Congratulations to Charles Palmer and Cody Paige and their families on the grand re-opening of Stroud’s historic landmark, Skyliner Motel. Sunday was an exciting day for our community as we celebrated their accomplishment. The Skyliner was built and owned by Jack and Lorene Tarter.
They celebrated their grand opening on August 2, 1959, even though the motel had been open before the grand opening, but their celebration was delayed due to the late arrival of the sign. They felt they couldn’t be “official” until the sign arrived.
The Tarters had two daughters, Alanna Tarter and Alicia Tarter Fox, both graduates from Stroud High School. Alicia and I graduated together in 1974 and even though the Tarters owned a home in Stroud, when we had a sleep-over it was always in one of the rooms at the motel, which was exciting for two young girls. Alicia once told me that her mother and Tuny Monday, another Stroud resident who owned a sign shop, designed the iconic sign sitting at the Tarters’ kitchen table. Both Jack and Lorene as well as their daughters are now deceased, but they are survived by their two granddaughters, Allison Fox and Stephanie Fox Robertson. Both women keep in touch with Skyliner news and know their ancestors would be pleased that their vision lives on.
Upcoming community meetings and activities include FBC Kids, Wednesday (tonight) February 4th 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 302 West 4th Avenue; Hospital Development Authority Meeting, Thursday February 5th 7:00 a.m. at City Hall; Stroud Community Clothing Ministry, Thursday February 5th 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on West Highway 66; JV and High School Basketball Games, Friday February 6th begin at 4:00 p.m. at McCloud; Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, Monday February 9th 5:30 p.m. at C of C Main Street Office; and Stroud Food Pantry, February 10th 9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 211 N. 3rd Avenue.
Here is a fun story for my readers who aren’t on Facebook. Stroud graduate Patrick Hodge made a post that he saw another Stroud graduate, Stanley Paregien, Jr. the other day. It wasn’t the fact he saw Stan that made the story interesting, it was where he saw him. Patrick said he and Stan went to high school together in the 1980’s and just found out that they were both at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and had been working across the base from each other for years. Patrick said it is true what they say, “It’s a small world. Who would have though two guys from Stroud would end up in the same place in Illinois?”
Glennis Wilson, Class of 1984, recently passed away. Glennis was currently a resident of Dallas, Texas. The family will hold a balloon release in her memory instead of a service, but details have not yet been released. Glennis is survived by three children.
While attending high school in Stroud, she was active in basketball, track and was a member of the Star Strutter Drill Team. Town Talk offers its condolences to Glennis’ family and friends.
Well, rumor has it that Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow on Ground Hog Day. This means we can expect six more weeks of winter weather. This was the fifth time in the last six years Phil has seen his shadow and the 20th time since 2000. Phil missed the mark last year, forecasters said, but you can’t count him out.
If you need any winter supplies, you’d better restock now because I notice bathing suits are already hitting the shelves.
Also, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so if you’re out and about checking on winter supplies, you might as well kill two birds with one stone and get your sweetheart a gift. If we happen to have six more weeks of winter, you won’t want to spend it in the doghouse! Have a great week and thank you for continuing to shop local…………… first!