By Kathy Thomson

The Christmas season is underway, and local churches are hosting numerous activities to spread Christmas spirit throughout the community.

Some pastors and congregations have not yet scheduled all of their Christmas events, and several could not be contacted before this week’s deadline. Any changes or additions will be publicized in a later issue, if requested.

Church of Christ

Members of the Church of Christ plan to gather at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for caroling. 

Albany News publisher Donnie Lucas announced this week that there will not be an edition published during the week of Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 26.

“We’ve decided to take that week off and be able to enjoy our family more during the holidays,” said Lucas. “And since Christmas Day falls on Wednesday, it makes it difficult to get the paper and web edition finished and still be able to get everything done that we need to do.”

This is only the second time in 43 years of Lucas ownership that there hasn’t been a weekly paper.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Christmas season is in full swing at the Old Jail Art Center, and special activities for December include the free holiday marionette shows that were offered earlier this week, as well as an upcoming family festival on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Last weekend, the OJAC staff hosted free gift wrapping stations for local shoppers during the Chamber of Commerce’s downtown Christmas activities.

Family Festival

“Buon Natale!” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Italy on Saturday, Dec. 14.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team split games last week, suffering the first loss of the season against Ballinger but rebounding for a victory over Hamlin.

Albany traveled to Munday on Dec. 3, picking up an easy 55-25 win to improve to 5-1 for the season. Details for the game will be reported next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lion basketball team opened their season in Munday this week, dropping their first outing 52-44 on the road.

The varsity will be open this weekend after being bumped from the Winters Tournament, but the JV and JV II Lions will host a local tournament.

A total of 14 teams are scheduled to play on Thursday and Saturday in the two Albany gyms.

The JV boys will play Cisco at 1:40 p.m. on Thursday in the main gym, and then will face Sweetwater at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday in the auxiliary gym. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The junior high basketball girls played both Haskell and Stamford over the last 10 days with mixed results.

Both teams are scheduled to play in the Breckenridge Tournament on Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7. Game times had not been been announced at press time.

The girls will be on the road again next Monday to play in Hawley in games starting at 5:30 p.m.

The eighth grade team lost to Haskell at home 32-23 on Nov. 25.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 8A Cubs continue to rack up victories to remain undefeated, while the 7A team split the last two games to post a 2-1 record.

The boys will host Hawley on Monday, Dec. 9, starting at 5:30 p.m. with a combined B team game. The 7A game will follow at about 6:30 p.m., and the 8A should take the floor at 7:30 p.m.

The 8A team picked up a 59-17 win over Haskell on Nov. 25 prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

By Kathy Thomson

Moran’s high school teams fell in Bryson on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The Bryson Cowgirls handed the Lady Bulldogs a 39-15 loss.

“We were short handed, due to injuries and players being out for Thanksgiving,” said coach John Hughes. “The girls played hard and gave everything they had tonight, so I’m extremely proud of them. They continue to grow and improve with each game.” 

Freshmen Chloe Hendricks and Emily Murk filled in for missing players.