By Sandy Morris
Every year, a crowd of people comes together, not only to enjoy the annual Polo on the Prairie, but to raise money for MD Anderson in the fight against cancer.
Last year the event was cancelled due to COVID concerns, so regular attendees were looking forward to the return of the yearly fundraiser.
Recent heavy rains caused flooding at the traditional location at the Lazy 3 Ranch, so the main event took place at the Stephens County Airport.
By Sandy Morris
Summer is shaping up to be full of opportunities for members of the Shackelford County 4-H Horse Club.
Horsemanship Clinic
Texas A&M will host a horsemanship clinic May 28 to May 30, sponsored by Coleman and Callahan counties.
An invitation has been extended to Shackelford County club members to attend the clinic.
Kelsey Bell can be contacted at 325-513-5818 for more information.
Field Trip
By Sandy Morris
The Albany Masonic Lodge once again awarded four graduating seniors with $1,000 scholarships during a special dinner and program on Thursday, May 20.
Recipients of the scholarships this year were seniors Brady Karl, Addie Beth Denton, Torie Fuentes, and Jackson Chapman.
The ceremony started with a dinner honoring the recipients and their families, followed by the award presentations made by Worshipful Master Kelly Head.
According to Lodge member Bob Skelton, the Masons have several criteria for selecting recipients.
By Sandy Morris
Students and staff of Nancy Smith Elementary School participated in the annual field day on Monday, May 24 at Webb City Park.
Preschool through sixth grade students were bussed to the park for a morning of fun and games including sack races, hurdles, tug-of-war, kickball, relays, and bounce houses.
Students enjoyed sack lunches before returning to campus for the remainder of the school day.
The awards assembly for first through fifth grade students was held on Wednesday, May 26 in the elementary cafeteria.
By Sandy Morris
COVID may have kept Albany High School from hosting the annual Winter Formal this year, but it didn’t stop the student body from electing Mr. and Miss AHS.
During a special hallway assembly on Monday, May 24, Alli Hill and Jackson Chapman were announced as Miss AHS and Mr. AHS.
Other nominees for Miss AHS included Sidney Bartee, Elia Hebel, and Hannah Trail.
Mr. AHS nominees were Barrett Beal, Zach Parrott, and Ryder Wilkins.
Miss AHS
By Sandy Morris
As the school year is winding down, summer is about to kick off, and ResourceCare is opening up registration for Day Camp 2021.
ResourceCare programs assistant Ragan Riley said registration for the annual program will be held next week on June 1 to June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Albany Youth Center.
Actual camp dates are July 12 to July 30.
“All campers must be registered during these three days next week,” said Riley. “We will not be able to sign up children for the program after June 3.”
By Sandy Morris
In a little over three weeks, the 82nd run of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will begin, and organizers and participants are busy preparing for the upcoming performances and expected out-of-town visitors.
Dress rehearsal is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, and the four summer shows will start at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 18-19, and June 25-26 at the Prairie Theater just north of town.
The Fandangle Parade will take place in downtown Albany at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.
Rehearsals
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County elected officials took the first steps toward filling the now vacant county extension agent’s position during a commissioners meeting on Monday morning, May 24.
Kloey Painter, who was assigned to Shackelford County less than two years ago, is moving out of state with her family.
The commissioners authorized county judge Robert Skelton to send a letter to Texas A&M AgriLife formally requesting that the process of taking applicants get underway.
By Sandy Morris
The annual story hour will return this summer to the Shackelford County Library after being cancelled last year due to COVID concerns.
Organizer Janna Ledbetter said the yearly event will have a western theme and will be held every Monday during the month of June.
“Our first story hour will be held on Monday, June 7,” said Ledbetter. “All activities will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.”
The summer program will include crafts and games related to each week’s story.
By Sandy Morris
The Albany Dance Theater Company will present its 71st Annual Recital on Saturday, June 5.
The performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Albany High School auditorium.
Last year’s recital was for senior dancers only due to COVID concerns.
This year’s performance will feature the six graduating seniors but will include all dancers. The event is free to the public.
