By Donnie A. Lucas

A record crowd of students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play, and FCCLA.

A total of 370 attended the event to recap the successes of the school year, which is sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD.

The group was welcomed by superintendent Jonathan Scott, proceeding to the buffet line for the meal prepared by the Icehouse Restaurant.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2022 is set for Sunday, May 22 at 4:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Former Albany youth minister Spencer Newsom will be the featured speaker. He will be introduced by class valedictorian Luke Ivy.

A total of 34 seniors are expected to participate in the service, which is one of several events that will culminate with graduation next Friday night.

By Sam Waller

Seven Moran High School students were inducted as charter members of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society on Monday, May 9, at the Moran Events Center.

Seniors Hannah Rogers, Harmony Slaughter, and Johnnie Hise, juniors Emily Murk and Alayna Baker, and sophomores Caleb York and Terra Thompson were honored at the ceremony.

Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said the chapter is looking toward several projects next year, but members still have time to provide service before the current school year ends.

By Sam Waller

A total of 18 participants took part in the Shackelford County 4-H horse show Saturday, May 7 at the Fikes Arena southeast of Albany.

Competition in judged and timed events was held in three age groups – Clover Kids (kindergarten through second grade), Junior (third through sixth grade), and Senior – as well as a Novice Class.

“It was quite an undertaking,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “I’m just really grateful to everyone who had a hand in making it happen.”

By Sam Waller

Interested parties may still attend a brush control field day scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 at the Stasney Ranch headquarters.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said she expects around 20, but more are welcome.

“People can just show up,” Bell said. “We’re already past the RSVP deadline, but anyone who wants to come can give me a heads-up, and I can let the caterers know we’re expecting a few more.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Study Club will again raffle a quilt as part of its annual Quilt Show during the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Raffle tickets may be purchased from any Study Club member or at Shackelford County Library. Tickets are $5 for one or $20 for five.

“The raffle again benefits our scholarship fund for high school students,” Study Club member Tammy Glover said. “We’re giving out one $500 scholarship this year, which will be announced at graduation.”

The Study Club’s cookbook sales also help fund scholarships.

By Sam Waller

The Albany High School Class of 2022 senior Bible presentation, a long-running project of First Baptist Church of Albany, will be included as part of the Baccalaureate service at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Albany High School Auditorium.

The event, hosted by FBC for decades, was combined with Baccalaureate two years ago.

First Baptist youth minister Eduardo San Lucas will present the Bibles to the seniors during the service.

Callahan-Shackelford County Farm Bureau, in partnership with Texas Farm Bureau, presented $500 donations to all Volunteer Fire Departments in both counties.

“The public service provided by the fire departments is vital to all citizens and property owners, and during the recent devastating fires in Eastland County, area VFDs provided very important support,” said local board member Ace Reames. “Cal-Shack Farm Bureau is pleased to show appreciation for all they do.”

By Sam Waller

Capt. Kurtis Bueltmann, chaplain at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, will serve as a guest speaker Sunday, May 15 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Bueltmann, an ordained Lutheran minister, has been involved in the ministry for more than 30 years. He was recently posted to Dyess.

“I asked Kurtis to preach on the theology of what he does as a chaplain,” Trinity Lutheran pastor Tom Chandler said. “We’re looking to hearing what he has to say, and we invite everyone in the community.”

Services start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

By Sam Waller

The Calling – Come & See Revival will offer three nights of worship for all faiths this weekend at Moran City Park.

The revival, hosted by First Baptist Church of Moran, is a cooperative effort with Albany Methodist Church.

Services will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 14-16.

The Calling is for those who have never known God, those who have strayed away, or those who have a close walk with God every day – in other words for everyone – and can recharge one’s faith, according to Dora Leonard of FBC Moran.