By Donnie A. Lucas

The sounds of Christmas will be featured at the annual Albany Christmas Band concert on Sunday starting at 4:00 p.m. with the high school band in the high school auditorium.

The seventh grade band will follow at 4:45 p.m., with the sixth grade band students concluding the program with their selections starting at 5:30 p.m.

The concerts are again divided into three sections to allow students and parents to chose the band they want to hear and not have to attend all three unless they want to, according to director William Vaughan.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The link to the Christmas Wish List for Albany school teachers and staff is now available on the Facebook page for the AJHS Academic Booster Club.

Club members are once again inviting the community to “adopt” a member of the school staff by fulfilling one or more entries on the Christmas Wish List submitted by teachers and staff members.

The wish lists are hosted on SignUpGenious.com and a link is available on the AJSH Academic Booster Club Facebook page.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Regular school day hours could change next Wednesday and Thursday somewhat if the Lion football team advances to the state playoff game.

School officials are waiting to see if the Lions win the semifinal game against New Home on Thursday (today) in Sweetwater before announcing any changes to the school schedule.

The Lions will play at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington if they advance to the championship game.

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA was among several chapters recognized for achievements in the spring and fall at the Big Country District Banquet at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene on Monday, Dec. 5.

Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard said 12 chapter members attended the event.

Last spring, Albany FFA claimed 15 banners at the district, region and state level in events such as Plant Identification, Cotton, Environmental Natural Resources, Range and Pasture, Wildlife, Homesite Evaluation, and Land Judging. Albany teams advanced to state in Plant ID, Cotton and ENR.

By Sam Waller

Tuesday, Dec. 13 is the deadline for providing items to Believe Tree for Teens sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance.

Trees have been delivered to eight participating churches – Albany Methodist, Bethel Assembly, First Baptist, First Christian, Friendship Baptist, Maranatha Fellowship, Matthews Memorial Presbyterian, and Trinity Lutheran.

Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said gifts should be unwrapped and include gift receipts if possible. The bag needs to be labeled with the teen number.

By Sam Waller

Distribution of items for the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Basket program will begin 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 the Alliance received 92 applications this year, the first time since 2018 the number has been below 100. In 2021, 119 baskets were delivered, the most ever.

By Sam Waller

Closet Angels will close for the holidays following its Monday, Dec. 12 hours.

Closet Angels director Lori Reames said the mission will operate its normal noon to 6:00 p.m. hours next week, then be closed on Monday, Dec. 19.

“We’re going to close Dec. 19 to let volunteers start preparing for Christmas,” Reames said.

The mission will reopen Monday, Jan. 9.

“We’re going to open back up before school starts back so students can come,” she said.

Reames said The Local Exchange will continue to operate by appointment only.

By Sam Waller

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will hold its 14th annual Christmas Feast Sunday, Dec. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church’s Fellowship Hall.

There is no charge for the meal, and everyone is welcome.

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

A project of MMPC’s missions and evangelism team, the event began as a result of the group’s involvement in Vittles by Vehicles, which does not deliver on Christmas Day.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest fund continues to move closer to its goal of $47,000 for 2022.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 6, the fund stood at $25,998, still about $21,000 under where it needs to be by the end of this month.

The Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants range from programs serving school children through senior citizens, covering activities from education to athletic programs.

Chest directors feel that the 24 beneficiaries touch every single Albany citizen in some way. Here is a look at some of the applicants.

By Sam Waller

Albany Cub Scout Pack 255 made its annual donation of winter clothing to Closet Angels on Monday, Dec. 5.

Pack leader Teri Lucas said the yearly project is intended to provide needed items to the clothing ministry.

“We try to get winter socks, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, jackets, whatever to donate to Closet Angels,” Lucas said. “The boys don’t really solicit for it. They just take stuff they have or maybe they go buy something.”

Lucas said this year’s contribution was on par with past years.