DUNCAN — As January winds down, step back with me in time.  The month is January, still, but the year is 1988. Much has changed. See if you agree or if your walk down Memory Lane is as interesting as I found the chance to look back.

Twenty-four years ago, the big story was weather. Five inches of snow fell just as we welcomed a new year, then 13 inches followed Jan. 6 and essentially closed down the area for nearly a week. Nolen Fuqua, Duncan’s grand old man, wasn’t bothered. He had seen a similar snow, back in 1923.

City leaders were struggling with financial matters and sewage issues. Mayor Doug Nix decided not to seek re-election. Clinton Murphree was elected to another term on the Duncan school board. Steve Smith was doing well after a heart transplant. Construction on the Simmons Center was well under way. And Halliburton had been cited by OSHA for an outstanding safety performance.

Many of us shopped at abbie’s, Anthony’s, JCPenney, Rags Inc., Gibson’s Discount Center, Surplus City, Main Street Jewelers, Campbell’s of Duncan, Rich’s, Traditions, Brown’s Shoe Fit and Litsch Drug, whose marketing work was ahead of its time.

Ed Apple was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, pushing for government efficiency. Cliff Marshall was our state senator. Jim Frieda was Duncan’s city manager. Hal and Aileen Thornton celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Martha Burger was president of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce. Jane McBride was president of the Marlow chamber.

The Dow Jones climbed back to 1,929. Halliburton stock was at 24 3/4. Unemployment was at 8.1 percent. You could get 7.75 percent interest on an 18-month certificate of deposit at Duncan Savings; 9 percent on a 30-month CD at the Pace Co. Gold was $486.20 an ounce.

No. 1 Oklahoma lost 20-14 to Jimmy Johnson’s Miami in the Orange Bowl and the Hurricanes finished as national champion. Pete Maravich died at age 40. The NCAA rejected a one-game playoff proposal. And racist comments got Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder fired by CBS.

The Banner’s “Too Late to Classify” advertising feature was (as still is, I might add) popular and successful. Mary Louise Buckley wrote a weekly book review. Then-sports editor Jeff Kaley had short hair. Lucile Morton was the lifestyle editor. Current 30-year plus veterans, Mike McCormack, Sherrie McCormack, Glenna Cash, Paula Blair and Linda Rice were already valued players.

You could buy an Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Subaru, Jeep Eagle or Renault at Paul Smith’s dealership on U.S. Highway 81 or purchase a new Buick LeSabre for $13,333 at Battison’s downtown dealership on Ninth. Champion Tire offered an oil and lube job for $9.95.

Gary Hart was losing his chance to be president. Reagan and Gorbachev were in summit No. 1. The U.S. Senate rejected Robert Bork for the Supreme Court.

Marilyn Hamlin demonstrated how the computer worked at Duncan Public Library. Duncan wrestling coach Mike Reding replaced Quanah Cox as assistant principal and assistant athletic director at Duncan Middle School. Jim Carver was exalted ruler of the Elks’ Lodge and Joe Vermedahl its secretary. Don Howland was president of the United Way. George Provence was Stephens County Extension Director.

A dozen Grade AA large eggs at Safeway cost 39 cents; an 11-ounce can of Chase & Sanborn coffee, $1.59; carrots 25 cents a pound. A six-pack of Coors beer was $2.39, a 12-ounce bottle of Lavoris mouthwash $1.49, a gallon of milk at Dunn’s $2.16, video cassettes cost $4.27 and wool pants at Campbell’s were $44.

Bargain night tickets at Carmike were $2 apiece with Throw Mama from The Train, Raw and Three Men and a Baby among your selections.

You could buy a house on Wildwood for $247,000, one in Stagestand for $129,000 and a place on Fairway Drive with a pool for $175,000.

You could still shop at Gilley’s, Woolworth, Wayne’s, Edwards Home Furnishings, Sugar & Spice, Lottie Ks, BG’s, The Answer?, Henderson Furniture, Decorating Center, Jones Super Market, Chief GMC and Fad & Flicks.

And you could bank at Security National, American National, Oklahoma National, Home Savings, Duncan Savings or First Federal; eat at The Grill, Ole South Waffle and El Palacio, or have your photo made at The Image.

Looking back can surprise you. Times have changed and new trends have emerged. You’ll have to decide whether for better or worse. But on occasion it is both educational and fun to take a brief glance back at how things used to be.



edarling@duncanbanner.com

580-255-5354, Ext. 130