By Melinda L. Lucas

A washed-up kayak on the shore of McCarty Lake south of Albany Tuesday afternoon, April 25, together with the presence of a parked pickup nearby, triggered a three-day search for 58-year-old Kurtis Ray Smith of Albany that ended with the recovery of Smith’s body from the lake on Friday morning, April 28.

Shackelford County Game Warden Jacob Mort said he was notified about the situation Tuesday evening after a deputy had checked the scene and felt that a search was in order.

By Sam Waller

The inaugural Shackelford County Horse Show will offer 4-H and FFA members a chance to display their horsemanship skills in a variety of contests.

The show, under the auspices of the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association, is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6 at the Fikes Arena.

The event is free and open to the public. Happy Grill will be on hand to provide food service.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said entry deadline is May 4 (today), but most contestants are already registered.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the school year winding down, summer is about to kick off, and registration is now open for ResourceCare’s Day Camp 2023 set July 10-14 and 24-28.

Programs assistant Ragan Riley noted that the event is over a period of two weeks, but there is an open week in between.

“You can find the link to register your child(ren) on ResourceCare’s Facebook page, you can contact me at rriley@resourcecare.org to receive the link, or you can scan the QR code with this article,” said Riley.

All campers must be registered by June 30.

By Sam Waller

Three Shackelford County 4-H members placed in their events at the District 7 Roundup, held Friday, April 28 at San Angelo.

In the senior age group, Faith Fry placed first in horse educational presentation to qualify for the State 4-H Roundup, scheduled for June 5-8 at College Station.

In the junior division, Grace Fry was second in horse educational presentation and Carly Kreitler was fifth in poetry/prose.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals for the 85th anniversary production of the Fort Griffin Fandangle start on Sunday, May 7 with the children’s numbers, continuing with a full slate of various rehearsals on Sundays through Thursdays throughout May and June.

The performance dates for the show this year are June 16-17 and June 23-24, with the annual parade set for Saturday, June 17.

Tickets for the show are currently on sale on the Fandangle website at www.fortgriffinfandangle.org.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the May distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, May 4 and Friday, May 5.

Moran families should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 4.

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the May food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, May 5, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both the sixth and seventh grade bands earned three Division I ratings from the judges for concert selections played at the Clyde Band Festival last week.

“Both bands got straight Division I ratings across the board,” director William Vaughan said. “They played well and were very professional during the entire trip.”

The two bands each received Division I ratings from the three judges, the highest that can be awarded.

The groups were not competing against other bands in their divisions but were judged against a preset standard.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will once again sponsor a Powder Puff game at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The event was revived last year after being dormant for several years. It was formerly sponsored by the Albany High School Student Council.

Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said the format this year will match the Pink team of senior and freshman girls against the Purple team composed of juniors and sophomores. The Pink team will be coached by senior boys with the Purple team coached by junior boys.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany is gearing up for a string of summer children’s programs that will extend into August.

Preteen Ministry

A Preteen Ministry started Wednesday, May 3 for students who are finishing sixth grade.

The program will be held 5:30-7:15 p.m. each Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall.

Children’s Choir

A community children’s choir will begin meeting 5:00-6:15 p.m. Wednesdays starting June 7 in the FBC Children’s Big Room.

By Sam Waller

Observance of the National Day of Prayer will be held at noon Thursday, May 4 (today) at the Bank Park.

The event is conducted by members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance.

The theme for this year’s event, chosen by the NDP task force, is “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much,” based on James 5:16.

Brad McBee of First Christian Church said the local program will be much the same as past years.