Town Talk volunteers opened Stroud’s Route 66 Tourism and Visitors Center over the weekend to greet and assist any guests in town. A big thank you to Delores Hamlin, Elaine Buerger, Thelma Mauldin, Jo Braden and Lavina Hinman for volunteering at the Center. Another volunteer we want to thank is Julie Bivin who had her two granddaughters assisting her. Dru and Rae Bivin were visiting from Sand Springs and really enjoyed helping. Thank you, too, to Vivian Henshaw who also worked a shift and brought along 1962 Stroud graduate Louise Hall Morgan to lend a hand.
Thank you to everyone who took the time out of their weekend to join us for the Memorial Day service. Due to rain, we held the ceremony at the American Legion building and had a great crowd despite the weather. Jeromye Jackson, pastor at First Assembly of God, opened in prayer. 2021 Stroud High School graduate Raigan Newnam sang God Bless the USA and led the audience in God Bless America. 1967 Stroud High School graduate Ron Baker was keynote speaker. He reminded us that we should all live lives worthy of being “saved” by those who fought for our freedoms. Legion member Delmar Summers placed a wreath in the building in honor of all deceased veterans. American Legion Commander Mike Horwath led Legion members in a 3-round rifle volley in honor of our fallen military men and women.
Those participating were David Abbey, Brad Smothers, Michael Ramsey, Eric Bradley, Carl Robertson and Michael Williams. The program ended with Stroud High School graduate Danielle Stangle playing taps. She drove all the way from Yukon just to be able to participate. After the ceremony Danielle even went out to the cemetery to honor those veterans buried there with the playing of taps.
Bob Pearman and his City workers worked extra hard and overtime to get our community in tiptop shape for all our visitors over the weekend. I thought Stroud looked great. I heard many comments about how nice Main Street looked so our efforts and the City’s hard work are not going unnoticed. Thanks to all of you for a job well done.
Work continues on the pocket park Town Talk is putting in on Main Street west of Pete Sawatzky’s Main Street business. Pete is allowing us to decorate that area for children. It was his idea to have some children’s artwork on that wall so we will soon be putting children’s handprints there. We also plan on turning the cement slab into sensory activities for the kids. Stayed tuned – we hope to be finished with this project soon.
Thank you to former Senator Jason Smalley for donating a “used flag drop box” to our community. If you have frayed, tattered or torn flags you may place them in the container. We will then take them to a yearly flag disposal ceremony held in Seminole. The container is located in front of the Stroud Police Station.
It’s hard to believe June is already here. Take the time this month to grab a bite to eat in Stroud and visit one of our many merchants for all your summer needs. Have a great week and thank you for choosing to shop and dine……………local!