By Kathy Thomson

Several important dates are coming up in the near future for FFA and 4-H youth.

Members of the Albany FFA are currently selling meat, cookies, and fruit as a fundraiser for the local FFA chapter.

The sale will end on Nov. 22, and the items will be delivered in early December.

To purchase the items, contact any FFA member.

FFA Dues 

FFA members need to pay their $20 dues by Friday, Nov. 1.

Junior FFA membership dues are $10 and should be paid before Dec. 1.

Show Registration

By Kathy Thomson

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

The Christmas baskets include various food items to help insure that everyone in the community has healthy food for the holiday, and typically includes turkey or ham, vegetables and other items for a typical Christmas meal.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The date has been set for Friendship Baptist Church’s third annual “Harvest Acres” on Saturday, Nov. 23, starting at 9:00 a.m. 

The gift and food bazaar is held in the church’s Activity Center at 600 Greer Street.

Various craft items, Christmas decorations, and tailgate benches, along with silent auction items will be featured.

Members of the congregation will also prepare baked goods,  candies, casseroles, and canned goods for people to stock up on before the holidays. 

By Kathy Thomson

Deer and turkey seasons open on Saturday, and hunters hoping for cooler weather for the opening weekend of general deer season are in luck, with temperatures expected to range from lows in the mid 30s to highs in the mid 50s on Saturday and lower 60s on Sunday.

Even more important to hunters, deer and turkey populations look good both in Shackelford County and across the state.

By Kathy Thomson

Red Ribbon Week is underway at the Moran Independent School District, and students have been encouraged to dress up for the special theme days this week.

On Monday, the theme “I won’t get mixed up with drugs” was reinforced by “mixed-matched” clothes.

Camo attire on Tuesday encouraged students to “Join in the fight against drugs.”

“Give drugs the boot” was the dress-up theme for Wednesday, and everyone was urged to wear boots.

By Kathy Thomson

Early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 Special Election to adopt or reject the Proposed Constitutional Amendments to the Texas Constitution will end tomorrow, and registered voters who have not already cast their ballots are encouraged to participate in early voting today or tomorrow or to vote on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 5.

On Monday afternoon, election clerk Cheri Hawkins said that 42 people had already cast their ballots in person.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The 2018 audit for the Shackelford County Hospital District was approved during the regular Oct. 21 meeting, bringing the entity up to date after the former auditor was unable to complete the two prior years.

Chase Sims of Condley & Company LLC gave a “clean report,” citing no deficiencies and only three minor problems, two of which have already been corrected or partially corrected for the current fiscal year.

By Kathy Thomson

Cloudy night skies, no moonlight, and cool temperatures might make it harder for spotlighters to find youth competitors during The Feed Store sponsored Running Man event this Saturday night, Oct. 26 after Fall Fest.

Albany’s freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and junior high students will each work with their respective classmates to form alliances and strategies designed to get the largest possible percentage of their peers safely back to the Feed Store without being “caught” by spotlighters during the 22nd running of the annual event.

By Kathy Thomson

All 4-H and FFA youth who plan to exhibit lambs and goats at the county show and/or at majors this year need to get them validated on Monday, Oct. 28.

Validation will be done on animals at the Albany High ag farm during school hours on Monday, and at other locations in the county starting at 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon of Oct. 28.

A monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford is coordinating the event, which got underway in May.

Clifford plans to hold the musical on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Proceeds will benefit local organizations such as the fire department and Moran’s city park, said Clifford.

There is no cover charge, but snacks will be available.

For more information, call 325-668-5084.