By Lynsi Musselman

As people start to resurface and get back to daily routines after the recent COVID-19 shutdown, in-person group meetings are starting back up as well.

Kiwanis Club

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Albany resumed meeting two weeks ago, and will continue to gather each Wednesday at 12:00 noon in the bar area of the Fort Griffin Gen. Merchandise Restaurant.

Masonic Lodge

The Masonic Lodge in Albany will start meeting together again on June 18. They meet the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

By Lynsi Musselman

The City of Moran’s community garden is finally seeing the fruits of their labor.

Moran city employee Teresa King said yellow squash is the first harvest from the garden and zucchini should not be far behind.

“Tomatoes are blooming, and the green beans and okra plants are coming up,” King said.

King added that the garden has been a collective effort, and all who have participated will be welcome to the fresh fruit and vegetables that the garden will provide. 

By Lynsi Musselman

Fellowship of Christian Athletes recognizes coaches and players each year who exemplify the core values and Christian principles of the sports ministry.

 This year, Albany High School retired principal and golf coach Tommy Terrell received the first ever Tommy Terrell FCA Character Award.

Terrell is also well known at the Albany Golf Club for his work at the Albany course since he retired from education.

By Lynsi Musselman

ResourceCare Summer Day Camp is full for the July 6-24 camp dates, and ResourceCare program assistant Ragan Riley said  that late applications or registrations cannot be accepted.

“We had an even bigger turnout than in years past,” Riley said.

Registrations for 165 campers, as well as for 41 high school and 21 junior high volunteer applications, were received at last week’s three-day sign-up.

Day Camp is still in need of contributions.

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Chamber of Commerce will resume weekly Chamber members lunches tomorrow at the Beehive Restaurant.

Local Stores

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said Albany retail stores also have resumed normal business hours, and a new store, Rustic Charm, has started to get shelving and furniture in place to open soon. 

She reminds residents to “shop local.”

Other Activities

By Lynsi Musselman

Due to COVID-19 and other health concerns, the Albany Lions Club fundraiser “Flags Across Albany” is on hold for Flag Day and the upcoming patriotic holidays.

However, volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce are stepping up in the interim and providing American flags in the downtown area.

“Flags Across Albany” is  a project the Lions Club organized several years ago to honor American heritage and military heroes who served this country, as well as to help raise funds for the organization.

By Lynsi Musselman

Albany Chamber of Commerce directors gathered on Tuesday for the first in-person board meeting since March.

Chamber manager  Mary Beth Jones confirmed that Chamber lunches will resume Friday, June 12 with the first lunch being held at the Beehive Restaurant.

Jones also said that more information will be published next week about the Hereford Ball that is planned next February.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center remains temporarily closed and has yet to announce an opening date.

OJAC has several interactive ways to stay connected to the museum and educate learners from home.

Visit the OJAC Facebook page on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. to view a new demo of an activity called “#StayHomeStudio.” 

“#StayHomeStudio” is a virtual workshop celebrating Try-It-Tuesdays at the OJAC. The activity has been created for adults and families to try together.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local residents will have to wait another week to find out if and when the city pool will be opening this summer, according to city manager Billy Holson.

The item is on the agenda for next Monday’s city council meeting, when council members will discuss whether or not to open and to what level.

Holson said that the governor opened water parks last week as part of the phased-in plan to ease restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Donnie A. Lucas

More teams have signed up for the annual Fathers Day Golf Tournament set for June 20-21 at the Albany Golf Course.

Activity at the local course has been restricted to members only during the pandemic shutdown, but the easing of restrictions came in time for the club to host the annual tournament and start weekly scrambles.

Starting last week, the local course is now open to both members and non-members on a daily basis. The facility was open to members only for about two months during the COVID-19 restrictions.