DUNCAN — Let’s say something nice about Stephens County.   The Banner, usually during the early months of a new year, creates a special section that offers a progress report on the past 12 months of the previous year, outlining events of significance and profiles on people who have made a difference.

This year we want to take a different approach. And we seek your help.

We’re hoping to develop “81 Things You Love About Stephens County,” a special section that will enable us to share reasons we like living in Duncan or Marlow or Comanche or, for that matter, anywhere in Stephens County.

While not perfect, we think Duncan – Duncan, America, if you will, and all of Stephens County – has been, is still and will continue to be a great place to live, to raise a family, to work and to play.

Our goal is to recognize the positive things that contribute to quality living in a unique and often envied area, to highlight places, organizations, events, traditions and people that and who make pleasant the experiences of a small town and to identify faces and places we might even take for granted.

We think it will be an enlightening and entertaining exercise, but we aren’t silly enough to believe those of us at The Banner can compile so comprehensive a list by ourselves. That’s where you come in.

Help us. Join us. Share with us.

The list becomes more meaningful if we pool our efforts, if we share ideas that have special memories, if we dig deeply and stretch broadly our feelings, our memories and our experiences.

Some “things” are obvious.

Halliburton Services, its unique mission and its commitment to employees present and past, is one. So is the always expanding Duncan Regional Hospital. Or the one- of-a kind Simmons Center. Halliburton Stadium has been a memory maker. So has Abe Raizen Park. 

Places like the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, the Duncan Public Library System, The Territory Golf and Country Club, Stephens County Historical Museum, Duncan Golf and Tennis Club, the Sanford Children’s Clinic, Cameron University-Duncan and Red River Technology Center all set us apart.

So do Redbud Park, the white-based trees and traditional globed lights in Marlow and Comanche, cornerstone-embedded Centennial Plaza at the entrance to Comanche, the teepee at the Indians’ Harley Stadium Barnett Field and volunteers county-wide who offer support to a variety of charitable causes. 

All are worthy of mention.

But we’re also looking for suggestions like the First Christian Church carillon that plays three times daily, the historical message-filled sidewalks of Main Street Duncan, the chatter inside Hi-Way 81 Barber Shop, the fair and rodeos at Stephens County Fairgrounds and Expo, seeing friends wherever you go, the crape myrtle trail or the festivals at Fuqua Park.

We also think our gorgeous sunsets, our occasional snowfalls, the clock at ASCOG, the sanctuary at First United Methodist, the talented people and entertaining plays of Duncan Little Theatre, the stylish work fashioned at Posh on Marlow’s Main Street, classes at Plato Elementary, smiling faces at Centennial Park, the giant American flag at First Bank and Trust’s north branch, Duncan…the magazine, uniquely themed church denominations, well-kept cemeteries and the Chisholm Trail Community Band are natural additions.

We’re hoping you include long-standing bridge clubs, problem-solving coffee clubs, involved study clubs, service-oriented civic clubs and free-wheeling lunch bunches, milk shakes at Braum’s, juicy hamburgers at Eastland Grill, bacon and eggs at Daybreak Diner, yummy yogurt at Cherryberry, pimento cheese sandwiches at R&S Drug and, well, whatever you think belongs on so important a list.

Though we hope to share “our” story soon, we haven’t finalized the format yet, so be specific. Mention the yoga class at the Simmons Center, the cancer department at the hospital or a particular community leader. Tell us the “why” as much as the “what.” Brag. Boast. And we’ll take it from there.

There is no monetary reward. No attribution. No credit. Just a chance to be involved in a project that should be fun and maybe even helpful in some future informative ways.

We’ve set up a special email address –  81things@duncanbanner.com – to make it easy. But you can also bring your ideas to The Banner at 1001 West Elm or drop us a line at 81 Things, P.O. Box 1268, Duncan, 73534.

It’s a great opportunity for us all to share some good news, to be positive, upbeat and proud. It’s a chance to say something nice about our home.

We’re excited about the potential and hope you’ll enthusiastically join us.

Our guess is “81 Things You Love About Stephens County” will far exceed that number.  edarling@duncanbanner.com (580) 255-5354, Ext. 130.



edarling@duncanbanner.com

580-255-5354, Ext. 130