By Donnie A. Lucas
The final rehearsals are set next week for “The Nativity” performances set for Dec. 10 and 11 at the Aztec Theater.
Tickets are free of charge and will be available at the door starting 45 minutes prior to each performance.
The opening show is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, with a second performance on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.
The play, written by Albany native Robert Nail, depicts the foretelling and birth of Christ.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Volunteers are still needed to help place 560 fresh evergreen wreaths on the graves of local veterans as part of National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 17.
A brief ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Albany Cemetery pavilion prior to votunteers spreading out across the Albany Cemetery to place the wreaths in honor and commemoration of those who served in one of the branches of the Armed Forces.
Two years ago about 490 wreaths were placed, followed by about 515 last year.
By Sam Waller
Those intending to send Christmas packages through the U.S. Postal Service should start soon to ensure presents are delivered before Christmas Day.
Albany postmaster Laura Gilbreath said packages posted by Friday, Dec. 16, should arrive at their destination before the holiday.
Gilbreath said the Albany Post Office will maintain its regular hours through Friday, Dec. 23. Hours are 8:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Albany News publisher Donnie Lucas announced this week that there will not be an edition published on Dec. 29 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“We’ve decided to again take that week off and be able to enjoy our family more during the holidays,” said Lucas.
There have only been a few times in 46 years of Lucas ownership that there hasn’t been a weekly paper.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary are competing in a number of UIL contests on Wednesday, Dec. 7, with the sixth through eighth graders traveling to Hamlin and the second through fifth graders at Cisco.
The elementary students through fifth grade will start speaking events at the First Baptist Church Activity Center at 8:30 a.m., while the rest of the contests will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the elementary school.
The sixth through eighth competitors will start at 10:00 a.m. in Hamlin at the school.
ByDonnie A. Lucas
Albany residents are invited to get into the holiday spirit on Sunday, Dec. 11 at the annual Christmas concert for the Albany school bands.
The performances will be divided into three sessions, with the high school band, which includes eighth graders, taking the stage at the high school auditorium starting at 4:00 p.m.
The seventh grade will follow with a concert at 4:45 p.m. and the sixth graders will play at 5:30 p.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Albany Academic Booster Club is once again inviting the community to “adopt” a member of the school staff through its Christmas Wish List program.
Sponsored by the “Rise and Shine” committee, the event enables local residents who want to participate to access wish lists that teachers and staff have been asked to make of items they would like to have for their classrooms or offices.
A number of wish lists by staff members from both campuses are posted on a “SignUpGenius.com” account for the public to select gifts for specific teachers.
By Melinda L. Lucas
While the days of poring over a catalog of Christmas toys are long gone, children are still making lists for Santa.
The Albany News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Albany and Moran students are writing letters at school, which will be submitted to the News by their teachers.
Children at other local facilities, such as First Love Day Care, also will be assisted by their instructors in writing their Santa letters.
By Sam Waller
Local churches are making plans for Christmas services and programs as the holiday draws near.
With Christmas on a Sunday for the first time since 2016, several local congregations are making plans for their celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Plans for many traditional events had not been finalized at press time but will be publicized as information is received.
Trinity Lutheran
Trinity Lutheran began Wednesday Advent Services on Nov. 30 and will continue the special services on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14.
By Sam Waller
The Big Country East Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sponsoring a “Praise & Worship Rally” at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 at The Feed Store.
Junior high and high school students from Albany, Moran, Baird, Cisco, Breckenridge, Woodson, Throckmorton, and Newcastle are invited.
Organizer Paul Johnston said the event will be similar to the Saw You at the Pole rally held earlier this fall.
