Volunteers are still needed to help place almost 600 fresh evergreen wreaths on the graves of local veterans as part of National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 16.

♦ U.S. Postal Service customers intending to send Christmas packages through the mail should start soon to ensure presents are delivered before Christmas Day.

After supplementing academic endeavors at Albany schools over the past four years, the Albany Academic Booster Club has initiated a $125,000 fundraising campaign to continue providing assistance where needed in the future. Over the last four school years, the ABC has made a total investment in academic programs of almost $133,000, according toABC chair Tamara Trail.

It’s almost deadline time for Santa letters and holiday essays, ideally turned in by Dec. 1, if they are going to be included in the Christmas issue published by onThursday,Dec.21.

With about 50 tickets still remaining, a performance by Gary P. Nunn slated for Saturday, Nov.

Last-minute entries for the annual Lighted Christmas Parade set for Saturday will still be accepted through Friday, but float organizers should call in immediately to enter. The annual parade is set to roll through downtown Albany starting at 6:00 p.m., capping a full day of seasonal activities and shopping on Saturday including drawings for Albany Bucks.

The board of the Fort Griffin FandangleAssociation elected officers for the upcoming year, as well as discussing the completion of improvements at the Prairie Theater. TheboardelectedDavid Waller as president for the next year, along with BranchBarteeasvicepresident, Maegan Birdwell as secretary, and Gaye Davis as treasurer.

Five Albany homes, both historic and newly built, will be open to the public for one afternoon during the Albany PTO’sChristmasParadeof Homes on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Moran ISD took this weekoffforThanksgiving break, with classes to resume on Monday, Nov. 27.

ShackelfordCounty4-H had eight members finish in the top five of their categories Thursday, Nov. 16, at the District 7 Food Show at Taylor County Expo Center.