By Kathy Thomson
Twenty-one sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from the Albany Independent School District competed at a University Interscholastic League contest in Stamford on Tuesday, Dec. 3, along with youth from Cross Plains, Haskell, Hawley, Roscoe, and Stamford.
Results from the District 8 UIL Junior High Speech Contest were not available at press time, and will be reported next week.
By Kathy Thomson
Two important events for local ag students will occur next week, and another took place earlier this Monday.
The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association will have a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:00 p.m.
“We’ll meet at the high school ag building,” said FFA advisor Chris Beard. “This meeting helps us get ready for the county show.”
Weigh-in for sheep, swine, and goats will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The third annual Cele-bration of Remembrance, intended to honor lost loved ones and help with the grieving process during the holiday season, will be held this Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Members of the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church are again hosting the event, but there are participants from several other Albany churches.
Kim Neece will give a testimony during the service, which will last about 45 minutes to an hour.
There will also be several musical numbers, congregational singing, scripture readings, and prayer.
By Kathy Thomson
Applications for the Albany Ministerial Alliance Christmas Baskets must be turned in by this Friday, Dec. 6.
Those still needing forms can pick them up at participating churches or at the Resource Center in Albany.
The program provides food for a Christmas dinner based upon family size.
Non-perishable food will be sorted into bags by members of Nancy Smith Elementary School’s sixth grade leadership team.
By Kathy Thomson
Pick-up dates for the December distribution of the commodity food program are Dec. 5 and 6.
Moran recipients should note that both the day of the week and the time of pick-up have changed since last month.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
By Kathy Thomson
The Christmas season is underway, and local churches are hosting numerous activities to spread Christmas spirit throughout the community.
Some pastors and congregations have not yet scheduled all of their Christmas events, and several could not be contacted before this week’s deadline. Any changes or additions will be publicized in a later issue, if requested.
Church of Christ
Members of the Church of Christ plan to gather at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for caroling.
Albany News publisher Donnie Lucas announced this week that there will not be an edition published during the week of Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 26.
“We’ve decided to take that week off and be able to enjoy our family more during the holidays,” said Lucas. “And since Christmas Day falls on Wednesday, it makes it difficult to get the paper and web edition finished and still be able to get everything done that we need to do.”
This is only the second time in 43 years of Lucas ownership that there hasn’t been a weekly paper.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Christmas season is in full swing at the Old Jail Art Center, and special activities for December include the free holiday marionette shows that were offered earlier this week, as well as an upcoming family festival on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Last weekend, the OJAC staff hosted free gift wrapping stations for local shoppers during the Chamber of Commerce’s downtown Christmas activities.
Family Festival
“Buon Natale!” will highlight Christmas celebrations in Italy on Saturday, Dec. 14.
By Kathy Thomson
Tickets are on sale for Albany Mainstreet Playhouse’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and the first of three performances will be this Saturday evening following the lighted Christmas parade.
“This Saturday in Albany is the best way to kick off the Christmas season,” said play director Lorna Ayers. “Come for the parade and stay for the play! The entire family will be entertained.”
Ayers is being assisted by Ragan Riley.
By Kathy Thomson
This Saturday, Nov. 30, the Albany Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a Christmas season kick-off event with a host of activities scheduled to take place in the downtown area throughout the day.
Shopping, a gift wrapping station, drawings for Albany Bucks, a lighted Christmas parade, the arrival of Santa Claus, Christmas music, lighting of the Memorial Christmas Tree, a wine festival, a fundraising raffle, and a live performance at the Aztec of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are all planned.
Lighted Parade
