Town Talk

Can you believe March is already here? I was driving down Main Street Tuesday morning and noticed the few straggling dead flowers in our downtown flowerpots. Town Talk is anxious to get those filled with gorgeous spring flowers which helps Stroud look alive.

Cat actions

I pulled out one of my old film cameras three weeks ago. Kindra and I were slipping off for an overnight anniversary get-away and I thought I’d snap a couple of rolls of film to commemorate the event.

Openness essential in government

Openness should be the standard not the exception when it comes to meetings and records of public bodies. We see and hear of boards, councils, other public bodies that either ignore or attempt to skirt the Open Meetings and Records Act.

Remembering Virginia Bradshaw

A couple of weeks ago this area lost a well-respected retired member of the journalism community. Virginia Bradshaw passed away on Feb. 9 at her home. She was 92 years old. She had played a role in my entering into the world of journalism and played a role in my landing my first newspaper job.

Town Talk

Thank you to the Lion’s Club for their hard work in putting the flags out on President’s Day in the yards of those who subscribe to this program. This is a great fund raiser. It is not without lots of effort on the members’ part to keep this project going.

Town Talk

My baby brother, Gary Edgar Smalley, died this past week. He had COVID and no, he did not receive the vaccination. I know that is the first question on people’s minds now because it is mine when I hear someone succumbed to this wretched illness.

PCJLS Pig Roast a major success

This year’s Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Trophy Auction and Pig Roast held last week set another new record. Suzanne Gilbert, who is chairperson of the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show, advised me that the total amount raised during last week’s event was $50,045.

Chandler approves two stipends

The Chandler Board of Education Monday evening voted to pay bonus stipends to two National Board-Certified Staff Members and also approved several contracts and agreements. School Supt.

Town Talk

I serve on the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission and thus receive regular articles regarding tourism in Oklahoma. The latest email I received from Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s office was titled “Where to travel 2022: The best destinations to visit.” The article came from CNN travel.

Wrong car

It was a warm afternoon in late spring when I pulled up to the music store in downtown Ada. I was 16 and a junior in high school and I was going to see if they had any 8-track tapes I needed.