OurCelina - October 2019 by 4CMEDIAGROUP

OCTOBER 2019 | OurCelina.com

OurCelina.com | October 2019

Letter From The Publishers

When it's 95 degrees outside every day, it's sometimes hard to remember it is Fall. But Bobcat football, Celina Homecoming and Celina Oktoberfest mean fall is definitely upon us!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Celina Oktoberfest on October 12th in the beautiful Celina square. We are also excited

about the first ever Beware! Of the Square event happening! You can find all the details for both of these events right here inside this issue of OurCelina.

Once again, we thank you for your never-ending support and your encouragement as we share with you our Celina heart!

From our Bobcat Family to Yours,

Jimmy, Renee, Chase, Colby & Camden www.OurCelina.com

Make sure to folllow us on social media to stay up-to-date on all the happenings in Celina www.facebook.com/ourcelina

www.twitter.com/ourcelina

We are proud to be members of the Celina Chamber of Commerce, Preston Trail Rotary Club, Celina PTA, Celina Project Graduation and to serve on the Celina Main Street Advisory Board and Celina Community Development Board.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

Table of CONTENTS FEATURED

Stepping Forward with Cole & Patience; a story of inspiration and hope.

Published By 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC Editorial & Design Renee Marler Renee@4cMediaGroup.com Production Jimmy Marler James@4cMediaGroup.com Contributing Writers Renee Marler | Jill Roza | Lisa Ferguson

Letter from the Publishers

Stepping Forward with Cole & Patience

Celina Main Street

CISD Calendar - October 2019

16-17

Celina Oktoberfest

October 2019 VOL 2, Issue 9

14-15

From the Office of Mayor Sean Terry School Zone: Celina ISD

Celina HS Veterans Day Celebration

BancorpSouth Partners with CISD

26-27

Celina History: The Gins

Celina Homecoming 30 31

Celina Public Library Library Calendar

Contributing Art & Photography 4CMEDIAGROUP Renee Marler | Jimmy Marler | Natalie Roberson Photography Tishtrya Cama | Gina Overstreet | Univ. of Arkansas Editorial Submissions Please send editorial considerations to Renee@4CMEDIAGROUP.com Advertising Information Contact us at

214.592.7512

or email us at Renee@4CMEDIAGROUP.com Visit our website at www.4CMEDIAGROUP.com OurCelina 114 N. Ohio, Suite 100, Celina, TX 75009 214.592.7512 | www.OurCelina.com A 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC Publication

On The Cover Celina Oktoberfest Graphic Design by Gina Overstreet with Overstreet Creative

OurCelina.com | October 2019

All material published by 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC Â© 2017 (either in the magazine and/or the website), including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is subject to our terms and conditions. All material published by 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC (either in the magazine and/or the website), including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers. Distribution area may vary at the discretion of 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC. No part of the magazine or this website may be reproduced without the prior written consent of 4CMEDIAGROUP, LLC.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

Stepping Forward with Cole & Patience Cole Ingrum, a student at Celina O’Dell Elementary School, was in terrible accident 2 days before Christmas in 2017. Cole was struck by a truck, and care-flighted to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. He underwent immediate surgery and, unfortunately, the bottom part of his right leg was so severely damaged that it had to be amputated. In a split second, their families lives were forever changed. Fast forward to today and Cole is an energetic, vibrant young boy with a witty sense of humor who loves to play football.

Upon graduating from the University of Arkansas, Patience moved to Arizona and took up competitive adaptive snowboarding. She advanced to the finals after placing 1st in the Giant Slalom women’s adaptive snowboard category. As Ceci and Patrick spoke to Carolyn, they mentioned that Patience did motivational speaking now. They discussed at some point bringing Patience out to speak at the school.

O’Dell principal Stacy Ceci and counselor Ruth Ann Patrick were speaking with Cole’s mother, Carolyn, last spring and Ceci mentioned that her daughter had gone to college with Patience Beard. Carolyn knew exactly who Patience Beard was as they had watched her success story at Scottish Rite hospital, where Cole was being treated.

Last month, Patience flew into Celina and shared her story with the students and faculty at O’Dell Elementary.

Patience was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a non-hereditary disease of the hip and femur bone that leaves one leg shorter than the other. Her case was severe enough to require amputation of her left leg before her first birthday, and another surgery in the third grade that left her in a full body cast for eight months.

After the presentation, Cole and his family were able to meet with Patience one-on-one to compare funny stories and encouraging words. Before she left, Patience asked to pray with Cole, Carolyn and Caden, Cole’s brother.

With her parents encouragement, and a great deal of self-confidence, Patience began gymnastics at age four and joined her first

cheerleading squad in seventh grade. Patience went on to try out for the University of Arkansas cheer squad…and made it!

OurCelina.com | October 2019

Patience told the students, “We all face obstacles in our lives but you have to work hard and go for those dreams, no matter how farfetched they may seem at the time.”

“It was truly such a blessing to meet her, and I left feeling like surely God had orchestrated the whole thing. It is my deep hope to we are able to one day do for a family what she did for us yesterday,” said Carolyn.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

From The Office of Mayor

Sean Terry

As much as we say that we want Celina to maintain its small-town feel, its neighborly friendliness, and its sense of community, there is no better or more convincing evidence that we are indeed being true to that commitment than in how we all come together to celebrate the high school football team’s annual homecoming game. The pomp and circumstance of homecoming week is a throwback to when the first homecoming games were played almost a century ago. The tradition actually started in the college ranks as schools would welcome their teams back home after one or two away games. Slowly, over the years, the tradition gained wide fame as more and more schools picked up the practice of making the “homecoming game” the highlight of their fall. In Celina, the tradition is alive and well, and actually pretty infectious as it seemed like the entire City was caught up in the spirit of homecoming. In addition to the ubiquitous orange and white ribbons on poles and trees, store windows were festooned with best wishes for the team. Creative homecoming dance invitations from anxious boys to at-times surprised girls tested the imagination and originality of students. This year’s parade was among the best I can remember. The real magic, however, was saved for Bobcat stadium as the team simply overwhelmed Sanger 63-7. Homecoming this year was truly an all-encompassing success for the school and the City. The cooperative spirit between the City and the school showed a deep sense of civic pride for Celina. On the construction front, there’s still a lot going on. For the past two years, the City has been working on major upgrades to the water transmission system. Recently, we completed the first two phases of the system upgrade. These include the construction of almost 22,000 feet of 36” water line that begins at the Celina Road Pump Station and extends to the Downtown Pump Station. Residents have consistently expressed concerns about the lack of water pressure on the east side of Preston Road. That was because of the existing 18” water line that served the entire city. The new water line has increased the City’s ability to receive water from Upper Trinity Regional Water System by over 100 percent. The additional capacity is anticipated to provide Celina with enough capacity to serve existing and future Celina residents for approximately 5-7 years. The next phase of the transmission line begins at the Downtown pump station and extends an additional waterline to the east side of the City. The third phase is currently under construction and is anticipated to be completed in November 2019. This connection will be used to create a stronger water supply for residents on the east side of Preston Road and will help fill the new elevated storage tank which is also under construction along Coit Road. Finally, don’t forget to join us for the inaugural “Beware of the Square.” It’s set for Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Downtown Square. Backed by Halloween-themed music, businesses along the historic square will provide plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters while a bounce house and obstacle course will be open for free play. Zombies and other ghoulish dancers will be challenged to learn the choreographed steps of Michael Jackson’s popular “Thriller” video. Costumes are highly encouraged, of course, and participants with carved jack-o-lanterns or decorated pumpkins can bring them along for placement as part of a display and backdrop for attendee photos.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

See you on the Square…if you dare on October 26, 2019 from 6-10pm for the Inaugural Beware! Of The Square Event. This free family-friendly invites the young and young at heart dress in costume and visit various merchants and retailers along the square for free goodies. A haunted house by the Celina Theater Department, jack o’lantern walk, Thriller dance lessons, a free showing of “Goosebumps” (PG) and more at this family friendly event. For information on volunteering or participating see our website at www.celina-tx.gov/downtownevents or contact mmcgraw@celina-tx.gov or rbarton@celina-tx.gov.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

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Celina Independen

SCHOOL ZONE

From The Desk of Rick DeMasters It has been said that October is a symphony of permanence and change. The meaning behind that quote originally was coined to remind us that while many things remain unchanged, the month of October visually changes our outlook as we say goodbye to the summer and welcome the beauty that fall brings. The quote can also speak to our district in that the quality of our educational programs remain unchanged, but our physical surroundings will be undergoing significant transformation starting in just a few weeks. The first of many construction projects will begin during the month of October. Celina Elementary School will start construction on an additional educational wing, which will match the total capacity with that of O’Dell Elementary and our future elementary campuses. The campus will also acquire more parking and playground equipment similar to our existing elementary campus. Upgrades inside and out will be included during the construction phase. At this same time, our baseball and softball complex will break ground at Celina High School. The fields will be located behind the Athletic Complex and will include locker rooms that will house our baseball, soccer and softball players. Restrooms and concessions will also be included on the build. Additional parking will be added that will not only serve baseball and softball fans, but will be used for other sporting and non-sporting events at the complex. The district is in the process of acquiring land for future sites and will begin working with architects to design our new campuses that will address the growth that continues to come our way. The month of October will also bring two days off for our students. On Monday, October 14th, Celina ISD will be closed for Fair Day, which allows our faculty and families to enjoy the State Fair of Texas and all the fun that comes from a visit to the fairgrounds. We also will be closed on Monday, October 28th for Professional Development for our CISD Faculty and Staff. Our calendar continues to fill up with programs and events. To keep current on the latest happenings around the district, click on the calendar link and you will be able to scroll through each month. For your convenience, all of our campuses are color coded, so it is even easier to find events and programs for specific campuses. If you use Facebook, our district and campuses all have pages that will keep you in the know, so that you won’t miss out on the great things that are happening each and every day. It doesn’t seem possible that we are entering the month of October and before we know it, the end of the year will be upon us. Looking from the outside, one will see the changes that construction will bring, but taking a glimpse inside our classrooms, you will witness the amazing work taking place each day. As we take in the beauty of what October brings, we find comfort that even in seasons of change, our faculty and staff are laying down the foundation that will continue to support our students on their road to success. 14

OurCelina.com | October 2019

nt School District October 2019 Campus Calendar Celina Primary SCHOOL

Celina ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

October 2 College Awareness Day

October 4 FCA Meeting October 7 Gifted & Talented Deadline October 21 Book Fair Begins 4th Grade Music Program October 22 Parental Involvement Night October 23 Pastries with Parents (A-L) Special Olympics - Bocce October 24 Pastries with Parents (M-Z) October 28 Parent/Teacher Conferences November 1 Fall Festival

O’DELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL October 2 College Shirt Day October 4 FCA Meeting October 17 O'Dell Principals Coffee October 18 O'Dell GT Testing October 28 O'Dell Parent Involvement Conferences November 1 O'Dell PTA Family Movie Night

Oct 14 Student/Teacher Holiday • Oct 28 Student Holiday

CELINA 6th Grade CENTER October 2 College Shirt Day October 3 KNOT Club October 8 Pep Rally October 17 Yearbook Club Meeting KNOT Club October 21 6th Grade/JH Band Showcase October 24 KNOT Club October 29 Principal's Coffee

CELINA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL October 2 College Shirt Day October 7 Bass Fishing Meeting October 16 7th Grade Field Trip October 21 6th Grade/JH Band Showcase

CELINA HIGH SCHOOL October 21 CHS Project Graduation Meeting October 26 Nightmare on the Hill October 31 Nightmare on the Hill - November 2

Celina ISD Calendar can be found online at: Building For The Future In Prestigious School Districts https://www.celinaisd.com/calendar/ CELINA ISD | PROSPER ISD

REEKS of EGACY OurCelina.com | October 2019

CENTURIONAMERICAN.COM

Entertainment options abound at Celina Oktoberfest

What do you get when you mix live polka music and a bratwurst-eating competition with costume contests and college football? Why, that’s Oktoberfest -- Celina style. The city’s second-annual celebration of all things German is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 in the city’s historic downtown square, at West Walnut and North Ohio Streets in Celina. Kicking off with a ceremonial tapping of the keg and traditional toast, this family friendly event will feature a slate of fun activities including entertaining performances, a tempting assortment of food and beverage options, shopping opportunities and more. Returning this year are the popular Dachshund Derby dog races, as well as authentic German costume contests and Chicken Dance circles for children and adults. A free Kids’ Zone will feature bounce houses, seasonal cookie- and pumpkin-decorating activities, a workshop sponsored by Home Depot and opportunities for youngsters to interact with magical unicorn ponies. Get your prost on (the German phrase for Cheers!) inside the expansive biergarten that is open to those ages 21 and over, where a beer stein-holding contest and beer pong tournaments are scheduled. Nodding to the city’s longstanding tradition of championship-winning high school football, the day’s top college-gridiron matchups will be presented on a massive LED screen that will be set up in the square. Those attending Celina Oktoberfest needn’t worry about missing a moment of the exciting action. “Celina and football go hand in hand, so of course we’ve incorporated it into our celebration,” explained Melissa Cromwell, president of the Greater Celina Chamber of Commerce which produces the event that is sponsored by Landmark Bank. “It’s just one of the things that sets Celina Oktoberfest apart from other Fall festival in Texas.” More than two dozen merchandise vendors will set up shop at Celina Oktoberfest, with a variety of authentic German goods as well as handmade items and other interesting products available for shoppers. Be sure to visit the quaint boutiques and other local retailers located on Celina’s downtown square, which will be open and offering exclusive sales and specials during the event. Live music and dance performances are scheduled during Celina Oktoberfest around the square and on the main stage throughout the day and into the evening. Dallas-based Imperial Brass is a traveling quartet that has released a half-dozen full-length recordings during its two-decade history. Its talented tuba and clarinet players will mingle with Celina Oktoberfest crowds as part of its high-spirited sets. Also hailing from North Texas, The Royal Klobasneks are dedicated to preserving the traditional American polka that was popular during the 1920s through ‘40s. Its repertoire also includes waltzes, schottisches, two-steps and fox trots. “Our audiences appreciate that our music is geared equally toward listening and/or dancing, and that there is something for everyone,” explained lead vocalist and accordion extraordinaire Matt Tolentino. Established in 1979, Texanischer Schuhplattler Verein D’Holzar is the oldest German-style dance troupe in Dallas. Its steppers are volunteers who don native costumes of the Oberallgäu region of southwestern Bavaria while performing historic folkdances. Auf Geht’s Musik is also set to take the Celina Oktoberfest stage. The group’s classically trained members have toured throughout the U.S. and Europe, performing Alpine- and western-style yodeling as well as playing unusual instruments including the musical handsaw and alpenhorn, a long, wooden horn favored by mountain dwellers in the Swiss, Austrian, Bavarian and French Alps. Back by popular demand, Celina Oktoberfest headliners The Dogensteins formed in 2016. The quintet has since become a fixture at festivals throughout North Texas and beyond. Its dynamic players transform rock, pop, country, metal and new-wave chart-toppers into crowd-pleasing polkas, rollicking waltzes and traditional Texas shuffles. “One of our main (goals) is getting … polka music out there,” said Wes Kucera, drummer for The Dogensteins. “To take songs that people recognize and change them to a polka or a waltz, that’s really kind of cool.” “We’re thrilled to offer top-notch, nonstop entertainment at Celina Oktoberfest,” Cromwell said. “Whether you’re on the square or in the biergarten, from start to finish, there will be music and activities for everyone to enjoy.” Celina Oktoberfest will be presented rain or shine. General admission tickets are $5 per person. Children age 12 and under will be admitted free, as will any attendee who wears a traditional German lederhosen or dirndl costume to the festival. Tickets are available now at https://celinaoktoberfest.com/, as well as at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-celina-oktoberfest-tickets-67926157967. Same-day tickets will be sold at the gate (cash only). Alcoholic-drink tickets ($1 each) will be available at the ticket booth during the festival (four tickets for a 12-ounce beer; six tickets for 16 ounces). Commemorative, half-liter beer steins ($10) can be purchased and used at Celina Oktoberfest or kept as a souvenir.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

Free parking and shuttles will be at Celina High School, 3455 N. Preston Road, and at Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy Celina, 675 Sunset Blvd. Limited free parking also will be available adjacent to the square at West Pecan Street and North Louisiana Drive. Paid parking ($20) will be located at the Celina ISD Administration Building, 205 S. Colorado St.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

GENERAL TIMES 11:00am - Gates Open/Kids Zone Open 11:15am - Tapping of the Keg and Toast 2:00pm - Bratwurst Eating Competition 3:00pm - Kids German Costume Contest 4:00-5:30pm - Dachshund Derby 4:00-7:00pm - Cake Walk** 7:00pm - Adults German Costume Contest 8:00pm - Kids Zone Closes 9:30pm - Bar Sales Close 10:00pm - Event Ends HOURLY KID ACTIVITIES 11:00-12:30pm - Pumpkin Decorating 1:00-2:30pm - Cookie Decorating 4:00-5:30pm - Home Depot Workshop 6:00-7:30pm - Pumpkin Decorating BIERGARTEN ACTIVITIES 12:00pm - Stein Holding Contest *** 3:00-7:00pm - Beer Pong Tournament*** ***Must be 21 Years of Age to Enter ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP 11:30-1:00pm - Imperial Brass (Traveling Tuba Quartet) Imperial Brass (Clarinet Trio)** 1:30-3:30pm - The Royal Klobasneks 3:00-4:30 - Imperial Brass** 4:00-4:30pm - Texanischer Schuhplattler Verein 5:00-6:45pm - Auf Gehts Musik 7:30-10:00pm - The Dogensteins ** Inside of Two 29 on the Square

For additional information and updates about Celina Oktoberfest, visit www.celinaoktoberfest.com. You can also follow @CelinaOktoberfest on Facebook, and @celina_oktoberfest on Instagram.

OurCelina.com | October 2019

You are invited to a VETERANS DAY Three years ago, Celina High School hosted their first Veterans Day Celebration. On Thursday, November 7th, they will once again host this beautiful program for our community. Many memories have been made and friendships have blossomed making this annual event one that not only the veterans look forward to attending each year, but it also holds a special place in the hearts of our students and faculty members at Celina High School. Last year, we hosted close to two hundred veterans and their families from our community and throughout the metroplex. We have raised thousands of dollars for charities and provided a much needed home to a wounded veteran. The event has brought our community together to honor and support those that answered the call to protect our country. In order to put on a program such as this, we have been incredibly blessed over theyears with sponsors that allow us to continue this November tradition. From food to marketing, your donation goes directly to providing a program worthy of those we honor. If you and/ or your business would like to be a part of this wonderful celebration, the sponsorship levels are as follows;

Above $500 - Gold Level $500 - Red Level $250 - Blue Level $100 - White Level Veterans are invited to a Breakfast Reception starting at 8:00am in the Celina High School Library. The community-wide program will begin at 10:15am in the CHS Comp tition Gymnasium. From the red, white, and blue decorations to the fellowship shared between soldiers, it is a day filled with hugs, fanfare, tears, music and pure joy. Please join us for this special program to honor those that have and are presently serving this great country and for those that paid the ultimate price for ensuring our freedoms. God Bless Our Veterans!

Celebration Please join us for our annual Veterans Day Program November 7, 2019 8:00am - 11:30am Celina High School Library

For more information, please contact Kelly Babb at 469-742-9102 or kellybabb@celinaisd.com OurCelina.com | October 2019

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OurCelina.com | October 2019

BancorpSouth Signs Naming-Rights Deal for Video Board at New Celina ISD Bobcat Field BancorpSouth Bank (NYSE: BXS) announced that it is the naming rights partner of the video board for the new Celina ISD Bobcat Field. The new football stadium is built on the Celina High School campus, and the 6' x 8' video board will display the logo for BancorpSouth. Texas Star Bank, which completed its merger with BancorpSouth on September 1, originally initiated the naming rights agreement for the stadium’s video board. “We are always looking for ways to invest in the communities that we serve, and we believe that this partnership will positively impact the school system and its young athletes,” said BancorpSouth President - Grayson County, Texas Market Randle Jones. “The Celina ISD Bobcat Field is a great addition to our community, and we’re excited to provide our support as we continue to offer financial education and opportunities to local residents.” The bank has a 10-year naming rights agreement for the video board. BancorpSouth signage will be constructed above the video board, located at the top of the video display, on or before September 19, 2019. Celina ISD is so fortunate to have such a great partner as BancorpSouth in supporting our youth and carrying on the support given by Texas Star Bank throughout the years. Thank you very much! Go Bobcats! For more information about the Celina ISD and its new football stadium, visit celinaisd.com.

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OurCelina.com | October 2019

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OurCelina.com | October 2019

Ryolin Wyatt and Roy Kilglesmith were involved with The Co-Op Gin. Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area Heritage Association

Recalling Celina’s Cotton Gins By: Lisa Ferguson

At various times during its history, Celina was home to several cotton gins. In fact, cotton ginning was one of the city’s leading industries. According to accounts included in the book Reminiscences of Celina, available at the Celina Area Heritage Museum, as well as a 1976 news article penned by Mrs. Roy Klinglesmith, the first area gin was constructed in 1888 by F.M. Tidwell and Son in “Old Celina.” The Tidwell Gin, as it was called, was powered by a steam-engine threshing machine. In the early 1900s, the residents and businesses of Celina began relocating two miles north to be closer to the railroad. The gin was one of the first businesses to make the move (to land that is now occupied by Martinek Grain and Bins near East Ash Street and South Oklahoma Drive). Serving as managers and ginners prior to the gin’s closing in the early 1950s were Andy and Johnny Roller, Joe Lee Tate and N.A. Dodson. Tidwell, who at one time also owned a hardware store in Celina, died in April 1911. He was laid to rest at Cottage Hill Cemetery beside his wife, Martha Jane (Marshall) Tidwell, who passed away a decade later. J.M. Cunningham and Son were the team behind the second gin to set up shop in Celina, aptly named The Cunningham Gin. The pair resided in the community of Mustang where The former H.C. Ritchey Gin closed in 1968. Its they owned another gin. It merged with the Sid Finley gin that operated in the nearby former building is located directly behind the Bobcat Kuntry store on East Pecan Street. Photo community Roseland. The Celina gin was built on Highway 289 North. On the site, the credit: Lisa Ferguson. elder Cunningham built the cotton house, which was made of concrete, as well as an office. Its managers and ginners included Cal Stewart, John Moore and Lester Thurman. Following the January 1939 death of J.M. Cunningham (who is buried at Old Celina Cemetery), the gin was sold to Kimbell Oil Mill. The place was managed by Alex Glendenning “until it burned and was closed.” It was the 1910 opening of a local feed grinding mill by B.F. Gearhart that resulted in the establishment of Celina’s third cotton gin. Mr. Gearhart had moved from Tennessee to Texas with his mother in 1867. They later settled in Celina, and in 1879 he married Alice O’Brien. The couple built a home here two years later. Their family, which included eight children, lived in the house for more than four decades. Mr. Gearhart, who bought and sold horses and cattle for a living during his early days in the city, was a founder of the local Church of Christ and was often seen riding around Celina on a large black horse. In 1912, Mr. Gearhart sold the feed grinding mill to Huey Roberts, “who organized it into a Farmer’s Cotton Gin.” The place was later sold to Johnny Stiles and Jess Weaver before it burned down in 1927, two years after Mr. Gearhart’s death in March

OurCelina.com | October 2019

A newspaper ad for the Cunningham Gin in Celina. Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area Heritage Association

1925. Mrs. Gearhart followed in June 1943. Both are buried at Old Celina Cemetery. A farmer’s stock gin was the fourth gin organized in Celina in 1924, on what is now Beech Street across from the former GBR Smith Mill and Elevator Scales. In fact, “The gin used the flour mill’s scales,” which also were later utilized by the Celina Sanitation Department. Jim Meachum was first to manage the gin before leaving to go to work at the Burris Mill located in Dallas. “I.M. Logan was left with controlling stock,” which was later sold to Kimbell Oil Mill. Homer Merritt, who had Faye Smith was among the managers of The Co-Op Gin in previously served as the gin’s bookkeeper, was Celina. Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area named manager, a position he held until resigning Heritage Association to open Case Implement House here in 1948. The gin was managed by Leon Howard and Tommy Joe Norris before it burned sometime around 1950. The gin was later rebuilt by Harvey Ritchey and renamed the H.C. Ritchey Gin. It was managed by Alex Glendenning, who had previously managed the former Cunningham Gin after it was purchased by the Kimbell Oil Mill. Glendenning managed the gin until his 1959 death. Roy Klinglesmith began serving as manager that year and remained in the position until the gin closed in 1968. Its former building still stands and is located directly behind the Bobcat Kuntry store on East Pecan Street.

A newspaper ad for the H.C. Ritchey Gin in Celina. Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area Heritage Association

Organized in 1950, the Celina Cooperative Gin Association was founded by a group of “interested farmers” who gathered at the former Celina school building (now the Celina ISD administrative building) on South Colorado Street. The gin was located on the site of the former Cunningham Gin. It remains standing today as part of the complex that houses D&L Farm and Home, at 811 N. Louisiana Dr. Among the first directors of The Co-Op Gin, as it was known, were H.A. Kinney, L.N. Cox, Claud Loftice, John Stambaugh, Jack Hill, W.O. Rolater and Raymond Huddleston. Homer Merritt, who had previously managed the former farmer’s stock gin, was appointed manager. Owned and operated by farmers, at one time The Co-Op Gin boasted 73 common stockholders as well as assets totaling more than $219,000. The first bale of cotton was ginned there on August 23, 1951. The best season was in 1953, when some 4,000 bales were ginned between the two local gins. As of the late 1970s, The Co-Op Gin was the only one still in operation in Celina. Along with Mr. Merritt, there were several managers during its history including Ike Bennett, Faye Smith, Joe Maxson, Bill Powell, Roy Klinglesmith (who also had managed the The Celina Cooperative Gin Association, also known as The Co-Op Gin, was located in a building that still stands next to D&L Farm and Home in Celina Photo credit: Lisa Ferguson.

Randall Moore and Travis Johnson were involved with The Co-Op Gin. Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area Heritage Association

A photo from the newspaper obituary of A.F. Tidwell, who founded Celina's first cotton gin in 1888. . Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area Heritage Association

A newspaper ad for The Tidwell Gin in Celina. Photo courtesy of Jane Huddleston/ Celina Area Heritage Association

OurCelina.com | October 2019

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(972) 382-2020 OurCelina.com | October 2019

Celina Public Library Vision: The vision of Celina Public Library is to be a premier participant in the development of an enriched, informed and connected community that lives, grows, works and plays in a quality hometown environment.

Linda Shaw, Library Director

Mission: Imagine, Explore, Discover, Learn The mission of Celina Public Library is to facilitate the increase of knowledge within the community by providing exemplary personnel, facilities, materials and services that nurture imagination, exploration, discovery and learning, changing lives through the transformative power of information and ideas.

Preschool Storytimes at Celina Public Library were well-attended in September. This fun program is held at 10:30 a.m. each Friday. Led by Youth Services Librarian Amy Staples, children listen to stories, sing along with songs, take part in movement activities and make a free craft. Among the programming offered at the library for adults is Book Club. Members meet on the third Thursday of each month to discuss and share their thoughts about a book they have read collectively. The October selection is The Library Book by Susan Orlean. New members are welcome to attend meetings. If you haven't visited the library lately, make plans to do so soon!

All photos courtesy of Celina Public Library

OurCelina.com | October 2019

October 2019 Celina Public Library Calendar of Events Friday, Oct. 4

Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 11

Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Library closed

Tuesday, Oct. 15

Library Advisory Board meeting (open to the public), 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Book Club meeting for adults, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 18

Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Adults-only coloring (ages 16 and up), 7-8 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25

Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Teen Halloween event, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 31

Halloween at the Library event, 4-5:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 1

Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 8

Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Celina Public Library 142 N Ohio St Celina, TX 75009 Linda Shaw Library Director Phone: (972) 382-8655

Monday - Tuesday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Wednesday - Thursday 10:00 am - 6 pm Friday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4 pm OurCelina.com | October 2019

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OurCelina.com | October 2019

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OurCelina - October 2019

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Stepping Forward with Cole & Patience