By Melinda L. Lucas

Despite what is expected to be cold weather on Thursday afternoon, crowds of costumed children are expected in the downtown area and in other parts of Albany for what has become a local tradition.

When it was announced that there would be no Trunk or Treat event this year, Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones invited other individuals and organizations to join the downtown merchants in their usual Oct. 31 candy distribution.

By Kathy Thomson

Hundreds of costumed children traded in tickets to play games and try to win prizes at the Albany Parent-Teacher Organization’s annual Fall Fest held at Nancy Smith Elementary School last Saturday.

“Everything went really well,” said co-organizer Malarie Sutton. “It was probably the best Fall Fest we’ve had in a long time. Everything ran smoothly, and folks said that they liked the new games and banners.”

The majority of the booths shut down at 8:30 p.m. or a little later, including Bingo and the cafeteria, according to Sutton. 

By Kathy Thomson

Traditionally, trick or treating takes place on Oct. 31, and participating downtown Albany store owners will once again offer costumed local students and pre-schoolers a safe place to show off their cute outfits and solicit candy donations on Halloween.

According to Chamber of Commerce office manager Mary Beth Jones, downtown merchants will be handing out candy from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

By Kathy Thomson

Games of skill and chance, homemade cakes and assorted other scrumptious desserts, freshly prepared chili and beans, prizes, and children and adults dressed up as characters from video games, movies, heroes, mermaids, animals, pirates, cheerleaders, and clowns are all expected to be on hand for the annual Parent-Teacher Organization’s Fall Fest being held at the Nancy Smith Elementary School campus on Saturday, Oct. 26.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After interviewing four candidates in separate interviews last Wednesday afternoon, Shackelford County commissioners voted unanimously to ask the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to offer the job of Shackelford County Extension Agent to Kloey Painter of Alpine.

Michaela Bradford left the post vacant several months ago when she opted to take a teaching position with Albany ISD.

By Kathy Thomson

Twenty-four different organizations have been approved for funding from the Albany Chest, with the 2019 campaign now underway with a $42,000 goal.

In each issue during the next few weeks, a brief look will be taken at two or three of the benefitting organizations in order to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.

Albany 7 on 7

The summer sports program has requested $1,000 from the Community Chest.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Campus and district improvement plans were reviewed and accepted by trustees on the Albany school board during a fairly routine meeting on Monday, Oct. 21.

The 2018-2019 final financial audit was also on the agenda for approval, but since it had arrived late in the day and board members had not had time to study it, the vote was tabled until next month.

The audit presented in September, but has been “pending” until investment figures were received from the Community Foundation of Abilene.

By Kathy Thomson

With the 2019 “Red Ribbon Week” campaign winding down, organizers still have quite a bit more planned for local students on Thursday and Friday.

Red Ribbon Week in Albany this year began on Monday, Oct. 21. The annual campaign is recognized not only locally but across the nation. 

This is the 31st straight year that the event has been conducted in Albany. The campaign is designed to draw as much attention as possible to the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, some of the leading causes of drug abuse, and its prevention.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An “Heirloom Document Preservation” program is being planned by the Old Jail Art Center on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The archival workshop is open to everyone, with a small fee of $15 charged to OJAC members and $20 to non-members.

The presentation will provide an overview on how to carefully preserve family heirlooms, photographs, and documents. 

Erika Parker, Collections Manager at the Grace Museum of Abilene, will conduct the workshop.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany High School band received an overall rating of III at the East Zone Region 6 Marching Contest at Wylie Bulldog Stadium earlier this week.

The Ragin’ Red Band was the second one to compete on Monday, Oct. 21, taking the field at 2:30 p.m. Twenty members of the band performed The 80s Rocked, which features three movements of music that were inspired by the pop music of the 80s.

The 80s Rocked was written by Luke McMillan, and AHS band director Richard Murrow wrote the marching drill.