By Sam Waller

The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Weekend of Champions girls camp drew more than 150 participants to Solid Rock Camp at Eastland on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 4-5.

A total of 108 girls from eighth through 12th grade and 44 adult volunteers participated in the program.

“It went really well,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston, who oversaw the weekend event, said. “We had over 150 people out there – girls and adult women. It was tremendously impactful.”

By Sam Waller

The Baby Bottle Boomerang fundraiser to support Open Door Pregnancy Resource Centers is ongoing through Sunday, Feb. 19.

Local churches are participating in the annual program during which baby bottles are distributed to area residents to be filled with coins, bills, or checks which will be donated to the Open Door, a nonprofit faith-based organization that provides prenatal care and counseling.

Baby Bottle Boomerang is one of two major fundraising projects Open Door conducts each year. A banquet is held each October.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals have started for Albany High School’s one act play, which will be presented at the district contest on Wednesday, March 8 in Haskell.

Director Chanel Hayner said that the play “Oz” will be presented locally as well; however, a date has not been set yet for that performance.

Tryouts for the comedy were held during the last two weeks for the cast of 12.

“Oz” was written by Don Zolidis as a take-off on the original “The Wizard of Oz.”

By Sam Waller

Albany exhibitors wrapped up participation at the Fort Worth Stock Show last week, as well as getting started at the San Angelo and San Antonio stock shows.

At Fort Worth, Chelsy Parsons had the champion lightweight division crossbred barrow after placing first in her class.

Slayton Parsons placed second in the Yorkshire class, Leddie Leech took third in white OPB and Creed Spencer had a sixth                    place crossbreed.

Also exhibiting barrows were Callan Edgar and Tatum Grady.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several high school students and sponsors will compete in the Abilene Wylie Valentine UIL Classic on Saturday at Wylie High school.

UIL director Rick Davis said that this is the second practice meet of the season in preparation for the district contest set for March 22 at Stamford.

Albany is entering a computer science team for the first time in several years. Kolton Koemel and Chase McDaniel will be competing, with Matthew Howard serving as the sponsor for the event.

By Sam Waller

Registration is ongoing for Albany Little League.

Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School and Albany Junior/Senior High. Online registration is available at albanytxll.com.

Albany Little League is open to boys and girls to play at the T-ball, Coach Pitch, Minor, Major, Intermediate and Junior levels.

Registration fees are $50 for T-ball and Coach Pitch, $75 for Major and Minor, and $85 for Intermediate and Junior.

For information, contact Paul Hamilton at 214-543-9947.

Albany Softball Assoc.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of road conditions on Feb. 2, the regular pick-up date for Moran and Albany recipients of the commodity food program was rescheduled to this week, according to Shackelford County Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program.

Moran families can pick up monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. Albany families can pick up on Friday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the JP office.

By Sam Waller

Dr. John Denson of Moran has been selected to a seat on the board of Masonic Children and Family Services Board of Texas by the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Denson said the board, which oversaw the Masonic Home and School of Texas until its closure in 2005, provides services to families in need.

“They fund dental work and the Fantastic Teeth program, which dispenses toothbrushes in schools,” Denson said. “They give scholarships, assist widows and orphans, and also have an autism education program for the parents of autistic children.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County residents, as did the rest of the state, had plenty of warning before this week’s winter storm moved through the area, and for the most part, there were fewer problems than during the 2021 “deep freeze” that occurred at almost exactly the same time of the year.

There was also a winter storm in early February 2022, very similar to this year’s event.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a final weekend that well may have broken all records during a 40-year run, the doors on an Albany institution – Fort Griffin General Merchandise Restaurant and Beehive Saloon – swung shut for the final time Saturday.

The local eatery operated by Ali and Patty Esfandiary and family hosted a farewell weekend on Thursday through Saturday as a way to say goodbye to their many customers locally  throughout the Big Country.