Albany High School band members will meet next Monday evening for the first rehearsal of the 2018 AHS marching band, according to band director John Stockdale.
“It’s time to get ready for the 2018-2019 year,” the director said. “Our first rehearsal will be Monday, Aug. 6 at 7:00 p.m., in the high school band room. All early rehearsals will be finished by 8:30 p.m.”
The band will continue practicing each week night until school starts.
High school and junior high school students from across the eastern part of the Big Country and their families are invited to a free “Kick Off Rally” hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium in Albany this evening, Aug. 2.
A Christian concert by the Albany band Five2 Offering will start at 7:00 p.m., and be followed by an inspirational message from pastor and coach John Ward of Stamford.
The first of four free summer day camps offered by the Old Jail Art Center for school-aged children this year takes place tomorrow, Aug. 3.
The art camps offered this summer are Cultural Connections: Italy!, Things on Strings: Italy!, Cell Series: Teen Workshop, and Re-Create!
Early registration is recommended because participation numbers are limited in each of the camps.
Cultural Connections: Italy!
The music, food, art, and culture of Italy will be explored at Cultural Connections: Italy!
The next regular test of the local emergency siren is scheduled for 12:00 noon, on Wednesday, Aug. 8, depending on the weather.
The regular trial is scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable, according to Albany Volunteer Fire Department chief Kyle Tischler.
The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones during the test.
Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program are today and tomorrow.
On Thursday, Aug. 2, certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
Albany families who have been certified eligible for the August food distribution program can pick up their commodity food Friday, Aug. 3, at the rear door of the JP office (the former county jail) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
A musical fundraiser for ResourceCare will take place from 1:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Happy Wife Happy Life Weddings and Events Venue near Albany, and Carefest ticket holders will be able to enjoy hours of live music while they help raise money for a good cause.
The one-day music festival will feature 11 different bands each playing for about an hour on one of two stages.
A special meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners was held last Thursday afternoon in order to approve the renewal of the county’s health insurance.
Sabra Teague of Chapman and Chapman, the county’s agent of record, presented the numbers to continue coverage with the Texas Association of Counties, which will increase about 6.5 percent effective Oct. 1.
The renewal rate of $902 per individual employee, up from $847, was approved, along with the “grandfathered” medical plan with the same benefits as the current year.
CAD Budget
School starts two weeks from today, and the final countdown for the new school year is well underway with registration for the majority of new pupils entering Nancy Smith Elementary School conducted yesterday and new student registration at the secondary campus to take place next week, both campuses fully staffed, and facility maintenance projects nearing completion.
Registration
The Feed Store’s final student events of the summer include last weekend’s lake retreat, next Monday’s pool party, and the Back to School Bash on Thursday, Aug. 9. Then the non-denominational youth ministry will take a short break before plunging into a new school year of activities.
The 2018 Lake Retreat was the “best weekend ever,” according to youth minister Ashlee Herron.
“So many memories and friendships were made,” she said. “God moved beautifully through the hearts of these amazing students! They are the best teenagers in the world!”
Closet Angels director Lori Reames recently announced that the clothing ministry will donate $50 cash to one local educator.
“Shackelford County Teachers and school employees, if you come check out Closet Angels to see what a great resource we are for students in need, we will enter your name for a drawing for $50 cash, to help offset what you spend on classroom supplies,” Reames said. “We will draw names on Wednesday, Aug. 15, after we close.”
