The annual “Dollars for Bob’s Scholarships” fundraising drive gets underway in a couple of weeks.

Sponsored by the Albany Ex-Students Association, the campaign traditionally starts the week of Robert Nail’s birth date, Sept. 13. This is the 51st anniversary of the first scholarship.

Although the annual goal is always set at a minimum of $1,000, fundraising efforts will hopefully bring more in donations.

With interest rates continuing to be low, and the awards made only from the earnings, contributions are more important now than ever, according to Lucas.

Eight members of the Houston Grand Opera Studio sing the Star Spangled Banner to open the 2018 football season at Nail Stadium last Friday night. The group was in town for an annual retreat at Stasney’s Cook Ranch.

The 11th Annual Albany Kiwanis Charity/John Rose & Jim Law Memorial Golf Tournament and Fajita Fiesta will take place at the Albany Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 14.

Individuals and businesses can help sponsor the Albany K Charity Scholarship Fund.

The four-person scramble is $50 per golfer, with the fee to include a Fajita Fiesta meal provided by Albany Kiwanians on Friday before the start of the tournament.

The luncheon starts at 11:00 a.m., and tickets are $12 for those not entered in the tournament or listed as sponsors. 

The first week of class at the Moran Independent School District went very well, according to superintendent Danny Freeman.

“It was phenomenal,” said Freeman. “We had a great start! I’ve been doing this thing a long time now, and it was the best start to a school year that I have seen.”

According to Freeman, the new teachers fit right in with the existing staff, and the students were excited to see each other, the staff, and the improvements on the campus.

Retired teachers have scheduled a kickoff lunch to take place at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 13, at First United Methodist Church.

The group gets together every other month at various locations, and is not restricted to AISD retired teachers.

“It can be a teacher who has retired from any place, somewhere else in Texas, or from any state,” said Gayla Leech. “Or it can be a staff member, or even just a friend of a teacher. Anybody is welcome to join us.”

The Friends of Fort Griffin have been granted permission from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to move ahead with the next stage of the Sutler Store restoration project at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, and the group is hiring Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. (CMEC) to do the required archeological dig.

Opening day of dove hunting in Texas is Saturday, Sept. 1, and for the third year in a row, hunters across the Lone Star State, including those in the Albany area, will have a 90-day hunting season and 15-bird daily bag limits.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) dove program leader Owen Fitzsimmons, dove numbers are good across most of the state due to a mild winter and good rains in February and March. 

In addition to proposing a budget and tax rate during the regular morning meeting on Aug. 27, Shackelford County commissioners met in special session a few hours later to try to hammer out a deal with Callahan County officials in a jail billing issue.

Both sides seemed to want to resolve the billing discrepancy, which has resulted because the standard jail accounting software is incapable of charging for what Sheriff Ed Miller calls “fictitious inmates.” 

The opening day of dove season is typically busy around Albany, and members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department have decided to take advantage of the increased activity by hosting a fundraising luncheon at the fire station, located at 609 Railroad Street.

“Come one, come all to our hamburger lunch!” chief Kyle Tischler said. “Hunters and Albany folks are all welcome!” 

Serving will begin at 11:00 a.m. and is expected to end around 1:30 p.m.

The meal costs $7 and includes a hamburger, chips, and drink.

A community blood drive will take place in Albany on Thursday, Aug. 30. 

The Hendrick Regional Blood Center bloodmobile will be at First Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Blood drives in Albany are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

“We want to remind the community of the importance of having an adequate supply of blood throughout the summer months,” said Frances Baker, donor recruiter. “It is vital to have enough blood on hand to meet any need at any time.”

The blood center is currently in need of all blood types, Baker said.