By Melinda L. Lucas

Weather permitting, the staff at the Old Jail Art Center will welcome families into the Stasney Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a three-hour celebration of the New Year of the Trees, known as Tu BiShvat.

Starting at 1:00 p.m, participants can enjoy traditional food, art, and games observing the centuries-old Arbor Day tradition from Israel, according to Kirsten Hahn, Family and Public Programs Coordinator at the Old Jail.

“We’ll be celebrating with fun crafts, games, food, music, and more,” said Hahn.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for tomorrow, Feb. 3.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Local donors are reminded that drives will be held on Fridays this year rather Thursdays.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Because of winter weather, the pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program are being pushed back a week to Thursday, Feb. 9 and Friday, Feb. 10, according to Justice of the Peace James Breeden, who coordinates the program.

“The schedule and process will be exactly the same, just a week later,” said Breeden.

Moran families can pick up their food at Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Albany pickup will be Friday, Feb. 10 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though the Albany Chest fell short of its $47,000 goal by $5,000, the board gave away well over that amount at a brief meeting on Jan. 25.

The 2022 campaign was closed out last week at $42,003, but with reserves in the account, the board ended up allocating just under the goal amount.

When the directors met back in October 2022, they came up with a total of $46,650 for the 25 applicants, with many of the requests trimmed back from the original grand total of $55,078.

By Sam Waller

Four Shackelford County 4-H teams placed in the District 7 Food Challenge, held Wednesday, Jan. 25 at San Angelo.

“The day went great,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “A couple of those teams were all new to this, had never done it before, and they did great.”

The True Grits team of Luke Smith, Ayers Bezner, Truitt Burton, and Gage Burton, coached by Alicia Burton, finished second in side dish.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The election of board members and officers will be the main items of business at the Friday, Feb. 3 luncheon of the Albany Chamber of Commerce.

All Chamber members are invited to attend the annual meeting to fill four places on the board of directors for a three-year term. The meeting will be held at the Icehouse Restaurant at 12:00 noon. The cost of the meal is $12.

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation will offer babysitting services on Saturday, Feb. 11 as a fundraiser for the Albany High School Class of 2023.

Project Graduation organizer Amanda Tabor said care will be provided for children from potty trained to 10 years old from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Youth Center.

“All of our seniors have signed up,” Tabor said. “They will actually be the babysitters for group babysitting, and there will a be  a few of us moms around. Resource Care is donating use of the building.”

By Sam Waller

A pancake supper fundraiser to benefit the First Baptist Church youth group is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 5 at the church’s Fellowship Hall.

The event will raise money to send youth to summer church camp in July.

Serving will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and last until the food is sold out.

There will not be a set price, but donations will be accepted.

Drive-through service will be available.

Additional fundraisers are in the planning stages, according to FBC youth minister Eduardo San Lucas.

By Sam Waller

The girls Weekend of Champions camp sponsored by the Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes is shaping up to be the biggest yet, according to local FCA respresentative Paul Johnston.

Johnston said registration for the girls camp, scheduled Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 4-5, at Eastland’s Solid Rock Camp, was at 135 as of Tuesday, Jan. 31. The total includes 17 girls from Albany.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School Student Council hosted the annual Winter Formal last Saturday, with class royalty presented, including the crowning of Mr. and Miss AHS.

The gala was held at the Whitney Theatre, with music provided by disc jockey Martin Priteo, Jr.

Seniors Ella Webb and Cole Chapman were selected by the student body to serve as this year’s Mr. and Miss AHS.

Other senior nominees for the honor included Brooke Kayga, Gracie Price, Briley Tabor, Coy Lefevre, London Fuentes, and Miles McCloy.