By Sam Waller

The First Baptist Church youth ministry has two fundraising events on the schedule to help cover costs of attending summer camps.

At 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 22, FBC youth will hold a bake sale at Bank Park.

“Sales will all be by donation,” FBC youth pastor Eduardo San Lucas said. “The kids will be working. It’s for our bus for transportation to church camp.”

On Sunday, May 7, the youth group will serve pulled pork sandwiches at the church.

“I’m still working on details for that one,” San Lucas said, “but it will be happening.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

A couple of annual events have been scheduled in the near future, according to Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins.

On Wednesday, April 19, Albany High School students will participate in the Junior/Senior Life Skills day at the Feed Store, learning to do things like changing a tire from some local experts.

Also, Wilkins reported that the annual Powder Puff flag football game, with freshman and junior girls versus the other team consisting of sophomore and senior girls will be Sunday, May 7, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Field.

By Donnie A. Lucas

About 100 old and new members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a crawfish boil last Thursday, with directors and other volunteers cooking up mounds of crawfish and fried fish.

“I think it was a big hit again this year,” Chamber manager Brandi Lehew said. “We had a lot of people show up and had plenty of food.”

Lehew said she received several new memberships, along with a number of renewals before and during the annual event.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center’s Teen Docent Corps will host Slow Art Day this Saturday, April 15, with student workers on hand from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to discuss artwork with museum visitors.

“Slow Art Day is an international event where museums ask visitors to slow down and explore the art around them,” explained OJAC Education Director Erin Whitmore.  “Our Teen Docents, inspired by their favorite pieces, have created activities throughout the museum to encourage you to get up close and personal with our galleries.”

By Sam Waller

Among topics discussed Tuesday, April 11 at the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association annual meeting was the creation of a Shackelford County Horse Show.

Shackelford County extension agent said the inaugural event, which will be open to 4-H and FFA members, will be Saturday, May 6 at the Fikes Arena.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to grow this,” Bell said. “I don’t know if it will be anywhere near what the stock show is, but I do want people to know that’s a full county show for 4-H and FFA members.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Things were hopping in downtown Albany on Saturday with a variety of activities to entertain locals and visitors alike for the Easter holidays.

The Chamber provided a visit from the Easter Bunny in front of First National Bank through the lunch hour Saturday, complete with a photo backdrop for picture taking.

A number of residents and shoppers stopped by to have their pictures snapped, according Chamber manager Brandi Lehew.

The real party got started at 3:00 p.m. with a first-ever Spring Fling play day adjacent to the Bank Park.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the April distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14.

Certified families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13.

Albany families who are eligible for the February food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, April 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions golf team is 36 holes away from a return to the state tournament.

The Lions will tee it up Monday-Tuesday, April 17-18, for the Region II-2A tournament at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris.

A year ago, Albany finished second at the regional tourney to earn the program’s first team berth at state since 1994. The Lions finished fifth at state and return all five golfers returning.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local business owners need to file renditions by April 17, according to Shackelford CAD County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

Normally business taxpayers are required to render by April 15, but since that date falls on a Saturday, the deadline is extended to the following Monday.

Snyder also explained that he is allowed to grant a 30-day extension to May 17 if those requests are received in writing by April 17, with a possible second 15-day extension.

Email is considered a written request, he added.

Former Albany superintendent and Moran student Carroll Tatom of Abilene, 93, passed away on April 2, 2023 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tatom attended schools in the communities of Union, Putnam, and Moran, graduating from Putnam High School in 1946. He attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in 1946-47, then graduated from Daniel Baker College of Southwestern University in Brownwood, Texas, in 1950 with a degree in School Administration and Physical Education.