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2 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group 14 06 On the Cover Contents 20 26 40 36 KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL AND THE PRIZE The powerhouse Lady Demons softball team made school history playing in the state championship game and have their sights set on winning this year. FROM UNREST TO UNSTOPPABLE Duncan Runner Turns Anxiety into Action at the NYC Marathon SAVED BY THE BELL Beyond the Bell provides a safe, structured place for middle school kids to find support, confidence, and hope. HOMETOWN HAPPENING Food 4 Kids Auction MEMORIES THAT TRAVEL Duncan knows Cindy Parks from her 30 years of teaching and active participation in the arts community. She now has another title: AUTHOR. HOMETOWN HAPPENING DRH Ladies Luncheon STEP RIGHT UP Rock Island 905 Locomotive Museum brings history to life, allowing visitors to climb aboard a century-old engine that helped shape the town’s very existence. 30 40 30 20 14
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A 4 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Duncan Lifestyles Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group. 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 Mary Dodson Becca Nelson Sankey Cindy Kahler Thomas Ethel West PHOTOGRAPHER Debbie Duggar Visuals 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 Photo provided by Duncan Public Schools Camela Dietrich Accounts Receivable accounting@hometownmedia.group Hello Duncan! Lindsey Kruger At the heart of what we do as a family-owned company is a commitment to telling the stories of the people and places that shape our community. We partner with local businesses to help them grow and succeed while showcasing people and organizations that are the heartbeat of Duncan. In this issue we celebrate the Lady Demons softball record achievements, join an author’s trip down memory lane that inspired her new book, and cheer on a runner’s journey across the NYC Marathon finish line. Also highlighted throughout this issue are exceptional organizations and events serving the Duncan community: Beyond the Bell, Food 4 Kids, Rock Island 905 Locomotive Museum, and DRH community outreach. Their impact is felt on both sides of service: in the lives they touch and in the dedicated individuals who give generously of their time, talent, and resources. As you turn these pages, I challenge you to consider supporting a non-profit whose mission resonates with you. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed putting it together! Thank you for supporting these local businesses that strengthen our community. With prayers of blessing for you and yours, This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24
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6 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos provided by DUNCAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL and the PRIZE
7 hometown living at its best JJimmy Miller hasn’t wasted a moment since stepping into the role of Duncan High School’s softball coach. In the short time he’s been there, he transformed the Lady Demons into a powerhouse team. The 2024 season, he pushed the girls to the state semi-finals; last year, he guided them all the way to the championship game, where they made school history as runners-up. Along the way, Miller earned District 1 and Region 9 Coach of the Year, an honor made even more meaningful because it was decided by his fellow coaches. But don’t expect Miller to boast about any of it, or for his team to settle for the idea that runnerup is the ceiling. Miller is quick to deflect praise, insisting his coaching award has nothing to do with him. He credits the Lady Demons’ historic run to the relentless work they poured into every practice, inning, and game. “They worked their absolute tails off,” he said. “They worked hard to improve themselves and their game. They played for each other and loved on each other and are a great bunch of young ladies.” THE POWERHOUSE LADY DEMONS SOFTBALL TEAM MADE SCHOOL HISTORY PLAYING IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON WINNING THIS YEAR.
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9 hometown living at its best Their loss to Carl Albert was a crushing blow that Miller attributed to little missteps that added up. “Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way. You didn't make plays and didn't do little things we could do to win, but it's tough to win when you get there, and this was the first time we've been to the state championship game,” he explained. “It's a whole different animal when you've never been there. It's one of those things where we knew we had a chance to beat Carl Albert if we played well, so yeah, we were absolutely disappointed when we didn't win.” For the seniors, the loss was especially difficult; state was their final shot at a title before closing the chapter on their high school softball careers. Mikena Wilson, the team’s senior pitcher, said they may have let the pressure get to them. “It was a game that we played a million times,” she said. “It was awesome that we made it there and that we were the first people to do it in Duncan history, but it was also disappointing that we weren't able to win.” On the upside, the team gained valuable experience. State gave the team the opportunity to get comfortable with stressful situations and build their confidence, Miller said.
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11 hometown living at its best “It's just one of those things that when you've never done something before it's scary,” he said. “You're always gaining experience and it's going to guide you the next time. You’re more comfortable in those stressful situations and ready to go the next year. We're going to lose some valuable pieces this year, but we're going to retool and get ready for next year.” Preparation, team-building, and camaraderie are not assets the Lady Demons lack. Jaylee Roebuck, who transferred to Duncan from Comanche for her senior year, said her team is the best she’s ever seen. “We just love each other like sisters,” Roebuck said. “We eat, sleep, breathe softball together. I think that we all knew that we had a chance to go far this year, and so we wanted to push each other as much as we could.” To that Wilson added, “You could have all this skill on the field, but if you're not willing to play for each other and figure out how that person is (as a player), then you're not going to know whenever it comes into a game. Like for a pitcher and a catcher, the pitcher has to know their catcher; the catcher has got to know their pitcher, their weaknesses and their strengths. I think it just all comes down to relying on knowing your teammates.” And while Miller gives the girls all the credit for their advancement, there is a reason he was voted Coach of the Year. “He truly believes in each and every single girl, and he just really wants the best for us,” Wilson said. “We could see that, and we just want to make him and our other coaches proud.” Roebuck agreed, adding, “He is a really good coach, and he wants us to be our best. I don't know how many times he would work with us late at night or on a Sunday whenever he could be home with his family. I think that's a big thing, knowing that a coach wants to win just as badly as you do.” And though ultimately the team fell short, facing off against an old rival was not an opportunity they expected. “We got run ruled by Carl Albert in regionals; they beat us pretty bad, and if I had told those girls that three years later they would be playing against that same team for the state championship, they would not have believed it,” Miller said. “What they've achieved has been pretty awesome, how far they've come in that short of time, and so they have a lot to be proud of.” For Roebuck, who has been playing softball since she was 4 years old, competing at the state championships was scary and nerve-wracking, but she told herself that the game was ultimately for God’s glory – and in His hands. “We just take that (loss) and we learn from it, and this year I know the underclassmen will step in and get the job done,” she said. †
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Written by ETHEL WEST | Photos provided by KELSEY ROBERTS Duncan Runner Turns Anxiety into Action at the NYC Marathon orn and raised in Duncan, Kelsey Roberts has always felt deeply connected to the community that shaped her. Her involvement extends beyond familiarity into active service. Roberts volunteers with Beautiful Day, Rotary, and Connection Church, and serves on the boards of Thinkability and the Duncan Chamber of Commerce. In recent years, however, her connection to Duncan has taken on a quieter, more personal rhythm measured not in meetings, but in miles logged along its roads. Roberts had long admired the grit and discipline of marathon runners. Becoming one herself felt aspirational, even unrealistic. In early 2024, she couldn’t complete a single uninterrupted mile. Running wasn’t yet a sport; it was a struggle. At the same time, Roberts was dealing with rising anxiety. Her thoughts raced, her heart felt constantly accelerated, and rest was hard to find. Movement became a way to cope, though she didn’t yet understand where it might lead. UNSTOPPABLE FROM UNREST TO 14 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
15 hometown living at its best “One day, I went for a walk but for me, it’s never just a ‘walk,’” Roberts said. “When I lace up my shoes, I feel compelled to run.” That day, she alternated between running and walking, finishing short of a mile, sweaty and discouraged. But something unexpected happened. Running quieted her mind. It pulled her attention away from spiraling thoughts and into the present, one breath at a time. She began running whenever anxiety surfaced. The runs were short, rarely more than a mile, but they were consistent. Over time, running shifted from coping mechanism to refuge, a place where her mind could reset and stress loosen its grip. Without telling anyone, Roberts began training for the Oklahoma City Half Marathon. “I was so nervous,” she said, “but it felt like a celebration.” Crossing the finish line brought immediate pride and a surprising thought. If she could do a half marathon, maybe she could do a full one. A year earlier, she had saved a video of the New York City Marathon. The idea lingered quietly as she applied for the race lottery and was denied. She applied to numerous charities, only to face rejection after rejection. That summer, her husband Caleb completed the Hotter’N Hell 100, a grueling 100-mile cycling race in extreme heat. Watching his dedication inspired her. “I was motivated by his effort,” she said, “and maybe a little jealous of his accomplishment.” With less than three months until the NYC Marathon, Roberts emailed nearly 20 nonprofits seeking a charity spot. Rejections rolled in until an unexpected email arrived from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which had an opening. After an interview discussing fundraising, training, and her connection to the foundation’s mission of
16 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group advancing spinal cord injury research and improving quality of life for those affected by paralysis, it became official. She would represent the Reeve Foundation at the New York City Marathon. The race required a $6,000 fundraising commitment. Roberts announced her entry and raised $2,000 within 48 hours. Over the next eight weeks, she closed the gap through personal outreach and creative efforts, including “Carb-Up with Kelsey” fundraiser where she teamed up with Judy Carroll to make and sell homemade cinnamon rolls. Roberts also did a mile sponsorship campaign during her long runs. She reached her goal the day before race day. “I had strangers donate and people I hadn’t seen in years reach out,” she said. “It was incredibly encouraging to feel that support.” Race morning arrived early, cold, and electric with the energy of nearly 60,000 runners. Widely considered one of the toughest courses among the World Marathon Majors, the NYC Marathon is defined by relentless bridges and late-race hills. Standing at the start, Roberts felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment. Once underway, the race became a 26.2mile block party fueled by more than a million spectators. Cheers echoed from sidewalks and fire escapes as music, signs, and highfives carried runners forward.
17 hometown living at its best Her husband and son met her at mile 18. She admitted she was hurting. “You’re almost done, you can do this,” her husband told her. She hugged them, took the banana her son had saved, and kept going. By mile 23, she was overwhelmed. A stranger sprayed Biofreeze on her knees as she cried. Her husband asked, “Who will carry the boat?”, their shared phrase from David Goggins. “I carry the boat,” she replied, pushing through the longest miles of her life. When the course finally opened to the finish, stadium seating roared. As she crossed the line, everything went quiet. Months of doubt, pain, and perseverance collapsed into one powerful moment. And she knew she would do it all over again. †
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20 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group Written by MARY DODSON | Photos provided by THE SECOND CHANCE RANCH INC. SAVED bell by the
21 hometown living at its best S BEYOND THE BELL PROVIDES A SAFE, STRUCTURED PLACE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS TO FIND SUPPORT, CONFIDENCE, AND HOPE TO GROW ACADEMICALLY. Steven and Stephanie Dixon of Duncan had a vision: to transform at-risk youth. Steven is a teacher at Duncan Middle School. His own battle with alcohol–and his subsequent victory–led him to serve as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate to help others win their own battles. His firsthand understanding of teen challenges and his heartfelt concern did not let him sit still; it inspired him to get busy and “do something.” His wife, Stephanie, is an ARISE-Certified Interventionist with years of experience in the mental health field. After overcoming her own addiction, she, too, felt called to help others find hope and stability. In 2022 this dedicated couple began early outreach and youth support services. In 2023, they expanded into the local schools, launching Midweek Mix, a weekly in-school support program aimed at curbing substance misuse. In 2024, they went “bigger,” introducing mentoring and additional school support programs, reaching more than 100 kids across Stephens County.
In 2025, they launched Beyond the Bell. This is a free after-school support program specifically designed for middle school students. The Dixons saw a gap in this age group and stepped up to fill it. Beyond the Bell provides a safe, structured place for middle school kids to find support, confidence, and hope to grow academically. Students arrive at Beyond the Bell a minute after the school bell rings. They check in at The Fieldhouse, grab a snack, and settle in at one of the activity zones; these “zones” include arts, sports, technology, maker space games, and tutoring. This allows the student to pursue individual interests and needs. The staff and volunteers are ever-present to mentor, help with homework, teach hands-on projects, and create opportunities to develop deep connections via real conversations. The program has been very well received. A sixth grader says, “I love coming to Beyond the Bell. I can be myself here!” Another adds, “At Beyond the Bell, I finally feel like I can breathe!” A parent notes that her son “looks forward to his every Tuesday and Thursday ‘Bell’ days.” Ms. Dixon states: “Middle schoolers are in a pivotal stage of life. When they have a safe space and people who believe in them, everything changes.” What does the future hold? Well, the Dixons aren’t done. They dream of including in-school mentoring, one-on-one coaching, training for school personnel, designing family support groups, and offering wraparound services that meet the individual child’s needs from every angle. Steven and Stephanie are thankful for extraordinary community partners who stepped forward to help them launch and sustain Beyond the Bell. Leadership Duncan Class 29 played a 22 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group
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24 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group pivotal role and was instrumental in helping them bring the program to life. The Dixons are deeply honored that this group selected them as their class project. And, their platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsors warm their hearts. In 2025 the Mullins Baptist Association began a careful, structured process to determine the best future use of the 1002 South 10th Street property. The Executive Committee recommended that the property be deeded to The Second Chance Ranch Inc. for the Beyond the Bell program. As Beyond the Bell expands services, even more assistance will be required. The current staff needs more caring adults who share their vision to step up and volunteer and/or mentor. They need snacks provided as their student load continues to increase. And, as a 501(c)(3) organization, the consistent need for donations to keep making their vision a reality is an everpresent challenge. How to find out more and get involved in this mission? That’s easy: just call 940-5970955 or 917-821-9799. Or, take time to look at their website: 2cr-oklahoma.org/support-us. The Dixons are witnessing again and again that Beyond the Bell is more than an afterschool program–it’s a lifeline for many troubled kids. And they’ve witnessed that this lifeline can truly be transformative! †
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HOMETOWN Happenings
27 hometown living at its best Duncan Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Food 4 Kids Auction on August 22 at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club in the western-themed “Give Hunger the Boot!” The Duncan community stepped up in those boots, with the help of auctioneers, Todd Robertson and Kenny Baker, to raise $74,280.76! The Backpack Program sends kid-friendly, shelf-stable meals home with elementary students every Friday, helping to bridge the gap between school meals and weekend hunger. For many children, these backpacks are their only reliable source of food until Monday. “No child should have to worry about where their next meal will come from,” said Chamber President Kelly Arnold. “These numbers represent more than meals; they represent hope and health for our students.” Proceeds from the auction directly benefit students in local schools with a matching program that extends that impact to children in all 53 counties served by the Regional Food Bank, living out the belief that learning begins when hunger ends. “This event is a community favorite every year,” said Arnold. “It was a fun night for a serious cause, and every dollar raised helps us feed more kids.” The Food 4 Kids committee members are Nicole Punneo, Ross Hutson, Lisha Elroy, Adrianne Arrington, Gabby Smith, Judy Dither, Emalee Ligon, Julie Stockton, Reggie Stockton and Rita Livingston. Food 4 Kids Photos by Debbie Duggar Visuals AUCTION
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30 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group C Duncan knows Cindy Parks from her 30 years of teaching and active participation in the arts community. She now has another title: AUTHOR. Written by CINDY KAHLER THOMAS | Photos provided by CINDY PARKS and by JOEL PARKS Memories that Travel Cindy Parks is a retired educator, musician, and author who has called Duncan home for 45 years. Her debut book, “This Was at a Time,” chronicles the 1980 bicycle adventure that changed her life. The idea of writing the book was inspired by her mom, who had passed away when Cindy was 25. “Some time lapsed before I got the nerve and the motivation to sit down and write. I had never written anything like that before, not even a short story. I pulled out my old trunk from the attic. It had all my old diaries and journals, and I started reading them. It gave me a lot of ideas on how to write and what to write,” she said. When she finally sat down to write, she realized how vulnerable it feels to put your soul on paper. It’s not just a travel story, it’s a love story, a coming-of-age story, and a story of faith. It all came back to her with the rain-soaked days, steep mountain climbs, the strangers who became part of their adventure, and the love that carried her through it. In 1980, Cindy and her then-boyfriend, Kenny Parks, were 22 when they decided to take a trip between semesters at Oklahoma State University. Joined by Kenny’s brother, Randy Parks, and his roommate, John Hammond, the four of them set out on bicycles from Stillwater, Oklahoma, heading all the way to Ithaca, New York, to visit a college friend. “He had joked, ‘Come visit me sometime,’ never imagining we would actually bicycle our way there,” she said. “The average ride was about 60 miles a day, carrying all our own gear. My bicycle weighed almost as much as I did, around 110 pounds! There were days when I had to get off and push it up the hills. We traveled through rain, headwinds, and more rain. It seemed like it was always raining. The very first day, the wind was so strong, and it rained so hard that we barely made it 30 miles. I thought about turning back and coming home,” she laughs about it now.
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32 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group They camped behind churches many nights because they felt safe, but often they camped at national parks and even in backyards. They lived on $5 a day, so motels were out of the question. They met some unforgettable characters along the way. “One day, while taking a break at a McDonald’s, the manager came over and asked about our trip. He said, “I’m Jay. Why don’t you stay at my house tonight? You can take a hot shower, have some dinner, and a few beers.” It sounded tempting because we’d just battled through heavy traffic, so we decided to take him up on it. When we arrived, it was strange. The house was dark, smoky, and all the windows were covered. Jay acted like he barely remembered inviting us. The first thing he said was, ‘Don’t sit on the couch. It’s a $3,000 couch.’ So, we sat on the floor. His roommate smoked nonstop and told the most inappropriate stories. At one point, I was sure he was trying to seduce me just with his eyes. It was the creepiest night of the trip. We slept on the floor, didn’t touch the couch, and left before sunrise,” she recalled. Every morning, Kenny picked a small bouquet of wildflowers and placed them in the basket on her bike. That daily ritual reminded her, even in the toughest moments, that beauty was everywhere: in the kindness of strangers, in the majesty of nature, and in the man pedaling beside her. “When you spend that much time on the road, pedaling and thinking, you do a lot of reflecting. I thought about my childhood, my sisters, my parents, and the love that surrounded me growing up. I thought about my mom, gone too soon and how grateful I was for the life she helped shape. That ride filled me with love and appreciation. It gave me confidence I didn’t know I had. ‘If I can do this,’ I thought, ‘I can do anything.’”
33 hometown living at its best “Looking back, I can laugh about it now, but at the time, it was all part of the wild, unpredictable ride that made the journey what it was. Sometimes it was torture, but what I remember the most is the love, and I have positive memories about it,” she said with a smile. That trip happened 45 years ago, but it helped to shape what came after. Kenny and Cindy married a year later and are still devoted to each other. Both found jobs in Duncan and never left. She spent 30 wonderful years teaching, five in fourth grade and twenty-five years teaching gifted and talented students. After retiring, she threw herself into the arts community, helping launch the Art Smart program, working with the Chisholm Trail Arts Council, teaching at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, and serving as chairperson for the Duncan Arts Hall of Fame. Although she enjoys the arts, she says her forte is more on the musical side. She has 2 albums on Spotify, Cindy's Songs and Poetry on Keys. There is also an instrumental version of the latter, so you can listen to it without the poems. They also make music together. She plays guitar and piano; he plays the upright bass and mandolin. All three of their sons, Sam, Blake, and Joel, are musicians, too. They even had a Parks Family Band for a while, back when they were growing up, and they even played at venues around the state. This Was at a Time isn’t a self-help guide or a travel manual. It’s a heartfelt adventure full of humor, love, reflection, and a little rain. “I hope it reminds people to appreciate the everyday things like nature, kindness, and the people you meet along the way,” Cindy says. “Everyone has a story worth telling, and she urges people to write theirs.” † Cindy’s book can be found at the Duncan Public Library, and purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Cindy herself. Her contact is thiswasatatime@gmail.com
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HOMETOWN Happenings The DRH Health Foundation hosted its annual Ladies Lunch. This year’s theme was “The Song in You”. The highlight of the afternoon was a captivating keynote by LaDonna Gatlin, whose uplifting message and music resonated deeply with attendees. Guests came together for a vital cause—raising funds to increase lung and breast screenings for patients in need. The event combined fellowship, entertainment, and philanthropy, underscoring the power of women coming together to champion better health outcomes. Thanks to the generosity of all who attended, the Foundation is one step closer to ensuring more individuals in our community have access to life-saving screenings. Photos provided by DRH LUNCH Ladies
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39 hometown living at its best To get started, call me at (580) 483-6167.
40 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group W STEP RIGHT UP Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY Photos provided by DENNIS WIENCK/THE ROCK ISLAND 905 LOCOMOTIVE MUSEUM Rock Island 905 Locomotive Museum brings history to life, allowing visitors to climb aboard a century-old engine that helped shape the town’s very existence. With its rich Western heritage, vibrant small-town charm, and plentiful outdoor escapes, it’s almost inconceivable that Duncan might never have existed were it not placed on the railroad route in 1892, not coincidentally the year the city was born. The Rock Island Railroad laid tracks through southern Oklahoma, and with them came more than trains; it brought a community. “The founding of Duncan was when the railroad arrived,” explained Dennis Wienck, president of the Rock Island 905 Locomotive Museum. “If it hadn’t been on the route, Duncan probably wouldn’t be anything like it is today.” From that time until the 1960s, passenger trains ran through Duncan, allowing residents to travel across Oklahoma and beyond. The railroad shaped commerce, community, and
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42 duncan lifestyles magazine | hometownmedia.group connection, and the legacy lives on in families who still collect and preserve relics from the railroad era, some of which are displayed at the museum. At the center of that history is Locomotive 905, built in 1910 and purchased by the Rock Island Railroad. “By the 1920s, it was transferred to southern Oklahoma, operating passenger trains until its retirement in 1952. In 1954, the locomotive was offered to the City of Duncan and placed on display in Fuqua Park,” Wienck said. “Moving it just ten blocks took three months of volunteer labor, with temporary tracks laid and leapfrogged forward every day or two. Over the decades, the engine began to rust and leak asbestos insulation. The city, lacking funds for restoration, considered sending it elsewhere or selling it for scrap.” Around 2001, a group of volunteers, many of whom were associated with Duncan’s model railroad club, stepped in. Save the 905 raised about $30,000 to clean and restore the locomotive. The museum officially opened in 2011, alongside a replica of the original Duncan depot. Wienck’s personal connection to the museum runs deep but is rather serendipitous. He first attended a meeting in 2001, prior to the organization of Save the 905, when organizers were trying to drum up community interest. Though his 40-year career as a mechanical engineer kept him away for several years, retirement allowed him to step in fully.
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45 hometown living at its best 45 “Many of the original volunteers were no longer able to help or had passed on,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in history and mechanical equipment…big iron locomotives. (With my work as a mechanical engineer), this is right up my alley.” Wienck said the locomotive itself is the biggest draw. “There are a lot of locomotives on display across Oklahoma,” he said, “but most are behind a fence, and you can’t get to them. Here, you can walk up the stairs and get into the cab. You can even move the controls the way the engineer would have.” The museum’s 4-foot-wide metal stairs with handrails make the cab accessible to anyone who can climb stairs, he added. Inside, the pipes are cleaned and painted, and while the locomotive isn’t fully reassembled, visitors can touch the controls and imagine what it was like to run the engine a century ago. Wienck isn’t the only one interested in all things train. He said the museum draws about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors each year. Roughly half are Duncan and Stephens County residents, while the other half come from elsewhere in Oklahoma, nearby states, and even other countries such as South America or Europe. “It’s amazing when people travel so far just to see this locomotive,” he said. “It’s not just a train to them - it’s a connection to history.” The more Wienck learns about the railroad’s history, the more he realizes its ties to other parts of Duncan’s history. “A hundred years ago, passenger trains were essential because roads and vehicles weren’t well developed,” he explained. “If you wanted to travel any significant distance, the train was the only practical option.”
While the railroad shaped Duncan in its early days, its impact goes beyond transportation. The town grew where the tracks ran, unlike other nearby communities that were bypassed. Wienck said the railroad kept Duncan connected. Today, eight to ten trains still pass through the city daily, hauling various freight - everything from oil to steel to grain. The museum operates as a nonprofit, with the City of Duncan covering utilities and the rest of its operations funded through donations and gift shop sales. Wienck said the museum’s website and Facebook page provide ways for supporters to follow Museum activities. “Without the community’s help, none of this would be possible,” he said. “Every donation helps us preserve the locomotive and educate people about Duncan’s history.” The museum continues to expand its collection. About a year ago, it received a 1950s track-inspection motor car, a small gasoline-powered cart used to patrol tracks and ensure train safety. At 6 feet by 6 feet, it’s too large to fit through the existing doors, so the museum is fundraising for a double door, basic maintenance, and display. Wienck said he hopes it can be restored to running condition, giving visitors a new way to engage with railroad history. Visitors come for a myriad of reasons. Grandparents bring grandchildren fascinated by trains. Adults with in-depth knowledge of railroads share insights, sometimes even teaching the museum volunteers something new. Travelers passing through Duncan stop out of curiosity. “I enjoy the conversations,” Wienck said. “People ask questions about why the train and
47 hometown living at its best locomotive are here, and why it matters. Sometimes they stump me. I’m not ashamed to say I don’t know the answer, but I’m always learning new things about this locomotive.” While the museum is bursting with information about the past, it is also focused on its future. When the project began, volunteers were a generation older. Today, a younger group keeps the museum active, and recruiting the next generation is essential to ensure that Duncan’s railroad history continues to be preserved. “We’re trying to involve younger people so that when we’re not able, someone else can continue the work,” he said. For Duncan, the Rock Island 905 Locomotive Museum is more than a display: It’s a living piece of the town’s past, a reminder of its origins, and a symbol of what a community can accomplish when it unites to preserve history. “The locomotive isn’t just steel and bolts,” Wienck said. “It’s a link to the people who built this town, and it keeps connecting us to the history we all share.” †
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