The life and dreams of one small town
In July/August 2009, Carpenter Co. — a Richmond, Va.- based maker of “comfort cushioning,” among other things — undertook a groundbreaking campaign to publicize its line of pillows and mattress toppers. Using the slogan “Sleep Better, Dream Bigger” as its starting point, the company sought to determine whether Americans grappling with economic setbacks still dreamed of a better life. 
In addition to financing a national poll on the subject, and partnering with singer Jewel on the campaign, Carpenter also decided to spend a month chronicling the life and dreams of the residents of one typical small town. Thus was the Web site “Stephenville Dreams” born.
G.D. Gearino, a 30-year veteran of the newspaper industry and a novelist with four books to his credit, was hired to live in Stephenville for that month and immerse himself in the town. Carpenter Co. managers agreed to exercise no control, editorial or otherwise, over the Web site. What they asked for, and what they got, was a professional journalist’s portrait of a place and its people. Below are links to Gearino’s posts about Stephenville, in the order in which they appeared on this site.
Welcome to the dream blog: How did G.D Gearino find himself in Stephenville? Here’s his account.
Score one for daydreamers: Finally, a defense for those with wandering minds.
Fine country for old men: A collection of first impressions of Stephenville.
Dreamer-in-chief didn’t say it: No, President Obama didn’t tell graduates to “aim low.”
On the road again: Travel day for the dream blogger.
Room with a tale: The story behind the temporary dream headquarters.
And the top billing goes to … Gearino drops into second place in the celebrity pecking order. Oh, well. Young and gorgeous always beats bald and grizzled.
Coffee, tea or predestination? Stephenville’s mayor was on her way to a funeral when she visited the town for the first time, She soon returned for good.
Meet my roommate: The dream blogger channels his inner Hemingway.
A dream fulfilled … For a small-town kid, what could be better than starring on a “home of” billboard at the city limits?
Boots walked, then walked back: A young man has to leave Stephenville to remember why he likes it.
Good thing it wasn’t rush hour: The essence of Stephenville in 57 words.
The color of success: When you name a hair salon “Freakshow,” it better be different. This one assuredly is.
When in Texas, hat as the Texans do: In cowboy country, the hat makes the man. Meet the man who makes the hats.
Finding history on a wall: Learn how a squawking parrot once set off a cattle stampede in Stephenville.
Cowboy Capital slapdown: Stephenville tussles with a California town over a world title.
I do what I’m told: Ranch name or instruction? The dream blogger isn’t sure which is the case.
Division of responsibility: A Stephenville firefighter humorously explains the police department’s role.
The meeting comes to (dis)order: A morning with Stephenville’s old codgers.
Making his life a party: If your ranch is already Party Central, you might as well become an impresario.
Crunch time at the ticket office: Ever wondered whether high school football in Texas is really that big a deal? Here’s your proof.
Finally, some clubs that will have me: The dream blogger gets a bar membership and is invited to church.
Sandwich with a side of crisp enunciation: Mommy, why does that man talk like that?
Old school meets new school: A local reporter interviews the dream blogger, only to find herself on the other end of the process.
Man and his roaster: A love story: Doing global good, one coffee bean at a time.
So long shovel, hello bookmark: Owning a book store is nice, but avoid this specific career path.
Missing: Three little pigs: A wolfish surprise awaits visitors to the Stephenville Museum.
A question to ruminate: There are more cows than people in the Stephenville area. Do they dream? (And we mean the cows.)
Signs, signs, everywhere are signs: It sounds like the set-up for a joke — How hot was it? Here’s the answer.
Recession? What recession? Guns, gadgets, stuffed animals and racy mannequins. Star Arms is a guy’s paradise.
Who moved the cheese (shop)? You don’t have to build a better mousetrap. Just make better cheese.
A visit to a quiet place: A double row of veterans’ graves shows that some young men who left Stephenville never came back.
Where dreams hit critical mass: Football practice starts under a sweltering Texas sun.
Dreams — big, small and perverse: Stephenville residents were asked to write down their dreams. One fellow had … uh, big ambitions.
The curtain comes down on a great gig: The dream blogger takes his leave of Stephenville, but still wonders about the crazy clock in the courthouse tower.
Aug 26, 2009 • posted by G.D. Gearino to News • 0 Comments
