By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany Dance Theatre Company will present its 72nd Annual Recital on Saturday, June 4.

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

Admission is free.

There are three featured seniors in this year’s recital, including Johnnie Hise and Hannah Rogers of Moran. There are no Albany seniors in the high school class.

More than 100 students from Albany, Moran, and several surrounding towns participate in the local dance program.

Zachary Riley, age 44 of Lubbock, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 27 at the Albany Church of Christ with Russell Scott officiating. Interment will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

By Sam Waller

Moran seventh through 12th grade students who have met certain criteria will be rewarded with a trip to Six Flags Over Texas on Friday, May 20 as the school year begins winding down.

Principal Jo Hise said qualifying for the trip required meeting academic and attendance standards.

“They couldn’t have any unexcused absences,” Hise said. “They could only miss seven days altogether, and they have to be passing their classes.”

By Sam Waller

The final week of the school year will start off with two days of fun and games for Nancy Smith Elementary School students.

The annual track meet will be held Monday, May 23 at the high school track.

A field day will be Tuesday, May 24 at Webb Park.

Lunch will be provided both days.

There will be no early dismissal Monday through Wednesday. Students will be released from the elementary campus at the regular times.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2022 is set for Sunday, May 22 at 4:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Former Albany youth minister Spencer Newsom will be the featured speaker. He will be introduced by class valedictorian Luke Ivy.

A total of 34 seniors are expected to participate in the service, which is one of several events that will culminate with graduation next Friday night.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A record crowd of students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play, and FCCLA.

A total of 370 attended the event to recap the successes of the school year, which is sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD.

The group was welcomed by superintendent Jonathan Scott, proceeding to the buffet line for the meal prepared by the Icehouse Restaurant.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Voters will have the chance to go to the polls for a second time this month with the May 24 State Primary Elections Run-off for both the Republican and Democratic parties.

In-person early voting ends on Friday, May 20. All voting is again consolidated at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

Early voters can mark their ballots from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. through May 20. The Courthouse is also open through the lunch hour for early voters.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, May 26.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

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.

Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Response to rehearsals for the June performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle has been great, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers, especially among the younger members of the cast.

“We have had a record number of children showing up for rehearsals which is great,” Ayers said. “But it also presents a problem of having enough adult supervision to make sure the kids all stay safe.”

The director said that the Fandangle has people in place on either side of the stage for the Indian Prairie, which is made is up of mostly children.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany City pool will open to the general public on Wednesday, June 1 with a one-day-only, free-admittance Splash Day.

Albany City pool co-managers this summer are Savannah Maberry, Meg Walser, and Mikaela Jones. Maberry helped with the operation of the facility last summer.