By Donnie A. Lucas

With opening night for the 85th anniversary performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle just over a week away, just about everyone involved in the annual outdoor production is rehearsing or preparing on a daily basis.

The show is set to open on Friday, June 16, with performances also set for Saturday, June 17 and the following weekend on June 23 and June 24.

Overall, ticket sales have been brisk, according to the Fandangle ticket office located in the Depot.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local businesses and residents are encouraged to join with patriots across the United States next Wednesday, June 14 in the annual cele­bration of Flag Day.

Individuals and business owners who have their own flags are asked to put them up for the day, except in case of inclement weather.

Typically, flags are put out by volunteers on holidays, but it is usually limited to the downtown block and a few other locations.

Flag Day was first observed across the nation in 1877, the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the national symbol.

Isaiah Dockins, a 2021 graduate of Albany High School, graduated with a HART Certificate – Commercial Refrigeration & A/C from South Plains College on May 12.

Dockins was among more than 1,800 students recognized for their academic achievement and resilience in a changing world.

He is the son of Sky and Johnny Dockins and Brianna Torrez.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A new set of prize categories has been announced for the annual Ft. Griffin Fandangle Parade set to roll through downtown Albany on Saturday, June 17.

As part of the 85th anniversary celebration for the Fandangle, the parade committee has been out rounding up entries in an attempt to make this a memorable event, co-chairman Megaen Birdwell said.

In addition to a couple of special celebrity judges, the parade committee has selected Johnny Musselman to serve as the Parade Marshal.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The registration period for the annual summer Day Camp sponsored by ResourceCare is currently open online through the month of June.

The program will be held on July 10-14 and July 24-28 this year for Albany area residents. Parents are asked to notice that Day Camp is only two weeks this year instead of the usual three-week period, and there is an open week in between.

Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, has announced the students achieving the Dean’s List for the 2023 spring semester, including Ana Balliew of Albany.

To be eligible for the ASU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.25 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Balliew is majoring in accounting at Angelo State. She is the daughter of Candy and Tim Balliew of Albany.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Entries are being sought for the annual Quilt Show hosted by the Albany Study Club and displayed at the Whitney Theatre on Fandangle performance days.

Quilts on loan for the show should be taken to the Shackelford County Library by 12:00 noon Monday, June 12 in order to be placed on display that afternoon.

The quilt show is set for June 16-17 and June 23-24. Admission is free and open to all visitors from 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. each day.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany is helping provide meals for children of four local families through its summer backpack program.

FBC children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said the project will run weekly through June and July.

“We’re attempting to provide some food over the summer for some kids who might need that,” Bumguardner said. “The school backpack program stopped during COVID, and they haven’t had it since. We’re trying to pick it up over the summer just to make sure kids who need it get fed.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions Club presented $1,500 scholarships to Sweethearts Briley Tabor of Albany and Samantha Hinkle of Moran.

Lions Club member John Tate said the amount was a significant increase from last year.

The Sweethearts attend weekly Lions Club meetings when possible and make public appearances on behalf of the club.

“They’re in the Christmas and Fandangle parades,” Tate said. The main fundraiser for the scholarships is the Lions Club Benefit Bowl football game at Cisco College.

By Sam Waller

Six Albany High School seniors received $1,000 scholarships Friday, May 26 from Albany Masonic Lodge during commencement exercises at the high school gymnasium.

Graduates London Fuentes, Presley Green, Brooke Kayga, Gracie Price, Michael Sadler, and Briley Tabor were recipents of this year’s scholarships.

Lodge member Bob Skelton said the number of scholarships awarded was one more than in 2022.

“We gave five scholarships last year,” Skelton said. “We had another worthy applicant this year.”