By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament will get underway Friday, Oct. 1 with a Karaoke Night at Webb Park following Albany High School’s homecoming football game.

“This will give the exes somewhere to go and sit and visit after the football game,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said. “It will serve as our kickoff to the next day because people cooking will be able to come in and set up Friday afternoon.”

Check-in for the cookoff will be 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help put up fall decorations in the downtown area and beyond this Saturday, Sept. 25.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said those wanting to help should arrive by 9:00 a.m. in the downtown block.

“They will see people running around everywhere,” Jones said. “The Chamber decorating committee will take all the decorations and place them by the poles. We welcome anyone to come help hang stuff up and get the town decorated for homecoming.”

Jones said everyone will be put to work.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With very little discussion, directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District okayed the proposed budgets for both the district and the clinic, along with the tax rate, at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.

A budget of $2,820,070 was approved during the district portion of Monday’s session, following an earlier clinic session that included approval of a $827,000 budget for fiscal year 2022.

The proposed tax rate of 20.67 cents, which is the no-new-revenue calculation, was adopted on a motion by Mike Folsom.

Clinic Report

By Sam Waller

Moran High School students will be able to earn college credit this year under a program started by Moran ISD superintendent Dr. John Denson in cooperation with Cisco College.

Denson said the class, Advanced Animal Science, fits several needs for the students.

“In addition to a science credit, it counts as an ag class for FFA credit,” said Denson, who is teaching the group. “Cisco will give students a college credit, and it will transfer to another school if they want.”

Denson said all four Moran seniors are enrolled in the class.

By Sam Waller

The 14th annual John Rose & Jim Law Memorial Albany Kiwanis Charity Golf Touurnament and Fajita Fiesta has been scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Albany Golf Course.

The event raises funds for the Albany K Charity Scholarship Fund as well as a number of other local projects.

“We basically fund scholarships every year,” Kiwanian Steve Waller said. “We fund a lot of youth projects like the Quail Brigade and Deer Brigade. We try to help out Ben Richey Boys Ranch, and we contribute to the livestock show.”

By Sam Waller

The 35th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale, which benefits the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association, brought in more than $65,000 in sales Sunday, according to Mike Parsons, one of the organizers.

“We averaged $707 on 92 head,” Parsons said. “We had about 260 registered buyers. We anticipate that the Association will make $3,000 to $5,000 off the sale to put in for the kids.”

Parsons said the two-day event drew a good crowd.

By Sam Waller

Open registration for the Albany General Education Development (GED) classes will continue on Monday nights at the Shackelford County Library, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild. 

The program began last week with three students registering, Fairchild said.

Students must bring an acceptable form of identification to register. Students must be 17 years old or older and not be enrolled in school. Students who are 17 must have parental consent to enroll.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 31st annual See You at the Pole is set for Wednesday, Sept. 22 with gatherings at both local campuses.

High school and junior high participants will gather at 7:30 a.m. at the high school flag pole for a time of student-led prayer. Prior to prayer time at the school, all students in grades 7-12 are invited to eat breakfast at the front of the school starting at 7:00 a.m., according to Tisha Wilkins, executive director at the Feed Store.

Students will gather in the gym foyer in case of rain.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Ministerial Alliance will host Fifth Quarter fellowships following the varsity football game of Albany vs. Haskell on Friday, Sept. 17.

A major change this year in the traditional event will be hosting the high school and junior high fellowships at separate locations.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Sweethearts from both Albany and Moran were presented at the local Lions Club meeting on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Johnnie Hise of Moran High School and Caitlan Lee of Albany High School will repesent the club during the 2021-2022 school year, attending weekly luncheons and appearing at other activities.

Lee is the daughter of Loree and Quinton Lee. She serves as a junior docent at the Old Jail Art Center.

Hise is a state 4-H ambassador and is involved in many activities at Moran. She is the daughter of Matthew and Jo Hise.