By Sam Waller
Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s fundraising efforts for its summer mission trip to Belize will continue with three items up for bid following the concert and auction held at the Aztec Theater.
“The worship concert and auction went well,” MMPC youth minister Becky Wills said. “We had a good turnout and raised a good amount of money.”
A reception was held at First Baptist Church Albany to recognize Frances Cox’s 90th birthday.
Four generations of her family as well as friends, neighbors and her “church family” enjoyed cake and punch while exchanging congratulations.
Nearly 70 signatures were added to a pink and blue floral memory quilt created to honor this special milestone.
By Sam Waller
A few changes were made for the 2024 Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show on Tuesday, April 11 at the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association’s annual meeting.
Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said slight changes were made to the commercial steer class, which made its debut at the 2023 show in January, as well as to how swine will be classified.
The Association also approved the purchase of a photo backdrop for exhibitors to pose in front of with their animals.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD trustees hired a new school nurse and a new PE teacher/coach, as well as renewing teacher contracts at the regular meeting on Monday, April 17.
Heather Nitschke was hired on a 6-0 vote to serve as district nurse for the 2023-2024 school year, replacing Jessica Myers, who will be moving at the end of this school year.
Nitschke was one of three “impressive” applicants, according to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott. She worked as a nurse in Canada before the family moved to a ranch outside Albany several years ago.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Perfect spring weather along with a number of new entries brought out spectators and vintage car and truck owners to downtown Albany last Saturday for the 16th annual Albany Classic Car Show.
Organizer Robert Snyder reported that 70 vehicles were entered in the show, down a little from last year’s numbers due to conflicts with other shows in the area.
By Donnie A. Lucas
A crowd of over 200 members and guests made the trek to Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch to get a preview of the 85th anniversary Fort Griffin Fandangle on Saturday, which was performed by a cast and crew of about 75.
“It was a wonderful success,” artistic director Lorna Ayers said. “The show was perfect, and everyone seemed to have a great time.”
The Sampler performance started at 6:00 p.m., followed by a steak dinner and dancing.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany Live will host the fourth country artist in its 2023 spring concert series when Kaitlin Butts makes her Albany debut at the Aztec Theater on Saturday.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the performance at 8:00 p.m.
As of Tuesday, about 120 tickets were still available for the show, meaning tickets will probably still be sold at the door.
The Old Jail Art Center has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public.
The Old Jail was initially accredited in 1989. All museums must undergo a re-accreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The staff of the Lions Roar, the student newspaper for Albany High School, won an 18th consecutive Star Award, as well as three Tops in Texas honors and over 40 individual achievement citations at the annual Interscholastic League Press Conference in Austin last weekend.
The state-level convention for middle and high school journalism students was held on the campus of the University of Texas and includes workshops and the announcing of awards for the current school year.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The annual Membership Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is set for Saturday at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch.
The gate at “the Bend” will open at 5:00 p.m., with the performance starting promptly at 6:00 p.m.
The Sampler is a shortened version of the 85th anniversary Fandangle in June and is open to members of the Fandangle Association.
Held at the ranch for a number of years, the membership party and preview returned to the historic Lambshead Ranch for the first time last year after a 25-year absence.
