By Donnie A. Lucas

The sounds of love songs – all types – were in the air Saturday during a musical performance called “The Seasons of Love,” presented by a group of local singers to benefit the Aztec Theater.

Performing on the Aztec stage, about a dozen local singers and several musicians presented a variety of music dedicated to love one way or another. The evening of music was attended by about 200 audience members, with proceeds benefitting the theater.

This was the sixth show over the past eight years by the group, performed to benefit local causes.

By Sam Waller

Nancy Smith Elementary School fifth graders braved cooler weather last week to take part in the Camp Grady Spruce Outdoor Education Program at Possum Kingdom Lake.

Accompanying the 35 students were NSES principal John Gallagher and teachers Leslie Neve, Candy Balliew, and William Vaughan.

The group departed Monday, Nov. 14 and returned Wednesday, Nov. 16, after spending time learning about a wide range of sciences.

The main benefit, according to Neve, is that students get to see science at work in a natural setting.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Junior High teacher Chanel Hayner got to strut her stuff on Tuesday as the winner of the Teacher Turkey Contest sponsored by the Albany FCCLA chapter.

Hayner dressed in the required turkey costume to hand out suckers to students as they arrived at the main entrance on Tuesday, followed by continuing to wear the outfit throughout the day while teaching junior high language arts.

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

By Sam Waller

Friendship Baptist Church’s seventh annual Harvest Acres bazaar enjoyed plenty of business Saturday, Nov. 19, with several items selling out.

Organizer Danita Johnston said the event, which raises funds for local mission projects, had a good turnout.

“People were very supportive,” Johnston said. “We all enjoyed visiting with each other. It was a pretty good day.”

Johnston said food items were again a big seller.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Academic Booster Club is once again inviting the community to “adopt” a member of the school staff through its Christmas Wish List program.

Sponsored by the “Rise and Shine” committee, the event enables local residents who want to participate to access a wish list made by teachers and staff of items they would like to have for their classrooms or offices.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four members of the cast and crew of the junior high One-Act Play, “Once Upon a Clothesline” were recognized at the district contest held last week in Stamford.

The play did not finish in the top three, but the four Albany students were honored individually.

Braeten Street was named to the All-Star Cast for his protrayal of Pinno in the performance, while Tatum Brady received honorable mention All-Star Cast as Pinnette.

Zayne Lefevre also received honorable mention All-Star Cast as Mrs. Spider.

By Sam Waller

Fourth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended a special performance of “The Nutcracker” put on by Abilene Ballet Theatre on Friday, Nov. 18 at Abilene’s historic Paramount Theater.

Fourth grade teacher Melissa Fields said 40 students traveled to the event for the first time in two years.

“Last year, the performances were only open to families rather than school classes because of COVID,” Fields said.

And the pandemic completedly cancelled the performances for everyone in 2020.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Trash collection for the City of Albany will run on a slightly different schedule for the week of Thanksgiving.

Residential trash containers and business and industrial containers normally picked up on Thursday will change to Friday this week.

Other residential and industrial containers will be picked up on their regular days, except on Thanksgiving.

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By Donnie A. Lucas

No new COVID-19 cases were reported last week for the first time in several months, based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Monday reported eight tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Nov. 14 through Nov. 18, with no positive results.

There were four positive cases out of nine tests for the week of Nov. 7-11.

Testing continues to be available locally at the Shackelford County Health Clinic and ResourceCare Community Health Center.