By Sandy Morris

“Break A Leg” is a phrase the Albany Junior High one act play cast and crew has probably heard all week as students have gotten ready for district competition today in Stamford. 

Director Melanie Turner said she and her students have felt more and more prepared every day.

“Sunday night we had a great rehearsal, and I think it really helped everyone feel more prepared for the public show Monday night and for competition on Thursday,” said Turner.  

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Ministerial Alliance is accepting dozens of applications from Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the annual Christmas basket drive. 

The Christmas baskets include various food items for a healthy traditional holiday meal. 

Baskets offer a choice of a whole uncooked turkey, a pre-cooked turkey breast, or a pre-cooked ham, in addition to vegetables and other holiday side dishes. 

By Sandy Morris

Members of Friendship Baptist Church welcome everyone to their annual “Harvest Acres” event planned for Saturday, Nov. 21. 

The event will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. 

No dinner meal will be served this year, but soup and chili will be available for a take-out lunch starting at 11:00 a.m. 

The gift and food bazaar will offer baked and craft items for sale, with larger items being offered in a silent auction.

People may place bids on items in the silent auction until 2:30 p.m. 

By Sandy Morris

 The canned food drive hosted by the Moran junior and senior classes is winding down this week. 

According to Moran ISD principal Jo Hise, the food drive has had a wonderful start.

“Last week, we collected 288 cans,” said Hise.

The third grade leads the contest with 105 cans.

Canned goods can be delivered to the school through the end of the week and will be delivered to local needy families. 

Toys For Tots

By Sandy Morris

It is a busy time of year for local 4-H and FFA members. 

Many stock shows have opened up their registrations, and validations have started. 

Both groups also are participating in fundraisers or food drives. 

4-H Food Drive

The Shackelford County 4-H will be holding a food drive on Monday, Nov. 16 from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.

The group will be set up in the courthouse parking lot collecting food items for the Resource Center. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

After a longer than expected delay, thousands of tax statements should be mailed next week to Shackelford County land, property, and business owners.

According to Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) chief appraiser Clayton Snyder, the statements normally go out by the second week of  October, but are about a month later than usual for reasons that have nothing to do with the local staff.

By Sandy Morris

When local hero, William Edwin Dyess, was tragically lost in a plane crash in 1943, arrangements were made for a military trumpet player to play “Taps” at the service.

Fast forward 77 years and the lone trumpet player, along with his fellow World War II Army Air Force Band members, is about to have a posthumous album released of their original recordings. 

Richard Burt was the lead trumpet player of the 746th Army Air Force band stationed in the Philippines during WWII. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

A lengthy discussion about what to do with $25,000 in CARES Act funding and an update about the city’s rolloff program for abandoned houses took a good part of Monday night’s Albany city council meeting on Nov. 9. 

The resignation of Carolyn Waller, who has served on the council for the past nine years, was accepted “with regrets” and appreciation was expressed by mayor Susan Montgomery for Waller’s dedication to the community of Albany.

Waller is stepping down because of health reasons.

House Demolition

By Sandy Morris

Two more Nancy Smith Elementary School events have fallen victim to COVID, but Camp Grady Spruce is moving forward with safety precautions. 

NSES principal John Gallagher stated that plans are still in place for local fifth graders to travel to the Possum Kingdom science camp Nov. 16-18. 

“With COVID-19, the camp has changed its attendance to only allow one school district at the camp at a time,” said Gallagher. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

The next meeting of the Shackelford County 4-H Horse Club program clinic will be held today, Nov. 5, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Shackelford County Show Barn. 

Dr. Katie Fisher, the new Albany equine veterinarian from Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital, will be the speaker at the November clinic.

Shackelford County Extension Agent Kloey Painter said the first clinic to go over horse safety was not only well attended, but participants also learned some important basic tips for working with horses.