Dozens of local scholarships were presented to members of the Albany High School Class of 2019 during commencement exercises held last Friday, May 24.

There were well over 100 separate awards for the small class of 28, with some scholarships split among more than one recipient, amounting to about $90,000 for the first year alone, not counting any amounts promised for subsequent years.

The awards were given by about 35 local churches, clubs, organizations, foundations and individuals. 

The Albany Study Club will coordinate a summer reading program for children again this year at the Shackelford County Library.

“The theme for this year’s program is ‘A Universe of Stories’ to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing,” said library committee chairman Janna Ledbetter.

The summer reading program runs from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the library and will include crafts, books, games, snacks, and more.

The program will begin on Tuesday, June 4 and will be conducted every Tuesday until it ends on June 25.

The annual Father’s Day golf tournament, hosted by the Albany Golf Club, will take place June 15-16 after being questionable for awhile that it would happen at all.

Tee times on Saturday include morning spots at 8:30 a.m. and afternoon tee-offs at 1:30 p.m.

The tournament will have a three-person scramble format, and the tournament entry fee is $240 per team.

Scheduling the traditional spring tournament was previously in question after heavy rainfall made the course unfit to play on for a few weeks.

There will be no Chamber of Commerce luncheon this Friday, May 31 because another noon-time event is scheduled that day, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. 

First National Bank is hosting a free customer appreciation hamburger lunch at the Bank Park from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on May 31. 

The Chamber regular weekly meal and meeting will resume on Friday, June 7, at the Beehive Restaurant starting at 12:00 noon.

The opening night of the 81st anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is in only three weeks, so organizers and participants are busy preparing for the upcoming performances and the expected out-of town visitors.

Dress rehearsal is set for Thursday, June 20, and the four summer shows will start at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, and June 28-29 at the Prairie Theater just north of town.

The Fandangle Parade will take place in downtown Albany at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.

Rehearsals

Shackelford County elected officials met for a routine session on Tuesday morning, May 28 that was postponed one day from the usual meeting time because of the Memorial Day holiday.

After agreeing that there should be no change in the burn ban, which is not active at this time, the commissioners moved through some other agenda items.

Online Auction

At their last session, elected officials had discussed disposing of some unused equipment through an online auction.

Longtime Fandangle Parade chairman John Ayers is encouraging local businesses, organizations, and individuals to start planning their 2019 entries.

This year’s parade is set for 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, in downtown Albany.

“It’s time to start planning the parade,” Ayers said. “We’d like organizations and individuals to start thinking about their parade entries.”

Ayers, along with Ragan Riley and Shannon Leech, will serve as Fandangle Parade co-chairs this year. 

The Albany High School graduates of 2019 once again participated in Project Graduation on Friday, May 24.

Project Graduation is an annual event designed to give seniors one last high school memory and to celebrate completion of high school. It begins a couple of hours after graduation, and continues throughout the night.

All but three seniors showed up for the event, with 25 seniors enjoying the night of fun and celebration. Six juniors also joined the seniors during the night, after being ushers during graduation.

Many Albany Junior High students received awards at the annual Junior High Awards Assembly, which took place last Wednesday, May 22.

Awards were given to the top boy and girl in both seventh and eighth grade in several categories.

Health

7th girl – Kiana Roberson

7th boy – Austin Sanchez

Tech Award

7th girl – Brooklyn Abbate

7th boy – Kolt Koemel

Math

7th girl – Kiana Roberson

7th boy – Cort Peterson

8th girl- Presley Green

8th boy – Keatin Russell

By Melinda L. Lucas

New and returning board members were sworn in during a noon meeting on May 28, rescheduled from May 20 because weather concerns had caused its postponement.

At the beginning of the hour-long session, new board member Mike Folsom was sworn in, along with Leslie Belcher and Jo Ann Estridge, who were unopposed for their two-year terms.

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