Mother’s Day is just a few days away. Have you put off purchasing that special gift until the last minute? Well, lucky for you, it’s not too late. Think of all the things you can purchase right here in our hometown. If she lives in the area, gift certificates make great gifts. Certificates for groceries, oil changes, dinners, manicures are available, just to name a few. Does your mother take prescriptions? If so, how about a Stroud Drug gift certificate? Flowers from OJ’s or Unique OK would make a nice gift, too. If she lives out of town, how about a gift certificate to the Stroud American so she can keep up on the latest news regarding our community and stay in touch with her grandchildren’s happenings at school. Pick up donuts Sunday morning for breakfast then pick up curb-side lunch to enjoy after she watches her online church service. It’s a unique situation this year as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Think outside the box and help make it a special day for her.
Don Banta, long-time Stroud resident, lost his granddaughter last week in a car accident. Our condolences go out to all the families involved. When there is a death in the family it is a sad time but also a time when families reunite and reminisce about their memories. I stopped by to visit with Don, and his son Winston was there from Oklahoma City. We had a nice visit about the Stroud of our youth, recalling businesses we used to have on Main Street. A few we mentioned were Otasco (Shorty Douglas), Harvat’s Jewelry (Izetta Gooch), Wacker’s (Estelle Evans) and Abercrombie’s Café. Don recalled when we had four car dealerships in Stroud. Stroud was a bustling place!
Winston said he told his dad I was “Stroudcentric.” I liked that moniker. I looked up the definition of the suffix “centric,” just to get it exact and its meaning was “having something as a central interest, influence, subject.” Winston is right, I am Stroud-centric, and I am thankful for all the people that feel the same about our hometown. Today, May 7th, would have been my dad’s 96th birthday. He loved Stroud and instilled that in his family. I look at it as taking pride in Stroud. I want to live in a community I can be proud of and when my friends drive through, I want them to think, “This is a neat little town.” Let’s all continue to work to make Stroud the best it can be.
My mom and I were in Bristow last week and we locked her keys in her car. I say “we” because neither one of us wants to accept responsibility. The cutest and most polite young police officer came to unlock it for us. It was none other than Stroud’s own Tommy Mason. You never know who will come to your rescue.
Town Talk is looking forward to the arrival of the new digital sign for downtown Main Street. It won’t be long now. I saw on Facebook an aerial view of the new Frisbee Golf Course at Stroud Lake. What a nice addition for Stroud and for the Lake. Thank you to Bob Pearman and his crew for all the work they do. Stroud keeps looking better every day.
Just a reminder that the American Legion Building is available to rent for events and parties. It has had a complete make-over inside and looks like a new place. The American Legion members rely on the rental income for the biggest part of their funds to keep the building operational so let’s support them, when we can.
Have a great week and as always, remember to shop and dine local………..first!