impact a family member’s cancer diagnosis can have on children. Through her late husband’s battle with cancer, she says she saw the need for specialized support to help children cope with the fear, anxiety and uncertainty that comes when a parent or sibling battles cancer. LHOH addresses this...

Arts + Culture

'The Voice' Of SongBirdWhite

Kourtney White Experiences America's Beloved Singing TV Contest To Find Best Undiscovered Talent Article by Julie Brown Patton | Photography by DoraMarie Herrera One of McKinney's own singers/songwriters made a new name for herself on the national stage. Kourtney White, 37, impressed celebrity judges of NBC's singing reality competition  The Voice  during her recent trial performance of the show's infamous blind auditions, which aired during October. The show's season 26 judges are Snoop Dog...

Style + Beauty

Jewelry Gift Guide

Griffin: Love Shines While Creating Sparkles That Lasts For Lifetimes Article by Julie Brown Patton As a family-owned store since 1985, Griffin features jewelry designs ranging from classic to contemporary. From their full-service jewelry store in McKinney at 2811 Craig Drive, this staff offers lab diamonds and moissanite, bridal and engagement rings, fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, custom designs, appraisals and on-site repair services, including watches. Griffin Jewelry team members indicate...