By Kathy Thomson

Winners were chosen in two divisions from among the participants in the 13th annual Lighted Christmas Parade that filled the downtown area with lights last Saturday evening, the Memorial Tree was lit, and Albany Bucks were awarded to those whose tickets were pulled out of the hopper in the drawings for local script.

As in previous years, the rules for the drawings stipulated that “you must be present to win.”

Santa letters and holiday essays for the 2019 Christmas issue published by The Albany News should be submitted by the end of this week if possible.

Students in both Albany and Moran schools have been working on letters in their classes, but home school students and preschool children are welcome to bring their letters by the News office.

By Kathy Thomson

The local Toys for Tots program is still accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and monetary donations at various donations sites around Albany, and a Believe Tree for Teens, containing ornaments with an attached wish tag for older students was placed at five participating churches on Sunday.

All 40 of the senior adults currently signed up for the Vittles By Vehicle program have been adopted, and plans are well underway for Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Basket delivery.

Believe Trees

By Kathy Thomson

Kloey Cargill Painter, a four-year veteran of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, recently transferred locations from the Big Bend area to become the Shackelford County extension agent. 

“It has been an amazing adventure being the county agent for Brewster and Jeff Davis counties, but we are over the moon with excitement (to be moving to Albany),” said Painter. “We will be so much closer to family, we just love this area, and it feels like home.”

By Kathy Thomson

Twenty-one sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from the Albany Independent School District competed at a University Interscholastic League contest in Stamford on Tuesday, Dec. 3, along with youth from Cross Plains, Haskell, Hawley, Roscoe, and Stamford.

Results from the District 8 UIL Junior High Speech Contest were not available at press time, and will be reported next week.

By Kathy Thomson

Two important events for local ag students will occur next week, and another took place earlier this Monday. 

The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association will have a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:00 p.m.

“We’ll meet at the high school ag building,” said FFA advisor Chris Beard. “This meeting helps us get ready for the county show.”

Weigh-in for sheep, swine, and goats will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23.

By Kathy Thomson

The Feed Store has a lot of events on its December calendar including a senior citizens “Legacy” dinner, a fundraising meal, the annual youth Christmas party, and opportunities for students to study for exams. 

Former Feed Store director Grant Zeller and his new wife Emily were the guests of honor at a Christmas ornament shower on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Legacy Dinner

The “Legacy” Seniors Christmas Dinner took place on Monday, Dec. 2.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The third annual Cele-bration of Remembrance, intended to honor lost loved ones and help with the grieving process during the holiday season, will be held this Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Members of the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church are again hosting the event, but there are participants from several other Albany churches.

Kim Neece will give a testimony during the service, which will last about 45 minutes to an hour.

There will also be several musical numbers, congregational singing, scripture readings, and prayer.

By Kathy Thomson

Applications for the Albany Ministerial Alliance Christmas Baskets must be turned in by this Friday, Dec. 6.

Those still needing forms can pick them up at participating churches or at the Resource Center in Albany.

The program provides food for a Christmas dinner based upon family size.

Non-perishable food will be sorted into bags by members of Nancy Smith Elementary School’s sixth grade leadership team. 

By Kathy Thomson

Pick-up dates for the December distribution of the commodity food program are Dec. 5 and 6.

Moran recipients should note that both the day of the week and the time of pick-up have changed since last month.

On Thursday, Dec. 5, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.