By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Ragin’ Red Lion Band began sectional rehearsals for percussion and pit this week, with brass and woodwind sections being added next week in preparation for the 2023 marching season.

Director William Vaughan announced this week that the band will be working on a show entitled “Our World,” written by Luke McMillan.

Vaughan is expecting about 55 members in the band from grades 8-12 this season, with the goal of earning a third sweepstakes award.

By Sam Waller

July has been convention season for Moran FFA students and instructors.

Students attended the 95th annual Texas FFA state convention July 10-14 in Dallas.

This week, Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson and teachers Minnie Denson Bennett and Robert Stanley have been at the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, also held in Dallas.

At the FFA state convention, students Allen Hebel, Zech Henderson, Alyssa Allred, Ellis Hise, and Cotten Campbell received the Lone Star FFA Degree.

By Melinda L. Lucas

New and ongoing recipients of the Albany ISD Education Foundation scholarships need to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive awards for the fall 2023 semester.

A total of 22 new 2023 graduate recipients need need to bring a class schedule for the fall semester and the award letter received at graduation.

“We’ve only had a few contact us so far,” said AISD administrative assistant Lynsi Musselman. “The sooner we get the information, the quicker we can issue the checks.”

By Sam Waller

It’s almost time for Albany Community Vacation Bible School.

The event, sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance, is for children age 4 through those who have completed sixth grade and scheduled for Sunday-Wednesday, July 30-Aug.. 2. Preschoolers must be 4 years old by Aug. 1.

The theme of this year’s Community VBS is “Twists and Turns,” with children learning about the life of Peter and how he followed Jesus despite the twists and turns of life. The theme verse and prayer is Psalm 25:4 – “Make your ways known to me, teach me your paths.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany community is invited to take part in a prayer walk Friday, July 28, in advance of the upcoming school year.

Organizer Mike Bean said that while the main part of the prayer walk will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Albany Junior/Senior High, it should be considered a daylong event that can be held at any school district property, including Nancy Smith Elementary School, secondary campus, baseball field, football practice field and stadium, bus barn, superintendent’s office, tennis courts, and outbuildings.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program  provided by Shackelford County are Aug. 3-4.

Certified eligible 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, Aug. 3.

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the June food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, Aug. 4 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Sam Waller

Closet Angels has rescheduled its annual Back To School Bash for 5:00-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Closet Angels director Lori Reames said she originally planned to hold the event before the state’s tax-free weekend, but postponed it to avoid conflicting with other local events.

“We have changed things up because most of our help cannot get too hot,” Reames said. “We’re not going to do hot dogs, and we’re going to simplify things. We’re short on help right now.”

The mission will be closed Monday, Aug. 7 in preparation for the sale.

By Sam Waller

The Albany FFA chapter made a big haul at the 95th annual state convention, held July 10-14 in Dallas.

The convention was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and hosted more than 15,000 students, industry professionals and agricultural science educators from across the state.

Chapter officers Leddie Leech, Gracie Price, Robyn Trail, Kenzie Neve, and Callan Edgar represented Albany. Leech, Price, and Trail received Lone Star FFA Degrees, while the chapter received a National Chapter Superior Award and Golden Horizon Award.

By Donnie A. Lucas

While numbers were down somewhat this summer due to conflicts, spirits were high as the second and final week of Resource Care’s Day Camp wraps up.

The camp was divided between the week of July 10 and July 24 this year, with the final day set for tomorrow, Friday, July 28.

“Everything has gone great this year,” said Ragan Riley with Resource Care. “We averaged about 80 during the first week of camp, and numbers were a little lower this week.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

The last name on a fairly lengthy list of classroom teachers and coaches has been checked off this week, although a few expected contracts are not yet finalized, according to Albany ISD administrative assistant Lynsi Musselman.

With so many longtime educators retiring this year and others leaving the district, AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott commented that hiring for multiple positions in a post-COVID environment has been challenging.