By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest drew slightly closer to its fundraising goal of $47,000 over the past week.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 29, the fund had collected $16,047.61 for the 2022 campaign, up less than $500 from the last report two weeks ago.

“We’re hoping that this slow-down is just temporary, that donors were just busy during the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Chest board vice president Melinda Lucas. “Please consider giving sometime in the next month. We would really like to give the applicants what they need at the end of the 2022 campaign.”

By Sam Waller

The deadline for providing items to Believe Tree for Teens has been extended to Tuesday, Dec. 13, according to Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins, with the Believe Trees to be placed in churches this weekend.

Wilkins had originally planned to have the trees in place by Nov. 26, but several late applications came in last week.

Gifts should be unwrapped and include gift receipts if possible and the teen number labeled on the bag.

By Sam Waller

With the Albany Lion football playoff game changed to Saturday, Nov. 26, the annual Toys for Tots meal during Small Town Saturday had a smaller than expected crowd but still did good business, Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty said.

Assisted by four Moran National Honor Society students, Beaty again provided chopped barbecue sandwiches before the start of the Lighted Christmas Parade.

“It was not as big a crowd because a lot of people were at the game, which I understand,” Beaty said. “But it wasn’t too bad. We raised a few hundred dollars.”

By Sam Waller

Preparations for the winter stock show season continue with the conclusion of swine validation and entry deadline for major shows on Thursday, Dec. 1 (today).

Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard said the next phase is already underway with rabbit validation and delivery of chickens Friday, Dec. 2.

“We have been validating rabbits for the county show,” Beard said. “We will try to finish that up by Sunday, Dec. 11 so all entries will be final for the county show.”

The Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Show is set for Jan. 26-28.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H is gearing up for a busy December with practice, clinics, and a Christmas party on the schedule

Up first is a mock Food Challenge at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at The Feed Store. The event is to help 4-Hers prepare for the District 7 Food Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in San Angelo.

By Sam Waller

Applications for the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas Basket program are down slightly this year, according to Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins.

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.

The annual food drive strives to provide boxes filled with the ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H is gearing up for a busy December with practice, clinics, and a Christmas party on the schedule

Up first is a mock Food Challenge at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at The Feed Store. The event is to help 4-Hers prepare for the District 7 Food Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in San Angelo.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club is gearing up for another round of playoff activities as the Albany Lions continue to advance in the Class 2A Division II bracket.

The Lions face the Collinsville Pirates at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 in a state quarterfinal game at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

The weekly community pep rally will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 (tonight) at the Bank Park.

Spirit Drum

Beating of the spirit drum will begin tonight about 8:00 p.m. following the pep rally in advance of the Lions’ playoff game.

By Sam Waller

Deadline for registering to play for the Albany Little Dribblers fifth and sixth grade basketball teams is Thursday, Dec. 1 (today).

A $35 per-child fee includes a team shirt.

Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Completed forms  and the fee should be returned to the school or delivered to Clint Chapman by the deadline.

Practices will start after the registration process is complete.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD resumed classes this week after taking last week off for Thanksgiving break.

“We just had to hit the ground running because we’ve got so much stuff going on,” principal Jo Hise said.