By Kathy Thomson

Friendship Baptist Church has a fun back to school event planned next Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and parents and their elementary aged children are invited to come to the Back to School Bash, enjoy food and fun, and get signed up for Friendship Tribe.

The activities will take place by the church’s gym area and will include a water slide, bounce house, cakewalk, hot dogs, and ice cream.

Junior high and high school students will be able to eat before 7:00  p.m., and then use the water slide from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

By Kathy Thomson

The Feed Store served the first junior/senior Tuesday lunch of the new school year this Tuesday, Aug. 20, and the non-denominational youth ministry executive director Tisha Wilkins said that she was pleased with the turnout.

“We had 57 students, which was great!” Wilkins said. “We have the churches down with the same schedule as before, but we do have some open weeks that we would like to get filled.”

Volunteers typically provide and prepare food for up to 82 juniors and seniors.

By Kathy Thomson

Registration is still open for the Albany Golf Club’s annual Labor Day tournament, and according to president Randy Walker on Monday, both morning and afternoon tee times are available.

“We had a pretty good run last week, with several teams signing up, but we still have openings for both tee times,” said Walker. “However, we are out of rental golf carts.”

By Kathy Thomson

The 2019-2020 school year starts at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26 for students in the Moran Independent School District, and staff members have been busily preparing for their arrival.

“Teachers have been hard at work getting their classrooms prepared,” said new principal Jo Hise. “We are super excited and ready for a new year!”

According to administrative assistant Jeannie TenCate, 105 students are already enrolled and an additional 10 to 15 transfer students are also expected.

By Kathy Thomson

Shackelford County youth between the ages of eight and 18 who are interested in participating in 4-H activities are encouraged to attend a 4-H club meeting next Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at The Feed Store.

“Are you interested in food and nutrition, learning more about your show animals, sewing, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), community service, or learning how to shoot a rifle in competition?” Kristie Smith asked. “Then join us at the meeting.”

By Kathy Thomson

Shifters Car Club third annual Truck Show took place in downtown Albany last Saturday, with 23 entries in the contest and assorted host vehicles also on display.

Robert Eakins of Stephenville won Best of Show, Bobby Kerrell from Graham claimed Best Truck, and winners were announced in several additional categories.

Officers who will serve during the upcoming year for Moran Masonic Lodge #863 were installed in Clyde earlier this summer.

The Moran organization held its officer installation ceremony in conjunction with the Clyde Masonic Lodge officer installation on Saturday, July 13 at the Clyde Masonic Lodge on Oak Street. 

Masonic Lodge officers include Worshipful Master Harley Wheeler, Senior Warden Chris Robinson, Junior Warden Bob EstesTreasurer C.L. Miller, Secretary John Adams Junior Deacon Frank Davidson, and Tiler Earl McFerrin.

By Kathy Thomson

The third annual Shifters Car Club Truck Show should entice nostalgia buffs and truck enthusiasts to downtown Albany this Saturday, Aug. 17, to see antique vehicles, hot rod pickups, and classic work trucks lined up side by side for judging and viewing. 

Everyone is welcome to come out, walk around the show for free, view the preserved and restored relics of a former time, and listen to the rumble of engines that relied on two- or four-barrel carburetors to mix the fuel and air mixture into the proper proportions.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Independent School District 2019-2020 school year began today, Aug. 15, with classes starting at 7:55 a.m. on the elementary campus and five minutes later, at 8:00 a.m., for junior and senior high students.

Nancy Smith Elementary had 283 students registered as of Monday, Aug. 12, compared with 272 at the same time last year and 279 two years ago.

“All of the new students that we know of have registered,” said administrative assistant Stephanie Gleitz. 

AJH/SH Registration

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Chamber of Commerce’s bi-annual party at the Aztec Theater at 7:00 p.m. next Friday, Aug. 23 will feature both a look backwards into local history and will also honor three people who are helping Albany shine brightly toward the future.

The “Home of the Here-ford” sign celebration and recognition party is for all Chamber members and prospective members, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.