— Dec. 4 - 8 Monday - breaded drumstick, mashed potato tomato cup, mixed fruit Tuesday - quesadilla, salsa, refried beans, zesty cucumbers, apricots, dessert Wednesday - spaghetti bowl, breadstick salad, vegetable medley, fruity, Jello Thursday - breaded pork chop, steamed corn, broccoli cup, fresh fruit Friday - french bread pizza fresh carrots, savory green beans, fresh fruit.

♦ A number of Albany Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students are competing in the a variety of UIL Academic events this week and next. Speaking events were held yesterday, Nov.

Albany residents are invited to get into the holiday spirit on Sunday, Dec. 10 at the annual Christmas concert for the Albany school bands.

The Christmas season is in full swing at the Old Jail Art Center, and the OJAC education department has plenty of things planned for local families and their visitors. Special activities for December include an upcoming family festival on Dec.

About half of Monday’s brief meeting of the Shackelford County Commissioners Court was spent discussing current projects of the County Historical Commission, withchairKathy Bales present. County judge John Viertel presented information he had obtained from Justin Kockritz with the Texas Historical Commissionabouttheinterpretive markers that the local group wants to place at the Bank Park.

Volunteers are still needed to help place almost 600 fresh evergreen wreaths on the graves of local veterans as part of National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 16.

♦ U.S. Postal Service customers intending to send Christmas packages through the mail should start soon to ensure presents are delivered before Christmas Day.

After supplementing academic endeavors at Albany schools over the past four years, the Albany Academic Booster Club has initiated a $125,000 fundraising campaign to continue providing assistance where needed in the future. Over the last four school years, the ABC has made a total investment in academic programs of almost $133,000, according toABC chair Tamara Trail.

It’s almost deadline time for Santa letters and holiday essays, ideally turned in by Dec. 1, if they are going to be included in the Christmas issue published by onThursday,Dec.21.

With about 50 tickets still remaining, a performance by Gary P. Nunn slated for Saturday, Nov.