By Donnie A. Lucas

With dress rehearsal and opening night for the 84th anniversary performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle a week away, just about everyone involved in the annual outdoor production is rehearsing or preparing on a daily basis.

The show is set to open on Friday, June 17, with additional performances set June 18, June 24, and June 25.

Other local residents and businesses are also preparing to host, feed, or entertain the hundreds of visitors expected in Albany on each show date.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The call is being sent out this week to local individuals, families, and organizations to help keep the tradition of the annual Fort Griffin Fandangle parade alive and well.

With just over a week remaining before the Saturday, June 18 event, very few entries or sponsors have signed up.

“We don’t have any Fandangle-themed floats so far,” co-chairman Ragan Riley said. “There have been some tractors and horse riding groups sign up, but not much else.”

The parade is scheduled to roll down Main Street at 5:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual spring cleanup day Saturday, June 11 in advance of the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

“This is the time of year when everybody tries to make their yards along Main Street look good,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

Jones said volunteers should meet at the Chamber office at 8:30 a.m., and she asked that participants bring yard tools and implements such as mowers, weedeaters, rakes, and hoes.

Dinty Bowman, age 73 of Albany, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022. Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 8 at First Baptist Church of Albany with John Tunnell officiating. Interment followed in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Dinty Shawn Bowman was born Jan. 10, 1949 in Baird, Texas to parents James Verlin Bowman and Frances Ione Vestal. He graduated from Albany High School and then went on to attend Cisco Junior College.

By Sam Waller

Volunteers are needed for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual spring cleanup day on Saturday, June 11.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones invites local residents to participate in the project aimed at beautifying Albany. A meal will be provided, Jones said.

In addition to helping the community, the event offers an opportunity for those needing to accumulate volunteer hours.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Class of 2022 held commencement ceremonies Friday, May 27 at Bulldog Field.

Former Moran superintendent Danny Freeman gave the commencement address as four seniors received their diplomas as well as scholarships from the Snyder family.

The Ralph Snyder Scholarship of $1,000 went to valedictorian Johnnie Hise.

The Maurice Snyder Scholarship of $750 went to salutatorian Hannah Rogers.

Harmony Slaughter received the $500 Mary Anna Snyder Scholarship, and Arren Hawley received the $500 Sam Snyder Scholarship.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only a few tickets remain for the Chris Knight concert that was rescheduled for Saturday, June 11.

The event is part of the singer/songwriter series presented by Albany Live, a local non-profit organized last year to bring live musical events to Albany and the Aztec Theater.

According to organizers, only about 30 tickets are still available for the concert which was originally planned for Feb. 5 but had to be postponed due to winter weather conditions.

By Sam Waller

On Wednesday, May 25, the Moran FFA banquet celebrated the accomplishments of the FFA chapter in addition to installing officers for the 2022-23 school year.

Seniors Johnnie Hise and Hannah Rogers were recognized for achieving the Texas Lone Star FFA Degree, becoming the first Moran recipients since Danny Connally in 1955.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD hosted an end-of-year banquet last week at the Moran gym.

On Tuesday, May 24, the school awards banquet recognized academic achievements from the school year and included a pair of special awards presented by the Moran Masonic Lodge.

Awards Banquet

During the event, the Moran Masonic Lodge presented a Community Builder award to Jacob Spencer in appreciation of his renovation work on the Moran gymnasium.

By Sam Waller

Before the school year even ends, Albany coaches are making plans for the beginning of a new fall sports season.

Summer conditioning for all incoming seventh through 12th graders will begin Monday, June 13, and continue four days a week into July.

Summer workouts are regulated by UIL rules.