SPOKEN: Ardon B. Judd Jr. Oral History Project opened to the public this Tuesday, and all visitors to the Old Jail Art Center can now view the recorded stories and life histories of several Albany residents anytime the museum is open, according to archivist Molly Sauder. 

An assortment of canvas tarps and tents are being erected at Fort Griffin today in preparation for this weekend’s Living History Days, but heavy rain tomorrow could cause student participation numbers to be lower than normal, according to program specialist Eric Abercrombie.

“We have had additional school districts contact us this week to confirm they are planning to attend,” he said. “But if it is raining hard on Friday, some schools may decided not to come after all.”

Albany native Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Dyess is the focus of “4-4-43,” a documentary produced by historian John D. Lukacs, and directed by Lukacs and Tim Gray, that will be shown at the Aztec Theater on Saturday morning, Oct. 13, during the Ex-Students Association’s 10:00 a.m. business meeting.

The hour-long movie is based upon Lukacs’ book Escape From Davao subtitled the Forgotten Story of the Most Daring Prison Break of the Pacific War.

All those who paid membership dues for the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association are invited to the annual membership meeting set next Monday, Oct. 15.

The traditional event will be held at the Albany Visitors Center starting at 5:30 p.m.

The three-year terms of John Ayers, Shelly Bartee, and Paul Ivy will be up for re-election this year.

Terms of directors Treca Edington and Steve Waller, who were re-elected in 2016, will expire next year.

Local groups and exes are invited to show their school spirit by entering the Albany High School homecoming parade this Friday, Oct. 12 at 5:00 p.m.

“Holidays” is the theme for this year’s parade, and Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, and New Year’s Day floats are being fabricated by classes at the secondary school.

The parade is open to everyone; however, those that would like to have an entry in the parade should contact principal Edward Morales at 325-762-3974 to reserve a spot.

All five members of the Albany City Council met in closed session for 45 minutes at the end of Monday’s regular monthly meeting for the annual evaluation of city manager Billy Holson, but there was no action when the session was reopened to the public.

Prior to that, there were only a couple of routine items reviewed on the regular agenda, with the open part of the meeting lasting only about 20 minutes.

Financial Overview

Albany ISD trustees began the process of reviewing candidates for the superintendent’s position during a special meeting on Wednesday evening, Oct. 3, starting with 30 applicants after one withdrew after being named the lone finalist for another district. 

Another 11 names were added for a total of 41 applications before the application period ended Oct. 4.

The board met again yesterday (Oct. 10) to continue going over the documents, with the intention of announcing a lone finalist by the end of November.

The annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2018 goal of $42,000. 

A record 26 different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Oct. 3. 

A little over one year since fencing and the first scaffolding went up, a certificate of substantial completion was signed by county judge Ross Montgomery for a $1.37 million repair project at the Shackelford County Courthouse.

The fencing came down last week and all roof and bell tower construction has been finished, with a public reception planned next month by county officials to show off the repairs.

A hamburger fundraiser hosted by members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department is set for this Sunday, Oct. 14 to benefit longtime fire chief Kyle Tischler.

The meal will be held at the city fire station from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Tischler has had major back surgery recently, according to fellow VFD member Joel Viertel, and has used up all his vacation time, with the prospect of being off work for at least two more months.