Town Talk

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Thank you to everyone who purchased yard signs for Veteran’s Day to thank our veterans for their service. I loved driving around town and seeing the signs placed in so many yards. It was a nice tribute to our veterans. The money we raised was given to the American Legion Auxiliary for its continued support of our Legion members. Also, thank you to all who honored their friend or loved one by purchasing a banner for the light poles on Main Street. City Manager Bob Pearman and his crew worked hard to have them up in time for Veteran’s Day, so our appreciation goes out to these men as well. Bob and I have talked, and we have decided we will take the banners down at the end of November and put them up again this spring. That will allow Main Street to be decorated for Christmas and protect our banners through these cold winter months. We will get them out in time for tourism season and nicer weather. I hope that is agreeable to all who purchased one. It’s not too late to order a banner. We will sell them until we have one on each appropriate lamp post on Main Street. Cost for one side of the banner is $125. You may call me at 918-527- 9833 to place your order.

Mark your calendars now for “I Love Christmas Movies” beginning the first Saturday in December. With the Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Parade being on December 5th we will not show a double feature that night but will begin our first Saturday night movie at 7:00 p.m. Come join us right after the Christmas parade for a grilled hot dog, chips, drink and outdoor movie, all for $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 12 and under. You may watch the movie from the comfort of your car. We will broadcast the audio through your car radio.

We are continuing to work this week on updates to several downtown buildings. The faux front is finished on the Horn building and now it’s ready for some paint. A little Stroud history is going to be added this store front, also. If you’ll notice the top of the building says “Selby” which means at one time the building was owned by longtime Stroud resident Bill Selby. Mr. Selby had apartments in the top of the building. In June of 1951 my mother’s Uncle Lynn Baker, his wife Rosalee Baker and their two sons were in a car accident and Rosalee died from her injuries. Rosalee was from Mississippi and had a large family who came to Oklahoma for her funeral. Her obituary states that two brothers, four sisters and her mother traveled to Stroud for the funeral. Bill Selby allowed them to stay in his apartments at no charge. My mom told me that story the other day when David Evans and I were working on the building. I thought it was a story worth sharing due to the kindness shown to the Baker family by Bill Selby. Stroud has always been a close-knit family where we celebrate the happy times and grieve with each other during the sad times. Mr. Selby died in December of 2012 and is buried in the Stroud cemetery, also. His memory lives on through the building bearing his name on Main Street and the kindness he showed to my family.

If you drive by the Route 66 Pavilion you will notice work has begun on the outdoor public restrooms. That is going to be a great addition to the pavilion area and to our downtown. Thank you to everyone who supported Town Talk’s fundraising efforts on this project.

I’m working on a “rack” card for our shops and restaurants. This is a flyer that we can place in stores and hotels/motels to let visitors as well as locals know what all Stroud has to offer. Did you realize we have eleven locally owned small shops in town? You can buy everything from plants and produce to Route 66 & Tiger gear; custom made t-shirts, car air fresheners, collectibles and gently used clothing and furniture. Stroud has a little bit of everything. Did you also realize that we have 15 restaurant/fast food eateries? You can treat your taste buds to cuisines like American comfort food, BBQ, Mexican, Chinese, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, donuts and much more. You can purchase a nutrition shake or a milk shake, a hand-dipped ice cream cone or a soft serve, home-made pie, donut or a lunch buffet. I can’t think of a good reason why we’d ever even need to leave town, can you? Have a great week and remember to shop and dine local……..first!