Afew more of Stroud’s neon signs have been installed. The latest installation was at First Assembly of God Church. If you noticedtheiconicSkylinerMotelneonsign was missing, you were not just imagining it. It was taken down this past Monday to be refurbished. It will be back up before too long and will once again welcome visitors traveling both Route 66 and Highway 99.
Jack and Lorene Tarter began construction on the Skyliner Motel in 1958, and it opened for business in the summer of 1959.They built the motel after their family grocery store was destroyed by fire. Jack and Lorene raised their two daughters, Alanna and Alicia, in Stroud and both girls graduated from Stroud High School. Jack and Lorene are both deceased, and Alanna passed away in 2011.Alicia Tarter Fox was the last surviving member of the immediate family, and she passed away this past week in Claremore. Alicia and I graduated together in 1974 and were life-long friends, Even though the Tarter’s owned a home on North 3rd Avenue sometimes when I stayed the night with Alicia, we would sleep in a room at the Skyliner Motel, the one right next to the office and living quarters. I always thought that it was pretty neat. Alicia is survived by her husband Tim Fox, her daughters Allison Fox and Stephanie Robertson and husband Micah and grandson Jack, named after Alicia’s father. I will miss Alicia’s earthly presence very much. Just knowing she was just a phone call away was very comforting. She always stayed in touch with her Stroud friends and she and her church were prayer warriors anytime there was a need in her hometown. Town Talk offers its condolences to Tim and his family. Stroud just lost a sweet piece of its history.
Upcoming community activities include Stroud Community Clothing Ministry Thursday June 26th from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on West Highway 66, Stroud Industrial AuthorityTuesday July 1st at 7:00 a.m. at City Hall, and Hospital Development AuthorityThursday July 3rd at 7:00 a.m. at City Hall.Also, Stroud will be celebrating the 4th of July on July 4th in Foster Park.
August and Lincoln ended their baseball season this past week by playing in the 2D World Series in Broken Bow. They played six ball games over four days, winning three, tying one and losing two. Their two losses were to the same team, one in pool play and one in tournament play. It was extremely hot but this 9U team braved the heat and gave it their all. Overall, they had a good showing in the tournament.August and Lincoln both spent some time on the mound. Congratulations to the Naturals on a great season. Team members were Stroud kiddos August and Lincoln as well as Greyson Hubbard and Kanon Hilbert. Other members from the area were Chris Soto, Boston Blakeman-Raney, J’Ceon Coats, Kolsen Biggs, Korvyn Herring, and Hudson Stewart. Carter Roark from Wellston also played with the team in this tournament. Gideon spent the week at Falls Creek Church Camp but is playing with his team this week in Hoover, Alabama.
It’s time to start purchasing those hot dogs and buns for your 4th of July gettogether. I’m sure you can find everything you need, from bags of ice to fireworks to cookout supplies right here in Stroud, Oklahoma. Have a great week and thank youforcontinuingtoshoplocal…………. first!