NSES classes engage in food battle

By Sandy Morris

The classes at Nancy Smith Elementary School are engaged in a battle – a canned food battle.

This past Monday, Nov. 9, NSES students began the “Battle of the Classes Canned Food Drive.”

Students will be collecting canned food items through Friday, Nov. 13 with all proceeds going to help senior citizens of Shackelford County. 

Believe Tree applications due soon

By Sandy Morris

The 2020 Believe Tree for Teens applications are now available for Shackelford County junior high and high school students. 

The Albany Ministerial Alliance is the sponsor for the tree which provides gift assistance for local teens. 

Applications and wish lists are available at ResourceCare in Albany or from any church in the Ministerial Alliance. 

Albany News

Community service set

By Sandy Morris

Members of the community and all local church congregations are invited to join in the traditional community-wide Thanksgiving service on Sunday, Nov. 22 at First Christian Church.  

The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Brad McBee leading the attendees in song. 

Jeff Turner, pastor of First Baptist Church, will deliver the message. 

The community service is sponsored annually by the Albany Ministerial Alliance. 

Albany News

Chili fundraiser planned Dec. 1

By Sandy Morris

The First United Methodist Women are hosting a chili fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., with sales already underway.

One-quart bags of chili are $10.50 and quart bags of beans are $1.50. Items will be pre-packaged and frozen.

Tickets may be purchased from UMW members. Orders also may be placed by phone by calling Annette Harris at 325-338-5478 or Helon Norman at 325-762-4691, and will be accepted through Dec. 1.

The food can be picked up at the FUMC Fellowship Hall, located at 200 N. Jacobs Street.

Jr. high one-act play cast to compete today

By Sandy Morris

“Break A Leg” is a phrase the Albany Junior High one act play cast and crew has probably heard all week as students have gotten ready for district competition today in Stamford. 

Director Melanie Turner said she and her students have felt more and more prepared every day.

“Sunday night we had a great rehearsal, and I think it really helped everyone feel more prepared for the public show Monday night and for competition on Thursday,” said Turner.  

Funding needed for Alliance baskets

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Ministerial Alliance is accepting dozens of applications from Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the annual Christmas basket drive. 

The Christmas baskets include various food items for a healthy traditional holiday meal. 

Baskets offer a choice of a whole uncooked turkey, a pre-cooked turkey breast, or a pre-cooked ham, in addition to vegetables and other holiday side dishes. 

Albany News

Harvest Acres to offer food, crafts

By Sandy Morris

Members of Friendship Baptist Church welcome everyone to their annual “Harvest Acres” event planned for Saturday, Nov. 21. 

The event will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. 

No dinner meal will be served this year, but soup and chili will be available for a take-out lunch starting at 11:00 a.m. 

The gift and food bazaar will offer baked and craft items for sale, with larger items being offered in a silent auction.

People may place bids on items in the silent auction until 2:30 p.m. 

Albany News

Collections slow so far for Albany Chest drive

By Sandy Morris

& Lynsi Musselman

While a slow start was not necessarily unexpected, Albany Chest directors are concerned about this year’s progress so far toward the $41,000 goal.

“The campaign has been underway over a month, and as of Tuesday, collections were less than $7,500,” said board vice president Melinda Lucas. “We knew that it was probably going to be a tough year because of the pandemic and everything else that’s going on, but this may be a little worse than we thought.”

Send-off plans delayed

By Sandy Morris

As COVID takes down another Albany sports opponent with the forfeiting of the bi-district game by Chico, members of the Albany Athletic Booster Club continue to adjust “send-off” plans. 

Spirit Drum

Beating of the spirit drum will begin the night before the game. The drum schedule, which was already full for this week,will be pushed forward to next week, although some adjustments may have to be made if there are conflicts.  

Playoff T-Shirts

Lady Lions advance to regional finals

By Donnie A. Lucas

Coach M.J. Reneau has had one unspoken dream for her varsity volleyball team throughout this season – to guide her squad to the state volleyball tournament, an experience she had her senior year in 2008 as a Lady Lion.

Now that dream is just one step away from becoming realized.

The Lady Lions (22-4) defeated Plains in four sets Tuesday in Coahoma to win the Class 2A regional semifinal title and advance to the regional final game against Wink (22-4).