By Sam Waller

The Albany Community Thanksgiving Service makes its return after a one-year hiatus.

The service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at Albany Methodist Church. Pastor Brad McBee of First Christian Church will speak.

“This is always fun,” McBee said.

The FCC pastor said his message will be Thanksgiving-focused.

“There’s a lot of good history and knowledge about what really brought the Pilgrims to this country,” he said. “It’s not what you might think. Come find out a few facts you may not know.”

The First Baptist Church youth group will hold a bake sale fundraiser at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Bank Park or, if the weather is bad, across the street under the portico at the Albany News.

Available items include brownies, cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, and more, by donation.

Proceeds will go to help fund summer camp trips for FBC youth.

By Sam Waller

Friendship Baptist Church will continue its fall tradition with the sixth annual Harvest Acres bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The event has been scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving since its inception. This year’s Harvest Acres will start at 9:00 a.m. at the church’s Activity Center located at 600 Greer Street.

“It’s always a good time,” organizer Danita Johnston said. “We enjoy hanging out and fellowshipping with each other. It’s a fun Saturday as a congregation.”

By Sam Waller

Collection deadline for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign is coming up quickly on Monday, Nov. 14.

First Christian Church pastor Brad McBee, who helps coordinate the local project, said shoeboxes may be brought to First Christian Church or taken back to the participant’s home church. McBee will then deliver all shoeboxes to Abilene.

“First Baptist Church in Abilene has a big center that picks them up,” McBee said. “There’ll be thousands upon thousands of boxes there.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H will have a potluck dinner at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 for its annual Friendsgiving meal at The Feed Store.

The club will hold a regular monthly meeting following the meal to work on community service projects.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Horse Club members will meet for a trail ride at Hamby.

The next outdoor education meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Feed Store.

Swine validation will be conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Wednesday, Nov. 16, Friday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 20.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The fifth grade class at Nancy Smith Elementary will spend three days next week studying a range of science curriculum at Camp Grady Spruce Outdoor Education Program.

The 34 students and four sponsors will spend three days and two nights at the camp at Possum Kingdom Lake learning about sciences ranging from geology to biology to astronomy.

“Fifth grade science covers a wide range,” science teacher Leslie Neve said. “This camp is based on the TEKS that are covered on the STAAR test for fifth graders.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany FCCLA chapter is seeking to dub one Albany secondary teacher or staff member a real turkey by the end of next week.

For a second year, the group is sponsoring a Turkey Teacher Contest, with students voting by donation for the teacher or staff member they would like to see wear a turkey costume all day on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

All the proceeds from the contest will be given to the Albany ResourceCare to use to purchase gifts for children in need for Christmas.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Junior High theater class will present the comedy “Once Upon a Clothesline” by Aurand Harris for the public on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

The cast and crew will also present the play at the junior high One-Act Play Contest on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Stamford.

The play includes a total of 14 cast and crew members, with teacher Melanie Turner directing.

“The cast is working hard,” she said. “However, we are still making improvements every day – especially learning lines.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

An induction ceremony for 12 new members of the Albany chapter of the National Honor Society is set for Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Teachers, staff, parents, and family members are invited to attend. A reception in the ­FCCLA room will follow the ceremony.

The officers of the group will conduct the program, including reviewing the meaning of the four principals of the society. Following the candle lighting and pledge, the inductees will be pinned by the officers and other current members.

Albany Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Jeff Hill (r) accepts a check from Cody Fry (l), ranch manager of the Clear Fork Ranch. On behalf of the ranch owner, Fry thanked the VFD for taking care of Albany and the surrounding area.