Category Archives: *- Features

True Value Hardware Store opens

Leave a reply

Story and all photos by Mary Jane Farmer, Scene In Town

After many months of tirelessly making the property compliant with city ordinances, of choosing which hardware provider would be used, and building a new building on the two acres the family owns, the Van Alstyne True Value Hardware Store opened its doors Monday.
And it was a good opening, with hundreds of people attending, either to make purchases or to just get a good look at this highly-anticipated retail store. Family met each shopper at the door, welcoming them with smiles and tours.
The hardware store is locally-owned and operated by Gerald and Jahron Strother, their daughter Amanda, and her husband,   .
Choosing True Value as supplier over the other options was based on the company’s policy of allowing their stores to decide what they will stock.
The store is resplendent with not only construction-type hardware, but also with (among other things) barbeque, yard and garden, pet, crafts, pool, farm animal feed, and fishing equipment and supplies. True to the ladies’ desire, there is even a section available for their home-preserved and baked items. That section can expand, and much of it was sold on the first-day open.
The Van Alstyne True Value Hardware Store is at 330 E Van Alstyne Parkway, which is the corner of Van Alstyne Parkway and N. Main Drive. They will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Fridays, and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Amanda said they haven’t yet decided if they will be open Sundays. They do accept debit and credit cards, checks with ID, and yes, even cash. The owners are willing to set up charge accounts.

One can go onto Facebook — Van Alstyne True Value, for updates on that and other information. The phone number is 972-658-4234.

J.D. Shelburne honored

Leave a reply

J.D. Shelburne, Courtesy Photo

Press release from 2911 Media, Courtesy photo

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music singer/songwriter J.D. Shelburne has been named by Texas Roadhouse as May’s ‘Artist of the Month’ nationwide. His latest single, “Straight From Kentucky,” which he wrote with Phil O’Donnell and Tyler Booth, will be featured in all 587 locations, seen by over 20,000 guests at each store every month. Former Artists of the Month include John Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Granger Smith, Kenny Chesney, Kacey Musgraves, Justin Moore, George Strait and others.

“We are excited to have J.D. on board as our Artist of the Month for May,” says Travis Doster, VP of Communications for Texas Roadhouse. “We are also proud to continue the tradition of promoting rising country stars and letting our guests listen to great music, while enjoying a great meal.”

“As a long-time fan of the Texas Roadhouse brand, I’m so excited to be featured as the May Artist of the Month! This will be my first nationwide promotion. I am thrilled to know that when people dine-in at nearly 600 restaurants nationwide, they will get to hear my music and hopefully become fans. This is another great achievement in my career. I am so excited to be featured by Texas Roadhouse” said Shelburne.

In addition to being the Texas Roadhouse Artist of the Month, Shelburne was selected to be on the cover of the 2020 Kentucky Tourism Guide and was recently featured on the cover of the Kentucky Living Magazine’s April Edition. This well-known magazine will be sent out to 460,000 homes and will instill Shelburne’s admirable sense of state pride in the hearts of many. Along with being featured, Shelburne is one of three finalists in ‘Kentucky Living Magazine’s 2020 Best in Kentucky Awards’ for the category, Kentucky Musician/Band.

To vote for Shelburne as best Kentucky Musician in the ‘Kentucky Living Magazine 2020 Best in Kentucky Awards’ click here.

As one of Nashville’s most popular honky tonks, ‘Ole Red’ has announced that Shelburne has been picked to be a part of their new social distancing series ‘Quarantunes.’ This is a self isolation playlist that features artists that frequently perform live at Ole Red including Blake Shelton, Gwen Stafani, Sundance Head, Ryan Griffin, Ricochet, Rae Lynn, Craig Wayne Boyd, The Swon Brothers, Vince Gill and more.

To listen to the Quarantunes playlist, visit here.

Shelburne has been working nonstop in the studio to bring fans new “windows down” country tunes for the upcoming months. His new album, produced by Phil O’Donnell, will be released in the Summer of 2020. The release will be celebrated back in his hometown ​with a FREE show for fans in Taylorsville, Ky. on Saturday, Aug. 8. This stand out country artist proves his genuine grit and dedication by continuing to keep the music alive for fans.

About J.D. Shelburne:
Nashville-based country music artist J.D. Shelburne was raised on a tobacco farm in Taylorsville, Ky, just outside of Louisville. When J.D. was 19, he found a guitar after the death of his grandmother. He quickly learned how to play it, and began writing and singing songs on his own. By his sophomore year of college, he had found a few gigs at some local bars in Louisville & Lexington area venues, developing a large base of fans along the way.

Fast forward to today, J.D.’s latest album Two Lane Town, is building upon his blossoming career as a modern country singer, songwriter and performer. His debut single and video for “One Less Girl” world premiered on CMT in 2018, and then went on to become a Top 30 Music Row charted song at country radio. CMT again world premiered his second song and video for “She Keeps Me Up Nights” in April of 2019, which peaked at #3 of their 12 Pack countdown series.

At the close of 2019, Shelburne joined international superstars like Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish on BandsInTown’s year-end fan favorites list — for playing more shows in 2019 than any other artist on their social networking platform! A global accomplishment for a country boy from rural Kentucky.

About Texas Roadhouse:
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993 and has more than 580 locations in 49 states and nine countries. The family-friendly restaurant is famous for hand-cut steaks, made-from-scratch sides, fresh-baked bread, and a lively atmosphere. In 2018, Texas Roadhouse was named one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes. Texas Roadhouse was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Customer Service restaurants in the Casual Dining category in 2019. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.

Don McClean offers guitar tips

Leave a reply

Don McLean, 2010, Photo by ShakeFrog

Press release from Jeremy Westby promotions

Nashville, Tenn – Songwriter Hall of Fame member and BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Don McLean continues to be creative, even in times of quarantine. McLean, always wanting to help others, took to his iPhone and made a very special video showcasing unique tips and techniques on playing the guitar, songwriting and live performances. Teaming with USA Today, this exclusive video release is available by clicking here:  Don McLean YouTube Channel.

As social distancing continues, this is the perfect video for anyone looking to gain knowledge of the music industry, songwriting process, or simply desiring entertainment from a lyrical legend. As part of the nearly 30-minute video, fans and aspiring artists will not only enjoy learning historical facts about Don’s career, they will also learn many helpful tools that take a lifetime to craft through success, failure and everything in between.

“I always get asked how I play certain notes on the guitar,’ said McLean. “I figured since I have some downtime I might as well help show all those people who have asked over the years how I do it and it was pretty fun actually.”

About Don McLean:
Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a Top 5 song of the 20th Century.

A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air,” and many others. His songs have been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, Weird “Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding.

Now in 2020, Don signed a recording contract with Time Life to release his catalog of recordings the new album Still Playin’ Favorites, which will be released in the fall. “American Pie” will be featured in the Avengers Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie BIOS and much more to be announced.

And when you think things are slowing down, not so for Don McLean! 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of “American Pie” with a World Tour to follow.

To keep up with everything Don McLean and to be a part of his upcoming releases visit his website and follow his social channels linked here.  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
 

Welcome Newcomers

Leave a reply

Library Director Judy Kimzey addresses the Welcome Newcomers crowd at its first (January) meeting.

First printed in the Van Alstyne Leader, 2.7.20 edition. This month’s  Welcome Newcomers gathering is at 6 p.m., Wednesday, February 26, at City Hall. And please go to the Facebook “Van Alstyne Newcomers” and give it a like to keep up.

Mary Jane Farmer, For the Van Alstyne Leader

Van Alstyne newcomers and longtimers met over coffee to get acquainted with one another in a welcoming atmosphere.

Numerous newcomers joined Van Alstyne Steve Riley and city officials for coffee and a feast of donuts and other delicacies January 29 for the first of an on-going “Welcome Newcomers” gatherings at City Hall.

Resident Judy Womack led the introductions, first introducing Riley. He explained that the current city council is “a really good council. They have the hearts in them for the work.” Riley added that with the rapid growth coming, the “town is really involving and the population may double in the next couple of years.”

Judy Kimzey, library director, explained the programs the library offers for people of all ages. Police Chief Tim Barnes told the crowd about its yearly National Night Out celebration, “it brings out between 800-1,000 people every great. We put the family and community first.”

Andy Albertini, who moved his family here from McKinney, said they wanted to get away from the hustle of the bigger city. They were looking at building a home when a contract fell through on a new house near Sanford Park, and they grabbed it up. His daughter is in Van Alstyne Middle School, and his son commutes to Collin County College. His wife works in McKinney and “the commutes work well for us.” His daughter, he said has a ‘friend group’ at school and they all have made friends with neighbors. “People call us by name when we walk into the pharmacy and the post office. I grew up in a small town and this feels more like home.”

Myra Hammonds and her husband, Walt, from to Van Alstyne from California about five weeks before the Newcomers Gathering and live in Greywood Heights. He’s a retired pastor and she’s a retired librarian.

“We have already connected with the (public) library and met Judy (Kimzey). We have already read two history books, and learned that the Boy Scouts here are the third oldest troop in the state and that, in 1889, a college opened in town.” They have been visiting churches before settling in but believe now that they know what church they will make their home. “We want to be involved,” Hammonds said. “It’s the spirit of the people we like best, the friendliness and openness of this town. We want to meet people. This is a good example of the warmth of the people — this get-together. I like to hug and the people here, when they get to know you, they hug.”

The next Welcome Newcomers gathering will be at 6 p.m., February 26, at City Hall.

 

New playground equipment

Leave a reply

View from the front entranceMary Jane Farmer / Scene In Town / Courtesy photos

The city has purchased this playground set for McKinney-Wilson Park, aka East Park, just off of East Jefferson (FM 121) at Ball Park Way.

A quick glimpse of the side view gives one the impression of an alien, and a close look at the same side view shows small alien images on the silver-colored play area, ideal for sparking imagination in school-age children. It includes four slides, climbers and stairs, bridges and tunnels, and a play deck.

City Manager Lane Jones said the playground equipment is scheduled for delivery in late February, but he has yet to select an installer. He plans to have this in place and ready for blast-off in March, along with park benches and a new trash receptacle.