By Donnie A. Lucas
Vaccinations for this year’s variant of the flu virus began locally at the Shackelford County Health Clinic last Monday, with ResourceCare starting to provide shots on Monday, Oct. 3.
ResourceCare will also host a flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with no appointments necessary.
The cost of the shot is $35 for those without insurance or Medicare.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Two new members were elected to the Senior Citizen Board for a total of 10 directors after being nominated by fellow members and guests at a meeting on Sept. 16.
New board members are Don Hare – county liaison and Anita Jackson – reporter/information officer.
Annette Harris had been appointed to the board in a previous meeting to fill a vacancy left by Mozelle Bartee’s departure.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association is set for Tuesday, Oct. 11 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Instead of being at the Fandangle office in the Depot, the meeting will be held at the Studebaker building (Musselman/Fikes office), located at 324 South 2nd St., so there will be more room.
Discussion and a motion to hold the Fandangle in 2023 are expected, along with the filling of five terms on the board that are expiring and the election of officers for the coming year.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported last week stayed steady at four positive tests for the third consecutive week.
The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Tuesday reported four positive test results out of 21 tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Sept. 19-23.
The use of home testing increased after tests were made readily available, making it unclear as to the actual number of local cases.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Albany FFA chapter has elected officers for the 2022-2023 school year and has already started working on a number of community projects.
“We installed officers, and the kids have been busy working on projects to help out around town,” Albany FFA sponsor Chris Beard said. “We have cut and stacked cane at the Chamber office for volunteers to use to decorate with for fall, we are rebuilding pens at the ag farm, and we are working on rebuilding picnic tables for the show barn.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Nominees and other class royalty were selected last week for Albany High’s homecoming set for Friday, Oct. 14.
The traditional “big” homecoming celebration held by the Albany Ex-Students Association and the high school will kick off with a parade at 5:00 p.m. down Main Streeet, around the Courthouse and back to the football field.
By Sam Waller
Pumpkins will be on parade and for sale Saturday, Oct. 1 when Bethel Assembly holds its annual The Patch fall celebration at Bank Park.
The pumpkin market will open at 10:00 a.m. and last until the pumpkins sell out. Proceeds will benefit Bethel Assembly community ministries.
Pumpkin Parade
The event will again include a decorated pumpkin parade beginning at 11:00 a.m. The contest is open to children in sixth grade or younger. Contestants must walk their pumpkins through the parade to be judged.
By Sam Waller
Albany’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will participate in the annual Fields of Faith program Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Graham’s Newton Field.
The event is one of seven put on by the Big Country FCA. Fields of Faith is an event where students challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ, according to the Big Country FCA website.
The Graham event will begin at 7:00 p.m.
“This is aimed at high school and junior high kids,” local FCA organizer Paul Johnston said. “If parents want to come, they’ll be welcome.”
First Christian Church will celebrate a Blessing of the Animals service on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the south side lawn of the church.
“Everyone is welcome to bring their furry friends for a word of blessing at this short and meaningful service,” said pastor Brad McBee.
He added that photos of the animals can be brought if it is difficult to bring the animal itself.
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated on Oct. 4, and because St. Francis is considered the patron saint of animals, many churches offer animal blessing services on or around Oct. 4.
By Sam Waller
The Albany NFL Flag Football League will have 102 players when the season kicks off Saturday, Oct. 1.
The league will have 12 teams, four in each age division. Organizer Zach Maberry said there will be 34 players in the Kindergarten-First Grade division, 27 in the Second-Third Grade division and 41 in the Fourth-Sixth Grade division.
“I think it’s a good program,” Maberry said. “It teaches lots of good basics and helps the kids understand the game a lot better. On top of that, it’s fun.”
Maberry said the league is making one change this fall.
