By Sam Waller

Albany’s Leddie Leech was among 24 youth and 13 adults honored during the District 7 4-H Gold Star and Silver Clover Banquet.

The banquet was held Monday, Oct. 24 at the Bill Franklin Center in Coleman.

Leech received the Gold Star Award, the highest honor given by AgriLife Extension to 4-H youth on the county level. The Silver Clover is a special district level recognition given to outstanding adult leaders that contribute a great deal to their local 4-H program.

By Sam Waller

The Albany FFA chapter freshmen took part in the Big Country District Greenhand Conference Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Abilene.

Albany’s 14 freshmen were among 218 in attendance, participating in leadership, team-building and social events. The program was conducted by Big Country District officers.

By Sam Waller

The next round of deadlines for Albany FFA and Shackelford County 4-H members planning to exhibit livestock at winter shows is quickly approaching.

The deadline for swine tag orders is Monday, Nov. 7, followed by the deadline for all uploads for heifers, sheep and goats on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Entry deadline for the county and all major shows is Friday, Nov. 11. All money is due at the time of entry.

Swine validation will take place at 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band improved their ranking from last year at the UIL Area Marching Contest, placing 15th out of the 25 Class 2A bands that competed last Saturday in Lubbock.

The top 10 bands in the contest were placed in the finals, performing a second time for the judges and hoping to be selected as one of the five bands to advance to the state marching contest in San Antonio next week.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of Matthews Memorial Presbyrerian Church resume one of Albany’s longest-running traditions with their annual bazaar.

This year’s event is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 in the MMPC Educational Building.

The bazaar, which is organized by the church’s Sallie Matthews Circle, has been held almost annually for more than a century, with very few exceptions. The most recent interruption was in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church sixth graders received a pumpkin-related message and learned to carve pumpkins during the group’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Sixth grade adult leader Courtney Milligan said about 18 children participated as group leader Lori Schooler spoke on how being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

“I want to thank Lori for putting this together,” Milligan said. “She bought the pumpkins and provided carving kits.”

Chad Overton also serves as an adult leader for the group.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store had an almost identical number of participants from a year ago but an unprecedented result for the 24th annual Running Man event Oct. 29.

Three teams – seventh graders, juniors, and seniors – tied for first place with all three returning 100 percent of their runners without any being caught.

Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said it is believed to be the first time more than one team has scored 100 percent.

“I do not recall more than one,” she said. “That was fun. Everyone was excited about getting back.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s FCCLA chapter will sell home-cooked meals Sunday, Nov. 6 at The Feed Store to raise funds for chapter members to attend regional, state, and national events.

Meals of ham, scalloped potatoes, salad, rolls, and dessert will be served from 11:30 a.m. until sold out, FCCLA sponsor Jennifer Marshall said. Suggested donation is $10 per meal.

Albany revived its ­FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) chapter last year and had 12 students qualify for national competition in San Diego. This year’s national conference is in Denver.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Red Ribbon Week at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the junior/senior high campus wrapped up last week with winners named in contests at both locations.

This is the 34th year that the district has participated in the annual campaign that brings awareness to the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

The campaign is sponsored by Albany ISD and the Albany Task Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

NSES Events

Nancy Smith Elementary hosted a week of dress-up days for students, as well as holding a poster contest.

Recipes are still being accepted for the upcoming holiday recipe section, according to Albany News editor Melinda Lucas, but time is short.

The deadline is  Friday, Nov. 11, with the special tab to be included with the Nov. 17 paper ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“I heard from a few people right after I announced it, but I don’t have anywhere close to enough recipes,” said Lucas.

The sooner, the better, said Lucas, since she is already working on the pages.

Recipes can be brought to the News office or emailed to news@thealbanynews.net.