By Sam Waller

Shackelford County judge John Viertel and Albany mayor Susan Montgomery attended the dedication of an America 250 Patriot Marker on Wednesday, Sept. 13 on the grounds of the Stephens County Courthouse in Breckenridge.

The marker commemorates the 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) of U.S. independence. The 30-inch-by-30-inch marker was placed by the Lee’s Legion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with three state DAR officers attending.

The Lee’s Legion Chapter includes members from Shackelford County.

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2024 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that a few applications had been received, but the board is expecting around two dozen, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Instead of being at the Fandangle office in the Depot, the meeting will again be held at the Studebaker building (Musselman office), located at 324 South 2nd St. on the north side of the Courthouse Square, so there will be more room.

Discussion and a motion to hold the Fandangle in 2024 are expected, along with the filling of four seats on the board and the election of officers for the coming year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany FFA chapter has elected officers for the 2023-2024 school year and has already started working on a number of community projects.

“We have installed officers already, and the kids have been busy working on projects to help out around town,” Albany FFA sponsor Chris Beard said. “We have cut and helped bundle cane at the Chamber office for them to use to decorate with for fall.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Donations of canned and non-perishable food items are currently being collected by students at both the elementary and the secondary schools as part of a competition that will benefit the local food bank.

ResourceCare is hosting the 4th annual food drive contest for the Albany and Cross Plains locations, with a Chick-Fil-A lunch on the line for the winning class in both towns.

The contest will continue through Monday, Oct. 9, with students competing by grade level at both schools.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band will compete Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Big Country Marching Festival at Wylie High School in Abilene.

The Albany band will take the field at 11:30 a.m., according to director  William Vaughan. The public is invited to attend.

The band will be performing its contest show “Our World,” with music arranged by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Rodney Gurley of Lubbock.

By Sam Waller

Members of Albany Methodist Church are forming teams to assist with the Shackelford County House at Houses for Healing in Abilene.

Church and community members helped build the house in 2021 with volunteers signing their names on studs used in the construction.

“We can use all the help we can get,” team organizer Ellamae Walker said. “The reason why the Methodist Church is doing this is because we are the sponsors for the Shackelford County house. But this is a community-wide endeavor.”

By Sam Waller

Local residents will have the opportunity to purchase pumpkins for fall at 9:00 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 30 during Bethel Assembly’s The Patch fundraiser at the Bank Park.

In addition to the pumpkin sale, there will be a decorated pumpkin parade for all ages and barbecue lunches served by the Monte Lewis Scholarship Fund.

Organizer Christina Daugherty said seven pallets of pumpkins have been ordered. Among the varieties available will be Fairytale, Cinderella, Ghost White, and Fancy Jacks.

By Sam Waller

The Albany chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes will take part in the Fields of Faith program Wednesday, Oct. 11 at Graham’s Newton Field.

Fields of Faith is an event where students challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ.

Local FCA representative Paul Johnston said he expects between 1,600 and 1,800 attendees representing about 10 schools for the Graham program.

The youth group from First Baptist Church of Albany will attend, along with other local students.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany will host a Legacy Banquet honoring longtime church members at 6:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 at The Feed Store.

Each honoree will be escorted by a deacon and his wife, FBC interim pastor Stan Alcorn said.

“Fifteen ladies plan to be there, but some of our widows just are not capable of going,” Alcorn said. “It’s a way to say we appreciate these ladies. These ladies are leaving a legacy for us, which is why we wanted to call it the Legacy Banquet.”

Piano Man Mike Schuler will provide musical entertainment.