By Donnie A. Lucas

Four members of the Albany FFA chapter and sponsor Chris Beard attended the Texas FFA State Convention in Ft. Worth last week, picking up a pair of awards won by the local chapter.

Representing Albany at the convention were Leddie Leech, Gracie Price, Robyn Trail, and Kenzie Neve. The students attended several leadership sessions while at the event hosted at the Ft. Worth convention center on July 11-15.

Three members of the group also served as voting delegates on several policy items, along with state officers and talent show winners.

By Sam Waller

Preparations for Community Vacation Bible School are under way with volunteers setting up for the event, which will run Sunday, July 24 through Wednesday, July 27.

A new feature for this year is the addition of the R.O.P.E. program (Rights of Passage Experience) for rising seventh graders. That group will meet 5:45-8:15 p.m. at The Feed Store.

Darla Cotter will lead the program, which focuses on learning to handle issues facing those entering adolescence.

By Sam Waller

The past two weeks have seen youth groups from First Baptist Church of Albany enjoy outdoor activities while also strengthening their relationship with Christ as they attended summer church camps.

A total of  19 preteens (fourth through sixth grades) and two adults spent July 11-15 at Camp Copass near Denton.

"Camp Copass was great,” FBC youth minister Eduardo San Lucas said. “We had two salvations, six recommitments, and five wanting to get back to Christ. It was a blessing.”

By Sam Waller

Closet Angels is once again planning a Back-to-School Bash to help families prepare for the start of the upcoming school year.

The event is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1.

Shoppers are encouraged to sign up for the drawings to win cash prizes, gas cards, and Zappos gift cards for shoes.

Everyone with school-age students in Shackelford County is invited to attend.

Director Lori Reames said Closet Angels will be closed until the event due to family issues and to ensure racks are well-stocked.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD enrollment packets will be available after Monday, Aug. 1, according to school officials.

All students planning to attend Moran school in the 2022-23 school year will need to pick up a packet from the MISD office.

The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 8 at Moran, which is employing a four-day class week this year.

Principal Jo Hise said students from outside the district will need to provide an immunization record, a birth certificate, and a copy of their social security card in order to get a packet.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Moran Masonic Lodge #863 held its officer installation ceremony Saturday, July 16.

The event was hosted by the Clyde Masonic Lodge during a joint ceremony with both Clyde and Cisco Masonic Lodges.

Officers installed for the 2022-2023 year were Worshipful Master Earl McFerrin, Senior Warden Harley Wheeler, Junior Warden John Adams, Secretary John Denson,and Tiler Bobby Estes.

Masonic Lodge officers serve for a term of one year, with annual installations.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Masonic Lodge Scholarship Golf Tournament already has a full field, but is taking names for a waiting list.

The four-person scramble is scheduled to tee off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at Albany Golf Course.

All proceeds benefit the Albany Masonic Lodge Wisdom Foundation, which awards college scholarships to Albany High School graduates each year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive COVID-19 cases appears to be increasing, causing at least one major event to be cancelled this week.

The second week of Day Camp sponsored by Resoure Care was cancelled after several cases of ­COVID-19 among campers and staff were reported at the end of the first week of the annual event for children.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School counselors will host a dual-credit meeting in the secondary library starting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, July 31.

The session was originally scheduled for June 3 but was postponed because of conflicts.

Jenny Scott and new counselor Kelly Windham will present the dual-credit course offerings for the 2022-2023 school year.

Eligibility requirements will be discussed, and required forms will be handed out to interested students.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction.

County committee members make important decisions about how Federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2022 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2022.