Drive Across Texas recently posted an eight-and-a-half minute segment about Albany on their website and their Youtube channel.

The show’s host, Pat Walker, interviewed Chamber of Commerce office manager Mary Beth Jones outside the Old Jail Art Center on Wednesday, April 17.

“We talked about the Old Jail and how the Masons carved their initials in the blocks for payment,” said Jones. “We also talked about why people should come to Albany.”

This Saturday’s annual city-wide cleanup will start promptly at 8:00 a.m., with volunteers encouraged to pitch in and help polish the town in preparation for Fandangle visitors.

The local Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Albany, is sponsoring the June 15 campaign.

Volunteers should gather at the Visitors Center (Depot) at 8:00 a.m. to get an assignment.

Cleanup Day

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones and members of the Chamber ask residents to help with the cleanup, which will focus on areas that are most visible to Fandangle visitors. 

The staff at the Old Jail Art Center has four special events scheduled during June in addition to new summer art exhibits, the continuing exhibition of Rene Trevino: A New Codex, and various displays featuring items from the museum’s own collection and archives.

Two new exhibitions are set to open at the Old Jail Art Center on June 15 and remain on display through Aug. 24.

Debuting at the opening will be Bale Creek Allen: My America and Cell Series: Nick Bontrager.

Four days in a row without rain allowed the stage and warm-up areas to dry out enough for horses, mules, and wagons to join the cast for rehearsals at the Prairie Theater on Monday. 

Artistic director Lorna Ayers was pleased to see so many riders in the show this year.

Local businesses and residents are encouraged to join with patriots across the United States next Friday, June 14 in the annual cele-bration of Flag Day.

Individuals and business owners who have their own flags are asked to put them up for the day, except in case of inclement weather.

Those who don’t have their own banners can contact the Albany Lions Club.

The organization’s “Flags Across Albany” project honors the American heritage and military heroes who served this country, as well as serving as a fundraiser.

Various activities are planned to take place in Albany during the last two Fridays and Saturdays in June to coincide with the annual influx of visitors coming to town for the Fort Griffin Fandangle. 

Free activities offered on all four of those days include a quilt show, tracker organ concert, calliope concert, car museum, viewing the Picket House, longhorns on the Courthouse Square, and exhibits at the Old Jail Art Center. 

Fandangle Parade co-chair John Ayers has already had a few out-of-town groups call to confirm that they will be in the parade this year, and he is hoping to get quite a few locals signed up as well.

“I’m always looking for a lot of local participants,” said Ayers. “One of the things that I am specifically looking for this year is a group or organization to sponsor the large Beehive float. We have all the props, but it takes a vehicle and a large trailer.”

Ayers added that he can even help find a trailer if needed.

THAT QUESTION...

I know that all parents and grandparents have heard “that question” from your kids and grandkids a million times. I know I have. 

It had been awhile since I had taken a ride with my granddaughters. It was a experience.

I drove to Denver to stay with them while their parents were out of the country for medical treatment. 

I flew the last two times I went, and decided I could drive it this time, a nine-hour drive. I would stay a week and then bring them home with me for a week. 

A recent unannounced jail inspection at the Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) revealed a few deficiencies, but overall, county commissioners at Monday’s regular meeting felt that the Texas Commission on Jail Standards had released a positive report.

County judge Bob Skelton stated that no operational or safety defects were observed by the inspector, and that the sheriff is already in the process of correcting the overdue inspections and other minor violations.

Walker-Sayle Contract

For the first time in several years, the subject of golf carts resurfaced during an Albany city council meeting, requiring a big chunk of time during the hour-long session on Monday, June 10.

City manager Billy Holson presented a proposal from police chief Mike House asking that the council approve a transition to annual sticker updates rather than license plates to cut down on city costs.

He also suggested that golf cart use be prohibited after 10:00 p.m. to try to improve safety and to cut down on underage driving, which is an ongoing problem.