By Sam WallerRegistration for the Albany Little Dribblers fifth and sixth grade basketball teams closes Thursday, Dec. 1.Registration fee is $35 per child and includes a team shirt.Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

By Donnie A. LucasThe annual Lighted Christmas Parade will cap a full day of seasonal activities and shopping on Saturday as it rolls through downtown starting immediately following the last of three Christmas drawings starting at 6:00 p.m.

By Sam WallerThe local Toys for Tots campaign will again offer barbecue sandwiches during Small Town Saturday on Nov. 26.Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty, who coordinates the toy drive in Shackelford County, will be assisted by members of the Moran National Honor Society.

By Melinda L. LucasDirectors for the Shackelford County Hospital District awarded Christmas bonuses during a very short meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.After a closed session, Jason Price made the motion, with a second by Mary Beth Jones, to approve the bonuses for all district employees.

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will not hold a weekly luncheon on Friday because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to Chamber officer Lisa Barton.

It’s almost deadline time for Santa letters and holiday essays if they are going to be included in the Dec. 22 Christmas issue published by The Albany News. The letters should be turned in by Dec. 2.

By Melinda L. LucasAlbany ISD’s school board is a complete seven-person unit again after trustees appointed Bo Brown to serve for the rest of Dr. Cory Brown’s term, which will end in May 2023.Dr. Brown moved out of the district earlier this year and has resigned from his Place 3 seat.

By Melinda L. LucasEven though the popular puppet shows at the Old Jail Art Center will not take place this year, the Christmas season is in full swing at the museum, and the OJAC education department has plenty of things planned for local families and their visitors.

By Donnie A. LucasThe sounds of love songs – all types – were in the air Saturday during a musical performance called “The Seasons of Love,” presented by a group of local singers to benefit the Aztec Theater.

By Donnie A. LucasRehearsals will begin in earnest next week for “The Nativity,” which is set to be performed on Dec. 10 and 11 at the Aztec Theater.The sets for the play will be in place by Monday, and scene rehearsals are planned that evening for the Patriarchal family at 7:00 p.m.