This Saturday, Nov. 24, the Albany Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a Christmas season kick-off event with a host of activities scheduled to take place in the downtown area from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Music from Matt Stapp and from local fiddlers and singers, a magician, drawings for Albany Bucks, a lighted Christmas parade, the arrival of Santa Claus, a chili supper, caroling, lighting of the Memorial Christmas Tree, inspirational speeches, and even-ing shopping opportunities are all planned.

With only a month until Christmas, Santa is gearing up for the holiday season by making his first appearance in Albany Saturday night, Nov. 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lighted Christmas Parade.

Santa’s sleigh is being prepared for the long trip around the world, so St. Nick will be arriving on one of the parade floats.

After arrival, Santa will greet children and listen to Christmas wishes in the Bank Park. 

Because of last week’s fire at the Abilene Reporter-News, the Albany News will be printed in Wichita Falls until further notice.

“Readers may notice some difference in the way the paper looks, especially because the Wichita Falls press is not capable of printing as much color as the Reporter-News,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “Until the Abilene  plant is back up and running, the sports ads on 2B and 3B will be black and white.”

She added that distribution may be later, because each issue must be transported from Wichita Falls. 

After a two-month delay, audit “reviews” from 2015 and 2016 were finally approved by a full board during the Shackelford County Hospital District’s directors meeting held Nov. 19.

The reviews, which are abbreviated versions of a full audit, were first presented by Condley and Company, LLP at the September meeting. That session was cut short because one director had to leave because of a family illness.

Then the October meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum.

Four Albany junior high one-act play members received individual awards at the District 8-AA competition last Thursday, Nov. 15 in Albany.

Ella Webb won a place on the district All-Star Cast again this year.

Keatin Russell was given the Technical Award.

Briley Tabor was again named honorable mention All-Star Cast, and London Fuentes was also listed to the honorable mention All-Star Cast.

Albany’s contest play was Antic Spring, a one-act comedy by Robert Nail that follows a group of youth on a picnic outing.

Nancy Smith Elementary School’s fifth grade class will attend an outdoor science camp right after the Thanksgiving holidays.

Teachers Candy Balliew, Teri Antilley, André Raymond and principal Jonathan Scott will attend camp with the students.

“Outdoor school is a great opportunity for our students to make real-life connections to the materials they have learned or will learn in the classroom,” said Scott.

The group will leave Nancy Smith the morning of Monday, Nov. 26 and return on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Fourth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School and their teachers traveled to the Abilene Ballet Theatre’s 31st annual performance of The Nutcracker last Friday, Nov. 16, at the Paramount Theatre.

“We had a really good time,” said NSES fine arts instructor Robbin Guinn. “It was a great learning experience for the fourth graders, to get to experience the holiday classic at the Paramount.”

The full length classic ballet was performed by a cast of over 120 dancers, including local Abilene talent and guest artists.

Friendship Baptist Church members held their third annual Harvest Acres on Saturday, Nov. 17.  

“Even though Harvest Acres was initially intended as an event to raise funds for local missions, it has turned into one of the church’s favorite days of fellowship as well,” said member Danita Johnston. “The pies, cakes, candies, and all kinds of canned goods sold well because everyone is looking forward to Thanksgiving and family gatherings.”

This Christmas season the Albany Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring both the annual Christmas Basket food program and for the first time this year, a new drive called “Believe Trees,” to help collect donations for Christmas gifts for local teens.

“Believe Trees,” similar to Angel Trees in other programs, will be located in several locations around town, with the various teens’ wish requests divided among the trees, according to Alliance treasurer Tisha Wilkins.

Christmas Baskets

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host a Celebration of Remembrance on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 6:00 p.m.

“This service is intended for all Albany residents, and I hope that all churches and citizens will participate,” said organizer Debbie Hamilton. “The purpose of the service during the holiday season is to honor family and friends who have passed on before us.” 

The service will last approximately one hour and will include music, scripture readings, testimonials, and prayer.