Congratulations to our Stroud Alumni committee on another successful alumni weekend. They deserve a big thank you for all the time and hard work they devote to making this event happen each year. I was unable to attend due to my great-nephew Gideon’s out of town baseball tournament. I love seeing old friends during alumni, but I have learned that time stands still for no one, and Gideon will be grown in the blink of an eye, so I want to enjoy every moment I can with him. Town Talk volunteers did do our part to ensure that you were pleased with the look of your hometown when you arrived for the weekend. Didn’t you think our Main Street flowerpots looked amazing? Town Talk volunteer Andrea Flatt Thompson spearheaded that project and our flowers have never looked better. Thank you to everyone who sponsors a flowerpot. We couldn’t do it without you. If anyone would like to become a flowerpot sponsor the cost is $40 and you will get your name or business/organization’s name on a stake in your flowerpot. Just contact Andrea at Unique Market or me at 918-527-9833 and we will take care of it for you.
Mom and I were at Ed. Smalley Centennial Park putting up a couple of patriotic ribbons. I was not tall enough to reach the lights and so was having a difficult time. Two nice young men came walking down the sidewalk and I asked them if they would mind hanging the ribbons for me. They said they would be glad to help and were such nice young men. They attend school here in Stroud and their names were Aiden and Arlie Burke. I did not know them but was glad to make their acquaintance. Town Talk sends a big shout-out and thank you to both for their help. If you know them, be sure and thank them for representing their generation in such a positive manner.
Putt Putt Kicks on Route 66 is now open Thursday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. but we take our last golfers at 8:30 p.m. The cost to play is 3 years and under is free, 4 years to 10 years is $3.00 and 11 and up is $5.00. You may also rent the course for a party for $50. Our course is a 9-hole course, but you may play two rounds with your admission fee. Lawn games available are horseshoes, corn hole, golf chipping and table games available are checkers, cards, and trivia. These games are included in the price of admission, or you can come play lawn and table games only for $5.00. Two picnic tables are available, and you can always bring lawn chairs. We have soda pop and water for sale and Johnny Freezes are on order. We are in the process of getting shade awnings to help alleviate the summer heat and when those are in place, we may extend our hours. Come join us for a fun evening on Route 66.
The Stroud Chamber of Commerce’s first Movie in the Park was a huge success. My Sunday School students were all a buzz discussing it and about getting to swim late at the pool. Thank you to Chamber President Erin Bradley and her crew for all their hard work in making this event happen. Thanks, also, to all who came out and supported it. Once again, I was at a baseball tournament but come July when baseball season has ended, you will find me at movie night! It’s been a dream of mine for a long time for Stroud to show movies in the park so I’m excited that it has come to pass.
Thank you to City Manager Bob Pearman and his staff for the great job they did on getting our city and cemetery ready for visitors over Memorial Day/ Alumni weekend. Everything looked great and showed we are Stroud Proud. Thank you, also, to Julie Bivin, Linda Waller and Bob and Debbie Pearman for picking up all the flags on the west side of the cemetery. That was a big help!
I see lots of activity around town these days. The Mazzio’s sign has been removed from their old building and looks like some repairs have been taking place, the Pawn Shop building is getting a facelift, the gas station next to Cattle Country Lodge is undergoing some changes, and a new Mexican restaurant is coming to the Lodge, too.
I don’t know what all this means but let’s keep our eyes and ears open to see what new things might be in store for our community. Michelle Whitson has combined her business, The Treasure Box, with her parent’s business, Stroud Dry Cleaning, so her building next to the Route 66 Pavilion is available for rent or purchase, if you are looking for Main Street property.
Activities for the week include Stroud Arts meeting Wednesday June 7th at 5:00 p.m., City Council meeting Thursday June 8th 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, Milfay Road Market in Depew Friday and Saturday June 9th and 10th, Grand Opening and ribbon cutting at Spirit of America Museum 9:00 a.m. Saturday June 10th, Masonic Lodge breakfast Saturday June 10th from 8:00 a.m. – 10 a.m. at Ag building, Stroud Fire Truck Muster and Car Show with beer and wine tasting form 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Saturday June 10th, Stroud Food Pantry Tuesday June 13th open from 9:00 a.m. until noon, Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday June 13th at 5:30 p.m., and Flag Day is Wednesday June 14th so fly your flags high and let’s celebrate America!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Memorial Day Ceremony at the cemetery either by being on the program or attending to honor our deceased veterans. Joey Simpson, Pastor of Stroud First United Methodist Church gave the invocation, Stroud High School student Genevieve Holland sang America the Beautiful and led the audience in God Bless American, former US Navy 3rd Class Gunner’s Mate Delmer Summers placed the wreath on the veteran’s cemetery memorial, Stroud Assembly of God Pastor Jeromye Jackson gave the message and taps was played by Stroud High School alumnus Danielle Stangl. Those honoring veterans with a 21-gun salute were veterans TJ Johnson US Army, Eric Bradley US Air Force, Michael Ramsey US Army, Santiago Miranda US Air Force, Matthew Cockrum US Marine Corps, Stewart Wright US Coast Guard and Michael Horwath US Army and American Legion Commander.
Bricks are still for sale at the Veteran’s Memorial on Main Street. The cost of a brick is $65. You may have up to three lines engraved on your brick. We must sell a minimum of 20 bricks before engraving can begin and we have currently sold 13 so get your order in today. You may call me or contact any Town Talk volunteer.
Every time I get on Facebook I see more and more people from our community encouraging each other to shop local. Many of you have always done that and others of you are adopting that mantra. Just a few visits to our merchants will show you that Stroud does have a lot to offer right here in our hometown. Let’s take advantage of it and support our friends and neighbors.
Thank you for continuing to choose to shop local…………first!