By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce has postponed the Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament scheduled for this weekend until the weekend of Oct. 23, Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones announced on Tuesday.

Jones said the decision was made because of the threat of rain in the forecast for the weekend.

“I think people have been watching the weather, and we have not had that many enter,” Jones said. “They were waiting until this week to see what the weather was going to do, and the weather is telling us it’s not going to happen.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 2021 homecoming parade is set to roll through downtown on Friday featuring Albany High School and ex-student royalty, followed by special presentation of the homecoming court during the halftime of the Albany vs. Olney homecoming game that kicks off at 7:00 p.m.

The parade is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m., weather permitting, from the staging area in front of the stadium, then wind its way through the downtown area around the courthouse and return through downtown to end back at the stadium.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Before weather forecasts changed many of the weekend’s activities, members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce had planned to support the Kiwanis Club’s Charity K golf fundraiser on Friday by eating at Fajita Fiesta benefit at the Albany Golf Course.

Now that the meal and tournament have been moved to Oct. 15 because of rain concerns,  Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said Tuesday that it was too late for the restaurant to order food needed for this week’s Chamber lunch.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After almost 45 years of ownership, Melinda and I are ready to let someone else take over the reins of this 140-year old newspaper – The Albany News.

Before we advertise to the newspaper industry or other possible interested parties statewide, we want to determine if there is interest by someone locally or with local ties who wants to explore this opportunity.

We know this could take awhile, but the time has come for our family to retire and start the process of getting the newspaper in the hands of someone else.

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2022 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that only a few applications had been received so far, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

By Sam Waller

National 4-H Week is scheduled for Oct. 3-9 with more than a week’s worth of activities scheduled for Shackelford County 4-Hers.

“I’m trying to use that week as a really big push to  promote everything we have going on and encourage people to get their kids involved,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We’re highlighting community service. A huge part of 4-H is teaching our kids the value of serving our community.”

Things kick off Friday with a float in the Albany homecoming parade. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association is set for Tuesday, Oct. 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Albany Visitors Center (Depot).

Discussion and a motion to hold the Fandangle in 2022 are expected, along with the filling of five terms on the board that are expiring and the election of officers for the coming year.

Members of the board whose three-year terms are ending are Leslie Jones, Dustin Parsons, Lauren Willen, John Ayers, and Shelly Bartee.

Plans for the 2021 Fall Festival will be discussed at 3:30 p.m. today at a meeting at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Members of the Albany Parent Teacher Organization encourage parents and students of all grade levels to attend. Organizers plan to present new ideas and hear feedback and additional ideas from parents.

The meeting will immediately follow the Campus Improvement Committee meeting, which starts at 3:00 p.m.

Last year’s Fall Fest was cancelled because of COVID.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions Club is taking part in a project to provide ramps for homes of disabled residents.

Janna Ledbetter, Lions Club secretary/treasurer, is coordinating the effort locally.

“We’re partnering with the Kiwanis Club out of Abilene,” Ledbetter said. “TexasRamps.org actually provides the materials. We provide the patrons and help with the installation.”

Ledbetter said one ramp has already been built in Albany, and three others are scheduled.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the October distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Oct. 7 and Friday, Oct. 8.

Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who oversees the program, said that if October commodities are not picked up, those individuals will not be eligible for the Thanksgiving bag in November. 

The Thanksgiving bag is in addition to the regular November commodities.

Recipients unable to pick up in person can send a signed and dated note with someone to pick up the food for them.