What started as a weekend road trip to Branson, Missouri, ended in victory for Team Grease Worms.
The Albany-based team of Robert Snyder, Craig Winters, Matt Birkla and Blake Estridge returned from the 2026 Buffalo Run Adventure Challenge after raising $270,665 for Camp Able, earning top fundraising honors among all participating teams and helping push the overall fundraiser past the $1 million mark for the first time.
With opening night now just a week away, preparations for the 88th annual Fort Griffin Fandangle are entering the final stretch as organizers finalize schedules and continue encouraging participation in the annual parade.
This year’s performances are scheduled for June 19-20 and June 26-27 at the Prairie Theater. Gates will open at 7 p.m. each evening, followed by a calliope concert by Louann George at 7:30 p.m. Show time is 8:30 p.m.
The Shackelford County Library’s summer Story Hour continues with upcoming Tuesday programs featuring live animals from the Abilene Zoo and hands-on crafts led by the Old Jail Art Center, as the weekly series moves through the remainder of June.
This week’s Story Hour session on June 9 included a leopard tortoise, rough plated lizard, tenrec and Swainson’s hawk, along with a coordinating animal journal craft for participating children.
Four Albany men will hit the road today as Team Grease Worms begins another journey in support of Camp Able during the 2026 Buffalo Run Adventure Challenge.
Returning team members Robert Snyder, Craig Winters and Matt Birkla are adding a fourth member this year, Blake Estridge, as they join dozens of teams from across Texas for the annual fundraiser, which combines a road trip, scavenger hunt and fundraising campaign into one weekend adventure.
Tickets are selling steadily for the 88th annual Fort Griffin Fandangle as rehearsals continue ahead of opening night later this month.
This year’s performances are scheduled for June 19-20 and June 26-27 at the Prairie Theater. With opening night less than three weeks away, cast members and volunteers have already been rehearsing for more than a month, with practices now taking place almost every night of the week.
The Shackelford County Library’s annual summer story hour continues every Tuesday through the end of June, offering children a fun and educational opportunity to explore the world of animals through stories, crafts, and live demonstrations.
Also underway is the library’s Summer Reading Program, with free pizza available for those who complete the reading goals for their age group, with ages all the way through high school. The program ends July 31.
Plans to open the city pool are inching forward as the City of Albany continues to work through staffing issues.
City officials now plan to host Splash Day on Tuesday, June 2 from 6 to 8 p.m., replacing next week’s Family Night. The free event traditionally signals the annual opening of the facility for the summer.
The Albany Dance Theatre will present its 76th annual recital Saturday, May 30, at 7 p.m. in the Albany High School auditorium, continuing a decades-long community tradition featuring dancers from Albany, Moran and surrounding areas.
This year’s production theme is “A Night at the Movies” and will showcase more than 100 performers, ages 3 through 18. Senior dancers performing in their final recital are Mimi Ivy and Hope McBee.
Members of the Albany High School Class of 2026 were awarded dozens of scholarships during commencement exercises held last Friday, May 22.
There were 131 separate awards for the class of 36 seniors, with some scholarships split among more than one recipient, amounting to $158,830 given for the first year of college or trade school and almost $349,000 if the recipients qualify for the scholarships and stay in school over a four-year period.
The awards were given by about 50 local churches, clubs, organizations, foundations, and individuals.
Thirty-six Albany High School seniors will receive their diplomas Friday night, May 22, during commencement exercises scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. The event marks the conclusion of the students’ high school careers and the beginning of their next chapter.
This year’s class is led by valedictorian Woods Peterson and salutatorian Mimi Ivy. Other honor graduates include Allison McDaniel, Ryan Turner, Jaxson Street, Madison Parrott, Hollis Yeates, Cache Clark and Caysn Hargett.
