By Sam Waller

Several holiday programs provided by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and ResourceCare to benefit local residents are gearing up for another season.

Applications for and funding of programs providing for children through senior adults are being accepted.

ResourceCare works hand in hand with Toys for Tots, asking community members to help them provide holiday presents to all county children who might not get much otherwise.

The facility also coordinates the Adopt A Senior project, which is already well underway.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals are underway for the 2022 production of “The Nativity,” with performances set for Dec. 10 and 11 at the Aztec Theater.

Practices are being conducted by scenes and started last week.

“After this week we will have been through all the major scenes at least once,” director Lorna Ayers said. “Not everyone has been able to make it to the first rehearsals, but hopefully we will get caught up quickly since we don’t have much time to put this all together.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club is in playoff mode with activities planned for each week the Albany Lions advance in the Class 2A Division II football playoffs.

The Lions play the Eldorado Eagles at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in a bi-district game at the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater.

Spirit Drum

Beating of the spirit drum will begin Thursday, Nov. 10 (tonight) in advance of the Lions’ bi-district game.

To sign up to beat the drum, contact Booster Club member Amanda Tabor.

Playoff T-shirts

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 Wolf Den is moving right along with its project to retire unserviceable American flags.

Den leader Tiffany Waddell said about 20 flags have been collected so far.

“We’ve actually received quite a few flags,” Waddell said. “I have a 13-gallon trashbag full and a boxful.”

By Sam Waller

Moran made a handful of special presentations Thursday, Oct. 27 at its final home football game of the season.

In addition to senior Tyler Waddell being recognized with Senior Night ceremonies, senior Emily Murk was named Football Sweetheart, and junior Zech Henderson was named Pep Squad Beau.

The pair was recognized at halftime of the Bulldogs’ game against Paint Rock.

“The Football Sweetheart was voted on by all the football boys, and the Pep Squad Beau was voted on by the cheerleaders,” Moran principal Jo Hise said.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will conduct its Veterans Day program at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 (today) at the school gymnasium.

Members of American Legion Post 423 in Cross Plains will make a flag presentation, students from sixth grade, kindergarten and Pre-K will sing, and Moran graduate Jeff Martin will perform as the school recognizes veterans from the community.

Thanksgiving Meal

Moran will serve its Thanksgiving meal Wednesday, Nov. 16.

The event is open to all community members.

By Sam Waller

The Albany NFL Flag Football League had to adjust its schedule after Week 5 games were postponed because of inclement weather but finished the regular season in time to conduct its Super Bowl this weekend.

Heavy rains forced games scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29 to be delayed. That left the league playing catchup with Week 5 games on Saturday, Nov. 5 and Week 6 games on Monday, Nov.7 and Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Regular season games were played at the Albany High School practice field.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only one new COVID-19 case was reported last week, as the number of local cases continues to remain low based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported one positive test result out of nine tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Oct. 31 through Nov. 4.

There were four positive cases out of 12 tests for the week of Oct. 17-21.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Early voting for the Nov. 8 General Election that includes county, state, and federal races ends Friday at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

In-person early voting will continue from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. both Thursday (today) and Friday, Nov. 4.

As of noon on Tuesday, 382 registered voters had cast their ballots early, with 74 of the 94 mail ballots also returned.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only a few tickets remained as of Tuesday for a concert by the Austin-based band “Reckless Kelly” at the Aztec Theater on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Doors for the show will open at 7:00 p.m., with the performance starting at 8:00 p.m.

The show is sponsored by Albany Live, a local non-profit dedicated to bringing musical performances to the Aztec.

Tickets can be purchased on the website albanylive.org. Only general admission tickets remain at a cost of $50 each.