When Cindy Parsons started her Christmas village collection in 1993, she couldn’t have imagined how large the magical display would grow to be today. Inspired by the charm of miniature villages, she began building her own with her late mother Tootie Rhoads for many years. Now, the tradition continues as a mother-daughter project with Cindy and her daughter, Ashley. 

The biennial presentation of the Albany Nativity is set for two performances Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, at the Aztec Theater. 

As is the tradition, tickets to the performance are free of charge and will be available at the box office starting 45 minutes prior to each show. 

The show has been produced mostly on a two-year schedule since first written and performed in 1939 by Albany playwright Robert Nail. 

Richard Petree, Interim Chief Appraiser for the Shackelford County Appraisal District, recently released information on the amount of delinquent tax ac-counts within the Tax District. 

Petree said that low col-lection rates in some of the jurisdictions prompted the investigation into the amounts due and indicated that over a million dollars in delinquent taxes are owed across all years. 

For the fifth year, volunteers will gather Saturday to honor veterans buried at the Albany Cemetery with a memorial wreath for the holiday season as part of the National Wreaths Across America Day observance. 

Family members and other local residents will meet at 10 a.m. at the pavilion located at the local cemetery for a brief ceremony prior to laying wreaths on approximately 625 graves. 

“We will gather a little before the program starts to hand out lists of veterans’ graves sites in the different sections of the cemetery,” Diana Nail said.