By Sam Waller

Albany churches are getting ready for Christmas with several planning special events and services leading up to the holiday.

Some pastors and congregations have not yet finalized plans for Christmas events. Any changes or additions will be publicized in future issues if requested.

First Baptist

First Baptist Church will hold a JAM Christmas party for the 100+ children in the Wednesday night program at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Details were still pending at press time, but several special activities are being planned.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local residents are invited to come catch the Christmas spirit at the annual Albany Bands Christmas Concert set for Thursday, Dec. 9 in the high school auditorium.

The concert is again being divided into three parts so students and parents don’t have to stay for all the bands unless they want to.

The Sixth Grade Band performs first at 6:30 p.m., playing two selections – Jingle Bells and Jolly Old St. Nick.

The Seventh Grade Band will play two songs starting at 7:15 p.m., including March of the Toy Soldier and Carole of the Bells.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Academic Booster Club is once again inviting the community to “adopt” a member of the school staff through its Christmas Wish List program.

Sponsored by the “Rise and Shine” committee, the event enables local residents who want to participate to access a wish list teachers and staff have been asked to make of items they would like to have for their classrooms or offices.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The student and teacher of the six-weeks for the second grading period were announced recently.

Seventh grader Mimi Ivy was selected by fellow students and teachers as the student of the six weeks, receiving a pair of Apple air pods.

The students and teachers at the junior high and high school campus also picked special education teacher Missy Dutchover as the teacher of the six weeks. She received a $50 cash prize.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students are competing in a number of UIL academic events this week, culminating on Tuesday, Dec. 7 when all contests must be completed.

Each of the participating schools in the district are mostly conducting contests locally, with each school scoring their own contestants when possible and sending the totals to be tallied by Tuesday.

The remote format was implemented last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with schools continuing the process this year out of caution.

By Sam Waller

Toys for Tots raised more than $600 Saturday providing barbecue sandwiches for attendees at Albany’s Lighted Christmas Parade.

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty, who heads the campaign in Shackelford and Stephens counties, said the project netted $614 in donations.

“That’s pretty good for just a couple of hours of serving meals,” he said. “We had some good donations.”

Beaty commended members of Albany High School’s National Honor Society for their assistance.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program are Thursday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 3.

Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 2. 

Albany families or individuals who are on the list can pick up their commodities at the rear door of the JP office next to the courthouse from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The phone number for volunteers to call if they want to help to lay wreaths on local veterans’ graves later this month was incorrect in last week’s paper.

Those who want to participate in the Dec. 18 National Wreaths Across America Day are asked to contact Saundra Nobles at 325-280-7725.

This is the second year that the Albany community has honored veterans buried at the Albany cemetery. Melinda and Henry Musselman have spearheaded the project, with Nobles’ assistance.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the November distribution of the commodity food program are Thursday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 3.

Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 2. 

Albany families or individuals who are on the list can pick up their commodities at the rear door of the JP office next to the courthouse from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

By Sam Waller

Albany postmaster Laura Gilbreath is encouraging U.S. Postal Service customers to get a jump on mailing packages to ensure deliveries of Christmas presents before Christmas Day.

Gilbreath said the Albany Post Office will maintain its regular hours through Dec. 23.

“We will be closing at noon on Christmas Eve,” she said.

Gilbreath said packages posted by Dec. 17 should arrive at their destination before the holiday.

“After that, we can’t guarantee that packages will get there on time,” she said.