DUNCAN — The culture of a community is contingent on the culture of the activities taking place in the community.

September in Duncan will be filled with several cultural events and activities. These include everything from concerts to a book fair to live theater.

Events coming up for the month of September include:

• The month begins with the return of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Industry community breakfast. The event, which has been on hiatus for the summer months, provides people with information about events and businesses around Duncan.

The breakfast will be at 6:45 a.m. Sept. 2 in the Simmons Center. For information, call Laurie Baldwin at the Chamber at 580-255-3644.

• The MidSouth Rodeo Cowboy’s Association will have its state finals competition beginning at 8 a.m. Sept. 3. The finals will go through Sept. 5 at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.

For information, call Jeannie Bowden at the fairgrounds at 580-255-3231.

• The Stephens County Rabbit Breeders Show begins the afternoon of Sept. 3, but runs all day on Sept. 4 at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center in the South Barn.

For information, call CM Carroll at 580-252-7381.

• Sept. 10 marks the ninth annual Heroes Luncheon, sponsored by the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The noon luncheon is in honor of police, firefighters, EMTs, armed forces (active or retired) and members of the Sheriff’s Department.

The lunch is free for the heroes. For information, call Laurie Baldwin at the Chamber at 580-255-3644, ext. 202.

• Duncan Little Theatre will also have a busy time in September. The play group will present its “Evening of Shorts” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 11, 17 and 18, in the Marlow Opera House.

The program will feature four one-act plays, which have been rarely or not produced.

• Cameron University will also make an impact on the cultural development of Duncan. The CU@SC program kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Simmons Center with a performance by recording artist Johnny Cooper.

Tickets can be purchased during business hours at the Simmons Center. Each Cameron University student gets a free ticket with their CU ID card.

• From Sept. 13-17, the Duncan High School will be holding its first Win-Win Week to raise awareness and prevention of cancer in Duncan Public Schools and in the Duncan community. Money will be raised to be donated to cancer patients in Oklahoma.

Throughout the week various student leaders, whether involved in athletics, academics or various school organizations, will be holding contests, visiting elementary schools and the middle school, holding fundraisers and pep assemblies, and wearing pink in support of people with cancer.

• The third annual Women’s Prayer Dinner will be Sept. 16 in the Simmons Center. For information, call Glenda Hobbs at 580-470-8018.
• Sept. 16 is also the day Heritage Oaks Church of the Nazarene has chosen to sponsor an all-you-can-eat bean dinner from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.

In addition to beans with ham, the church will also serve corn bread, coleslaw, dessert and a drink. All profits will go to the Douglas East Side Senior Citizens Center.

For information, call Brenda Weaver at 580-255-3460.

• The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center will also have a community activity with its annual Western Spirit Celebration. The two day event will feature western entertainment, artisans, a longhorn cattle drive and a chuck wagon cook off. The event is set for Sept. 18 and 19.

For information, call Cova Williams at 580-252-6692.

• The Chisholm Trail Book Festival will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Simmons Center. For information, call Stacy Cramer at 405-207-7078 or Glenna Pace at 580-467-8864.
• The Chisholm Trail Arts Council is another organization bringing culture to Duncan. CTAC Live will feature Acoustically Speaking in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Simmons Center Theatre.

The act is a combination of former members of the 1970s rock bands The Hollies and Boston. For information, call the Arts Council at 580-252-4160.

• Main Street Duncan will have its annual banquet at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 in First Christian Church. The banquet is a way to inform people what the Main Street Duncan program is, recognize supporters of the organization and showcase all Main Street Duncan has accomplished in the previous year.

For information, call Tammy Johnson at 580-252-8696.

• The 16th annual Southwest Senior Games will be played from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Simmons Center. To be eligible for the games, a person has to be 50 years old by Sept. 23.

For information, call Pat Bowles at the Simmons Center at 580-252-2900, ext. 232.

• The final event slated for September is the third annual Vintage Day at the Foreman Prairie House. The event, which goes from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 26, will include Duncan High School drama students performing as members of the Foreman household, local dancers and singers, and a doll contest.

For information, call Gail Loafman at 580-251-0027.



— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.