By Lynsi Musselman

The Feed Store put a twist on prom this year for Albany youth.

Feed Store director of ministries Kathryn Hamilton said the Monday night challenge was a “prom-posal” with a tacky prom theme.

The challenge was to dress in tacky prom clothes and submit a photo to the Feed Store Instagram account. Winners were selected and announced during Merge Live.

The “prom-posal” King and Queen are siblings Addi Asher and Bryce Asher.

Hamilton said the youth Merge program has transitioned to Merge Live because of the quarantine. 

By Lynsi Musselman

With government restrictions to meet as a large group for National Day of Prayer, all Albany churches will open their doors for individual prayer on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church minister Jeff Turner said people can come and pray without having a large gathering. 

“Those wanting to pray can come and go,” Turner said. “They can visit any church or more than one church that day.” 

Trinity Episcopal Church this month observes the 110th anniversary of the charter as an official congregation. 

On April 21, 1910, the Diocese of Dallas granted a charter as a mission church to the Episcopalians of Albany. There had been a small Episcopal congregation here as far back as the 1870s.

The local church had planned a special observance of this anniversary for its regular worship service on April 26, but that has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 epidemic. On-site services are currently suspended until further notice.

By Lynsi Musselman

Parents who need to register their child in the Head Start program for the 2020-2021 school year  will need to pre-register online this year.

Parents of new and returning students must pre-register. This process is already underway. Parents can go to www.esc14.net/page/cyl_myheadstart%20application.com.  Required documents will be needed to fill out the pre-registration application. 

Region 14 will call all pre-registered applicants for an elgibility interview before an official enrollment packet is handed out.

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany High School’s Class of 2020 is missing out on many exciting events due to the coronavirus shutdown, and local parents and volunteers are stepping up to try to fill in some of the gaps. 

Last week, Tisha Wilkins organized a program called Adopt a Senior. The program matches someone from the community with one of the 41 graduating seniors.

“I saw this program done in another community, but this has an Albany spin on it,” Wilkins said. 

She said the first round of seniors to get adopted was successful. 

By Lynsi Musselman

Tyler Beard was named this week as Top Hand for 2020, and he and David Hardin were announced as winners of the first annual Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association Memorial Scholarships. 

“Without a banquet this year, we notified the winners by phone,” said association president Bronco Askew. “Both Tyler and David are exceptional individuals and consistent with their intentions.”

Funds Needed

Askew also said that the SCYLA is still short on funds to cut checks for stock show exhibitors.

By Lynsi Musselman

The community of Moran continues to adjust to social distancing and everyday life as the pandemic continues.

There are still no positive cases of COVID-19 in Moran or Shackelford County as of Tuesday, April 21. The disaster declaration issued on April 3 is still in effect.

Moran City Hall remains closed to walk-in traffic, but most business can be conducted through the drop box at the front door. 

“We can receive cash payments and slip change back through the door slot, Karen Bishop said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Despite COVID-10 restrictions, blood is still needed, and a blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday afternoon, April 30.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Visitors to both Albany school campuses are currently restricted, but when students, parents, and other visitors do return they will find that security has been improved, at least as far as gaining access to buildings is concerned.

Installation of magnetic door locking systems has been completed at the secondary campus and at Nancy Smith Elementary. The automatic door locks were activated this week.

By Lynsi Musselman

Government restrictions and closures have made in-person group meetings tough to conduct. 

This includes local Alcoholics Anonymous and Life Recovery meetings. 

First United Methodist Church pastor Tim Tremble said no meetings are being held at the church at this time, but check-ins are being conducted. 

The AA website at www.aa.org suggests participants keep up with step program literature. It is also recommended that volunteers check on those who may be struggling.