Town Talk

Town Talk met Monday night to discuss upcoming activities, fundraisers and projects. Members attending were Mandy Clark, Cathy Terry, Aleta Smalley, David Evans, Clara Hodgens and myself. Our very faithful treasurer, Jo Braden, was out of town so was unable to attend. Since the pandemic started, we have not held our monthly meetings. We have met on an “as-needed” basis so we had lots of items to discuss.

We are presently gathering information on our Project Bugle Boy and a miniature golf course with a Route 66 theme. A splash pad is also on our radar as well as a neighborhood park in honor of Dr. Markert.

We are planning some fundraising for Project Bugle Boy. One scheduled is a Backyard Grill & Chill party October 23rd at Unique OK. Town Talk will be grilling and providing drinks and chips for one low cost. Ice Cream will be available for purchase from Unique Market Ice Cream Shoppe. Time will be from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, wear a mask if you feel more comfortable and come join the fun. There will be yard games, outdoor fellowship, canned music and maybe even a little street dancing. We are hoping to show an outdoor movie at 8:00 p.m. for an additional fee, but we are still working out those details. This will be a family-friendly event so come on out.

Much is happening in Stroud, OK. This weekend will be the Chamber of Commerce’s City-Wide Garage Sale. The sales will run from Friday, September 25th through Sunday, September 26th with a total of 30 garage sales on Saturday alone. The Chamber will have maps available for the community.

The Lions Club big “Pumpkin Patch” will be held at the Route 66 Pavilion on Saturday October 3rd from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You will be able to buy your pumpkins for your fall decoration while helping the Lions with this fundraiser. I hear Unique OK will be on hand selling mums and a few food vendors will be on site.

Town Talk’s next Farmer’s Market will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with some vendors staying until 3:00 p.m. Organizer and Town Talk volunteer, Mandy Clark, is organizing a pie and soup “cook off” and is looking for participants. If you would like to enter, please contact Mandy via Facebook on Town Talk OK’s Facebook page.

Sunday, October 25th is the date for Unique OK’s second annual Fall Pumpkin Festival. It will be held on Sunday afternoon. It will be a family event with fun games and activities for everyone. Mark your calendars now – you won’t want to miss it!

Stroud is getting creative just like everyone else and so all the above activities are outside activities. We must be able to live our lives and socialize, but we can do it wisely and with caution. You will be able to social distance at all these events.

My oldest great-nephew, Gideon, plays with a traveling baseball team out of Moore called the Legends. He had the opportunity to play in a tournament this past weekend in McKinney, TX. It was a wonderful weather weekend for baseball. The Legends were runners-up and each player received a tournament finalist “diamond” ring. I heard one young ball player ask his dad “Are those diamonds real?” and of course his dad replied, “I wish.” Those ballparks were filled with moms and dads and lots of children and I thought “What a great way to spend the weekend!” It is such a wholesome activity and keeps kids active and outside. Other than everyone being pooped on Monday morning, I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend than at the ballfield. Gideon played five games in two days and did a great job. It was exciting to watch because of course, Mom and I had to tag along.

Not only did we see some great baseball, but we picked up 12 American flag flowerpots while we were in Texas. These pots just keep on selling. Patriotism is not dead in Stroud, OK.

One thing I did notice while I was at the ball field and I notice this when I walk down our Main Street and I saw it when I worked at the Mid-High School in Bartlesville. It doesn’t matter how many waste cans you put out for people to use, many will invariably walk right past the receptacle and leave their trash under their chair, etc. rather than place it in its proper place. I am just amazed at the lack of pride some people have in their property or their surroundings. We do need to make America great again and get our pride back – not just in our country but in our communities. Throw your trash away – whether it’s a candy bar wrapper or a bicycle in your front yard that’s missing two tires and hasn’t been ridden since you were a child. Let’s take pride in Stroud and clean up our streets and yards.

Lusetta Timmons is thrilled to announce that Lusetta’s Fresh Grub is open for business. Her first day to be open was Monday. She will be open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and for dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Fresh Grub is located on the east end of Main at 517 East Main Street. Check it out. I have already heard rave reviews about her food. The place is so cute and a great addition to Route 66 and Stroud’s Main Street.

May Diehl, Chester Burrows daughter, called me from Hartshorne, OK and ordered a couple of license plates for herself and her sister, who lives in Grove. If you remember Chester owned the T.H. Rogers Lumber Company here in Stroud back in the ‘70’s. That building is now the home of the Stroud Food Pantry. Mary also purchased an American flag flowerpot to be put in front on the building in honor and memory of her dad and the lumber yard. Jimmie Abercrombie, Stroud alum now residing in Wharton, TX also called me this week and placed his order for two license plates – “Once a Tiger, Always A Tiger.” Maxine Henshaw purchased the same one as did Jimmie and Mary. We are officially now out of those plates, but I can get more if anyone is still needing one. We have four left on the plates that say “Stroud Tigers” so if you want one, you better get on the list fast.

Did you know you can purchase women’s fashion shoes at Bedlam Nails on Main Street? I didn’t either until this week. See what we are missing out on if we don’t visit our local merchants. I missed a great movie marquee sign in Estate Barn just because I dragged my feet in getting in there and checking out William’s latest buys. I tell you if you snooze you lose. Our merchants are getting new items all the time so the only way we can stay on top of it is to be regular customers.

I am worn out from just writing about what all is going on in our little community. If you’re not involved, you are missing out. Have a great week and remember to shop and dine local………..first!