By Donnie A. Lucas

Local residents still have a few days to select items from a Christmas wish list provided by  local teachers and school staff members.

The Academic Booster Club is once again inviting the community to “adopt” a member of the school staff by fulfilling one or more entries on the wish lists to help provide requested supplies or items for classrooms.

The link to the wish list for Albany teachers and staff is now available on the Facebook page for the AJHS Academic Booster Club.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD has declared a holiday for Thursday, Dec. 15 (today) in conjunction with the UIL State Football Championship game played yesterday between the Albany Lions and Mart Panthers in Arlington.

Classes will resume tomorrow, following a typical Friday schedule with school ending at 3:00 p.m.

The school district will release for the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 12:30 p.m.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County residents can enjoy a Christmas dinner and fellowship at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s 14th annual Christmas Feast.

The meal will be held Sunday, Dec. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church’s fellowship hall.

There is no charge, and anyone is welcome to receive a meal.

Matthews Memorial will conduct a brief Christmas morning service at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s menu will include ham, turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, and homemade desserts.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance will distribute proceeds of its Christmas Basket program at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.

Moran recipients can pick up their baskets at 3:00 p.m. that day at First Baptist Church of Moran.

Baskets for Vittles by Vehicles recipients  will be delivered Monday, Dec. 19 with their meals.

Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins said that while the number of applicants is down somewhat this year, volunteers are still needed to help distribute baskets.

By Sam Waller

With Christmas Day on a Sunday for the first time in six years, local churches are getting ready for special Christmas services.

Plans for many traditional events had not been finalized at press time.

Matthews Memorial
Presbyterian Church will conduct Christmas Eve services at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

A brief Christmas morning service will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25.

Trinity Lutheran will hold a Christmas Eve children’s program at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

By Sam Waller

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty made his final delivery of toys for the Toys for Tots drive to the Youth Center on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in advance of toy distribution by ResourceCare.

“I’ve taken eight boxes, and I’m bringing eight more full boxes, with maybe a little bit of extra stuff,” Beaty said.

Beaty coordinates the annual campaign in Shackelford County and the surrounding area. He said more than $4,000 was spent on toys for this year.

ResourceCare provides Beaty with the ages and genders of children registered for the program.

By Sam Waller

With final delivery of chickens for exhibitors, preparations for the 2023 Shackelford Youth and Livestock Show are in full swing.

Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard said all animals have been delivered and validated. Entries were finalized earlier this month.

“Everything’s in, everything’s validated,” Beard said. “Now the kids have to keep their animals fed, watered, and walked.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H wrapped up 2022 activities with its Christmas party Monday, Dec. 12 at The Feed Store.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said 4-Hers conducted a White Elephant gift exchange as well as contributing to a blanket drive being conducted for ResourceCare.

“The gift exchange was super fun,” Bell said. “Some of the kids made things, some brought regifted items. There was lots of laughter and cutting up.”

Bell said 2023 activities will commence Friday, Jan. 6 with a full day of Horse Club programs.

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By Sam Waller

Moran Independent School District will close for the holiday break following classes on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The school district will conduct a staff development day on Monday, Jan. 9 before starting the spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Classes will be held that Friday, Jan. 13, the last scheduled Friday classes for the school year.

Moran schools will be busy right up to the break, principal Jo Hise said. Two end of course exams were administered this week, while students and staff prepared for holiday programs.

Breakfast With Santa

By Sam Waller

Members of Cub Scout Pack 255 have two community service projects scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, as well as an ongoing project to send Christmas Cards to nursing home residents in surrounding communities.

The Cub Scouts will start Saturday by helping place wreaths at Albany Cemetery as part of the National Wreaths Across America Day observance.

The Cub Scouts will then go caroling through Albany on Saturday evening.