One month, that is how much time the team here at Duke’s has to prepare.  Prepare for what, you ask?  Our 75th Anniversary celebration on July 1st, 2026 that will be held at Haskell Park from 4-8 pm.  I believe excited, grateful, nervous and stressed cover all the emotions right about now.
75 years is unbelievable considering it feels just like yesterday we were celebrating our 50th Anniversary.  In the last 25 years so much has changed and happened, and I’m referring to only one-third of Duke Bakery’s life.  We have seen our bakery team grow from 15 to 60 people.  We have seen and experienced the impact of the internet and social media.  We have survived a fire, flood and a pandemic.  And in 2021 we lost one of our family leaders, Susan Doucleff.  Even with all of these challenges, we are still going.  I believe with each challenge we have gotten stronger and more determined.
When we think about the first two-thirds of Duke Bakery’s life, it’s rather daunting.  When the bakery began, Harry Truman was President, the USA was on the rebound from WWII and the Great Depression, man had not yet walked on the moon, and believe it or not most households did not own a TV.  Just like the last 25 years, the first 50 years had its ups and downs with the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War and civil unrest. In 1972, we saw the passing of Helen Doucleff, the bakery’s matriarch.  In 1987, Mr. Duke passed away followed by baker, Bud Dykeman, in 1999 who was a forty-six year employee.
Reflecting on all of these challenges, I can’t help but ask myself how and why?  I have come up with one answer to this question, Alton.  The town we have called home for 75 years, the neighborhood, the little corner of the world that Duke has called home for so long.  When I say Alton, I’m not just referring to the beautiful homes and our incredible view.  I’m talking about the people.  This community is the reason we are still here on our little corner 75 years later.  They have shown us unending support for the past 75 years and for that we are eternally grateful!  Thank you, Alton.
You truly are the best,
Ben and Amy Hollis