By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H will celebrate the start of a new year with its kickoff party at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18 at Webb Park.

“We’ll have hot dogs and hang out and play games,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We’ll get everybody’s questions answered before everything gets going.”

Bell said club members will be informed of the 14 projects being offered this year.

While the first official club meeting is still being planned, several activities will get underway in the coming weeks.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Students who are needing extra help are now able to attend one of three after-school programs  offered at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.

All students in grades 7-12 can attend Lion Academy on Monday through Wednesday this year, while fifth and sixth graders can stay after school on Monday through Thursday for Cub Academy.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Open registration for GED classes continues weekly on Monday and Tuesday nights at the Shackelford County Library, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild.

Classes started last week with three students enrolling; however, students are free to begin the program at any point.

Weekly classes are held on Monday and Tuesday each week from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and will follow the Albany ISD holiday calendar.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The next family festival at the Old Jail Art Center is a little more than a week away on Saturday, Sept. 24, celebrating the harvest moon.

The free event will be held from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., with activities mostly in the Marshall R. Young Courtyard, weather permitting, and the Stasney Center

The “Mid-Autumn Moon Festival” is a centuries-old Chinese Harvest Festival honoring family, gathering, and gratitude.

By Sam Waller

Bethel Assembly will hold The Patch fall celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Bank Park.

The pumpkin market will open at 10:00 a.m. and last until the pumpkins sell out.

“I’ve ordered more pumpkins this year,” organizer Betsy Spraberry said. “All proceeds from the event go back into the community in various ministries we do throughout the year.”

Spraberry said the market will offer a wide variety of pumpkins suitable for almost any fall pumpkin need.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance will hold its second Fifth Quarter fellowship Friday, Sept. 16, following the Albany Lions home football game against Hawley.

The gathering will meet at The Feed Store. For the first time this year, high school and junior high students will meet in the same location.

Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said refreshments will be provided by  Matthews Memorial Presbyterian and Trinity Lutheran churches.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The time for a Sunday youth Bible study is changing after the group met for the first time last weekend.

Friendship Baptist Church pastor Paul Johnston, who is leading the sessions, said that there was a good turnout for the Sept. 11 kickoff, but participants told him that other high school students would be able to come if it started an hour later.

The next meeting of “The Word with Coach Johnston” will be at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, with plans to continue weekly throughout the school year.

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Sept. 22.

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 blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

By Sam Waller

The 15th annual John Rose and Jim Law Memorial Albany Kiwanis Charity Golf Tournament and Fajita Fiesta is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 14, at Albany Golf Course.

The event benefits the Albany K Charity Scholarship Fund.

Entry fee for the four-person scramble is $50 per player, which includes the Fajita Fiesta. Golfers may purchase up to four mulligans at $10 apiece.

Entry deadline is Friday, Oct. 7.

Kiwanian Zach Maberry said the field for the tournament is almost full.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Application forms for Albany Chest funds are now available at both local banks and The Albany News, with a deadline of Friday, Sept. 30.

Forms can also be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.

Funding requests, which are mandatory to be able to receive Chest monies, will be reviewed at the board’s next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 5, when a goal will be set.

Letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects will be mailed soon after the Oct. 5 meeting to kick off the 2022 campaign.