By Sam Waller

John Caldwell and Friends will perform after the awards are given at the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Webb
Park.

The event, which will raise money for new decorations the Chamber puts up throughout Albany, was  rescheduled from its original date of Oct. 2.

The cookoff will consist of competition in eight categories. Entrants must preregister, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. Entry fee is $20 per category. Payout will be based on the number of entries.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Ticket holders for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala held Saturday were treated to a prime rib dinner and the music of Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlins while helping raise funding for projects at the historic fort.

The gathering was held at Collins Creek Ranch, which is located at the base of the Fort Griffin Historic Site, and includes the “flat” where the town of Fort Griffin was established almost 150 years ago.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The high school and junior high students will meet together this week for the Fifth Quarter Fellowship at the Feed Store following the varsity game Friday against Hico.

The event is being hosted by Friendship Baptist Church, Bethel Assembly, and the United Methodist Church.

“We will be hosting everyone at The Feed Store again this time,” Tisha Wilkins, Feed Store executive director said.

She added that pizza and beverages will be served. The event will end at 11:00 p.m.

Some of the youngest participants in the pumpkin decorating competition sit with their entries after the presentation parade and listen to a short Bible lesson. Saturday’s Patch was sponsored by Bethel Assembly.

By Sam Waller

The Albany High School FFA has a number of fundraising projects under way, from holiday decorations, holiday meats, and treats.

Albany FFA students have been building oilfield Christmas trees and crosses in addition to other projects.

“We build those in the shop out of sucker rod and put baling wire on them,” Albany High School agriculture teacher Chris Beard said. “The kids weld and construct them.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Officers for the Albany Chapter of the National Honor Society were elected last week and upcoming projects were discussed for the 2021-2022 school year.

Sarah Cotter was selected as president, with Luke Ivy named as vice president. Susie Cormack was picked as the secretary for the year, along with Clara Holson as treasurer and Ty Everitt as reporter.

All of the officers are seniors and were inducted into the organization last fall.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany’s Ragin’ Red Band will compete on Monday at the UIL area contest at Wylie High School in Abilene.

The band will step off at 2:15 p.m. at Wylie’s Bulldog Stadium, serving as the first band in the line-up. Albany will compete in the Class 2A competition, hoping to earn an overall rating of Division I from the judges to advance to the regional marching contest on Oct. 30 in Amarillo.

“What we have been working so hard for is now here,” director Will Vaughan said. “We will keep working hard this week to prepare.”

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA member Kenzie Neve placed eighth in her weight class recently at the State Fair of Texas with a Shorthorn steer.

Neve was originally entered in the British breeds, but was “classed out” and ended up in the All Other Breeds division against mostly crossbred cattle, according to Albany FFA sponsor Chris Beard.

“She did well, because it’s a really competitive show,” Beard said.

The State Fair run opened Sept. 24 and will conclude Oct. 17.

Neve also exhibited last week at the Heart of Texas Fair in Waco.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 2 amendment election begins in Texas and Shackelford County, on Monday, Oct. 18 with the eight propositions ranging from not allowing the state to prohibit or limit religious services to one permitting charitable raffles at rodeo venues.

Shackelford County Clerk Cheri Hawkins said in-person early voting will be held on the first floor of the Courthouse through Friday, Oct. 29. 

By Sam Waller

The Albany Parent-Teacher Organization is seeking volunteers to work at Fall Fest later this month on Saturday, Oct. 30.

The event is scheduled for 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

“If anybody would like to volunteer to help work a 30-minute shift, the PTO would be extremely grateful,” PTO president Malarie Sutton said. “Cleanup is hopefully going to start around 7:30 p.m.”

To volunteer or for more information about the event, contact Sutton at 325-762-6368.

There will be some changes to this year’s event, Sutton said.