By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany students and most of the staff will enjoy a break from classes on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 14, with a student holiday and staff “comp” day scheduled.

Local administrators expect only a few teachers to be on campus, as most have already fulfilled their continuing education requirements.

The Nancy Smith Ele-mentary School office will be closed all day, but there will be someone at the offices of both the superintendent and Albany Junior/Senior High at least part of the day.

By Kathy Thomson

Reverend Ron Gebauer will preach at Trinity Lutheran Church’s Fall Mission Festival this Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, at 4:30 p.m. and, according to pastor Tom Chandler, the entire community is invited to attend the service and stay for the free-will donation meal that will follow.

The meal will be Mexican salad. Tea and several types of dessert will also be served.

By Kathy Thomson

Members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance will not sponsor Trunk or Treat this year, according to Alliance president Brad McBee.

“Members stated that they would support any other organization that wanted to sponsor it, but they had no desire to do anything with it this year,” said McBee.

Started by members of First Baptist Church as a family-friendly activity that took place during Halloween, the event was more recently sponsored by the local Ministerial Alliance. 

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Mainstreet Players will present three performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever this Christmas season, and rehearsals are already underway for the 25  or so members of the cast.

Samuel French’s comedy is a full-length play based on Barbara Robinson’s best-selling book with the same name.

“It’s a very popular little play,” said director Lorna Ayers. “We have done it before, but it was over 10 years ago.”

This year’s production will include one night-time performance and two Sunday matinees.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion football team found their ground game last Friday, rushing for 270 yards during a 50-6 rout of the visiting Menard Yellowjackets in the final non-district game of the season.

The team is open this week as they prepare for the start of the  District 7-2A race against Roscoe next Friday, Oct. 18 at Robert Nail Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. for all district games.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions volleyball team ended the first round of district action last week with a 5-1 record, sitting firmly in second place behind Hawley at the halfway point.

The District 6-2A race started the second round on Tuesday in Strawn, and the local girls brought home a 25-15, 25-17, 25-21 win. Details of the game will be printed next week.

The Lady Lions will be back in action at home on Saturday, hosting Newcastle. The JV starts at 10:00 a.m. followed by the varsity at 11:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Dozens of runners were on the Albany Golf Course last week for an FCA-sponsored cross country event that saw three local athletes earn medals by placing in the top 10.

Albany junior high and high school runners participated in the district meet held Wednesday, Oct. 9 in Haskell, but results weren’t available at press time. 

High school students who medaled in Haskell will begin gearing up for the regional competition in Lubbock on Oct. 28, according to coach Tate Thompson.

By Kathy Thomson

Twelve teams of local elementary school age boys and girls started playing in the Albany NFL Flag Football league last week, and the season will continue through October.

Each of three divisions has four teams, with just under 100 participants. Games are played at the high school baseball field on Monday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Two games, both taking place between teams in the same age group, are held at the same time, each on a 50-yard field.

K and 1st Grade

By Donnie A. Lucas

The junior high volleyball teams were busy over the weekend with tournament games in Graham.

The seventh grade played in Newcastle on Tuesday, while the 8A girls played in Strawn. Results from those games were not available at press time but will be printed next week.

Three of the junior high teams will travel to Colorado City next Monday, Oct. 14. The seventh grade will play at 5:00 p.m., while the 8B team will also play at 5:00 p.m. in a second gym. The 8A team will play at 6:00 p.m.

Last Week’s Games

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany Golf Club are encouraged to attend the club’s annual business meeting at the municipal golf course on Saturday, Oct. 12, and then stay and play in the Championship Tournament starting at 1:00 p.m. that afternoon.

“We will meet for a hamburger lunch on Saturday, at about noon, and have a short meeting to elect or reelect a couple of directors,” said member James Waters. “Then we will tee off at 1:00 p.m.” 

Organizers are planning a senior division and a regular division.