By Kathy Thomson
Grandparents and “substitute” grandparents of Nancy Smith Elementary School students are invited to join their family members for special lunch, classroom visits, and entertainment during Grandparents Week Nov. 18-22.
The students are encouraged to invite other relatives, neighbors, friends from church, etc. if they don’t have grandparents, or if their grandparents don’t live nearby.
By Kathy Thomson
Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s annual Christmas basket drive need to turn in their applications before the Friday, Dec. 6 deadline date.
“Application forms are available at the Resource Center and at several of the local churches,” said Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins.
The filled-out applications can be turned back in at the same locations.
By Kathy Thomson
Congregations at First Christian Church and United Methodist Church are collecting shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse annual Operation Christmas Child, while a group at First Baptist Church is packing shoeboxes for Crossing Borders ministry. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in either of the missions.
Both of the missions are designed to provide underprivileged children with a shoebox full of gifts for Christmas, both to brighten their world and to show them love.
By Kathy Thomson
Many local FFA and 4-H members are already busy preparing for the upcoming stock show season by validating, feeding, and training show animals, participating in fundraisers, and making sure that their entry paperwork is turned in.
Show Registration
All 4-H and FFA youth who plan to exhibit an animal at any major stock shows or the county show need to turn in their registration information to Albany ag instructor Chris Beard by tomorrow, Nov. 8.
By Melinda L. Lucas
All first graders at Nancy Smith Elementary School were recently given free prevent tooth decay kits through the Fantastic Teeth Fan Club.
Members of Albany Masonic Lodge, led by John Tate and Robert Skelton, assembled and delivered 41 dental hygiene kits to the school.
School nurse Lisa Russell and first grade teachers Roxanne Raymond and Lori Warren taught a short lesson about tooth care.
The two Masons distributed the kits to the students to take home.
By Kathy Thomson
Workers at area non-profits including ResourceCare, Albany Ministerial Alliance, and Toys for Tots, are asking community members to help them give holiday presents to local children, teens, and seniors who request assistance.
Toys for Tots
Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for Albany children ages zero to 11, working through the Resource Center.
By Kathy Thomson
General hunting season for white-tailed deer opened last Saturday, and hunters that harvest more venison than they intend to use are encouraged to donate their extra bounty to Hunters for the Hungry.
Locally, field dressed deer can be dropped off at Escalon’s Buck N Hog, along with $35 to help cover the processing fee.
“The hunter pays $35 and gets the tax write off,” said owner Patrick Escalon. “We cover the rest of the $80 processing costs.”
Escalon’s is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during deer season.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The long-awaited showdown for the District 7-2A title has arrived, with the Albany Lions traveling to Hamlin Friday night to battle for Albany’s 12th straight district championship.
The team will be looking for the AISD program’s 700th win, and the Lions will also be on the hunt for their 67th consecutive district win, a statistic going back over 12 years.
Kickoff at Piper Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Albany Lady Lions finished the district race in second place and now advance to the area round of the playoffs Saturday in Eastland.
Albany (20-12, 10-2) is facing Miles (22-8) for the fourth straight year in the second round after receiving a bye in the first round.
Game time at the Eastland Mavericks’ gym is set for 5:00 p.m., with the Lady Lions serving as the home team. Ticket prices will be $5 for adults and $3 for students.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The JV Lions kept their winning streak alive with a 40-0 win over the Haskell Indians last Thursday.
The Lions will host Hamlin this week for the season finale. Kickoff will follow two junior high games at about 6:30 p.m.
The Lions moved the ball at will in Haskell, according to coach David Fairchild.
“We had three touchdown runs by Samuel Rosas and two by Caden Price,” the coach said. “Malachi Gueldner had a four-yard reception from Cole Chapman for a touchdown.”
