By Sandy Morris

All residents from around the Shackelford County area are invited to attend the Albany Lions Club sponsored Memorial Day service set for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 31 at the Aztec Theater.

Albany resident, veteran, and helicopter pilot Jacey Shack will be the speaker at the Memorial Day service sponsored by the Albany Lions Club. 

According to Lions Club member Sandi Conway, Shack was asked to speak to represent the younger generation of military veterans. 

By Sandy Morris

Thirty-five Albany High School seniors will march into the AHS gymnasium Friday night, May 28, walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, stand to sing the Alma Mater together as a class one last time, and then step into the future. 

Commencement exercises are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the gym, with a reception afterwards at the Whitney Theatre. 

Friday night’s traditional ceremony will begin with the senior class processional.

By Sandy Morris

The annual Splash Day at the Albany city pool is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1.

The facility will be open free of charge to the general public from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. to start the beginning of the summer.

Albany city pool co-managers this summer are Jennifer Bowman and Dakota Fowler, who have both previously run the facility.

The managers will work in the concession area, sell  swim passes, and keep up with the lifeguards. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Dance Theater Company will present its 71st Annual Recital on Saturday, June 5. 

The performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Albany High School auditorium. 

Last year’s recital was for senior dancers only due to COVID concerns. 

This year’s performance will feature the six graduating seniors but will include all dancers. The event is free to the public. 

By Sandy Morris

The annual story hour will return this summer to the Shackelford County Library after being cancelled last year due to COVID concerns.

Organizer Janna Ledbetter said the yearly event will have a western theme  and will be held every Monday during the month of June. 

“Our first story hour will be held on Monday, June 7,” said Ledbetter. “All activities will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.”

The summer program will include crafts and games related to each week’s story. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County elected officials took the first steps toward filling the now vacant county extension agent’s position during a commissioners meeting on Monday morning, May 24.

Kloey Painter, who was assigned to Shackelford County less than two years ago, is moving out of state with her family. 

The commissioners authorized county judge Robert Skelton to send a letter to Texas A&M AgriLife formally requesting that the process of taking applicants get underway.

By Sandy Morris

In a little over three weeks, the 82nd run of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will begin, and organizers and participants are busy preparing for the upcoming performances and expected out-of-town visitors. 

Dress rehearsal is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, and the four summer shows will start at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 18-19, and June 25-26 at the Prairie Theater just north of town.

The Fandangle Parade will take place in downtown Albany at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.

Rehearsals

By Sandy Morris

As the school year is winding down, summer is about to kick off, and ResourceCare is opening up registration for Day Camp 2021.

ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley said registration for the annual program will be held next week on June 1 to June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Albany Youth Center.

Actual camp dates are July 12 to July 30.

“All campers must be registered during these three days next week,” said Riley. “We will not be able to sign up children for the program after June 3.”

By Sandy Morris

COVID may have kept Albany High School from hosting the annual Winter Formal this year, but it didn’t stop the student body from electing Mr. and Miss AHS.

During a special hallway assembly on Monday, May 24, Alli Hill and Jackson Chapman were announced as Miss AHS and Mr. AHS.

Other nominees for Miss AHS included Sidney Bartee, Elia Hebel, and Hannah Trail.

Mr. AHS nominees were Barrett Beal, Zach Parrott, and Ryder Wilkins.

Miss AHS

By Sandy Morris

Students and staff of Nancy Smith Elementary School participated in the annual field day on Monday, May 24 at Webb City Park. 

Preschool through sixth grade students were bussed to the park for a morning of fun and games including sack races, hurdles, tug-of-war, kickball, relays, and bounce houses. 

Students enjoyed sack lunches before returning to campus for the remainder of the school day. 

The awards assembly for first through fifth grade students was held on Wednesday, May 26 in the elementary cafeteria.