By Lynsi Musselman

Community Vacation Bible School 2020, with a theme of Concrete and Cranes, will begin Sunday, July 24 and continue through Wednesday, July 29 at First Baptist Church Albany.

The summer event is sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance.

Sunday through Tuesday, VBS will begin with a 5:00 p.m. dinner in the church fellowship hall followed by VBS at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

“Family Night” will be the last night of VBS on Wednesday at the city pool, starting with a program at 6:30 p.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

The farmers market in Albany is typically recognizable by the white tent placed on Main Street next to King & Robertson Insurance Agency, but city manager Billy Holson said this week that there will be no tent placed this year by the city for the market.

Holson explained that the tent provided by the city was damaged and a new one has not been ordered due to other circumstances.

He said local producers are still invited to bring tables and sell homegrown products on Saturdays at the city-owned lot next to King & Robertson.

By Lynsi Musselman

As people start to resurface and get back to daily routines after the recent COVID-19 shutdown, in-person group meetings are starting back up as well.

Kiwanis Club

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Albany resumed meeting two weeks ago, and will continue to gather each Wednesday at 12:00 noon in the bar area of the Fort Griffin Gen. Merchandise Restaurant.

Masonic Lodge

The Masonic Lodge in Albany will start meeting together again on June 18. They meet the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

The City of Moran’s community garden is finally seeing the fruits of their labor.

Moran city employee Teresa King said yellow squash is the first harvest from the garden and zucchini should not be far behind.

“Tomatoes are blooming, and the green beans and okra plants are coming up,” King said.

King added that the garden has been a collective effort, and all who have participated will be welcome to the fresh fruit and vegetables that the garden will provide. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Over 80 local athletes entering grades 7-12 in the fall showed up for the first day of summer conditioning on Monday at the high school.

This is the first time that student athletes have been allowed back to use the school’s facilities since schools across Texas were closed on March 16 by the Texas Education Agency due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Strength and conditioning programs were approved to start June 8 as officials slowly begin reopening certain facilities for the first time since spring break.

By Lynsi Musselman

Fellowship of Christian Athletes recognizes coaches and players each year who exemplify the core values and Christian principles of the sports ministry.

 This year, Albany High School retired principal and golf coach Tommy Terrell received the first ever Tommy Terrell FCA Character Award.

Terrell is also well known at the Albany Golf Club for his work at the Albany course since he retired from education.

By Lynsi Musselman

ResourceCare Summer Day Camp is full for the July 6-24 camp dates, and ResourceCare program assistant Ragan Riley said  that late applications or registrations cannot be accepted.

“We had an even bigger turnout than in years past,” Riley said.

Registrations for 165 campers, as well as for 41 high school and 21 junior high volunteer applications, were received at last week’s three-day sign-up.

Day Camp is still in need of contributions.

By Lynsi Musselman

Combines in Shackelford County are getting ready for, and in some cases already working on, the area wheat harvest – with drier conditions than in the previous three years. 

Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Cargill said she has been out to visit a few farmers, and most are ready to either harvest or graze.

“We could actually use a little rain this year, but invasive insects have been the primary cause of destruction to crops,” Cargill said.

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Chamber of Commerce will resume weekly Chamber members lunches tomorrow at the Beehive Restaurant.

Local Stores

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said Albany retail stores also have resumed normal business hours, and a new store, Rustic Charm, has started to get shelving and furniture in place to open soon. 

She reminds residents to “shop local.”

Other Activities

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members announced news at Monday night’s meeting that many have been anxiously awaiting – the pool at Webb Park will open on June 15.

Although capacity is limited to 50 percent until further notice, city officials do not expect that to be a real problem, at least not until the ResourceCare Day Camp gets underway July 6.

City manager Billy Holson said that full pool capacity is 245, so at 50 percent, 122 swimmers and accompanying adults will be allowed inside the gates.