By Sandy Morris

Albany Independent School District will break for the Christmas holidays beginning with a trio of early release days at 12:00 noon next Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 16-18.

With student early dismissal rounding out the last week of school before the holidays, everyone should be able to survive the five-day-long week and make it to the anticipated vacation.

Students will be off from Monday, Dec. 21 through Monday, Jan. 4, which is a holiday for students and a staff development day for teachers. 

By Sandy Morris

Albany High School’s annual Winter Formal, which had been moved up from its typical January date to this Saturday, Dec. 12 has been postponed. 

AJHS principal Glen Hill said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution, due to the ­COVID situation. 

“We will reevaluate after the Christmas break and make a decision on the Winter Formal at that time,” said Hill. 

The Winter Formal is sponsored each year the AHS student council.

By Sandy Morris

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will present “La Posada” this Sunday, Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m. starting at the Courthouse gazebo.

La Posada is the re-enactment of the census pilgrimage to Bethlehem made by Mary and Joseph while in search of a room for the birth of Jesus. 

The entire production will be held outdoors to comply with social distancing.  

Attendees will follow Mary and Joseph around the Courthouse square as they search for a room before ending up at the front yard of MMPC.

By Sandy Morris

The Christmas season is underway, and local churches are making adjustments to their traditional Christmas activities typically spread throughout the community. 

Some pastors and congregations have not yet decided on whether or not to hold all of their traditional Christmas events, Any changes or additions will be publicized in a later issue, if requested.

First Christian 

First Christian Church will hold its traditional Christmas Eve candlelight communion service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24.

By Sandy Morris

The 12th annual Christmas Feast will be held Wednesday, Dec. 25 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church fellowship hall and ending at 1:00 p.m. 

According to one of the organizers, Tamara Trail, the dinner still is free to the public, and anyone is welcome to receive food; however, this year there will be no dine-in option. 

By Sandy Morris

 Albany ISD Junior High and Nancy Smith Elementary students have been competing in various UIL academic events over the last week through Tuesday, Dec. 8. 

This year, all events were conducted locally with no outside audiences allowed. 

Junior high UIL coordinator Melanie Anderson said contests were run the same even though they were being held locally.

“All UIL rules and time limits remain the same,” said Anderson. 

By Sandy Morris

Two Albany seniors, Sidney Bartee and Hannah Trail, have been identified as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars in the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program. 

The College Board National Recognition Programs create pathways to college for students from underrepresented communities by awarding them academic honors and connecting them with universities across the country.

By Sandy Morris

National Wreaths Across America Day 2020 has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, and local residents have arranged a ceremony to honor service members buried in the Albany Cemetery. 

A brief observance is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion in the Albany Cemetery before fresh wreaths are placed on almost 500 graves. 

By Sandy Morris

While nasty weather and COVID cancelled the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual Parade of Lights, shoppers were still able to knock out some holiday shopping and earn tickets to win Albany Bucks.

Originally, the drawing for Albany Bucks was set for Saturday afternoon starting at 3:30 p.m.

After the parade was cancelled, Chamber director Mary Beth Jones announced that shoppers would have a few more days to earn tickets with boxes picked up on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. 

By Sandy Morris

Last week, the Albany Chamber of Commerce made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Lighted Christmas Parade, along with all of the associated festivities, due to concerns over the increase in area COVID-19 cases. 

However, local resident Mackenzie Viertel is organizing an independent, totally volunteer-based community Christmas parade in order to carry on a favorite holiday tradition.