By Melinda L. Lucas

Due to the Good Friday holiday on April 7, the April distribution pickup dates for the commodity food program have been pushed back one week.

Pickup dates are scheduled for Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14.

Moran recipients should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13.

Albany families can pick up their food on Friday, April 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Sam Waller

Albany churches are preparing for a busy Easster  week with services and special events planned.

Easter Sunday falls on April 9 this year.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church has a full slate of services starting with Maundy Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6.

A Good Friday service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 7.

On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service will be held at 7:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Cemetery.

By Sam Waller

Guy Caldwell made his living as a rancher, but serving his alma mater – Hardin-Simmons – was a key part of his life.

The former Albany resident, who died in 1987, was remembered by the institution earlier this month with induction into HSU’s Hall of Leaders. Several family members, including his son Lee Caldwell, attended the ceremony.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H’s senior horse judging team qualified for state competition Friday, March 24 at the District 7 contest in San Angelo.

The team of Faith Fry, Madailein Beard, Riley Reames, and Paisley Clark will compete at the State 4-H Roundup in June at College Station.

In addition, two junior teams placed. The team of Grace Fry, Artie Bell, Carly Kreitler, and Cody Fry placed fourth with Rainy Nitschke, Kerrigan Howard, and Reese Nitschke sixth.

By Sam Waller

Deadline for exhibitors from the 2023 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show to have thank you notes to buyers written and ready to mail is Saturday, April 1.

Show participants must place their finished notes in a stamped, addressed envelope ready for mailing. Notes must be verified by Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard or Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With the annual Membership Sampler just two weeks away, rehearsals are well underway at the Prairie Theater to prepare the preview of the summer show in June.

The shortened version of the 85th anniversary Fandangle is set for Saturday, April 15 at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch.

Practices moved outdoors to the theater last week and will continue on both Monday and Thursday evenings through April 13 starting at 7:30 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A total of 34 teams were entered in AZE’s third annual Scholarship Cornhole Tournament last Saturday, with cash prizes handed out to the top three two-person teams in three different divisions.

In addition to the players themselves, there were quite a few spectators and people taking advantage of the three food trucks on site.

“It was a beautiful day, and we had a lot of fun,” said AZE officer Megaen Birdwell. “The tournament was well attended and possibly our most successful so far.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams hosted the Roaring Lion Relays on Thursday, March 23, in one of their final meets before district competition.

Albany athletes were competing Thursday, March 30 (today) at Clyde’s Golden Shoe Relays in their final tuneup before the District 10-2A meet,  scheduled for Thursday, April 6 at Cisco.

Lady Lions coach Ryder Peacock said having district teams Anson, Haskell, and Stamford in attendance at the local meet provided a hint of what to expect at district.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions split a pair of District 8-2A softball games last week as the district schedule neared the midway point.

On Tuesday, March 28, the Lady Lions (12-10-1 overall, 4-1 district) hosted Eula, winning 1-0, and closing out the first round of district play with the first of back-to-back games against the Lady Pirates. Details will be reported next week.

After an open date on Friday, March 31, created by Gorman’s inability to field a team, Albany will visit Eula at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, originally the Lady Lions’ district bye.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions bounced back from a loss in their District 8-2A baseball opener to even their league record last week.

The Lions (10-2 overall, 2-1 district) then hosted Haskell on Tuesday, March 28, winning 15-0. Details will be reported next week.

Albany plays its first district road game at 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Stamford.

On Tuesday, March 21, Albany lost to Hawley 2-1 despite holding a 5-2 advantage in hits.