By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County residents are reminded that Closet Angels’ “Back to School Bash” is set for today (Thursday) from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Free hot dogs and water will be provided by First Financial Bank during the 1-1/2 hour event, which will be held at 132 S. Jacobs Street, across from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Shopping for back-to-school apparel is the emphasis for the evening, and $5 donations are suggested but never expected, according to Closet Angels coordinator Lori Reames.

By Kathy Thomson 

School starts two weeks from today and the final countdown for the new school year is well underway, with both campuses fully staffed and facility maintenance projects nearing completion.

Registration for the majority of new pupils entering Nancy Smith Elementary School was conducted yesterday, and new student registration at the secondary campus will take place next week.

Registration

By Kathy Thomson

Local junior high and high school youth are invited to participate in Messy Olympics at the First Baptist Church parking lot at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

The traditional start of the new school year event for the First Baptist youth group, Messy Olympics is made up of games designed to get the participants wet, messy, laughing, and bonded together over silly games and good-natured competition.

By Kathy Thomson

Interviews from all 11 of the people filmed during the first round of SPOKEN: Ardon B. Judd, Jr. Oral History Project are now available for free public viewing at the Stasney Center inside the Old Jail Art Center and online at the OJAC’s Vimeo channel at vimeo.com/user32466522. 

By Kathy Thomson

All residents of Shackelford County are invited to a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) class this Saturday, July 27 at the Moran School District’s activities building, hosted by the City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department.

The class will begin at 10:00 a.m. Registration is $35 per person and can be paid at the door.

“The class is open to anyone needing CPR certification or a refresher,” said Moran VFD secretary/treasurer Michelle Taggart. 

Albany paramedic Tina Ulbrich will teach the four-hour class. 

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany city swimming pool will close for the season in just over two weeks.

“The pool (rentals) went great this year,” said manager Dakota Fowler. “We had parties almost every night.” 

The last day the pool will be open this summer is Sunday, Aug. 11, according to city employee Tiffany Nall. 

Nall added that the city workers have already reserved some booking dates through the end of August and plan to honor those commitments, but they are not accepting any additional bookings.

By Kathy Thomson

Three different events, including one that is making its initial debut, are planned this Saturday, July 27 at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, and all three are included in the cost of admission to the old cavalry fort.

A Guided Fort Tour will take place from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., and the brand new program, U.S. Cavalry Arms and Texas Frontier Defense, 1850-1880, will be offered as a come-and-go event from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. 

By Kathy Thomson

Three members of the Albany chapter of the Future Farmers of America and sponsor Chris Beard attended the 91st annual Texas FFA State Convention in Fort Worth last week and another local FFA student competed in the State FFA Rodeo that took place during the State Convention.

Seth Hale earned his Lone Star Farmer Degree. 

By Kathy Thomson

ResourceCare case worker Makenzie Marshall reminded everyone that the annual Adopt-a-Buddy school supply program is underway, and she is hoping to hear from those that can use a little help, as well as those who can provide assistance for local students.

In just three weeks, tardy bells will ring out the start of a new school year, and parents who need a little help providing their child with school supplies can register to be included in the free program.

By Kathy Thomson

The Kiwanis Club of Albany and The Albany News will both be recognized by the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas at the organization’s annual conference next week. 

The VATAT gives an award in each of six categories (Outstanding Chapter Advocate, Outstanding Newspaper, Outstanding School Administrator, Outstanding Radio Station, Outstanding Television Station, and Teacher’s Media) to the top nominees from each of the 12 FFA Areas in Texas.