Well, I’m back this week. Last week I was a little under the weather, got my days confused and totally missed my newspaper deadline.
I hope I didn’t cause you to miss an important community event last week because I didn’t have the happenings listed in the newspaper.
In the same way I get used to getting reminder calls about appointments and if for some reason I don’t get a call, I’m likely apt to forget it. I hope that didn’t happen to you!
Activities happening in our community are students return to school today, Thursday August 10th so slow down and watch out for kiddos, City Council meeting also today, Thursday August 10th at 6 p.m. at City Hall, Stroud Clothing Ministry open today, Thursday August 10th from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on West Highway 66, Indian Taco & Silent Auction at Assembly of God Church Friday August 11th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Coach Pitch Scrimmage at 6:00 p.m. Friday August 12th at Little League Field in Foster Park, Blue & White Pep Rally Friday August 12th at Jack Poskey Field at 7:00 p.m. and Masonic Lodge monthly breakfast at the Ag Building on Saturday August 12th from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Stroud Food Pantry will be open from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, August 15th.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) recently announced they were applying to trademark the name Trey Bearhill with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The name will be used by Tiller Bucktrot. It was announced in August 2022 that he had signed to the company.
Tiller is a 24-year-old former Offensive Lineman for Tulsa University and is a proud representative of his indigenous heritage as a member of the Muscogee Creek Tribe and a Stroud High School graduate.
Congratulations to Tiller on this accomplishment and we wish him good luck. Stroud will be watching.
Former Stroud resident and Stroud High School graduate Terry Jane Soward Crofford passed away on August 1, 2023.
The visitation will be at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Stroud on Thursday August 10th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Her funeral will be held this Friday, August 11th at First Baptist Church Stroud at 10:00 a.m. Terry was the daughter of the late Russell and Jane Soward (Roddy) and a sister to Gary Soward, SHS Class of 1972 It’s time for a little update on the Smalley boys. Gideon had the opportunity to tryout this past weekend for Perfect Games All-State Oklahoma team. He competed in a combine of skills on Friday night at OU’s baseball field and followed Saturday and Sunday playing games against other boys who were also trying out. He competed with and against some friends that were from everywhere around Oklahoma.
Gideon pitched two innings with five strikeouts. He had a homerun in his first at-bat on Saturday. After the completion of the games, Gideon was awarded the MVP for hitting.
We are proud of his effort and the hard work he puts in. August will be celebrating his eighth birthday on August 14th even though he has been telling me for over a month that he is “technically” already eight.
Lincoln will celebrate his seventh birthday on August 29th. We consider these two our Irish twins since their birthdays are just over a year a part.
They might as well just have been twins because they are thicker than thieves and share a close brother bond, at least when they’re not arguing with each other. Lol My niece and SHS graduate Class of 2001, Barbie Smalley Bahner, submitted a proposal to the City of Oklahoma City’s Arts Commission and City Council to place artwork on one of the City’s traffic signal control cabinets.
Edmond has a couple of these completed projects and other cities have also adopted the concept. OKC’s Director of Public Works suggested wrapping the boxes in vinyl rather than painting directly on the box. Barbie painted her design on canvas, had it photographed and then transferred it to a vinyl wrap.
Barbie stated that the approval process was easy but the painting and getting the artwork done took the longest. All in all, it has been about a 2-year project, longer than anticipated.
She hopes this will be a catalyst for more of these around OKC. This is the first one in OKC. The purpose is to provide the community with public art and deter graffiti on the boxes.
If you’re in the area drive by NW 36th and Classen and see our Stroud graduate’s artwork. Of course, when she told me about it, I had to brag about our mural on the storage box that was painted by John Owens and Vivian Henshaw.
I’m impressed that we are keeping up with some of Oklahoma’s larger cities to promote local artwork. Barbie worked for the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma, working closely with the City of OKC in neighborhood revitalization before she became a stayat-home mom to Olivia and Henry.
She is married to Drew Bahner who, with his brother, owns Expanded Solutions, LLC in Wewoka and OKC. Barbie and Drew currently reside in OKC.
It’s supposed to be a little cooler this week so if you have time, come play a round of golf with us at Putt Putt Kicks on Route 66.
Due to the high temperatures, we did not open this past weekend but will be open today, Thursday August 10th through Sunday August 13th from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Come out and support Town Talk’s project to provide some entertainment for young and old alike.
The brick order has been turned in and we are just waiting on the templates for final approval for the additional bricks to be inscribed in Ed. Smalley Centennial Park. We will have a total of 46 new inscriptions at the Memorial. Profits from the sale of these bricks will go towards our sound system for the Bugle Boy.
Town Talk sends out belated birthday wishes to Ed Dyer, chief medical officer at Stroud Regional Medical Center.
Ed oversees day-to-day operations at the hospital and does a great job. Stroud is fortunate to have Ed working on our behalf and a local hospital, especially one that is committed to helping the community in every way.
There are lots of great changes going on at Stroud Regional. I’m sure Ed would love to take you on a tour and show you what’s going on at our hospital.
Town Talk Team Trivia is scheduled for Tuesday, August 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at the American Legion Building.
Trivia Host Larry Reed has been working on a new round of fun and interesting categories for you to test your trivia knowledge.
Bring a team or show up and we will put you on a team. The cost for the evening is $20 for dinner, drink, dessert and a rousing game of trivia. T wo people from one household may dine and play for $30. Come join in the fun.
School is back in full swing and so life is getting ready to be busier than ever.
Don’t spend what little free time you have on the road. Stay home and shop local. Plus, the news has said gas prices are on the rise and in the Tulsa area gas prices are $3.66 a gallon.
You might have to pay a little more at times to shop locally but with these out-of-sight gas prices you’ll still save money by shopping in your hometown.
Have a great week and thank you for shopping local………… first!