Welcome to all visitors and alums who are in town this weekend for alumni activities and Memorial Day remembrances. It is always a special weekend in our community; a time to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about those who are no longer with us. Be sure and pick up an alumni magazine so you don’t miss out on any of the activities.
I was saddened to learn of the death of longtime Stroud resident Raymond Black this past week. I have known Raymond, Billie and Kevin my entire life. Kevin was the first boyfriend I remember having in elementary school and he and I, along with his wife, Terry Hinman Black, graduated high school together. The Blacks were also our neighbors for a time on West 8th Street. For those of you on Facebook, Raymond’s grandson Luke Black wrote a wonderful memoir about his grandpa that you should take the time to read. Even though I knew Raymond his entire life, until I read Luke’s story I realized I really knew very little about him. Thank you to Luke for sharing those poignant stories with us. My recollection as a small child of Raymond is that he was always kind to me and as a youngster that leaves an indelible impression. Raymond will be missed by his family and our entire community.
The Stroud Visitor’s Center located on Main Street between the Stroud Arts building and Chamber of Commerce will be open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 6 p.m. Stop by with any questions you might have about Stroud happenings and activities. Town Talk volunteers will be staffing the center.
Be sure and visit Stroud’s Walk of Honor this weekend honoring many of our veterans. The banners represent just a small number of our community’s servicemen and women. Come by the visitor’s center and pick up a brochure with a short biography about each veteran as you stroll down Main Street taking in all the pictures.
School is now out for the summer and as soon as the rain stops we will have many more children playing outside. Be sure and drive through our City streets with caution. I saw a sign in a neighborhood that said, “Drive as if your kids were playing here.” That is a good thing for us to remember.
Volunteers will be meeting at the Stroud cemetery this Thursday to put out flags on our veterans’ graves. We will begin at 9 a.m. Come join us in this privilege. Also, join us on Monday at 10 a.m. at the cemetery for the Memorial Day service. Chairs and water will be provided. Be sure and take note of the ferns in the flowerpots as you enter through the cemetery gates. They are a nice addition. Thanks again to Aleta Smalley, Lavina Hinman, Nellie Faye Coper and Pat Poskey for purchasing the ferns. Thanks to Baker Smalley for putting them in the flowerpots.
Have a great week and remember it’s your choice to choose to shop and dine local..........first!