By Donnie A. Lucas
Starting June 1, a legendary Albany financial institution will open for business for the first time in 140 years with a new name.
First National Bank Albany/Breckenridge will now be known as Clear Fork Bank, while continuing to provide the same local service by the same local officers and employees at each of its six branch locations.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Dozens of local scholarships were presented to members of the Albany High School Class of 2023 during commencement exercises held last Friday, May 26.
There were well over 100 separate awards for the class of 32, with some scholarships split among more than one recipient, amounting to almost $130,000.
The awards were given by just under 50 local churches, clubs, organizations, foundations and individuals.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The City of Albany swimming pool will open for the summer season with a free Splash Day on Thursday (today) from 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
The facility will continue to be open to the public on Tuesdays through Sundays through July.
Pool manager Meg Walser reported that she has lined up 14 lifeguards to operate the pool.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany Dance Theatre Company will present “Seize the Day” this Saturday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Albany High School auditorium.
The performance is free to the public with 113 dancers from Albany, Moran, Breckenridge, and Stamford.
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County Library’s annual children’s story hour will start Friday, June 9, before moving to Tuesday for the rest of the month.
Organizer Janna Ledbetter said the program, geared toward preschool and early elementary children, will center around different animals, starting with a beekeeper.
Other programs will be Lori Schooler on chickens on June 13, Kelsey Bell on horses on June 20, and Ledbetter and Tracy Sullivan on goats on June 27.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Tickets are selling fast for the 85th anniversary of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, the local outdoor production that tells the story of the settling of the Clear Fork of the Brazos area over 150 years ago.
Show dates this season are June 16-17 and June 23-24. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Fandangle office located in the Depot. The website is www.fortgriffinfandangle.org, or patrons can call 325-762-3838.
By Sam Waller
Several Shackelford County residents placed in events last month at the Western Heritage Classic in Abilene. The festival, which featured the celebration of western life, was held May 9-13.
In the ranch rodeo, Green Land & Cattle finished fourth in the team standings with 66.5 points, placing for the third consecutive year.
The ranch rodeo pits teams of working cowboys in events such as team branding, team doctoring, team penning, wild cow milking, and bronc riding.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Organizers of the annual Ft. Griffin Fandangle parade have lined up special judges as part of the 85th anniversary celebration of the outdoor show and now are looking for both sponsors and entries to make the event a success.
This year’s parade is scheduled to roll down Main Street at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Chamber of Commerce is still seeking volunteers for its annual community-wide cleanup day on Saturday, June 10
Volunteers should meet at the Depot at 8:30 a.m. Participants are asked to bring yard tools and implements such as hoes, rakes, gloves, mowers, and weedeaters.
The effort is aimed at beautifying Albany for the influx of visitors expected to attend performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle later in the month.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Blood drive dates in Albany are being changed back to Thursdays, according to Lauren Spindler, Marketing and Business Development Manager at Hendrick Regional Blood Center in Abilene, with the next one set a couple of weeks later than originally planned.
The first two dates of the 2023 series were moved to Fridays, but as of June, will go back to Thursdays from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.
