Before we know it, May is going to be here and that means alumni weekend. What a great time that is here in Stroud! I think there is even more excitement this year since last year had to be cancelled due to the virus outbreak. I hear Class of 1971 is already making plans for their 50th year reunion. I visited with my cousin Tom Miller this week about the upcoming events for his class. You might remember Tom better as #71 on Bert Graham’s championship football teams. Fifty years later he was still lamenting the fact that they didn’t receive a State Championship ring. He was talking about some of his classmates Clara Cooper Hodgens, Rick Miller and Charles Anderson or as we knew him back in the day, Goose Anderson. It is always so much fun to reminisce about the good ole’ high school days. I look forward to that weekend where we get together with old friends and remember classmates and loved ones who are no longer with us as we also honor them on Memorial Day.
My nephew, Casey Smalley, continues to reside in Nashville where he plays the local music scene and works with Go Long Entertainment to try and break into the industry as a singer/songwriter. His band is Flatland Revival. They have a new song and video out titled “Bible Belt Kid.” You can find them both wherever you listen to music such as Spotify, Apple Music, etc. If you haven’t checked them out, please do so. The more plays he gets the more clout he has in the industry so give them a listen. Their first single that was released was titled “What We Need is a Honky Tonk.” Both are available for download.
I had the pleasure of visiting with Lewis Criess this past week. Lewis is a former Stroud resident who now resides in Massachusetts. Lewis served in the United States Special Forces as a 1st Sergeant during the Vietnam War. He wanted to be a part of Stroud’s Walk of Honor which he had read about in his subscription to the Stroud American. I love how many former Stroudites stay in touch with their hometown through our local newspaper. Lewis’s brother, Wayne, still resides here in Stroud. In fact, Wayne is the one who made the archway for Ed. Smalley Centennial Park. He is quite the craftsman. My mom taught their younger brother, Leslie, in high school. If my memory serves me correctly, it was their father who was a co-owner of our local brick plant.
The putters and balls for our miniature golf course arrived this week. I also received word from Adventure Golf that our golf holes are on track to be delivered the second week of April. Town Talk’s goal is still to have everything in place and the course open for Alumni/Memorial Day weekend.
My mom was visiting with Heather Black at Welcome Home and Heather told her that business is already picking up with Spring travelers and locals alike. Unique OK told me that business has been good at their shop also. I noticed on Facebook that Patton’s Produce was open for business this last Sunday.