Town Talk

Town Talk kicked off fundraising this week via Facebook for the Route 66 themed miniature golf course we plan on installing on Main Street.

The course will consist of nine holes. The first hole will be the train station where you hop on board to get some kicks on Route 66.

The next eight holes will represent each of the eight States that the Mother Road passes through. We have asked alums and their respective classes to sponsor one of the nine holes. Classes expressing interest in sponsoring a hole are 1962, 1966 and ’67, 1969, 1971-1974, 1976 and ’77, 1980 and ’81, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1999 and 2007.

Sponsorship of a hole costs $2000 but if a class doesn’t raise the full amount, we will team them with another class or two. Many alums from these classes have made pledges that will arrive any day but those who have currently sent in their donations are Chuck and Grace King Ellsworth, David and Angie Poskey Kircher, Mary Quandel Sarwark, Jeff Stiner, Terri Brown McCullough, Jalene Coward Slade, Kim Edwards Huffman, David Jones, Steve James, Jody Graham, Jim Abercrombie, Patti Kinnamon Reid, Tena Sanders Nabors, Brad May, Carl Johns, Jon Henson, Mary Gail Ethridge Cain, Arlene Herrmann Valliquette, Ed Crone, Linda Hamilton Smith, Todd Crabtree, Gail Poskey, Lisa Dervin Patton, Susan Ingram Cole, Diana Smalley Reed and Cindy Quandel Dickinson. If you would like to be a part of this project you may mail a check to Town Talk, % Diana Reed, 301 West 6th Street, Stroud, OK 74079.

You may also pay by PayPal or Venmo. Make a note to tell me which class you represent. Please call or text me at 918-527-9833 and I will give you the information you need to pay by one of the two latter methods.

Exciting things are happening in Stroud. You won’t want to miss out on being a part of it. Make your donation today.

The Lincoln Country Express Train engine is taking up residency in Ed. Smalley Centennial Park until we get the golf course put together. Then we will move it to that location. Stop by and see it and have your picture taken with it. It is a piece of Stroud’s history. Thanks again to Rob and Dixie Gordon and all the men at Service King for the magnificent job they did restoring this local treasure.

Town Talk has met with City leaders, business owners and interested citizens and we have plans to outline our three main blocks of downtown with white solar rope lights. We will be contacting businesses within the three blocks during the next couple of weeks and asking for written permission and a donation to accomplish this task.

Many communities have added lighting and it makes for great curb appeal and draws attention to our buildings. Bartlesville has outlined their downtown businesses and I spoke to one of the business owners about it this week. She said the lighting has generated a lot of attention to their downtown shopping area.

We hope we get lots of support from our local business on this project. Hinson Insurance, Amedisys, Stroud Drug, the Horn building, Estate Barn and Masonic Lodge have all agreed to let us light up their block and we have purchased the lights. Just a few blocks to go and we will be all set to tackle this project.

Be sure and check out our local merchants for all your shopping needs. If they don’t have in stock what you’re looking for, ask and see if they can order it for you.

They don’t know our needs if we don’t tell them. It’s not too early to shop for your special Valentine or think about where you want to dine that evening. I know some of our restaurants even take reservations for Valentine’s dinner.

Better get on their list early. Plan on spending your dollars right here in Stroud. It’s all about locals helping locals. Have a great week!