By Kathy Thomson

Staff members from the Kindred Home Health office in Albany are gathering school supplies in conjunction with the company’s 15th Annual Food Drive.

In past years the local Kindred office has joined the national campaign by gathering food items, but this year they decided to try something a little different. 

“We’ve noticed a need for school supplies,” said Tracy Sullivan with Kindred. “I’ve asked both of the schools in town what they needed, and Kleenex and hand sanitizer topped the list for both locations.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Ministerial Alliance sponsored Vacation Bible School began this summer’s “Wild” and “Amazing Encounters with Jesus” on Sunday, Aug. 3  and wrapped up the annual event on Wednesday, Aug. 7 with a “Family Night” program in the First Baptist Church sanctuary followed by food, games, and a bounce house at the Bank Park.

Over 140 children and 40 to 50 workers attended the first evening, according to organizer Ginger Bumguardner.

“Every class was full,” said event organizer Ginger Bumguardner. 

By Kathy Thomson

Local minister Sonny McCauley recently returned from a mission trip to Central America.

“On July 20-28, I had the opportunity to travel to Honduras with a dental mission trip,” McCauley said. “I want to thank the Albany Church of Christ for allowing me to go and help minister to the people of Honduras.”

McCauley worked as both a minister and as a dental assistant during his visit. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Evangelist Tom Fuller, founder of the John Wesley Adventure, will preach at First United Methodist Church in Albany this Sunday morning, Aug. 11, according to local pastor Tim Trimble.

Fuller has been General Evangelist for the United Methodist Church since 2006. He spent five years assembling the John Wesley Adventure, a plan to reintroduce the church to its heritage and get members back to Wesleyan values.

The United Pentecostal Church’s annual Back to School Bash will be held this coming Sunday, Aug. 11 at the church on Cook Field Road, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

All students, from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, are invited to the celebration, along with their friends and families.

After music and prayer time, a hamburger meal with all the trimmings will be served in the church’s Family Life Center.

There will also be games and drawings, with several gift cards given to different age groups.

Shane McAuliffe (l), host of “The Texas Bucket List,” finds out from chef Ali Esfandiary (c) what’s so special about Fort Griffin Gen. Mdse. Restaurant for an upcoming episode. The syndicated show airs on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. on KTXS. For information about when the Beehive segment will be televised, keep an eye on TheTexasBucketList.com.

Please Don’t Climb!

As I looked across the street this morning, I saw a herd of boys headed to the practice field. Yes, it’s that time...football season.

In 2007, we had an ex-student who wanted to donate something very special for our football stadium. He wanted his gift donated in honor of one of his best friends...Johnny King.

In 1960 and1961, our LIONS won back to back State Championships.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Between team camp, the start of two-a-day practices and a set of scrimmages on Saturday, the Lady Lion volleyball players were more than busy last week.

The action continued on Tuesday with the season opener at Jim Ned on Tuesday. The varsity suffered a 29-31, 19-25, 19-25 loss to the 3A Lady Indians. The JVI lost 22-25, 10-25, while the JVII fell 25-15, 20-25, 11-15. Details of the games will be reported next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Over 50 players showed up for the first day of summer football practice on Monday, with a total of 54 expected when the full roster is back for the daily workouts to prepare for the 2019 season.

According to head football coach Denney Faith, numbers for the first day of practice were up by six or seven over last season and over 15 above the 2017 numbers.

The group will be led by an equally large senior class numbering 14, compared to the five seniors who helped guided the 2018 team to the state semifinals.

Auddrena Lee West Larance Smith, 95, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at Albany Church of Christ in Albany, Texas.

Auddrena was the oldest of six children born to Vallie Corbett and Lorena Bell Freeman West on Sept. 6, 1923 in Lueders, Texas. She grew up in Lueders and graduated from Lueders High School in 1941.