i got it....i had to make outline an "object" (Arrange/Convert Outline to Object)....i also then "welded" (Arrange/Shaping/Weld) the outline to the text, though i do not think this weld part is mandatory.
Anyway...i made outline an object then did the "Trim" command and it gave the stroke around the texts that merge into the oval area.
Thanks for the help and guidance!