By Kathy Thomson

Nancy Smith Elementary School fourth grade students and their teachers traveled to the Abilene Ballet Theatre’s 32nd annual performance of The Nutcracker last week at the Paramount Theatre.

“It’s always a really great event,” said NSES fine arts instructor Robbin Westmoreland. “We attended the 9:45 a.m. show, and all of the students seemed to really enjoy the performances and the music. The Nutcracker is such a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host its third annual Cele-bration of Remembrance on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 6:00 p.m.

“This service is intended for all Albany residents, and I hope that all churches and citizens will participate,” said Debbie Hamilton, who is helping organize the event. “The purpose of the service during the holiday season is to honor family and friends who have passed on before us.” 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Friendship Baptist Church members held their fourth annual Harvest Acres on Saturday, Nov. 23.  

“The baked goods flew off the table pretty much as soon as they were set down,” said church member Danita Johnston. “We had a steady stream of people all morning, served dozens of pulled pork sandwiches for lunch, and then finished the day with stew and chili made with love by the ladies in our church.”

She added that more than $3,000 was raised for the account that provides funds for local mission projects and needs.

By Kathy Thomson

Two Shackelford County 4-H members placed well at the District 7 Food Show on Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Big Country Hall located at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. 

“Ellis (Hise) competed in intermediate nutritious snacks and he got fourth place,” said new local extension agent and 4-H leader Kloey Painter. “He made mozzarella cheese, and he did great!” 

Intermediates do not advance beyond the district meet.

By Donnie A. Lucas

In a rare second-round loss, the Albany Lions saw their season come to an end earlier than usual with a 24-20 loss to the Windthorst Trojans Friday in Graham.

While the two teams came out fairly even on the stat sheets with both scoring three times, it was the Trojans who won the conversion or bonus points that made the difference in the game.

Windthorst flipped their usual game plan against the Lions, moving from a predominately passing team to a ground attack with 300 yards rushing for all three touchdowns and three two-points plays.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team is off to a 3-0 start to the season after a pair of wins over the last week.

The varsity also hosted a pair of games this week, suffering the first loss of the season in a tough 27-32 game with Ballinger on Monday. 

Albany also hosted Hamlin’s Lady Pipers on Tuesday starting at 2:00 p.m. Details of the game were not available at press time.

The JV girls competed in the Woodson Tournament last week but were unable to put a team on the court against Ballinger or Hamlin due to injuries.

By Kathy Thomson

This Saturday, Nov. 30, is the deadline to register fifth and sixth grade boys and girls to play in the Albany Little Dribblers Association youth basketball league, according to organizer Clint Chapman.

Sign-up forms were sent home from the elementary school last week.

Registration is $35 and includes a team shirt. 

The fee and completed paperwork should have been returned to the elementary school office before the Thanksgiving break, or they can be given to Chapman by the Nov. 30 deadline.

Photo packages of local flag football teams and individuals have been printed and are now available.

Parents who paid in advance or who have valid accounts can pick up their packages at The Albany News office.

Others can be ordered when they are paid.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV boys opened the basketball season at the Woodson tournament last week, winning all three of their games.

The varsity boys will not open their season until after the Thanksgiving break, with both boys teams making the trip to Munday on Dec. 3, with the boys following the JV girls game that starts at 5:00 p.m.

The JV defeated Woodson 28-20 in the first game last Friday.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Cubs and Lady Cubs started basketball season last week against Cross Plains, with all three teams that played posting wins.

All of the junior high teams saw action on Monday against Haskell, but results were not available due to an early deadline.

The girls will travel to Stamford on Dec. 2 for a set of games, while the boys will host Stamford on the same date. Games will start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

Game Details

The eighth grade boys handed Cross Plains a 42-13 loss on Nov. 21.