Gaining inspiration from the past, improving the present and influencing the future is how one member of the Dover Beautification Committee describes the organization’s mission.

The committee’s latest project is already taking shape – a decorative entrance into the town for visitors from the north.

A sign, vintage pickup truck and decorative rocks currently mark the spot. A windmill, hay bales and fall plantings are soon to come, along with a few longhorns “escaped” from Red Fork Ranch in celebration of Red Fork Days next month.

“We actually talked about (constructing an entrance) when we were working on sprucing up the old buildings a few years ago, but people get tired and busy,” Suzan Brawner said.

Brawner and her husband Gary have been driving forces behind improving the face of Dover. Other committee members include Lori Fischer, Connie Phelan and Robin Johnston.

Gary Brawner is “Dover born and bred,” his wife said, but even though she is a transplant from the big city of Dallas, Suzan has fully embraced the history and heritage of the town.

“My grandparents had a dairy farm northwest of Dover, so I was very familiar with it growing up,” she said. “Then I moved here in 1973 and graduated from high school here.”

The beautification committee is focused on celebrating not only Dover’s history and heritage, but also its uniqueness.

“We’re not Kingfisher and we’re not Hennessey,” Brawner said. “We also have a limited budget, so we’re going for a sense of humor that will get people grinning as they drive into town.”

The vintage pickup truck, donated by Fischer’s stepdad, will soon be sporting a scarecrow driver and a couple of rowdy scarecrows riding in the bed, with pumpkins, hay bales and other signs of fall.

Eventually, the truck will be painted and antiqued to keep it from deteriorating, low maintenance plantings will be added and the surrounding decor will change with the seasons, Brawner said.

The entrance is located close to where people would turn to visit Dover’s town hall or the school, now freshly rebuilt and growing in enrollment and programming, a renewed source of pride and enthusiasm for the community.

“We’re proud of the school and we want it to continue to grow and attract people to move here,” she said. “We want the town also to reflect well on the school and be a desirable place.”

Brawner said she also hopes the improvements being made encourage others to join the process.

“A lot of people have graciously stepped forward to help in some way, but we welcome everyone who wants to lend a hand or make a donation,” she said. “There’s a lot in that town that with a little bit of work would really transform it.”

Anyone interested in donating can send a check made out to “Dover Beautification Committee” and mail it in care of Gary Brawner to 11224 N. 2830 Road, Dover.

Those interested in volunteering can contact the Brawners or any committee member for more information.