Monarchs of McKinney

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The City of McKinney adopted the slogan “Unique by Nature” in 2005. The slogan can be interpreted different ways, and the city encourages that ambiguity with a nod to the unique character of the community as well as its natural assets. These two forces, community and nature, combine in Monarchs of McKinney, a public art program.

Monarchs of McKinney

Posted eight-foot high, the butterflies have a wingspan of four feet and can be found throughout the historic downtown district. Though structurally the same, each butterfly is unique. Tapping into its strong arts community, the city commissioned eight McKinney artists to paint the steel structures as part of its McKinney Monarch Initiative. The result is a public art display that educates as well as entertains.

Artist Lynne Hubner painted her sculpture (Chestnut Square) in butterfly-friendly native plants, and Annie Royer’s butterfly (The Cove) depicts the North American migratory route of monarch butterflies. Monarch butterfly life cycle is portrayed by artist Stuti Mehta on the sculpture at Old Settler’s Recreation Center.  Other sculptures are painted to represent native species. And there is even a sculpture painted in mandalas by a group of artists.

Why Monarchs

McKinney is on the migratory flyway of Monarch butterflies. As the human population has grown in North Texas, habitat and native plants have declined. The McKinney Monarch Initiative hopes to educate the public and encourage use of native plants to help butterflies and other critical pollinators.

Monarch Migration

Beginning in August, you’ll likely notice butterflies along North Texas roadways. This is the annual Fall migration of North American Monarch butterflies on their way to warmer climes in the Oyamel fir trees in central Mexico. Unlike migrating birds, the Monarchs are not returning to a wintering ground. They are making the journey for the first and only time.

Texas Backyard Naturalist Monarch Butterfly

Monarchs born in late summer have a life span of seven to nine months. That’s long enough to journey south, winter over, and then begin the journey back north. In early spring, this generation of Monarchs will make it as far as south Texas to lay eggs in milkweed. The Monarchs born in spring continue their northward journey to Minnesota and other northern states. But unlike their parents and grandparents, the summer Monarchs live only two to eight weeks.  That means the Monarchs you see next Fall will be the great-great grandchildren of the ones you see today!

Monarch Watch is chocked full of information on Monarch butterflies and how you can help in their conservation.

When You Go

Want to see all eight Monarchs of McKinney sculptures? Here are the McKinney butterfly locations:

Roy and Helen Hall Library (101 E Hunt Street)

Chestnut Square (315 S Chestnut Street)

McKinney Performing Arts Center (111 N Tennessee Street)

Central Park (105 W Hunt Street)

Heard-Craig Center for the Arts (205 W Hunt Street)

Chestnut Parking Garage (202 W Chestnut Street)

The Cove (402 N Tennessee Street)

Old Settler’s Recreation Center (1201 E Louisiana Street)

North Texas Star Gazing

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This year’s solar eclipse awakened my inner stargazer. Without a telescope, however, it’s frustrating to see anything but points of light in the night sky. Enter the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas (TAS). Founded in 1955, this amateur astronomy group hosts star parties around the Metroplex most Saturday nights.

TAS Star Party

The star gazing hobbyists set up their personal telescopes at local parks and invite the public.  

At the star party you’ll find several viewing scopes in place at dusk with the party really getting started at dark. Telescopes are positioned on an astronomical body of interest, and everyone is given an opportunity to look. There are even stepstools to help the youngest look through the viewfinders on the massive scopes. TAS members are friendly, fun, and knowledgeable guides. No night sky is the same, with different times of the year featuring slightly different cosmic bodies. What a great opportunity for kids to learn about the night sky and the constellations.

TAS Star Party Locations

The amateur astronomers host viewings at four locations.

Fairview Community Star Party is held on the first Saturday of each month at Sloan Creek Intermediate School (440 Country Club, Fairview). Scopes are set up at the track and field complex east of the school building. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. This star party begins a little later than the rest, at 9pm, and can last past midnight.

Frisco Starfest happens on the second Saturday of each month in Frisco Commons Park (8000 McKinney Road, Frisco). Meet near the park entrance (next to the parking lot). There are some park benches, but you can also bring your own lawn chairs. Frisco Starfest begins at dusk and finishes about 10:30 pm.

Cedar Hill Starbolt occurs on the third Saturday of each month in JW Williams Park (1605 High Pointe Lane, Cedar Hills). This viewing begins about dusk and finishes around 10 pm.

Finally, on the fourth Saturday of the month the Stars on the Rock is held at the Shores Park (2358 Shores Boulevard, Rockwall).

When You Go

Star parties occur year-round but are weather dependent … no star party on cloudy nights. Frisco Starfest and Fairview Community Star Party can be found on Facebook. The TAS calendar and TAS Facebook page can also be helpful. Star parties are come-and-go events and are free.  

North Texas Thrift Stores

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As temperatures soar in North Texas, I’m on the prowl for budget-friendly activities that beat the heat. What’s more fun than a treasure hunt? That’s how I view thrifting expeditions here in the Metroplex. Thrift stores are wonderful ways to augment your wardrobe or find that just-right home accent. You know the saying:  One person’s junk is another’s treasure.

And some people actually do find treasure. Anna Lee Dozier purchased a pottery vase for $3.99 in a thrift store. She later discovered it was a 2,000-year-old Mayan artifact. So, maybe, just maybe, I might spot a treasure yet.

Thrift Life a Pro

A recent Collin College class taught by Diane Novembrino and Carol Wertheimer offered tips for successful thrift store adventures.

Plan your trip

Research a city’s thrift stores with a simple Google search and plan the sequence of your stops to stores near each other. Most establishments have either a website or Facebook page that can be checked in advance of your trip.

Diane recommends going with a list of things you’re looking for including sizes. Unfortunately, most thrift stores do not have changing rooms. If shopping for yourself, dress in a way that allows for trying items on over clothes (e.g., leggings and tank top with an overblouse).

How to Shop

Both Carol and Diane recommend walking the entire perimeter of a store. Diane says she often sees a bargain, like a $.99 picture frame, that wasn’t on her list. Walking the store before shopping is great for that unexpected find, and it also gives you a feel for the store’s layout.

Check for what’s on sale. Yes, even thrift stores have sales, like half-off yellow tags. The stores, whether operated for-profit or a charity, want to move inventory. Their specials are designed to do just that and can yield remarkable savings.

Bring a smartphone. Google Lens is a great tool for thrifters. Use Google Lens to ‘take a picture’ of your potential purchase. The program then displays similar items and their current price. There’s no point purchasing it used, if you can buy it new somewhere else. I’ve also used my phone for help with silver hallmarks and unfamiliar brands.   

North Texas Thrift Stores

Ready to give it a go? Here are some resale stores to get you started. Thrift stores fall into three basic categories: For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Consignment. The Plano stores listed illustrate the basic differences between for-profit and nonprofit resale. The Frisco and Allen stores contrast differences between local nonprofits and big chains like Goodwill. No consignment stores are listed, but those are great to shop if focused on designer clothes, shoes, or handbags. Also, thrift stores can be tailored to a specific audience, like Plato’s Closet, a for-profit chain aimed at teens and young adults.

Plano Thrift Stores

Hope’s Door (2129 W Parker Street, Suite 300, Plano) is a not-for-profit organization that offers support, counseling, and shelter to those impacted by domestic violence. Its resale shop draws donations from service organizations like Plano Junior League and, as such, tends to have some higher quality clothing and household items. Hope’s Door clients can use vouchers to shop, and sales to the general public help finance the Hope’s Door mission. You may pay a higher price here, but it comes with the knowledge your shopping supports a worthwhile organization. I found the store fun, well organized, and with boutique items reasonably priced. They even had a collection of beautiful wedding gowns for $50.

Plaza Thrift (3115 W Parker Rd, Plano) illustrates what you’ll find at many for-profit thrift stores. It’s a larger store with racks and racks of clothing and household items. While some effort is made to sort apparel by size, that effort isn’t always successful. Tags are stapled (yes stapled) to clothing, and great big signs warn that clerks can’t sell any item without a tag. Families frequent the place to buy gently used clothing at a reasonable price. It’s not as fun a shopping experience as Hope’s Door. You definitely will have to hunt more diligently, but bargains can be found like the new men’s dress pants I purchased for $6.99.

Frisco Thrift Stores

Goodwill Frisco (3939 Ohio Dr, Frisco) is a big and relatively new store. I found it clean and easy to shop with clothing separated by size and type. Staff were friendly and helpful. Goodwill has been in the thrift store business for decades. Not only does it use its stores to generate revenue, but stores are also part of its workforce training program. I did score some lovely Talbot cardigans at a nice price, so you can find bargains. But you are unlikely to find an underpriced treasure here. Goodwill not only operates physical stores but also web-based shops. Staff are well-trained to sus out collectibles and offer those items online.

Grace Bridge Resale (9380 Prestmont Pl, Frisco) located across the street from Goodwill Frisco, generates money to support local families with its food bank and community support programs. As a local nonprofit, donations are sold in their store and not siphoned off for online resale like Goodwill. This was one of the few stores I visited that had a large collection of furniture. I found some of their prices high. That said, sales are constant, with deep discounts like half off all furniture.

Allen Thrift Stores

Old strip malls have become exceptional locations for resale stores. That’s the case with the two Allen stores I visited located off Greenville Avenue.

Goodwill Allen (113 N Greenville, Allen) is not as large as the Frisco Goodwill but it does offer the same sort of shopping experience. I mentioned that Goodwill is adept at ferreting out collectibles and selling them online. That works well if you’re searching for things like china and silverplate. These items were once expensive but are no longer desired. Goodwill is savvy enough to know they have limited value in today’s market and price them accordingly. I found a beautiful teapot for $2.99, less than I’d pay for a cup of coffee. If hosting an event, you can find china plates for as little as a dollar each.

ACO Resale Shop (117 N Greenville, Allen) is another community-based nonprofit that supports Allen families in crisis. I enjoyed their store as it combines both a boutique and thrift store experience. Higher quality items are displayed together, and other items have generic pricing. For example, all blazers priced at $4.

When You Go

Go with a friend and make your thrifting expedition a social event. At a minimum, plan a strategic coffee stop or lunch break. Also know your limits. I stop enjoying the experience if I visit too many stores. It’s great to score a few bargains, but more important to have fun.

Museum of the American Railroad In Frisco

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Museum of the American Railroad

People come to see Rexy, the huge Tyrannosaurus Rex sculpture inside the Frisco Public Library. But have you noticed the multi-ton monsters behind the library? They are the engines and railcars that belong to the Museum of the American Railroad.

Museum of the American Railroad History

The 1963 State Fair of Texas served as the catalyst for the museum, with a modest exhibit showcasing an old steam engine and Pullman sleeping car. The collection expanded and became a staple of the State Fair until, in 1986, a permanent Museum of the American Railroad opened.

Most folks are used to visiting museums inside the confines of four walls. The behemoth exhibits for this museum reside outside … on tracks. Three acres at Fair Park were not enough to accommodate the museum’s growing inventory of rolling stock. In 2011, the Museum of the American Railroad accepted an offer from the City of Frisco for a 12.5-acre site and relocated north.

How to Visit the Museum of the American Railroad

The Museum of the American Railroad is a work in progress. The museum envisions a future with fabricated sheds to protect its collection from the punishing Texas sun, and more of its rolling stock refurbished. Today the museum’s inventory numbers over 70 pieces of steam, diesel, passenger, and freight equipment. All this rail stock is housed behind the Frisco Discovery Center on track in a fenced enclosure.

Because of safety and liability issues, no self-guided tours of the outdoor exhibit are allowed. Instead, guided tours are offered three times a day from Wednesday through Saturday. Tours are led by knowledgeable docents with a passion for railroad history. The outdoor tours involve walking about a mile, and closed-toe shoes are recommended. This is not a tour for little kids (children under eight). But if you are a train buff or interested in the history of rail, these tours and the docents are fantastic.

Museum Educational Outreach

The museum publishes a guide of topics and offers instruction onboard some of its refurbished railcars. School and community groups can tailor a program to fit their needs. Through Collin College, I experienced one such program about Pullman and the Pullman Porters. It was a fascinating look at Pullman and the town created in Illinois for workers building the iconic railcars. Equally captivating were stories of the Pullman Porters and their impact on the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Learning history while sitting in an actual Pullman dining car was incredible!

TrainTopia

Train enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy TrainTopia. Located inside the Frisco Discovery Center, this model railroad will take you on a tour with life-like scenes of 1960’s downtown Dallas, Palo Duro canyon, and other Southwest areas.

Hard to imagine, but Steve Sanders built this incredible working G-gauge miniature railroad in his garage! After Sanders died, the ensemble was donated to the museum. With a large donation, the Museum of the American Railroad moved the model train display in its entirety to its permanent location at the Discovery Center.

Be sure to grab a clipboard and see if you can find all the items on your scavenger hunt. This version of I Spy is a great hit with the youngsters. See who can be first to find the ‘the men playing checkers’ or ‘the 2 John Wayne posters.’ The detail and breadth of TrainTopia is phenomenal!

When You Go

The Museum of the American Railroad (8004 North Dallas Parkway, Frisco) conducts guided tours Wednesday through Saturday at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Reservations and tickets can be purchased online. TrainTopia model train exhibit is open Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm and on Sundays 1-5pm. TrainTopia is located inside the Frisco Discovery Center and also serves as the meet up location for those taking the outdoor train tour. Tickets can be purchased for the guided outdoor train tour and TrainTopia individually, or the two experiences, outdoor and model railroad, can be purchased as a combination ticket. There are no dining facilities at the museum, however, multiple restaurants can be found nearby. Free parking is available in the Frisco Discovery Center lot.

Tupps Brewery in McKinney

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Tupps Brewery joins the list of attractions in McKinney’s Historic Mill district. The brewery, known locally for its craft beers, had its start in McKinney in 2009. They moved to their new campus near the Flour Mill this spring. The expanded space, composed of three retrofitted 100-year-old buildings, outdoor stage, and open spaces, allows Tupps to not only serve great beer, but grow as an event venue.

Grain Room Taproom

We started our evening at the Grain Room Taproom. It’s a huge indoor space for those extra hot summer days or spring rains. Tables abound and there are large screens for the sports watch parties hosted at the brewery. If sports aren’t your thing, Tupps has something happening almost every night. Tuesday evening is Music Bingo and Burgers, and Wednesday is Tupps Trivia Night.

Brews and Burgers

Tupps has a full-service kitchen serving what you might expect from a brewery … burgers. The full-grown-man burger is one of those tall creations that challenge the human mouth. Thankfully, knives and forks are available. The food isn’t haute cuisine, but it is good and often unique, like the bacon stout jam used instead of ketchup in the burger. And there are new takes on old favorites like a charcuterie-styled selection with whipped peanut butter dip as its base. Vegetarian options and salads can be found on the menu, too.

Tupps Brewery has automated their food ordering. At each table you’ll find a QR code to scan that takes you to their menu, then make your selections and pay online. Each table is coded, so the servers know where to deliver your food. We were pleasantly surprised at how well this system works. Unfortunately, you will, for obvious reasons, still have to stand in line to order your brew at the bar.

Tupps Outdoor Stage

The outdoor event stage is a welcome addition. Look for weekend performances during spring and summer evenings. There’s no fence around the grounds and no gate admission, so check out Tupps events calendar for some free alfresco music. There are a few limited ‘seats,’ so be sure to bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the tunes.

We visited on a Friday evening and were surprised by the number of kids playing at the brewery. A small Boho market was in full swing, and children took advantage of the ample grassy spaces to run and play. You’ll find corn hole games and even an entire outdoor section for the kiddos. This makes Tupps a great family hang-out, unlike other wineries and breweries with limited kid options.

McKinney’s Historic Mill District

Local Yokel, a long-time McKinney store selling farm fresh meat and eggs, has a fine dining restaurant across the rail tracks from Tupps Brewery. Local Yokel BBQ and Grill (350 E Louisiana) elevates barbeque to haute cuisine and is a great restaurant-styled dining if you want local fare but in a more formal setting.

Grain Silo Art. The most impressive town mural is the McKinney Silo Project and it’s right next door to Tupps Brewery. Guido Van Helten, an Australian artist, took over five months to complete the behemoth project, painting the mural depicting McKinney residents on the sides of 100-foot-tall concrete grain silos. If you haven’t yet visited, be sure to check out the photorealistic artwork. You can find it just north of Tupps Brewery.

When you go

Tupps Brewery is located at 721 Anderson Street. Parking is free but limited in front of the brewery complex. Additional parking is also available just north at the Flour Mill. Right now, navigating the Historic Mill District is challenging with construction everywhere. New buildings are being built and streets improved. Be patient. Once construction is complete, McKinney’s Historic Mill District likely will rival The Silos in Waco, with Tupps Brewery anchoring the district.