By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest is moving steadily toward its fundraising goal of $47,000.

As of Monday, Nov. 7, $13,678 had been raised, more than doubling the total of the week before.

The Albany High School Student Council contributed $1,702.62, the most it has ever raised, through its  Trick or Treat for Change campaign.

The Albany Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants for funds range from youth sports leagues to senior citizens groups.

Here is a look at some of the applicants.

Albany Volunteer

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual lighted Christmas Parade won’t be led throughout downtown Albany on Saturday, Nov. 26 by Rudolf or any of the other reindeer this year. Instead, officials have announced that “Larry the UPS Guy” will head up the event as the official parade marshal.

The event is an Albany tradition on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and will include drawings afterwards for $2,500 in Albany Bucks.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Restructuring of the Albany PTO, complete with the election of new officers, was the focus of a meeting held Monday, Nov. 7.

Ragan Riley, who will serve as president of the executive committee for the 2022-2023 school year, said that she and the other officers are excited about the future and the vision for the organization.

“We had a great attendance count, and lots of feedback was received,” she said.

Anyone who missed the meeting but would like to become a PTO member can email albany.tx.pto@gmail.com for more information.

Albany Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Jeff Hill (r) accepts a check from Cody Fry (l), ranch manager of the Clear Fork Ranch. On behalf of the ranch owner, Fry thanked the VFD for taking care of Albany and the surrounding area.

By Donnie A. Lucas

An induction ceremony for 12 new members of the Albany chapter of the National Honor Society is set for Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Teachers, staff, parents, and family members are invited to attend. A reception in the ­FCCLA room will follow the ceremony.

The officers of the group will conduct the program, including reviewing the meaning of the four principals of the society. Following the candle lighting and pledge, the inductees will be pinned by the officers and other current members.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Junior High theater class will present the comedy “Once Upon a Clothesline” by Aurand Harris for the public on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

The cast and crew will also present the play at the junior high One-Act Play Contest on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Stamford.

The play includes a total of 14 cast and crew members, with teacher Melanie Turner directing.

“The cast is working hard,” she said. “However, we are still making improvements every day – especially learning lines.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany FCCLA chapter is seeking to dub one Albany secondary teacher or staff member a real turkey by the end of next week.

For a second year, the group is sponsoring a Turkey Teacher Contest, with students voting by donation for the teacher or staff member they would like to see wear a turkey costume all day on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

All the proceeds from the contest will be given to the Albany ResourceCare to use to purchase gifts for children in need for Christmas.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The fifth grade class at Nancy Smith Elementary will spend three days next week studying a range of science curriculum at Camp Grady Spruce Outdoor Education Program.

The 34 students and four sponsors will spend three days and two nights at the camp at Possum Kingdom Lake learning about sciences ranging from geology to biology to astronomy.

“Fifth grade science covers a wide range,” science teacher Leslie Neve said. “This camp is based on the TEKS that are covered on the STAAR test for fifth graders.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H will have a potluck dinner at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 for its annual Friendsgiving meal at The Feed Store.

The club will hold a regular monthly meeting following the meal to work on community service projects.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Horse Club members will meet for a trail ride at Hamby.

The next outdoor education meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Feed Store.

Swine validation will be conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Wednesday, Nov. 16, Friday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 20.

By Sam Waller

Collection deadline for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign is coming up quickly on Monday, Nov. 14.

First Christian Church pastor Brad McBee, who helps coordinate the local project, said shoeboxes may be brought to First Christian Church or taken back to the participant’s home church. McBee will then deliver all shoeboxes to Abilene.

“First Baptist Church in Abilene has a big center that picks them up,” McBee said. “There’ll be thousands upon thousands of boxes there.”