By Sam Waller

Albany cowboys Will LeMay and Cort Peterson stepped onto a big stage last week when they competed in the Junior World Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas.

The duo competed in team roping Dec. 5-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Wrangler Arena.

“It was pretty fun going up against some tough competition,” Peterson said. “A lot of the people there were my friends who also qualified. It was great to go and be with them and rope.”

LeMay said the experience was worth the long trip.

“It teaches you how to handle the pressure,” he said.

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

As the end of its fundraising campaign nears, the Albany Chest is still about $20,000 shy of its goal of $47,000 for 2022.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 13, collections stood at $27,423.

“We’re beginning to get concerned,” said Chest vice president Melinda Lucas. “The end of the year and our campaign is less than three weeks away.”

The Albany Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants for funds range from first responders to community resources such as the local library.

Here is a look at some of the 24 applicants.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A new concert series for the spring season hosted by Albany Live at the Aztec Theater was recently announced, with the first performance set for Jan. 14.

Concerts are planned for five out of the first six months of 2023, including a return performance by Paul Cauthen on Saturday, Jan. 14.

“We have already sold all of the reserved seats and have about 80 general admission seats left,” organizer Michaela Smith said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A project that retiring Shackelford County judge Robert Skelton has been working on was finally realized this week as commissioners and other county workers joined him on the Courthouse Square Tuesday.

The concrete-lined flower beds along the outer sidewalks were cleaned out with the help of two or three pieces of heavy equipment, while dirt and existing plants were removed. New topsoil went in, and by mid-afternoon, the commissioners had broadcast several bags of bluebonnet seeds.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a four-year absence, the presentation of the Albany Nativity is set for two performances this weekend at the Aztec Theater.

The production, first written and produced in 1939 by Albany playwright Robert Nail, is opening on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., with a second performance on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.

As is the tradition, tickets to the performance are free of charge and will be available at the box office starting 45 minutes prior to each show.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Even though the original Dec. 2 deadline has passed, Santa letters will be accepted by The Albany News for a few more days.

Several local teachers have indicated that a large number of children have been out of school with flu, strep throat, and other illnesses during the last couple of weeks, so they are still gathering some letters and essays from their students.

The special section containing Santa letters and short compositions about Christmas, will be published Thursday, Dec. 22.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With a special “Christmas Bag” available this month, pick-up dates for the December distribution of the commodity food program are Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9.

Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food and the extra Christmas food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 8.

Albany families or individuals who are on the list can pick up their commodities at the rear door of the JP office next to the courthouse from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday moring.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center has been promoting Christmas spirit with an artistic flair this month, starting with an ongoing gift workshop and continuing with a family festival on Dec. 17.

DIY Gifts

The Old Jail Art Center’s Christmas DIY Drop-In Gift Workshop is continuing for another week until next Thursday, Dec. 15 in the Stasney Center for Education, with about a dozen different kinds of gifts to make.

Ranging from ornaments to scented soap, prices for the handmade gifts start at $3 and go up to a maximum of $10.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s National Honor Society made a contribution of more than $600 to the local Toys for Tots Campaign.

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty said he is beginning to wind down the campaign for 2022, collecting donated toys from Albany Junior/Senior High after accepting the donation.

“I’m trying to get everything wrapped up by Monday, Dec. 12,” Beaty said. “ResourceCare is doing their pickup next week. I’ll bring a bunch of stuff to the Youth Center, and they’ll take it from there.”