By Melinda L. Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center’s summer workshops got underway this week, with several in-person camps on the calendar for students in first grade and up.

On Wednesday, campers met in the museum’s Stasney Room for “Re-Create!” The workshop for older students in grades 4-6 was designed to find artistic re-uses of found and recycled materials.

On Friday, Aug. 4, participants will meet for the traditional Cultural Connections Camp, which this year highlighted Egyptian art and culture based on pieces in the Old Jail’s permanent collection.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H members kept busy in July, placing in the state horse show, shooting sports games, and district record book contest.

At the state horse show, held Saturday-Friday, July 22-28 at Bryan, four 4-Hers competed in multiple events.

Faith Fry was sixth overall in yearling futurity. She was also fourth in lunge line, sixth in showmanship, and seventh in trail.

The Albany News was presented with the Outstanding Publication Award for its efforts to promote agriculture science education by the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas during the association’s Professional Development Conference.

The conference was held Monday-Thursday, July 24-28 in Dallas.

Albany High School agriculture teacher Chris Beard, who submitted the nomination to the ATAT, accepted the award on behalf of the publication on Tuesday, July 25 during the Area IV meeting.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions officially began life as defending state champions Monday, July 31 with the first practice of the 2023 football season.

Head coach Denney Faith had 39 players on hand for the first workout with a couple more expected to report later in the week.

“I think some of them came in pretty good shape, and some of them are going to have to get better,” Faith said on Monday afternoon. “For the most part, I thought the first session was pretty productive.”

By Sam Waller

Albany Lady Lions volleyball coach M.J. Reneau greeted 21 players for the team’s opening workout Monday, July 31 to begin preparations for the upcoming season.

The Lady Lions conducted four days of two-a-day practices before hosting Benjamin for a scrimmage at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

With a wealth of returning experience, Reneau said the Lady Lions were able to quickly get into the swing of things during the first workout.

By Sam Waller

The Albany cross country program officially began workouts with more than a half dozen runners taking part Monday, July 31.

“We had a really good first morning,” coach Donnie Hart said. “We had six girls who are going to compete in meets and a couple more who are doing workouts to determine how that’s going to fit in with other sports.”

Those expected to be on the team are seniors Callan Edgar, Makki Hart, and Sidney Russell, junior Avery Everitt, and freshmen Ashlyn Miller and Zayne Lefevre. The group began training with a 30-minute run.

By Sam Waller

Fans of Albany Lions and Lady Lions can meet student-athletes Monday, Aug. 7 at the Albany Athletic Booster Club’s annual Ice Cream Supper at the Bank Park.

The evening will begin with the opening of the Spirit Shop at 6:00 p.m. Burgers will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. with football, volleyball, and cross country athletes introduced after that.

In addition, the Albany cheerleaders and participants from Cubs Cheer Camp will perform.

By Sam Waller

Connor Smith put in a busy but productive final week of his summer vacation, taking part in the Coastal Brigade camp and returning home just hours before reporting for the first day of football practice.

Smith, who will be a freshman at Albany High School, received an award for best poster at Coastal Brigade.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Masonic Lodge expects to come close to matching its 2023 scholarship total in 2024 following the Lodge’s Scholarship Golf Tournament, held Saturday, July 29.

“I think we are going to be able to offer five or six $1,000 scholarships,” Lodge member Randall Palmore said “We had 51 participants and a great amount of support from local folks kicking in for hole sponsorships and general donations. We’ll be close to $6,000, and that’s what we gave this year.”

The lodge presented $5,000 in scholarships in 2022 and 2021 after giving four in 2020.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pictures for varsity and JV football players have been set for this week, with volleyball teams and cheerleaders scheduled next week.

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 4 for team and individual photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 1:30 p.m. after the morning practice.