By Donnie A. Lucas

Two celebrity judges will be coming to Albany on Saturday, June 17 to the annual Fandangle Parade, as well as staying for the performance of the local production afterwards.

Texas icon Red Steagall, an American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer who focuses on American Western and country music, and Tim Long, president of Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards at Ft. Worth, have both committed to serve as parade judges and attend the Fandangle, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers.

By Sam Waller

Preregistration is under way for the Albany Community Vacation Bible School, which is scheduled for July 30-Aug. 1.

Organizer Betsy Spraberry urged parents to sign up their children early in hopes of having ample time to plan for the event.

Spraberry said a flyer has been prepared with a QR code that can be scanned to link to a registration website. It appears on page 8A of this edition of The Albany News.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Despite a last-minute change of presenters, First Baptist Church of Albany was able to host its annual Bible presentation for the Albany senior class.

The event and the traditional Coke float party was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday with almost all graduating seniors and family members attending.

FBC youth minister Eduardo San Lucas was ill, so Rick Davis addressed the graduates briefly and presented Bibles.

Many stayed for Coke floats, an observance that has been enjoyed by more than 50 years worth of Albany graduates.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The annual Splash Day at the Albany city pool is scheduled for Thursday, June 1.

The facility will be open free of charge to the general public from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. to start the beginning of the summer.

Meg Walser is managing the pool this year. She and city workers have already put in quite a few hours getting the facility ready for the opening, cleaning not only the pool but the concession area and restrooms.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany Dance Theater Company will present its 73rd Annual Recital on Saturday, June 3.

The free performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Albany High School auditorium.

There are eight featured seniors in this year’s recital, including Presley Green, Leddie Leech, Chloe Daugherty, Brooke Kayga, Briley Tabor, Gracie Price, Melissa Olivarez, and Sierra Sanchez.

More than 100 students from Albany, Moran, and several surrounding towns participate in the local dance program.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After several game cancellations and delays because of conflicts, absences, and occasional bad weather, photos of all spring youth league teams have been completed by the Albany News staff.

All-star and tournament teams might be taken over the next few weeks, but all regular groups of softball, t-ball, coach pitch, intermediate, and Little League teams are completed.

Packages ordered by parents for these players have been processed and are available for pickup.

By Sam Waller

The co-ed Midnight Slow Pitch Softball Tournament to benefit the Albany Softball Association still has eight openings for its 16-team field as the entry deadline arrives.

Deadline to register teams for the event, which benefits the Albany Softball Association, is Thursday, May 25 (today).

Organizer Malarie Sutton said the tournament, scheduled for Friday-Saturday, June 9-10, is still on despite the openings.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store’s second annual Powder Puff flag football game took some juggling of schedules to get in after being delayed because of wet grounds earlier this month, but eventually accomplished its task.

Senior Briley Tabor was involved in four touchdowns as the Pink team (seniors and freshmen) defeated the Purple (juniors and sophomores) 42-31 on Wednesday, May 17 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

Albany High School graduating senior Ella Webb has been awarded the Nancy and Ted Paup Big  Country Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship fund is managed by the Community  Foundation of Abilene.

The Community Foundation awarded a combined $14,000 in scholarships to area students during an awards ceremony Sunday, May 7 at the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Museum located in the Mall of Abilene.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will put the finishing touches on the 2022-23 school year at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 26, with high school graduation at Cisco College Auditorium.

Eight seniors will receive their diplomas, doubling last year’s senior class.

Chloe Hendricks has been named valedictorian, with Emily Murk named salutatorian.

Other members of the Class of 2023 are Alyssa Allred, Alayna Baker, Daphani Crews, Samantha Hinkle, Alli Scott, and Tyler Waddell.