By Sam Waller

New coach Donnie Hart expects Albany’s cross country athletes to hit the ground running as preseason workouts begin at 6:30 a.m. Monday, July 31.

“We’re trying to build some excitement, so we’ve  got a good, tough two-a-day schedule set up,” Hart, who will also coach girls basketball, said. “We’ll do some early morning runs and hill training, try to get the endurance built up, then come back in the afternoons and do core workouts.”

Afternoon workouts, which will be held every other day, will begin at 4:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club firmed up plans for the coming school year at its Monday, July 24 meeting at The Feed Store.

“We had a good turnout and covered several topics for this upcoming season,” Booster Club president Cari Heatly said.  “We went over team parent signup and had several parents sign up, but I know they are still needing spots filled.”

Anyone wishing to serve as a team parent should contact Heatly at 325-762-5137 or Ginny Ivy at 325-725-3005. Volunteers may also message the Albany Athletic Booster Club on Facebook.

By Sam Waller

Two senior players from the 2023 Albany Lions baseball team have been recognized for their work in the classroom.

Recent graduates Cole Chapman and Keatin Russell were named to the Texas High School Association’s academic all-state baseball team. Chapman, who played shortstop and pitcher, was named to the second team. Russell, a designated hitter and outfielder, received honorable mention.

“It’s a good honor for them,” Lions baseball coach David Fairchild said.

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association exceeded its fundraising goal with its three-person golf scramble, held Saturday-Sunday, July 22-23, at Albany Golf Course.

The team of Owen, Carson, and Membrilay shot 115 over 36 holes to win the championship flight by three strokes over Kitchens, Barrett, and Walker.

Organizer Reggy Spencer said more than $15,000 was raised to help with the renovation of the Shackelford County livestock barn.

By Sam Waller

Spots are still available for the Albany Masonic Lodge Scholarship Tournament. The three-person scramble will be held Saturday, July 29 at Albany Golf Course.

The field is limited to the first 18 paid teams. All proceeds benefit the Albany Masonic Lodge Wisdom Foundation, which awards college scholarships to high school graduates.

Mason John Tate said the lodge presented $6,000 in scholarships to Albany graduates last May, up from $5,000 presented in 2021 and 2022, which was up from $4,000 in 2020.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany City Pool will close for the summer after Sunday, July 30, with normal pool hours until then, according to manager Meg Walser.

Hours are 12:30 to 5:30 pm. through Saturday and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

The main factor in closing before school starts is availability of lifeguards, most of whom are high school students who will be involved in preseason sports practice next week.

There is just not enough staff to stay open in August, said Walser.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club has met its $50,000 fundraising goal to purchase and erect monuments honoring Albany’s three state champion football teams.

Former Booster Club officer Amanda Tabor said an anonymous donation put the fund over the top.

Albany ISD superintendent Jonathan Scott said the work to place the six-foot by six-foot granite monuments outside the entrance to Robert Nail Memorial Stadium will begin soon.

“Our goal is to have the monuments installed by the end of September,” he said, “hopefully sooner.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Moran Masonic Lodge #556 held its officer installation ceremony Saturday, July 22.

The event was hosted by the Clyde Masonic Lodge during a joint ceremony with both Clyde and Cisco Masonic Lodges.

Officers installed for the 2023-2024 year were Worshipful Master John Adams and Senior Warden Bobby Estes.

Masonic Lodge officers serve for a term of one year, with annual installations.

The duties and names of the officers date back to medieval stonemasons’ guilds.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Ragin’ Red Lion Band began sectional rehearsals for percussion and pit this week, with brass and woodwind sections being added next week in preparation for the 2023 marching season.

Director William Vaughan announced this week that the band will be working on a show entitled “Our World,” written by Luke McMillan.

Vaughan is expecting about 55 members in the band from grades 8-12 this season, with the goal of earning a third sweepstakes award.

By Sam Waller

July has been convention season for Moran FFA students and instructors.

Students attended the 95th annual Texas FFA state convention July 10-14 in Dallas.

This week, Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson and teachers Minnie Denson Bennett and Robert Stanley have been at the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, also held in Dallas.

At the FFA state convention, students Allen Hebel, Zech Henderson, Alyssa Allred, Ellis Hise, and Cotten Campbell received the Lone Star FFA Degree.