Preparation is moving along on Town Talk’s miniature golf course project. The nine golf course holes have been ordered and we hope to have them in Stroud sometime during the first week of April. Thanks again to everyone who has donated to this project. It has been so exciting to see all the support for this project from community members, local alums and alums who follow us on Facebook and through the newspaper. We’ve had donations from the class of 1946 all the way to 1996 – a 50-year span. We are still accepting donations if any of you still want to be a part of it. We will need signage, lighting, river rock, pavers, and some other miscellaneous items in addition to the holes so any additional donations we receive will go to these “extras”, but we will give you or your class recognition. David and Janet Griebel have some fencing they are donating, but we will need some fence posts, if anyone has some they’d like to donate. You may reach me at 918-527-9833 for in-kind donations or mail monetary donations to me at 301 West 6th Street, Stroud.
Since the Stroud American newspaper closed its Stroud office, I have been answering the phone for them. I have enjoyed it very much because one of the things I do is take new or renewal subscriptions over the phone. By doing this I get to reconnect with many Stroud alums that I might not have spoken with in years but often have wondered where their lives might have taken them. That happened this past week when Jeff Taylor called me from Galveston, Texas. Jeff graduated in 1973, a year before I did, and I have thought of him often. We had such a nice conversation catching up on old times. My mom had me put my phone on speaker so she could join in the conversation. Jeff told her he still could recite John 3:16 in French from my mom teaching it to him in high school French class. As many of you probably remember, Jeff’s mom was Wanda Taylor and he had one older brother, Eddy Taylor. Jeff’s grandmother was Sylvia Walls, and her sister was Roxie. They are all deceased, but I remember them vividly and fun times we had in Stroud. Sometimes I answer the phone and it brings me sad news.
That happened last week, also. As president of the American Legion Auxiliary, I have become acquainted with the American Legion members and feel I have a close relationship with many of them. One of my dear friends I gained through my terms as president was Legion member Aaron Aranando. Aaron was 96 years of age and lived a good, long life but I did not know he had passed away until I received a call from the funeral home in Bristow. He and his wife, Inga, used to reside in Milfay but sold their land some years ago and moved into town. I didn’t see him often but every time I visited his home, he greeted me with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye. I will miss knowing he will no longer answer the door when I knock on it.
Veteran’s banners will be going back up on Main Street soon. We have added six new banners to the collection since the last time they were displayed. We now have a total of 15 double-sided banners. Don’t delay – order yours today. One side of a banner is $125, and you may call me to place your order.
My husband and I spent this last weekend in Stroud. We drove around town and he took pictures of all the projects Town Talk has completed with funds raised from fundraisers, lots of monetary and in-kind donations from those of you who want to see Stroud thrive and a grant or two along the way. I was amazed at how much we have been able to accomplish with a small group of volunteers and lots of donors who support what we are trying to do. We have also had the support and worked alongside our home-town City Manager Bob Pearman. He is a blessing to our community. Just to refresh your memory, let me list our projects for you. Completed Town Talk projects are lawn chairs at the Stroud swimming pool, playground mulch, three spring animals and a teeter-totter at Foster Park, new edging around playground area provided by the City of Stroud, digital sign on Main Street, lights at the gazebo in Ed. Smalley Centennial Park, the Route 66 Main Street Pavilion and the Courtyard on Main, updates to Horn and Stinson Main Street, reworked and painted benches in Courtyard on Main and Pete’s Place, flowerpots and flowers on Main Street, $40,000 plus to remodel the American Legion building, Main Street clock mechanics, Stroud’s first school bell display, Route 66 Pavilion bathrooms (in conjunction with the City of Stroud), new bases on Main Street light poles (in conjunction with the City of Stroud), Main Street cleanup days, coat of paint on the front of the Mason’s building, veteran’s banners on Main Street, updated end-of-Turnpike sign, hand painted decorative lawn chairs at Route 66 Pavilion, restored the Lincoln County Express train engine, Main Street Christmas decorations and Main Street Fall decorations. I’m sure there’s a few more things that I’m forgetting so I’m trying to do a better job of keeping up with the list. Projects we are currently working on are a shade awning in Foster Park over the playground equipment, a Bugle Boy statue in Ed. Smalley Centennial Park, a children’s pocket park on Main Street called Pete’s Place and outlining our main three blocks of Main Street in lights. Contact me to find out how you may be a part of all the positive things we are doing for our community.
The Treasure Box is hosting Spring Fling this Saturday at the Route 66 Main Street Pavilion March 10th from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Stop by and see what all these local and area merchants have on sale. While you’re downtown, grab some lunch at one of our many delicious local restaurants and drop in a business or two and check out all the new spring items that they have to offer. After the fling, drop by Unique OK and try out their “shake of the month.” Have a great week and remember so shop and dine local……………….first!