Janet Chapman, age 71 of Albany, passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018. A private graveside service was held prior to her memorial service which was held Saturday, July 28 at Bethel Assembly. 

Janet Elaine Chapman was born May 16, 1947 in Stamford, Texas to her parents, M.E. “Mickey” Dodgen and Lovella Martin Dodgen. She married Wayne Chapman in Eastland on Apr. 9, 1966. 

Grant Head, Susan Jones, Hunter Owen, and Madison Ratliff recently returned from a mission trip to Namayumba, Uganda with Live Missions, a Christian organization founded to educate and empower Christ’s followers to share the gospel through intentional discipleship. 

Jones’ husband Jeff is on the Live Missions board of directors, serving as treasurer of the organization founded by Thomas Aly, who until recently was the youth minister at First Baptist Church in Albany.

First Baptist Church members plan to take part in the Chamber of Commerce organized Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, Aug. 9.

Chamber office manager Mary Beth Jones has asked churches to provided food and fellowship at the City Park from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 9, after the pool party for fifth to 12th graders.

“We will be helping out with the hot dog meal,” said church secretary Carolyn Waller.

Youth Minister

Although the thermometer may not yet agree, according to the calendar summer is winding down, and the Albany city swimming pool will close for the season in less than two weeks.

“The pool will be closing on Tuesday, Aug. 14,” said Dakota Fowler, who manages the pool. “It will still be available for private rentals through the month of August, but there will be no public swim hours after Aug. 14.”

A back-to-school bash including a swimming party for local fifth through 12th grade students, extended shopping hours at many downtown stores, and food and fellowship provided by area churches has been organized for the evening of Thursday, Aug. 9, by members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce.

“We wanted to give parents an opportunity to go shopping after work, and the kids a chance to reunite with each other before school starts,” said Chamber office manager Mary Beth Jones. “It will also give churches a chance to let all of the kids know what they are offering this year.”

Summer workouts for volleyball started Wednesday, with about 30 high school girls showing up to get ready for the 2018 season.

Coaches and players will have only two days on the court to prepare before the first scrimmage set for Friday in Clyde.

“It is really tough having only a couple of days to  practice before scrimmages start,” head coach Kimberly Hill said. “And our first regular season game is Tuesday.”

Albany football coaches are expecting almost 50 players to show up Monday for summer workouts – or two-a-days – representing an increase by several players over last year.

The Lions will meet at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6 for the opening workout. Equipment will be handed out, followed by the first practice of the season for the high school players.

Practice will continue in the mornings through Aug. 10,  with practices shifting the following week to the afternoons on days the coaching staff has teachers meetings.

Runners interested in participating in cross country track this fall met Wednesday, Aug. 1 to organize for the season.

Coach Tate Thompson handed out the required forms for runners to have signed by parents in order to participate.

The coach discussed the workout schedule for the upcoming season, along with the scheduled meets.

Thompson said that he has three or four girls returning, along with one male runner. He noted that anyone who wants to participate can still sign up by contacting him at the school.

The deadline for placing ads in the 2018 Albany High football program has been extended until Monday, Aug. 6, according to Albany Athletic Booster Club president Mindy Ary.

Ads in the magazine-type program cost $225 for a full page, $120 for a half page, $60 for a quarter page, or $30 for business card size.

The programs are sold at each of the home football games. Proceeds from the ads are typically the Booster Club’s largest fundraiser of the year and are used to help promote all high school and junior high school sports.

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 10 for team and individual photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 2:00 p.m. after the morning practice.

The photos will be used for publicity, as well as in the football program.

Players can also order individual photo packages.

Cheerleader and volleyball pictures have not yet been scheduled, but will probably be taken next week.