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2 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group 6 TIME, TALENT, AND TOYS Toy Shop of Duncan is more than just Christmas toys: they’re on a mission year-round. 12 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Ladies Luncheon 14 LINKS TO THE PAST Stemming from his work with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, Keith Colley established Awakening the Mind Mobile Museum World War I Remembered to share with all ages. 22 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Holiday Stroll 25 HAPPY TAILS Diana and Todd Burns turned their country property into a sanctuary for some of the area’s most needy animals – especially donkeys. 32 COVER ART CONTEST The results are in! We asked Duncan’s 4th and 5th graders, “What makes Duncan special to you?” and received over 100 creative entries! Each submission reflected the unique perspectives of our community’s budding artists. 44 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Christmas Parade 46 RIBBON CUTTINGS We are thrilled to showcase the many new members who have joined the Chamber of Commerce over the past few months. 48 4-H SPOTLIGHT Kailynn and Kyson Cox On the Cover Contents 6 14 25 48
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4 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group I Duncan Lifestyles Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. WRITERS Tory Keeter Rebecca Sanchez Becca Nelson Sankey PHOTOGRAPHER Debbie Duggar Visuals Gerardo Bello Media Tory Keeter Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Lindsey Kruger Marketing & Client Relations lindsey@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design Kayla Durham Sales Account Executive kayla@hometownmedia.group ON THE COVER Picture by Aurora Gilbert Camela Dietrich Accounts Recievable accounting@hometownmedia.group I’ll be honest I have procrastinated writing this letter. My inbox is now empty, and my spreadsheets are all organized as I kept putting off slowing down to write. I usually have a theme or a sincere thought for this season of my life that God has placed on my heart to share, and nothing was coming to mind. Now as I sit, tapping on the keyboard waiting for the right words to come, I still don’t have a thought as much as a feeling. These past few months I have had a strong sense of contentment and joy. Not to be confused with happiness, joy is a steady state of trusting God rather than a fickle emotion based on current circumstances. I’m in the middle, old enough to realize all the old sayings really are true and young enough to cherish the here and now. I remind myself God designed us to move forward and choose to find joy in each season. Enjoy the here and now and don’t miss it mourning the season you are moving out of or looking forward to the next. I feel a still, small voice reminding me ‘it’s just a phase, it won’t be like this for long’. I love that Duncan Lifestyles captures everyday moments and shares uplifting community focused stories to inspire and encourage us. As I am sure you noticed from our cheerful cover, this issue features an art contest showcasing Duncan’s budding artists in 4th and 5th grade. Our vision is to start a tradition, a rite of passage, that every young Duncanite looks forward to participating in! Thank you to the local businesses that sponsored this year’s Cover Contest. We also always love hearing from you! Have a recipe? It could be our next Hometown Cooking feature. A newborn? Submit that sweet baby photo for our Bundles of Joy section. Do you have a graduating senior? Share their photo for the Hometown Graduates spread in the summer issue. Hosting or attending a local event? We would love to feature it as a Hometown Happening. Do you have a unique story? I can’t wait to hear it! Send me your ideas and photos to lindsey@hometownmedia.group. Talk soon, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. - Psalms 6:11 Lindsey Hey Duncan!
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7 hometown living at its best WRITTEN BY TORY KEETER | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TOY SHOP OF DUNCAN AND BY TORY KEETER T Toy Shop of Duncan is more than just Christmas toys; they’re on a mission year-round. TIME, TALENT, and Toys Toy Shop of Duncan isn’t your average toy shop; it is a beacon of holiday cheer and year-round wonder, a place where the spirit of childhood lingers. Led by the indomitable Kim Davis - who could probably organize a parade of elves with nothing but her clipboard and a sharp whistle - the shop is a testament to human kindness and the joy of giving. The Toy Shop of Duncan is a Non-Profit Organization that helps make Christmas a little brighter for hundreds of families in the Duncan community. Established in 1940 by the Church Women United (CWU), a national organization, Toy Shop was founded primarily to provide free Christmas gifts to needy children in Duncan. Every year, the Toy Shop of Duncan transforms into a festive wonderland. Most of the volunteers are retired women serving the community. Kathy Snider started with the Toy Shop through CWU in 1985. “They had a Duncan Unit made up of 12 local churches and my local church was a member of CWU. The main project that CWU had was the Toy Shop. I just helped at the Toy Shop occasionally
8 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group my first few years growing into a worker, getting gifts ready throughout the Christmas season. At that time, we had 80% used gifts and 20% new. We even tore used pages out of coloring books and gave out the coloring book. In 2024, probably 99% of our gifts were new,” Kathy explains. “In 1997, I was asked to be chairman. That was typically a 1-2 year obligation, but I finally gave up the ‘position’ when we hired Kim (Davis) in 2019. I now serve on the Toy Shop Board and my job is “volunteer”, helping with rummage sales, with Day of Caring as well as during the Christmas season. Kim has done an incredible job expanding our volunteer numbers tremendously. My love for Toy Shop and its mission has not faded,” Kathy continues. Linda Hudson taught at Empire & Marlow schools for 30 years. She has worked with Toy Shop for 14 years and also serves as a Toy Shop board member. Linda is an important piece of the puzzle that happens at Toy Shop. Kim Davis explains the process that needy families go through to receive their free Christmas toys: “Families go to our warehouse first, fill out the paperwork, and the paperwork goes to Linda. She does all the inputting. All the volunteer ladies get each family’s paperwork to fulfill their boxes.” The main fulfillment “shop” is a curious blend of nostalgia and novelty. There are shelves upon shelves of toys & some basic items such as yo-yos, dolls, electronic toys, socks, diapers, wipes, makeup, board games, bicycles and so much more. The volunteers, with Santa hats
9 hometown living at its best slightly askew and their hearts filled with more cheer than a sack full of presents, are packing banana boxes full of toys. On average, each child gets about $100 worth of toys, depending on their age. The Toy Shop offers gifts for ages 0 to 18 years old. Kim says, “On average, we’re serving about 1,000 kids per year right now.” Inside Toy Shop’s walls, they also offer a free coat closet for families in need. As families are registering for toys, if volunteers hear of kids in need, they will “shop” the coat closet for them at no cost to families. Lisa Jantz has been with the Toy Shop about 20 years and is in charge of purchasing all toys. When asked how Lisa finds so many brand new toys, Lisa says “I buy primarily online, Walmart, Target and Amazon.” Toy Shop has about 30 volunteers yearround to help keep things organized. Julie Ripley and Janie Fitzgerald worked together at Halliburton for 30+ years, and they now volunteer during the Christmas season at Toy Shop. Volunteering their time in this community gives them perspective on life. The act of giving makes them grateful & thankful for their own lives. Anel Luna is a bilingual volunteer in her second year with Toy Shop. “I got involved with the Toy Shop to help the community, to translate for the Hispanic community, those who do not speak English,” Anel recalls. “There are kids going through a lot. People losing their jobs, some places closing, so when people come, you can feel it in your heart when they really need it. They’re very grateful we’re doing this for them.”
10 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Rummage sales aren’t just fundraisers; they are events where the whole town can come together to reuse and recycle clothing, household items, toys and more. The rummage sales are made possible by donations from the community. The community can shop rummage sales for items at discounted prices, and all proceeds from rummage sales go directly towards buying new toys next year. “There’s more to this than having rummage sales,” Kim Davis summarizes. The heart of the Toy Shop of Duncan is in its mission. Every toy collected, every dollar raised, means one more smile on a child's face Christmas morning. As the years pass, the Toy Shop of Duncan becomes more than just a place; it is a legend in the hearts of Duncanites. The Toy Run is another way Toy Shop collects toys. The Toy Run is a long line of motorcycles, escorted by local police, riding from Heritage Park movie theater to the shop downtown.
11 hometown living at its best “It has grown to be so much more than just giving toys out at Christmas. It’s really just helping provide for the community members in whatever aspect we can. We fulfilled the wishes of 1043 children and gave out 95 bicycles in 2024!” Kim says. With 2025 here and the Christmas season behind us, you can bet like any good elves, those involved are already hard at work preparing for this year. † To volunteer, contact Kim Davis with the Toy Shop. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED YEAR-ROUND!
HOMETOWN Happenings Photos provided by DRH After a hiatus of several years, the DRH Health Foundation once again hosted an uplifting ladies' luncheon on October 24,2024 at the Simmons Center to raise money earmarked specifically for breast health. Along with a delicious meal, over 250 attendees enjoyed this year's event featured comedienne Diana Jordan, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, Oklahoma native, and star in the Tom Cruise movie, Jerry Maguire. Over $10,000 was raised and DRH Health Foundation is deeply grateful for the overwhelming community support. Contributions will provide free mammograms and diagnostic services to those with low income, no insurance, or limited insurance coverage. LUNCHEON Ladies
We all agree, nothing is as good as homegrown tomatoes. Regardless of fancy packaging or chemically enhanced color, homegrown is always better. Gardentown takes the same approach growing flowers. With over 50,000 square feet of greenhouse space and nearly 5 decades of growing experience, our locally grown plants are sure to thrive in your gardens. Tedious detail is given from germination through bloom time to provide sustainable, reliable beauty in your garden. While the supply chain backlogs and transportation costs soar, Gardentown plants are continuously available in our local greenhouses and are ready for planting in your garden during the appropriate season. 5360 N. Hwy 81 | Duncan | 580.255.2633 | gardentown.net | Find us on Facebook at Gardentown Nursery GARDENTOWN ... your premier garden center Annuals • Perennials • Hanging Baskets Trees and Shrubs • Landscaping Outdoor Fireplaces • Patio Decor and Gifts House Plants • Paver Patios • Retaining Walls Take it Outside at Gardentown
14 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group W Stemming from his work with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, Keith Colley established Awakening the Mind Mobile Museum World War I Remembered to share with all ages. WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KEITH COLLEY World War I affected everyone. Husbands were separated from wives. Children watched their parents go to the battlefield, and parents watched their sons go to war. Artifacts link us to their individual stories, their families’ stories and our nation’s story. Traveling coast to coast, Awakening the Mind Mobile Museum World War I Remembered brings the wartime possessions of veterans to an ever-growing number of people and places to both elicit and create new memories by sharing those stories. “Awakening the Mind Mobile Museum World War I Remembered is definitely a play on words,” says Keith Colley, executive director of the Stephens PAST LINKS TO THE
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17 hometown living at its best County Historical Museum, “because it's not just for people with memory issues. It's for kids that have no memory of it. We're now going to create memories for them.” Why focus on WWI? A conversation Keith had with a World War II veteran Alzheimer’s and dementia patient spurred his idea for recognizing The Great War. Though the patient struggled to recall his prior day, he was quite aware of the approaching WWI anniversary and mentioned it to Keith. Knowing that activating the five senses is highly effective for surfacing memories in dementia patients, Keith thought that the one wartime artifact to unlock those recollections would be the common trench shovel, and he found one. “When I put that into his hands,” says Keith, “he just started crying because he said all his dad ever talked about was that he was either digging or shooting or shooting or digging.” From the trenching shovel grew a collection of nearly 300 artifacts, all items which had belonged primarily to WWI veterans, and Keith took it on the road. He called the traveling museum Awakening the Mind because the exhibits not only brought forth memories for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, but they also created new memories for today’s generations who will never meet a WWI veteran. Memory care facilities, air shows, colleges and museums from the Southwest to New England have all been hosts. Volunteers assist with transforming a facility floor to ceiling, and Keith displays the artifacts with a layout that begins with a welcome at the door and flows through another time. And then, that’s when the formula begins to work. Gear, such as boots, hats, helmets and gas masks once worn by soldiers highlight the human aspect. Tools previously owned by enlisted service members, including typewriters, cameras, binoculars and even a field telephone not only represent their actions but were the actual lens and voice through which the war was recorded. Photographs, flags, documents, posters, a preserved newspaper blaring the front-page headline of “The War is Over” all survive as records. Real things, owned, used and touched by real people make strong and lasting impressions, especially on young students.
18 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group “Kids just want to be shown history,” Keith says. “They don't want to see it in a textbook. The kids love when the museum comes, all the way up through to college age. We're not just showing artifacts. There's a story with every piece that's laying on the table, and to the best of my abilities I share those stories, and it makes the kids want more.” A trio comprised of uniform, photograph and pocket bugle, all belonging to a Navy veteran help narrate the man’s WWI service as a musician and his subsequent WWII infantry tour, having accompanied him through both wars. Absent from the museum collection are weapons, a deliberate choice made to honor those who had lost their lives. WWI had a devastating impact, recording 53,402 combat casualties, 63,114 deaths from other reasons, and 204,000 were wounded. In addition, many individuals returned home to live with lasting effects on their physical and mental health. From the time of U.S. involvement in April 1917 to when the war ended on November 11, 1918, five million American men and women of many walks of life and backgrounds served in the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corp. Families of veterans have been eager to share their relatives’ stories too. After the trench shovel, Keith set out to find a complete uniform. When the family he bought it from learned about the museum, they sold him their entire collection and passed along all of their relative’s stories with it. As visitors share their own memories, Keith writes them down, records them the best he can and aims to present them in a book one day. At the mention of wishing he had a trench organ… yes, a small piano played in the battle trenches…Keith was overheard by a man from Ranger, Texas who relayed to him the story of one such trench organ brought back from the war by Ranger veterans and offered it to the museum. Not wasting a moment, Keith drove out to Ranger to retrieve it. Now the organ travels nationwide with the museum and was even played by an
19 hometown living at its best experienced visitor once to a patriotically singing, teary-eyed group of bystanders. Awakening the Mind also caught the eye of Congress, and Keith was asked to be on the WWI Commission, as an official educator. Attention at the national level accelerated connections to more educational institutions and events, increasing all-time attendance to 250,000. Most recently, Awakening the Mind was invited to Washington D.C. for the presentation of the first WWI memorial, which is bronze sculptor Sabin Howard’s 58-foot-long narrative of 38 larger than life people depicting a soldier’s journey through the war. “To be a part of the unveiling, I was beyond humble,” Keith says. “I really was, and I just knew I had to get there. I felt like I was representing the soldiers that are in my museum, and I felt like it was my responsibility to get there, to get their memories there, actually on the grounds where this was being unveiled, as a way to bring their stories to fruition.” Keith’s goal is to be an instrument in the background, resurrecting memories for some visitors and creating new imagery and understanding for people just learning of WWI. Being able to bring forward yesteryear through tangible artifacts creates an important link between the lessons of the past, the effects of war on a nation and the choices of future generations. Awakening the Mind does all of that while simultaneously honoring the lives and actions of those who served. † For tour schedule, to donate, or for more information, visit their website ww1mobilemuseum.com SOURCES census.gov 5 million men and women served 116,516 lives lost Last WWI veteran died in 2011 Gilderlehrman.org WWI physical and mental disability effects “According to the Library of Congress, 224,000 soldiers returned home with a permanent physical or mental disability. Of the injured, 4,400 were amputees. Almost 100,000 soldiers had been removed from combat due to psychological injuries and 40,000 of them were subsequently discharged.” National Park Service The United States suffered 53,402 battle deaths in World War I, in less than six months of fighting. Another 63,114 died from accidents and disease. After the Civil War and World War II, World War I is the deadliest war in American history.
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HOMETOWN Happenings Provided by Main Street Duncan, Photos by Hodges Photography Main Street Duncan was buzzing with festive energy on November 16, 2024, as the annual Holiday Stroll kicked off the holiday shopping season. The streets were filled with people of all ages, spreading cheer as they explored the food vendors, pop-up shops, and local Main Street businesses offering unique gifts and treats. Santa made a special appearance, delighting families and children, while Hodgson Studios hosted enchanting performances of classic Christmas carols. This year’s Holiday Stroll was a resounding success, with the community showing their support and making it one of the most memorable strolls yet. It was truly a night to remember as Main Street Duncan became a hub of holiday cheer! Holiday STROLL
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25 hometown living at its best H WRITTEN BY BECCA NELSON SANKEY | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DT RANCH HappyTails Diana and Todd Burns weren’t sure how they would make use of 50-plus acres when they moved outside Duncan nearly a decade ago. Fortunately, they turned their country property into a sanctuary for some of the area’s most needy animals – especially donkeys. When Diana and Todd Burns relocated from the suburbs to a place in Marlow with 53 acres, they weren’t quite sure what they were going to do with all the extra land. But it didn’t take Diana, a former wildlife rehabilitator and lover of all animals, too long to decide. “I started seeing other animal rescues and what they were doing,” Diana said, and just a year later, DT Ranch, named for Diana and Todd, was born. Primarily a donkey rehabilitation and rescue, Diana acquired her first donkeys from Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in Duncan. Peaceful Valley took in 209 miniature
26 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group donkeys, five of which Diana fostered and three of which she kept. She then rescued her first horse from a nearby kill pen. According to the ASPCA’s website, the international demand for horse meat drives kill pens, places where equine “kill buyers” sell horses and/or transport those that aren’t sold for slaughter in Mexico or Canada. In 2023, roughly 20,000 American horses were trucked to these countries to be inhumanely killed for human consumption. According to the website, horse slaughter facilities no longer exist in the U.S., but it is still legal to transport the animals overseas. “There are a lot of kill pens in Oklahoma,” Diana said, adding that they might house donkeys, horses, mules, and equines, the latter of which is a broad term that encompasses horses, donkeys, and zebras. “It’s an easy buck. If you have 10 mares and wait a year, you can sell them off at once. I’ve seen a lot end up in a kill pen because nobody wants to buy them. It’s sad.” Part of Diana’s goal is to educate people about equine slaughter. To help fulfill this mission and fund the ranch, Burns often transports some of her animals to birthday parties for a mobile petting zoo experience or, for donation and by appointment, people can spend an hour meeting the animals at DT Ranch. These animals include donkeys, of course, but also goats, miniature cows, a tortoise, and a miniature pony with dwarfism. She also recently acquired a Patagonian cavy, which is a rodent from Argentina that Diana said “looks like a rabbit with the back end of a kangaroo, and he grunts like a guinea pig. Everybody loves this little guy.” Diana has nearly two dozen donkeys, many of which came from retired ranchers. “One time a rancher was retiring, and they delivered 13 donkeys to us, and out of the 13 I had eight males that needed castrating. That was $800 upfront,” she said.
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28 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group In addition to the mobile petting zoos and the meet-andgreets she hosts at the ranch, Burns offsets the cost of the animals’ care by breeding and selling goats and miniature cows. She also makes handcrafted items including flower arrangements, hand towels, and cow and horse figurines out of terracotta pots, then sells them at local vendor events and craft fairs. Once DT Ranch’s animals are ready for forever homes, Diana finds loving families to adopt them. “I won’t send them back out to be guard animals because donkeys love attention,” she said. “Donkeys are very affectionate once they get to know you. You don’t even have to bribe them with treats; they just want their rear end scratched and their nose kissed. I know how loving and sweet and soulful donkeys are.” Donkeys also forge bonds with each other, Diana said. She recalled another of her rescues, Jennie, who was brought to DT Ranch after living her life without the company of other donkeys. “Jennie had always lived with a horse, and the lady (who brought her to us) said she never brayed; she just squeaked. When she came here and heard my other donkeys bray, she started braying, full-blown braying. I Burns rescued Benny and Jack from a kill pen. Benny was very sick but made a full recovery. Burns funds her donkey rescue through donations, as well as money she makes from selling her handmade crafts.
29 hometown living at its best cried because she’d never done that in the eight years she’d spent with that horse.” One of Diana’s most notable donkey rescues were two males, Benny and Jack, whom she found at a kill pen two hours away. “I took them immediately to the vet,” Diana said, adding that Benny, the skinniest, was the sickest. “The vet said, ‘I’d be surprised if Benny made it through the night.’ For three days, I had to hand feed him water and food. He made it.” Diana has a picture of Benny when she first got him. In it, he is skeletal with a dull dark brown coat. A recent photo shows two donkeys touching noses: Benny, fuller-figured and healthy, and his friend Jack. “Donkeys can remember up to 25 years of their life. If you do something mean to them, they’ll remember it,” Diana said. That also means the opposite is true: Donkeys will remember the kindness bestowed upon them - kindness from people like Diana and Todd. “Benny’s eyes were so dull when we got him,” she recalled. “He just almost gave up hope. We just loved on him, fed him, and told him he was safe, and you could see the sparkle come back into his eyes.” When the demand for DT Ranch is great but the money is tight, Diana has her donkeys’ stories to remind her to keep fighting: The sparkle she saw return to Benny’s eyes, and the first beautiful bray from another. “That right there is what keeps me going,” she said. † For more information, check out DT Ranch’s Facebook page, DT Ranch Country.
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32 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group The results are in! Duncan Lifestyles is thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s Cover Contest! We asked Duncan’s 4th and 5th graders, “What makes Duncan special to you?” and received over 100 creative entries! Each submission reflected the unique perspectives of our community’s budding artists. We are excited to showcase the top five that best reflected the theme. thank you to our sponsors Cover contest
33 hometown living at its best SCHOOL AND GRADE: Homeschool, 4th Grade WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? National Park Ranger WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT? S.T.E.A.M. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? Hiking, adventuring and painting with my friends and family. AURORA GILBERT
SCHOOL AND GRADE: Emerson Elementary, 5th Grade WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? An actress WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT? Science What do you do for fun? Hang out with my Nana, play on my phone and play basketball. AZLYN ALSTON 34 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
36 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group SCHOOL AND GRADE: Plato Elementary School, 4th grade WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? A teacher and maybe a famous dancer!!!! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT? Language Arts and Reading WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? What I do for fun is dance, play with my dog, and play on my Ipad. RYLAN GRANTHAM
SCHOOL AND GRADE: Plato Elementary, 5th grade WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT? My favorite school subject is Math. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? I play outside or play with friends. WHITNEE ROOT 38 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
SCHOOL AND GRADE: Plato Elementary, 4th grade WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? When I grow up I want to be a doctor. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT? My favorite subject is Science. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? For fun I like to draw and do art projects. VANESSA RUOS 39 hometown living at its best
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HOMETOWN Happenings Photos provided by Main Street Duncan and Allison Spurlin The Duncan Christmas Parade, sponsored by Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, drew a crowd to the Main Street Duncan District on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Main Street served as the perfect backdrop for this festive event, with its charming storefronts and seasonal decorations. The event featured 87 entries, each bringing its own touch of holiday cheer, as families, friends, and neighbors gathered to watch the parade. The Duncan High School Band, joined by the Pom Pom Team, filled the air with holiday music and lively performances. Chisholm Trail Casino took home the prize for Best Float, impressing the judges with their creative and fun design. And of course, Santa made his grand appearance, delighting children of all ages. The parade was a heartwarming celebration of the season, highlighting another successful tradition in Duncan, and showcasing the vibrant, welcoming spirit of the Main Street Duncan District. Christmas PARDADE
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46 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group W Photos provided by DUNCAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE We are thrilled to showcase the many new members who have joined the Chamber of Commerce over the past few months. Congratulations County Line Mercantile, Endurance FCU, Fruitful Oaks Midwifery, Napolis Shop and Bag and PC Wizard! Join us in congratulating them, wish them success in their business and consider supporting them as patrons. JOIN the Duncan Chamber to help your business GROW and schedule a ribbon cutting for your business! Membership is currently made up of over 400 members in a community of 22,344 (43,143 in Stephens County). Add your business to the growing list of members who continuously work together to better the community! Additionally, Duncan Chamber members receive several resources to help them promote their own business including social media conversations, marketing opportunities, and program sponsorships. County Line Mercantile Fruitful Oaks Midwifery Endurance FCU Napolis Shop and Bag PC Wizard
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KAILYNN ELLIAH & KYSON JOE COX PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SHYLAN MILIGAN 4-H SPOTLIGHT NAMES, AGES: Kailynn Elliah Cox, 17 and Kyson Joe Cox, 12 PARENT: Shylan Milligan 4-H CLUB: Stephens County Teen Leaders, Bray-Doyle
49 hometown living at its best HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PART OF THE PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY 4-H? Kailynn: 10 years Kyson: 6 years WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT SHOWING? Kailynn: My favorite part of showing is getting to travel and see places, my least favorite is breaking ice and treating the birds’ combs so they don’t get frostbite. Kyson: Favorite – Hatching out new baby chicks, all the different breeds of babies, getting to work with animals, watching other kids work and interact with their animals Least Favorite – when the animals don’t cooperate WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? Kailynn: Outstanding Jr. 4-H Club Member, Stephens County Free Fair Outstanding Jr. Exhibitor, Jr. Champion Expressive Dress – Stephens Co, Champion and Reserve Champion Jr. Photography – Stephens Co, West District Sr. Table Setting and Cupcake Wars Champion, 3rd All Other Desserts - 2024 Cook Off, 1st Sr. Decorated Pumpkin –2024 Pumpkin Contest, 2022 Reserve Breed Champion Chianina Heifer - SCJLS, Grand and Reserve Grand Poultry – SCFF various years, CVPC Hall of Fame, ALFA State Champion, Ameraicana Breeders Club Nationals – Reserve Overall Junior Bird, Reserve Best Junior Rhode Island Red – 2024 Newcastle Poultry Show, Best SCCL, Reserve Grand Jr Bird – 2024 All Bantam Fall Classic Show B, Best Mediterranean – 2024 State Fair of Oklahoma Show 1 and 2, many Class and Reserve Class Champions at various shows Kyson: 1st place Punch and 2nd All Other Desserts-2023 Cook Off, 2nd place Punch - 2024 Cook Off, 1st place Jr. Table Setting and 1st place Sr. Cupcake Wars – West District, Breed Champion Chianina Heifer – 2022 SCJLS, Reserve Breed Champion % Red Angus Heifer – 2024 SCJLS, Reserve Champion Futurity Heifer – Oklahoma Producers Co-Op Show and Sale, Reserve Grand LF Red River Bantam Show, 2022 MEGA Show Best Featherleg and Best Jr Brahma, Grand Bantam, Grand Champion Junior Bird –2023 Red River Bantam Show, Best Junior Rhode Island Red and Reserve SCCL– 2024 Newcastle Poultry Show, Best Featherleg, Reserve Grand Jr Bird – 2024 All Bantam Fall Classic Show A, Reserve Best Mediterranean – 2024 State Fair of Oklahoma Show 2 HOW HAS BEING A PART OF 4-H PROGRAMS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE? Kailynn: 4H has given me experience in various settings, working cooperatively with others in groups, job/interview skills – poultry showmanship is one on one with a judge where you must talk about your bird, answer questions, and showcase them. Kyson: Showmanship allows me to be able to communicate better and makes me more comfortable talking to people. I also learned how to sew, cook, and set a table.
50 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group WHAT OTHER 4-H PROJECTS HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN? Kailynn: I have participated in Poultry, Beef, Home Gardening, Expressive Arts, Canning, Photography, Table Setting, Cupcake Wars, County Cook-Off, Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Kyson: Poultry, Beef, Home Gardening, Expressive Arts, Canning, Photography, Poster Contest, Table Setting, Cupcake Wars, County Cook-Off, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Sewing OTHER GROUPS OR ORGANIZATIONS YOU’RE INVOLVED IN? Kailynn: I am in band, honor society, and a member of Shady Grove Church. Kyson: Band and Shady Grove Church
51 hometown living at its best WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? Kailynn & Kyson: My mom WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND WHAT WILL YOU STUDY? Kailynn: I am undecided about a college but would like to pursue a career in biology or the medical field. TELL US ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED WHILE CARING FOR YOUR ANIMAL OR DURING A COMPETITION. Kailynn: I went to a prospect show/poultry field day and my grandpa bought me a $1 raffle ticket. I put it on the most pitiful, scraggly bird and of course, I won him! I worked with him all summer and he was Reserve Cockerel at the SCFF. He was Class Champion English at the MEGA Show, Grand Large Fowl at the Fall Classic, and State Champion ALFA bird twice. Kyson: When I was 4 and participating in my first chicken showmanship competition, I left my rooster with the judge to go ask my mom a question about my bird. The rooster was patting his feet and side-eyeing the judge the whole time. My mom was so mad! I got 2nd by the way.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? Kailynn: I enjoy drawing, writing, and science. Kyson: I enjoy fishing, playing games, astronomy/space, science/STEM WORDS OF WISDOM OR ADVICE: Kailynn: Practice makes progress!
53 hometown living at its best 580.357.3671 MMG ORTHOPEDICS & PODIATRY feel better move better
54 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
55 hometown living at its best
56 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
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