Albany rancher Watt Casey Jr. is also a professional photographer, and last weekend he was the featured artist at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock. 

The Center hosted a gallery talk, book signing, and opening reception for Showtime: Photographs of Music Legends by Watt Casey, Jr. on Sunday, June 2.

In addition to taking photographs of ranch scenes, in the 1970s Casey began photographing countless musicians who either lived in Austin or came to Austin on tour. 

For a couple of reasons, the tent for the local farmers market has not yet been assembled at its usual site on Main Street next to King & Robertson.

Albany city manager Billy Holson said this week that a new tent had to be ordered for the site to replace the one purchased several years ago.

“Summer weather just takes a toll on the tent, and we’ll have to replace it every few years,” said Holson.

He expects the new tent to arrive by the end of the week.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, June 12, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

SEVERE WEATHER

Opening night of the 81st anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is in just two weeks, and preparations for the annual summer show were visible around Albany this week.

The traditional white Longhorn heads and green banners were put up on telephone poles, membership letters were mailed out, rehearsals continued at the Prairie Theater, costumes were handed out at the Boxcar, and two seasonal workers joined the Fandangle office staff. 

Artistic director Lorna Ayers still has one big concern that is beyond the control of her assistants. 

The Chamber of Commerce promoted community-wide clean-up day has been scheduled for Saturday, June 15.

The community-wide clean-up day is a time for all citizens of the community to come out and help make the town of Albany look pristine. All are encouraged to volunteer their time and energy to clean up the town.

“Volunteers can meet at the Depot at 8:00 a.m.,” said Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

Those who volunteer may bring personal equipment or supplies, including lawn mowers, chain saws, and weed eaters.

The Albany Study Club sponsored summer reading program at the Shackelford County Library kicked off this Tuesday, and it will continue to be held every Tuesday during the month of June.

Participants began this week with the topic “Blast off to the MOON,” with the overall theme for this year’s program listed as “A Universe of Stories” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.

The program will continue on June 11, 18, and 25, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 11:00 a.m.

Two Albany High students will be competing in the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals next week, June 9-15 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. 

Addie Beth Denton qualified in goat tying, and Mady Connally earned her way to the THSRA state finals in pole bending. 

With the regular school year ending, some students will have to begin summer school to catch up with their classmates.

“Summer school is for students who achieved a 65 or above in their class, but did not receive credit for that class,” said Albany Junior Senior High School principal Edward Morales. “Those who achieved less than a 65 in a course will have to retake that class.”

Summer school for high school students will begin on Monday, June 10, running for three weeks.

The Albany Masonic Lodge once again awarded four graduating seniors with $1,000 scholarships during a special dinner and program on May 16.

Winning the scholarships this year were seniors Cutter Cowart, Cassidy Schedule, Madison Wilkins, and Haley Stewart.

The ceremony started with a dinner honoring the recipients and their families, followed by the award presentations made by Worshipful Master Larry Nall.

According to Nall, the Masons have several criteria for selecting the recipients.

Members of the Albany Church of Christ recently hired Troy Wade as their new youth minister, and they are optimistic about his future.

Wade was hired in April, and he is currently a graduate student at Abilene Christian University, where he is working towards his master’s degree in New Testament.

Church leaders are very happy with Wade.

“He’s doing a great job,” said Church of Christ pastor Sonny McCauley. “He’s been leading our youth program and has already brought in a lot of new kids.”

Wade is enjoying his new position at the church so far.