By Donnie A. Lucas

Contests, prizes and dress-up days will all be part of next week’s Red Ribbon Week at both Albany campuses.

The nationwide theme of the 2022 campaign is “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free,” which will be observed locally Oct. 24-28.

The campaign educates students and the general public about drug and alcohol abuse. It has been observed locally for 34 years.

Students at both campuses will be given small items to remind them about the dangers of drug and alcohol use such as wrist bands, pencils, stickers, and ribbons.

By Sam Waller

Elementary students from Albany took part in the first Kids on the Land program since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, gathering at Lambshead Ranch last week for three days of activities and instruction.

Students from Nancy Smith Elementary were joined by students from Throckmorton and Woodson. Sixth graders attended Wednesday, Oct. 12, fourth graders on Thursday, Oct. 13, and third graders on Friday, Oct. 14. Albany third graders were unable to participate because of homecoming activities.

By Sam Waller

Friendship Baptist Church will hold its Trunk or Treat celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the church parking lot.

Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles for Halloween and distribute treat to trick or treaters.

The event is the same day as the downtown trick or treating, which will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“We’re planning this for families,” said Tanya Petree, one of the organizers. “We’ll have pizzas and other goodies.”

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will conduct its annual Running Man event starting at 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said the event will follow the same format as in past years with teams of runners dropped off at different locations tasked with returning to The Feed Store without being caught by spotters.

By Sam Waller

First Christian Church of Albany has begun its Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection for 2022.

Shoeboxes are available at the church and may be picked up during regular business hours or on Sunday morning.

The last collection day is Monday, Nov. 14.

The shoebox gifts are filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to share God’s love with millions of boys and girls around the world through the Samaritan’s Purse project. Donors are also asked to contribute $9 per box to cover the costs of shipping.

First Baptist Church of Albany youth will conduct a silent auction fundraiser following services on Sunday, Oct. 23 in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

Items to be auctioned will include baked goods, frozen casseroles, and desserts.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to help pay for local youth to attend camp next summer.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Several dozen cast members of the Fort Griffin Fandangle are gearing up for a special Sampler to be performed during the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The show will be staged in the Stampede Room at 2:00 p.m. that day, according to Fandangle creative director Lorna Ayers.

A group with Red Steagall himself at the helm organized the event for three decades, but even though he is still involved, the 83-year-old Steagall has stepped back somewhat.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Jr./Sr. High Student Council will be out combing the streets seeking donations to the Albany Chest during the annual Trick-or-Treat For Change project on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The council will be divided into five groups and canvass the town dressed in their Halloween best, hoping for donations to assist the Albany Chest in raising their goal of $47,000 this year.

In the past, the council has typically collected about $1,000 through the event, which is all turned over to the Albany Chest.

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford County 4-H Food Show is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at Bethel Assembly.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said club members may prepare appetizers, main dish, side dish, or desserts.

4-Hers will compete in three separate parts of the contest, Bell said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A total of four new ­COVID-19 cases have been reported during the last two weeks, indicating a significant decline based on information provided by Albany’s two health clinics.

The weekly report by county judge Bob Skelton issued Monday reported two positive test results out of six tests administered at the two local clinics for the period of Oct. 10-14.

Skelton reported two positive cases out of 13 tests for the week of Oct. 3-7.