Town Talk

My baby brother, Gary Edgar Smalley, died this past week. He had COVID and no, he did not receive the vaccination. I know that is the first question on people’s minds now because it is mine when I hear someone succumbed to this wretched illness.

PCJLS Pig Roast a major success

This year’s Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Trophy Auction and Pig Roast held last week set another new record. Suzanne Gilbert, who is chairperson of the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show, advised me that the total amount raised during last week’s event was $50,045.

Chandler approves two stipends

The Chandler Board of Education Monday evening voted to pay bonus stipends to two National Board-Certified Staff Members and also approved several contracts and agreements. School Supt.

Town Talk

I serve on the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission and thus receive regular articles regarding tourism in Oklahoma. The latest email I received from Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s office was titled “Where to travel 2022: The best destinations to visit.” The article came from CNN travel.

Time for New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year again to write down the resolutions for the coming 12 months. I’m curious to see what 2022 will bring. One of mine is to continue having the willingness to take on improvements around the house and the yard.

Town Talk

It is hard to believe this is the last paper for 2021. Stroud experienced many blessings as well as losses. Our community was hit hard this past year with the deaths of too many of our citizens. Let’s continue to remember those families with our prayers and acts of kindness.

Relishing memories of going hunting

After finishing up putting some Christmas lights around our patio last Saturday afternoon, I took a breather and just sat down in my chair. Saturday had turned out to be a pretty nice day with a slight northerly breeze after a chilly morning.

Town Talk

I did a little snooping around and found out that Head Start is moving its offices to Main Street into the building that was the former Sparks Winery tasting room. There have been a few other businesses in it since the tasting room, but the building is owned by J. L. Gilbert of the Sparks Winery.

Ocean front property

It seems such an innocent time, now. It was a Saturday night and the Pokes had just beaten OU in Bedlam football and were going to the Big XII Championship game and, we thought, perhaps to the college football playoffs.

Editorial

A week before Thanksgiving, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones. The commutation came hours before Jones was scheduled to be executed for a 1999 murder.