By Donnie A. Lucas

The Christmas shopping season started this week in Albany with participating merchants handing out entry tickets for drawings to be held on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the drawings for a total of $2,500 in Albany Bucks will be held during a series of three drawings set for 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 26.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Representatives of Resound Networks explained the Affordable Connectivity Program to Shackelford County commissioners and elected officials during a meeting on Monday, Nov. 14.

There was also a discussion about the proposed Regional Public Defender Office, with preliminary action taken as a follow-up to a special meeting held Nov. 2.

Internet Plan

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H held its annual Friendsgiving celebration Sunday, Nov. 13 at The Feed Store in addition to conducting the monthly meeting and working on community service projects.

This round of projects involved different groups within the club producing items for Friendship Baptist Church’s Harvest Acres bazaar.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County has been included in a state of disaster because of ongoing drought conditions, according to information received recently by county judge Robert Skelton.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott originally issued the disaster proclamation on July 8, 2022 and has amended and renewed it in a number of subsequent proclamations.

In the most recent update at the end of October, Gov. Abbott included Shackelford County in the list.

“This is the first time I have seen Shackelford County in this list,” said Skelton.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for today, Nov. 17.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Twelve new members were inducted into the Albany chapter of the National Honor Society last Sunday at the high school auditorium.

The ceremony was conducted by current members, with the invocation and welcome by Presley Green, history of NHS by Ashley Richards, and the four principles of the society by other officers.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Junior High theater class presented the comedy “Once Upon a Clothesline” by Aurand Harris for the public on Tuesday, and in One Act Play competition on Wednesday in Stamford.

Results of the district contest Wednesday were not available at press time.

The play includes 12 cast members and three crew members, with teacher Melanie Turner directing.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany elementary and junior high students are entering the UIL competition window starting this week with the one-act play competition and writing events.

Students in grades two through five will compete in the elementary division, while students in grades six through eight are in the middle school bracket.

This will be the first time in three years that the contests will be held in person, with the elementary students competing in Cisco on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The middle school contests will be held in Hamlin, also on Dec. 7.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany students and staff members will be dismissed starting at 3:00 p.m. next Tuesday for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Unlike past years, classes will be in session for a full day rather than having an early release.

“The input we got back from teachers and parents when we were doing the calendar for this year was to eliminate early-release days,” secondary principal Glen Hill said. “That way, we gain extra days off during the Christmas break.”

By Sam Waller

For Friendship Baptist Church members, the annual Harvest Acres bazaar offers an opportunity to include people from outside the congregation in the congregation’s efforts to help those in need throughout the community.

The church’s sixth annual bazaar will start at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Friendship Baptist Activity Center located at 600 Greer St.

Proceeds from the event are used to support local mission efforts.