By Sandy Morris

The 83rd anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is scheduled to open to a large audience at the Prairie Theater at 8:30 tomorrow evening.

After a year’s absence due to COVID in 2020, the excitement over the 2021 show has been building since work began on the Sampler, according to Fandangle artistic director Lorna Ayers.

“We chose a very historic theme this year as we were able to perform again,” said Ayers. “The show honors so many of the families, men, women, and legends that are the history of this area.”

Glenda Clarice Banister, 79, of San Angelo went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. 

Glenda was born on June 29, 1941, in Hillsboro, Texas to Horace and Annie Bell Johnston. She grew up in Albany, Texas and was a member of the graduating class of Albany High School in 1959.

Blake Ryan Hamilton, age 18 of Denver City, passed away Friday, June 11, 2021. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 19 at Gunsight Baptist Church with Patrick Frishe and Sonny McCauley officiating. Interment will follow in the Post Oak Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 18 at Morehart Mortuary.

By Sandy Morris

The annual summer reading program at the Shackelford County Library, sponsored by the Albany Study Club, kicked off on Monday, June 7 after a year’s absence due to COVID concerns.

According to organizer Janna Ledbetter, story hour will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. every Monday during the month of June.

“All stories will have a western theme,” said Ledbetter. “The children will also have the opportunity to play games and make crafts related to each week’s title.”

By Sandy Morris

Moran Independent School District retiring superintendent Danny Freeman, school board president Sug Roller and board vice president Alice Branham presented diplomas to six seniors at commencement exercises on Friday, May 28 at the MISD gymnasium.

Graduates included valedictorian Dariann Hawley, salutatorian Corey Miller, Aspen Box, Corley Hendricks, Sondra O’Keefe, and Tiffany Wade.

Tianay Bralley from Cisco College presented Cisco scholarships and Freeman presented local scholarships.

By Sandy Morris

Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 10.

COVID-19 antibody testing is offered at no charge for donors who successfully donate.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals. 

The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year. The next one is scheduled Aug. 5.

By Sandy Morris

The Moran ISD board of trustees recently approved the hiring of Dr. John Denson as the new superintendent to replace Danny Freeman who is retiring at the end of June.

Dr. Denson comes to MISD from Union Hill ISD in Gilmer, Texas and said he is glad to return to West Texas. 

“I feel like I’m coming back home,” said Denson. “I went to junior college at Weatherford and earned my bachelor’s degree at Tarleton.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany’s 7on7 summer football team won two out of three games in Archer City last Saturday, and local players will have one more shot to qualify for the state tournament.

Thanks to a last-minute withdrawal by the Junction team, the Albany 7on7 team will play in the final qualifying tournament of the season on Friday at McMurry University in Abilene.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local students have had the opportunity to attend three separate sports camps over the last two weeks, with a couple more slated for later in July.

The annual basketball camp and a new tennis camp were both held this week, with the all-sports camp held the week before.

There is about a six-week break before the remaining volleyball camp and cheerleading camp in July.

Volleyball Camp

Coach M.J. Reneau is hosting a three-day volleyball camp on July 19-21 at the high school.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The summer conditioning and limited sport-specific training for junior high and high school aged girls started this week and will continue through June and again for two weeks in mid-July.

The conditioning and football specific training for boys will start on Monday and continue for six consecutive weeks.

Both programs will meet daily on Monday through Thursday for six weeks, which is regulated by UIL rules.