Local voters have until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, to vote early in person for the upcoming gubernatorial election, with Election Day scheduled for next Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Early in-person voting takes place on the first floor of the Shackelford County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. today (Thursday), and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
Families are invited to experience the sounds, flavors, crafts, and games of Dia de los Muertos, a popular Mexican holiday where family and friends gather to pray for and remember deceased loved ones, at the Old Jail Art Center’s free family festival this Saturday, Nov. 3, from noon to 3:00 p.m.
“Bring the whole family and celebrate el Dia de los Muertos,” said OJAC education coordinator Molly Merck. “Explore this colorful, cultural tradition that honors and remembers centuries of ancestors as well as the recently departed.”
Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program are Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
Thursday, Nov. 1, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
Albany families who have been certified eligible for the November food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Nov. 2, at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The annual Albany Chest campaign is underway, and fundraising letters were mailed in October to past contributors.
In addition, members of the Albany Student Council donned Halloween costumes and went door-to-door asking for donations for the Community Chest on Tuesday, in hopes of raising $1,000 toward the Chest 2018 goal of $42,000.
Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.
Members of the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church have held their annual church bazaar for over a century, and plans are underway for this year’s event, which will be held at the church on Saturday, Nov. 10.
The youth room doors will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. to allow shoppers time to select unique hand-made specialty items from the Country Store and the baked goods area.
Added to the event this year is a silent auction featuring a German shorthair hunting dog, a female puppy that is being donated by Jon and Joyce Gjerpe of Big Country Kennels.
The Albany Ministerial Alliance is accepting applications from Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the annual Christmas basket drive.
The Christmas baskets include various food items to help insure that everyone in the community has healthy food for the holiday, and typically includes turkey or ham, vegetables and other items for a traditional Christmas meal.
Numbers for this year’s “Running Man” were down from last year’s 237, and the 2016 all-time high of 303 participants, and organizers are pleased with the decrease.
“We are trying to limit it almost exclusively to Albany students and alumni,” said Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins. “We want this event to be primarily for our local students.”
Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative Paul Johnston gave a devotional, and then explained the rules of the game before the 173 runners left to be transported to their dropoff zones.
Friendship Baptist Church invites everyone to attend “Harvest Acres” on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The gift and food bazaar will offer baked and craft items for sale. Benches and other larger items will be offered in a silent auction.
A free-will donation evening meal of pulled pork, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, drinks, and desserts will be served from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Food items for sale in the bazaar are expected to include pies, candy, cakes, casseroles, breads, and Christmas pickles.
Winning the fourth annual Junior Garcia Golf Tournament that took place at the Albany Golf Course on Saturday, Oct. 27 was The Wolf Pack, made up of Jason Gardner, Jeff Balliew, Ronnie Kitchens, and Mike Reddin.
The second place team was led by Charles Barrett, and Clint Chapman’s team took third.
Rodney Barton and Charles Barrett won the longest drive competitions.
Closest to the hole bragging rights went to Akisha Holson and Jason Gardner, while Lute Wheeler won the gun raffle.
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 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31, and there will also be groups at the Bank Park.
In addition, trick or treaters can visit the Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center during the same time frame.
