The executive committee of the Gould School and Community Memorial Project report that they have received donations in excess of $56,000. This includes donations for approximately 450 names of former students of Gould School and key members of the Gould Community from the past and present. Preparations are underway to finalize the design of the Memorial to be located in the Gould city park just south of the Gould American Legion building.

The memorial will consist of seven granite panels, the center being six foot tall with a width of twenty-one feet. The Memorial is to be surrounded by an approximate 30 X 30 foot lighted concrete slab and fencing with walk ways leading from the street to the Memorial. Plans are underway to erect a lighted flagpole at the site of the Memorial. The center panels of the Memorial will have engraved pictures representing the key elements from the past history of the school and community.

One side will be dedicated to the school and the opposite side dedicated to the community. A brief history of the school and community will be engraved beneath the etchings on the center panels on each side. The remaining four panels will list the names of the donors and key members of the school and community history. Over 125 businesses have operated at one time or the other in Gould since the early 1900s, many of those business names will also be included on the Memorial. The goal of the executive committee is to have the Memorial unveiled during the 2009 Gould Alumni reunion. Willis Granite has indicated it will take approximately six months to complete the memorial panels once the order is finalized and submitted. In order for the Memorial to be completed by the alumni reunion of 2009, a cut off date for names is expected to be set for late June or early July. Any friends or family members who have names they would like included on the initial designed are urged to submit those names along with their donations of $125 per name as soon as possible. Forms for submitting names and donations may be picked up at the Stockman’s Bank in Gould or Hollis. Those wishing more information are urged to contact Terry Bullington by phone at (580) 676-3091 or (580) 450-8717.