By Sidney Bartee

Community Vacation Bible School 2021 will begin Sunday evening, July 25 and will continue through Wednesday night  July 28 at First Baptist Church Albany. 

This year’s theme is “Destination Dig,” with the event sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance. 

Parents are encouraged to save the date.

Supper is provided each evening, and a special pool party will follow the closing night.

Children will have recreation activities and a Bible lesson relating to the theme of the camp.

By Sidney Bartee

Members of the Albany Athletic Booster Club invite all junior high and high school athlete parents and interested community members to attend a meeting on Monday, June 28 at the Feed Store at 6:00 p.m.

The Booster Club supports all sports by using fundraisers and concession stand sale proceeds. There is no fee associated with being a member.

Those present at the meeting will discuss fall plans, the football program, and elect new officers for the 2021-2022 school year.

By Jillian Lucas

Vendors of all kinds are welcome at the Moran Open Air Market being held June 25 to June 27.

Hosted by N House Cafe on the property directly behind the Red Barn, the market will be open Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

So far there have been 30 vendors sign up, including boutique clothing, food, antiques, garage sale items, farmers market, and many more. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both the 10U and 12U Albany Little League All-Star teams moved into the consolation bracket of the District 5 tournament after losses on Monday.

Both teams were scheduled to play on Wednesday, with the winner advancing in the consolation backet of the single elimination consolation portion of the tournament. The 10U team was scheduled to play Merkel All-Stars at Abilene Northern at 6:00 p.m., while the 12U  team would follow also at Northern at 8:00 p.m. against the Northern All-Stars.

By Jillian Lucas

Four  Moran ISD agricultural students headed to the West Texas A&M Meat Judging camp Sunday, June 20.

This is the first time that Moran FFA students have participated in this type of event.

“This camp is our first step in growing the FFA program here at Moran ISD,” said new superintendent John Denson. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany baseball players have been recognized with places on the 2A All-State Baseball Teams for 2021.

Senior Jackson Chapman was named to the 2021 Elite All-Star Team as a third baseman. He was picked for the 2A All-State Team as a second team third baseman as well.

Senior Cade Neve also received a second team spot on the 2A All-State squad as a pitcher.

The Albany Lions finished the 2021 season with a 22-5-1 overall record that included a 10-0 finish in District 8-2A for the district championship.

By Jillian Lucas

Children lined the streets of downtown Albany Saturday afternoon in anticipation of catching heaps of candy thrown from the floats and wagons of the 2021 Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade participants.

The annual parade was held this last Saturday, June 19, following its usual route down  Main Street.

Those in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves; however, participation this year was lower than in years past. 

By Jillian Lucas

The previously postponed Father’s Day golf tournament has been cancelled until next year.

With the new greens currently under construction, the Albany Golf Club had no choice but to initially postpone  and now cancel the annual event, according to club representative James Waters.

“With the recent freeze, it has been very difficult to find the sod we need to finish the construction on the greens,” Waters said. “We have reached out to every place we know of, and as of right now we don’t know when we will be able to finish.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer conditioning and limited sport-specific training for students entering grades 7-12 are being held Monday through Thursday mornings at the high school.

The conditioning and football specific training for boys started last week and will continue through July 22, while the girls’ summer program began on June 7 and will continue through the month of June. The girls will take the first week of July off, but they will return for two more weeks of training in July.

By Sidney Bartee

Albany High School cheerleaders will hold a Cubs Cheer Camp from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. begining Monday, July 26 through Wednesday, July 28 at the AHS gym.

The camp is open to future cheerleaders age three to incoming sixth graders.

Cost is $35 per camper, and each additional sibling will cost $20.

Registration forms must be returned by Monday, July 12 for campers to receive a t-shirt.