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.

By Sam Waller

Moran High School inducted four new members into its chapter of the National Honor Society in a ceremony held Tuesday, April 4 at the Moran Events Center.

New members are seniors Alyssa Allred and Samantha Hinkle, junior Tyler Hail, and sophomore Ellis Hise.

The chapter was started last spring with seven students, including two members of this year’s junior class.

By Sam Waller

On Friday, April 14, Moran will hold classes as a makeup day after two days of school were cancelled because of bad weather in February.

The second makeup day will be Friday, May 12.

Test Time

Moran ISD will begin conducting state-mandated testing Monday, April 24, continuing through Wednesday, May 10.

Former students of Texas A&M University and friends from Throckmorton, Stephens and Shackelford Counties will assemble on April 21, 2023 for the annual Texas    Muster to honor all Texas Aggies who have passed away within the last year.

The event will begin with a social hour from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by the meal and Muster Ceremony, at Double D Grill, 801 N Minter Ave., in Throckmorton.  All former and current students, their families, and friends of Texas A&M University are invited to attend.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Chamber of Commerce members will be treated to a Crawfish Boil at the Depot Thursday (today) beginning at 6:00 p.m.

“All Chamber members are invited,” Chamber manager Brandi Lehew said. “This is an appreciation event for all current members.”

A check-in table will be set up in the parking lot at the Chamber office for anyone who wants to renew a membership or join.

The menu for the event will feature crawfish, fish, and all the fixings. Water will be provided.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The fifth annual CareFest announced this week that Pat Green and Kevin Fowler will headline the one-day music festival set for Saturday, Aug. 26.

The event will again be held at Happy Life, Happy Wife Weddings and Events Venue on FM 1084. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m.

This year’s acts also include Della Rose, Cooder Graw, Cory Morrow, Mike McClure, and Cody Canada and the Departed, along with Kevin Fowler and Pat Green on two stages.