What Does A Good Neighbor Look Like

We share Waynesville’s key events for the week, from a duck race fundraiser for military families to a free Route 66 Summer Concert at Roubidoux Park. We also recap major July 16 City Council highlights, including a new police chief, retirements for two longtime leaders, and a youth-led act of service that shows what community looks like. 
• Armed Services YMCA duck race details, prizes, and support for military families 
• Route 66 Summer Concert Series at Roubidoux Park featuring Lancaster Station, free and family-friendly 
• August 15 back to school extravaganza hosted by Still Usable Ministries Church 
• Chief Hazel sworn in as Waynesville chief of police, family support and commitment to serve 
• Beth Wiles honored for tourism leadership and Cecilia Murray recognized for Chamber service 
• Mayor’s meritorious service award for Sinica Walters plus B2 Games matching funds for a shelter dog’s surgery 
• Kids’ design contest for a new Summit Park sign with donated prizes 
• July business spotlight on Gypsy Sam Sweet Treats on historic Route 66 
Stay connected, be safe, watch your speed, stay hydrated, and I look forward to seeing you on the mile. 

Transcript

July 19 Weekly Update Begins

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Good morning, this is Sean Wilson, the mayor of Waynesville, with your weekly update for July 19th, 2026. Let's start with this Saturday.

Duck Race Supporting Military Families

SPEAKER_00 0:10

We have the Armed Services YMCA that's hosting their 36th annual duck race. This is where they're going to be bringing out thousands of ducks and many different organizations that are participating. They're going to be prizes on the line, and it's all to support our military families.

Free Route 66 Concert Night

SPEAKER_00 0:24

And then later on that evening, right here in RubyDoo Park, again, we have the Route 66 Summer Concert Series that is sponsored by the Waynesville St. Robert Chamber and the support of the surrounding community to have this event um free of charge for all of those who would like to attend. This feature artist is the Lancaster Station. So bring your lawn chair, bring your kids, enjoy some free music in the in the park, and let's have a good time. Everyone that came out on the 4th of July, we appreciate the the time that we spent out in the park. And uh this event is also going to be just as rewarding. So we're just going to ask everybody to come on out and um support this event that's being put on by our Waynesville St. Robert Chamber of Commerce and also local organizations and businesses throughout the community that contributed and made

Back To School Extravaganza Preview

SPEAKER_00 1:14

this all possible. Looking ahead, we got families. I want you to mark your calendars August 15th for the back to school extravaganza that's going to be hosted by Still Usable Ministries Church. Um, and it's a chance to gather resources and send our students off ready to learn. And I can't believe we're saying this again already, it's almost time to go back to school. So um we really appreciate the organizations that put on this this uh this event. Um, and this is just an example of how Waynesville and our surrounding communities take care of their

New Police Chief Sworn In

SPEAKER_00 1:46

own. Now, for some highlights for from the July 16th City Council meeting. First, I want to say welcome to Chief Hazel, who is has was sworn in as the chief of police for the city of Waynesville. He had many people come out to support friends and family, his wife. Um Tara was there to pin on his badge, and uh he's ready to serve and protect our community. So welcome and congratulations.

Honoring Tourism And Business Leaders

SPEAKER_00 2:10

We also had the opportunity to say thank you to two remarkable leaders. Beth Wiles was honored for more than 23 years of service as the executive director of the Palace County Tourism Bureau. Um, our voice to the world as she steps into retirement, and also Miss Cecilia Murray was recognized for nearly 22 years leading the Waynesville St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. She was championing our local businesses. Um, and we're very um grateful and thankful for the time that they have contributed to making our community a great place to live.

Lemonade Stand Service Award Story

SPEAKER_00 2:44

One other highlight I want to share, which is very is awesome. Um the mayor's meritorious service award was awarded to a nine-year-old, Senencia Walters, who ran a lemonade stand and raised more than $700 for a shelter's animals life-saving surgery. We also had a local business, B2 Games, who matched the funds to cover the cost 100%. The dog received this surgery and is thriving in a new home. That's what community looks like. Want to say thank you to both of you, Tenencia and B2Games, for that great gesture. And um, and this is a great example of what it looks like to be a good neighbor.

Kids Design Contest For Park Sign

SPEAKER_00 3:39

And one last note, the council also approved a fun project. It's a design contest for kids 13 and under in the Summit and Pinnacle area to create a new Summit Park sign with a bike and a skateboard donated by Summit Technologies for the winners. So this was introduced by one of our own councilmen as an idea to the parkboard. He went to the parkboard meeting, presented it, and the park board embraced this idea, and then they sent it for us to council. And the council all agreed this is a great way to get the kids involved this summer. So, parents keep an eye out for the flyers, and I hope that we see a great turnout. And um, let's see who's gonna have the best design for this new sign up at the summit

July Business Spotlight And Closing

SPEAKER_00 4:22

park. And our July business spotlight is Gypsy Sam Sweet Treats, which is located at 229 historic Route 66, is a big supporter of Route 66 Celebration and community events. They do a wonderful job here, got some great, great items down there. So I encourage you to go down there and visit them. Not only go down there and say and visit and eat, but also tell them thank you for continuing to provide service to our community. So, congratulations to Gypsy Sam's for being the July business spotlight. And that's your Mail's mouth for this week. Thank you for being the best part of this community. Stay connected, be safe, watch your speed, stay hydrated, and I look forward to seeing you on the mile.