By Melinda L. Lucas

In Albany, mention of the “Bazaar” means the holidays are almost here, and this weekend, members of the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will once again host the annual event.

The Presbyterian Bazaar has a storied history originating in 1900, missing fewer than a handful of years due to wars and pandemics.

The longtime tradition unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday season in Albany.

The doors will open at 10:00 a.m. to the Country Store, with the turkey and dressing lunch starting at 11:00 a.m.

Country Store

By Melinda L. Lucas

A large turnout of Shackelford County voters, very close to the 2018 record for a midterm election and representing more than 53 percent of registered voters, showed overwhelming support for Republican candidates in state offices.

There was a huge gap in all races, with Republicans earning as much as 90 to 93 percent of the local vote in many areas.

Statewide percentages were much closer in most races.

All county and district candidates ran unopposed, although some had opposition in the March primary.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An early deadline has been set for the Nov. 24 edition of The Albany News due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and print schedule.

All advertising, including classified ads, and news copy must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21.

The usual deadline for the weekly paper is Tuesday at 12:00 noon. It is being moved up a day in order to accommodate the printer’s schedule and also adjust the mailing schedule.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The final blood drive of the year is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Nov. 17.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

The center depends on volunteer donors to supply 100 percent of blood used at 17 area hospitals.

Albany Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year, so the first one of 2023 is expected to take place during the second week of January.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest is moving steadily toward its fundraising goal of $47,000.

As of Monday, Nov. 7, $13,678 had been raised, more than doubling the total of the week before.

The Albany High School Student Council contributed $1,702.62, the most it has ever raised, through its  Trick or Treat for Change campaign.

The Albany Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants for funds range from youth sports leagues to senior citizens groups.

Here is a look at some of the applicants.

Albany Volunteer

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual lighted Christmas Parade won’t be led throughout downtown Albany on Saturday, Nov. 26 by Rudolf or any of the other reindeer this year. Instead, officials have announced that “Larry the UPS Guy” will head up the event as the official parade marshal.

The event is an Albany tradition on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and will include drawings afterwards for $2,500 in Albany Bucks.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Restructuring of the Albany PTO, complete with the election of new officers, was the focus of a meeting held Monday, Nov. 7.

Ragan Riley, who will serve as president of the executive committee for the 2022-2023 school year, said that she and the other officers are excited about the future and the vision for the organization.

“We had a great attendance count, and lots of feedback was received,” she said.

Anyone who missed the meeting but would like to become a PTO member can email albany.tx.pto@gmail.com for more information.

Albany Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Jeff Hill (r) accepts a check from Cody Fry (l), ranch manager of the Clear Fork Ranch. On behalf of the ranch owner, Fry thanked the VFD for taking care of Albany and the surrounding area.

By Donnie A. Lucas

An induction ceremony for 12 new members of the Albany chapter of the National Honor Society is set for Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Teachers, staff, parents, and family members are invited to attend. A reception in the ­FCCLA room will follow the ceremony.

The officers of the group will conduct the program, including reviewing the meaning of the four principals of the society. Following the candle lighting and pledge, the inductees will be pinned by the officers and other current members.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Junior High theater class will present the comedy “Once Upon a Clothesline” by Aurand Harris for the public on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

The cast and crew will also present the play at the junior high One-Act Play Contest on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Stamford.

The play includes a total of 14 cast and crew members, with teacher Melanie Turner directing.

“The cast is working hard,” she said. “However, we are still making improvements every day – especially learning lines.”