By Kathy Thomson The local Toys for Tots annual fund drive is underway, and members of Albany High School’s National Honor Society joined coordinator Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty to prepare and serve the annual fundraising luncheon on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Youth Center.

By Kathy Thomson The Aztec Theater was the vehicle and local musicians and singers provided all the power needed to take ticket holders on a nostalgic musical road trip last Saturday evening.

By Melinda L. Lucas The deadline for this year’s Albany Ministerial Alliance Christmas basket program is just a little over a week away, with applications due on Friday, Dec. 6. Forms for Albany and Moran families are available at participating churches and at ResourceCare.

By Kathy Thomson The fifth grade class from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended Camp Grady Spruce, an outdoor educational camp on Possum Kingdom Lake, last week.

By Kathy Thomson The Albany student council will host a blood drive at the secondary campus next Monday, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. “The blood drive is open to everyone,” said advisor Donnie Lucas.

By Kathy Thomson Nancy Smith Elementary School fourth grade students and their teachers traveled to the Abilene Ballet Theatre’s 32nd annual performance of The Nutcracker last week at the Paramount Theatre. “It’s always a really great event,” said NSES fine arts instructor Robbin Westmoreland.

By Melinda L. Lucas Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host its third annual Cele-bration of Remembrance on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 6:00 p.m. “This service is intended for all Albany residents, and I hope that all churches and citizens will participate,” said Debbie Hamilton, who is helping...

By Melinda L. Lucas Friendship Baptist Church members held their fourth annual Harvest Acres on Saturday, Nov. 23.   “The baked goods flew off the table pretty much as soon as they were set down,” said church member Danita Johnston.

By Kathy Thomson Two Shackelford County 4-H members placed well at the District 7 Food Show on Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Big Country Hall located at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

By Kathy Thomson Moran Independent School District is off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, and school will resume at the normal time on Monday, Dec. 2.