By Kathy Thomson

Six adult members of First Baptist Church’s mission team, along with three youth workers, spent the first week of July in Del Rio repairing a building during the congregation’s annual summer mission trip.

“We had a good trip,” said team leader Dinty Bowman. “We were working in an old church building that is being utilized to teach young children things like hygiene including hand washing and brushing teeth, basic reading, and art.”

The church building was old, rundown, and needed some TLC, according to Bowman.

By Kathy Thomson

Thanks to a new volunteer, Albany Neighbors In Need, which had only been open on Monday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until noon, is now also open from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

“Brad McBee will be available to accept donations and to allow our shoppers who work all week to come and shop too,” said organizer Lori Reames. “By donating during that hour, items can be stored immediately into our building to ensure they are available for those who truly need them!”

By Kathy Thomson

Over a dozen youth from Albany and their sponsors traveled to Rockport last week to assist with ongoing efforts to rebuild structures damaged by Hurricane Harvey almost two years ago.

This year the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church youth mission trip worked through an organization called TEAMeffort Missions. 

By Kathy Thomson

The new Scout Hut in Albany is almost ready to use, according to local Scout committee chair Teri Lucas, and the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts should be able to start using the building as soon as the plumbers have completed their part of the project. 

“The outside of the building is done, and most of the inside is finished,” said Lucas. “The floors, walls, electricity, heating, and air are installed. Tables and chairs have been donated by the First United Methodist Church.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Athletic Booster Club met earlier this week to elect officers and start planning for the annual Hamburger & Ice Cream Supper and other fall events.

Officers elected at the meeting on Monday, July 15 were Stephen Kayga - president,  D’Anna Knight - vice president, Shawnee Tischler - treasurer, and Tisha Wilkins - secretary.

Logan Neve will be in charge of the “Tunnel Crew,” and anyone willing to help Neve with the inflatable A, the horn, or the flags is asked to contact him. 

By Kathy Thomson

Preparations are beginning for the 16th annual gala planned by the Friends of Fort Griffin for Saturday, Oct. 5, and reservations for the nonprofit fundraiser are currently being accepted.

An open bar with premium brands, a steak dinner, silent and live auctions, music, and dancing will all take place at the event held again this year at Lynne and Clifford Teinert’s Collins Creek Ranch.

Tickets

Anyone 21 years and older is invited to purchase a ticket to the gala. 

By Kathy Thomson

The City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) class on Saturday, July 27, and the public is welcome to attend.

“The class will be open to anyone needing CPR certification or a refresher,” said Moran VFD secretary/treasurer Michelle Taggart. “The cost to the public will be $35 per person.”

By Kathy Thomson

Organizers for the 2019 Fort Griffin BBQ Cook-Off and Battle for the Blade plan to hold the contest at Fort Griffin State Historic Site this year.

The event, once again scheduled for the last weekend in September, raises funds for the historic calvary fort located around 14 miles north of Albany on Highway 283.

The entry fees for the fifth annual cook-off are $150 per team, and judging will be done in several categories including steak, dove, brisket, ribs, and chicken.

By Kathy Thomson

KTAB News will be “On the Road” in Albany on Thursday, July 25 and everyone in the community is invited to join the Abilene TV news anchors at The Feed Store for the free event.

“It is important for us to connect with our audience,” said KTAB vice president and general manager Albert Gutierrez. “On the Road allows us to go out and meet our amazing viewers all across the Big Country. It also allows us to connect with our advertisers and offer them unique exposure to connect them to a greater audience.”

Austin Sherwood of the financial services firm Edward Jones recently received the firm’s exclusive Century Award for outstanding performance during 2018.

Sherwood, who lives in Albany with his family, was one of only 767 of the firm’s more than 18,000 financial advisors to receive the Century Award.

Sherwood has been an Edward Jones advisor for five years, and he knows the hard work that goes into building a business in the financial services industry. Sherwood is honored to receive the award.