Dear Editor:

Many years ago we moved to Albany. One of the first things that impacted me was the oilfield Christmas tree on one mile hill. It brought so much joy coming into town and seeing that tree all lit up. It was such a welcoming sight during the Christmas season.

It would be so nice if some of the “movers and shakers” in our community would make that happen again. Perhaps, some club or organization could take it on as a project for the community.

Merry Christmas!

Mary Rose

I am amazed at your hospitality, love, care, and kindness. You have made me feel so welcome in your gracious communities. I will sincerely miss every one of you.

I am pleased and saddened at the same moment as I announce my retirement. It has been my greatest pleasure to serve you as your UPS delivery man for 17 and a half years. My last day to deliver to you will be Thursday, October 27.

Dear Editor:

Let’s make Albany more bird-friendly by being a Lights Out community.

Help protect migrating birds this fall by going Lights Out! Turn off all non-essential lights from 11pm – 6am every night, especially during peak migration Sept. 5 – Oct. 29!

By Brad McBee

A few months ago, I sat at the labyrinth across from the Old Jail Art Center with my Bible and devotional. It was a beautiful early morning, and I was enjoying the day and my prayer time.

Suddenly I saw a flutter high up in the tree in front of me. I couldn’t quite make out what it was. I knew it was a bird, a small one of some kind, and then I saw the distinguishing mark, and I knew right away what it was.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. The food, cards, donations, visits, and outpouring of love and kindness shown to our family was truly heartwarming.

Dinty will definitely be missed by many.

Thanks and love

from the family of

Dinty Bowman

By Brad McBee

Earlier in the month I caught sight of my first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (also known as the Texas Bird-of-paradise) of the year. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is by far one of my favorite birds of Texas. 

When I first moved to Texas, this elegant bird immediately caught my attention, sweeping through the air as it dashes to catch insects in flight. If the windshield of my truck is any indicator, there are plenty of bugs that need to be eaten.

Dear Editor:

Thank you to the citizens of Albany for your support last week during the unprecedented winter weather event and the conditions that resulted from the extreme cold. The heroes are numerous as a city faces such challenges!

Billy Holson led Albany through this time with knowledge and determination. All of the city’s employees, along with many others, worked alongside Billy 24 hours a day to keep the water and electricity on.

Countless hours were spent in freezing, miserable conditions.

Roosters on Vacation

My street, South 1st, which runs in front of Albany High School, is usually very quiet in the summer time. 

Well…not this past week.

It seems that several roosters decided to escape their ag pens and take a tour of the neighborhood.

These roosters were not small in size. They were fairly large and had “vocal cords” to match.

For some reason they felt it necessary to perform their “wake up calls” all hours of the day and night. This went on for about four or five days.

It does seem like you see signs everywhere these days. A lot of these quotes are on T shirts. I have a Sign Wall in my den. Some of the signs are spiritual and some are just for fun.  

•Here are a few for seniors...I thought growing old would take longer. I don’t have grey hair; I have wisdom highlights. Growing old is not for sissies. 

•My BUCKET LIST...1. Keep breathing.

•If you’re happy and you know it...it’s your meds. 

•I don’t trip, I do random gravity checks.

•Young at heart, slightly older in other parts.

THAT QUESTION...

I know that all parents and grandparents have heard “that question” from your kids and grandkids a million times. I know I have. 

It had been awhile since I had taken a ride with my granddaughters. It was a experience.

I drove to Denver to stay with them while their parents were out of the country for medical treatment. 

I flew the last two times I went, and decided I could drive it this time, a nine-hour drive. I would stay a week and then bring them home with me for a week.