By Sandy Morris

Albany High School senior Jackson Chapman was recently named as one of the receipients of the Lee’s Legion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution 2021 DAR Good Citizen Award. 

Chapman was one of three area seniors selected by his high school faculty for the honor. 

Dariann Hawley was selected to represent Moran High School, along with Liberty Fox from Cisco High School. 

During September, on the late Robert Nail’s birth date, and on through the Albany High School homecoming week, support was sought during the annual fundraising drive for “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships.” 

However, the fundraising effort continues all through the year, and members of the Albany Ex-Students Association are asking Albany graduates and others to remember the fund in their end-of-year giving.

By Sandy Morris

Despite the challenges of 2020, the Old Jail Art Center has found unique ways to continue to offer programming that serves a variety of patrons. 

In response to the OJAC’s continued offerings throughout the past year, the board of trustees and staff are asking for contributions to the Annual Fund Appeal.

The Annual Fund Appeal is the single most important fundraiser the OJAC initiates to support operations and programs.

By Sandy Morris

Tonight is Chrismas Eve and several local churches have announced their traditional Christmas services scheduled for the holiday.

First Christian 

First Christian Church will hold its traditional Christmas Eve candlelight communion service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24.

MMPC

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will have a 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service on Thursday, Dec. 24.

By Sandy Morris

With the help of a good number of volunteers and generous donors, the Christmas meal needs of 116 Albany and Moran families were met when the Albany Ministerial Alliance distributed its annual Christmas food baskets on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Alliance secretary ­Tisha Wilkins said this week that the organization had originally planned for only 94 deliveries because that’s how many applications they had been given on the deadline day.

However, another 22 forms were submitted, bringing the total number of individuals served to 297.

By Sandy Morris

With activities such as the Christmas band concert, elementary parties, and semester finals bringing the first semester to an end, Albany ISD students and staff are now in the midst of a two-week Christmas break.

Students at both campuses will be back in class on Tuesday, Jan. 5 to start the second semester and the fourth sixth weeks of the 2020-2021 school year. 

Teachers return earlier for a staff development day at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4. 

By Sandy Morris

Christmas is here and with the generous help of donors, several local organizations have been able to make sure Christmas is merry and bright for everyone in Shackelford County. 

 Adopt A Senior

The Adopt A Senior program received tremendous support from the community, according to ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley, who said 2020 collections went better than they could have hoped. 

The Callahan-Shackelford County Farm Bureau Board of Directors voted unanimously to make contributions totaling $7,500 to charitable organizations as 2020 draws to a close.

The Board recognizes the importance of our elderly receiving healthful foods during these challenging economic times. And, for our emergency medical services maintaining equipment and having adequate fuel supplies to serve our citizens in critical situations.

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Chamber of Commerce put the wraps on a successful holiday season this week.

Decorating Contest

A new event sponsored by the Chamber this year was the Holiday House Decorating Contest. 

Local residents who decorated the outside of their homes for the holidays entered their creations in the contest or were nominated by friends or neighbors. 

By Sandy Morris

There is one week left in 2020, which means there is only one week left to make a donation to the annual Albany Chest campaign. 

Despite last week’s jump to hit the 50 percent mark, contributions are still needed in order to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000. 

The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 25 organizations. 

The total donated as of Monday, Dec. 21 was $24,750.