Opening night of the 81st anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is in just two weeks, and preparations for the annual summer show were visible around Albany this week.

The traditional white Longhorn heads and green banners were put up on telephone poles, membership letters were mailed out, rehearsals continued at the Prairie Theater, costumes were handed out at the Boxcar, and two seasonal workers joined the Fandangle office staff. 

Artistic director Lorna Ayers still has one big concern that is beyond the control of her assistants. 

The Chamber of Commerce promoted community-wide clean-up day has been scheduled for Saturday, June 15.

The community-wide clean-up day is a time for all citizens of the community to come out and help make the town of Albany look pristine. All are encouraged to volunteer their time and energy to clean up the town.

“Volunteers can meet at the Depot at 8:00 a.m.,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

Those who volunteer may bring personal equipment or supplies, including lawn mowers, chain saws, and weed eaters.

The Albany Study Club sponsored summer reading program at the Shackelford County Library kicked off this Tuesday, and it will continue to be held every Tuesday during the month of June.

Participants began this week with the topic “Blast off to the MOON,” with the overall theme for this year’s program listed as “A Universe of Stories” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.

The program will continue on June 11, 18, and 25, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 11:00 a.m.

Two Albany High students will be competing in the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals next week, June 9-15 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. 

Addie Beth Denton qualified in goat tying, and Mady Connally earned her way to the THSRA state finals in pole bending. 

With the regular school year ending, some students will have to begin summer school to catch up with their classmates.

“Summer school is for students who achieved a 65 or above in their class, but did not receive credit for that class,” said Albany Junior Senior High School principal Edward Morales. “Those who achieved less than a 65 in a course will have to retake that class.”

Summer school for high school students will begin on Monday, June 10, running for three weeks.

The Albany Masonic Lodge once again awarded four graduating seniors with $1,000 scholarships during a special dinner and program on May 16.

Winning the scholarships this year were seniors Cutter Cowart, Cassidy Schedule, Madison Wilkins, and Haley Stewart.

The ceremony started with a dinner honoring the recipients and their families, followed by the award presentations made by Worshipful Master Larry Nall.

According to Nall, the Masons have several criteria for selecting the recipients.

Members of the Albany Church of Christ recently hired Troy Wade as their new youth minister, and they are optimistic about his future.

Wade was hired in April, and he is currently a graduate student at Abilene Christian University, where he is working towards his master’s degree in New Testament.

Church leaders are very happy with Wade.

“He’s doing a great job,” said Church of Christ pastor Sonny McCauley. “He’s been leading our youth program and has already brought in a lot of new kids.”

Wade is enjoying his new position at the church so far.

Quilt owners are encouraged to lend one or more of the works of art in their collection to the Albany Study Club for their annual quilt show at the Whitney Theatre so everyone can admire the fabric treasures during the Fandangle season.

“It seems like everyone loves to look at quilts no matter the age of the quilt, the pattern or the size,” said Carolyn Waller. “Anyone interested in sharing a quilt for the show should place it in a clean plastic bag, with the owner’s name clearly marked on the bag, and bring it to the Shackelford County Library prior to Friday, June 14.” 

A four-man team doctoring “Ranch-O Twist Off” will be held at the Nail Ranch outside of Albany on Saturday, June 15 to help raise funds for Tom Belcher, who is recovering from throat cancer.

“We are just trying to help Tom out and pay some of the doctor bills,” said Bobby Williams, one of the organizers. “A lot of teams have already responded, and we’ll probably enter a team ourselves.”

Entry fees are $300 per team, with a 50 percent pay back, and buckles for the first place team. 

Individuals can enter multiple times if they change team members.

The Albany Golf Club is once again hosting the annual Father’s Day golf tournament, which will take place on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16.

Tee times for the event on Saturday include a morning slot at 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon slot at 1:30 p.m.

The tournament will have an entry fee of $240 per team and will follow a three-person scramble format.

The tournament entry fee includes one mulligan per person on each day.

While heavy rainfall had previously put the status of the tournament in question, it is now scheduled to proceed as planned.