By Donnie A. Lucas

Entries for the 2022 homecoming parade set to roll through downtown Albany next Friday, Oct. 14 are being accepted until 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, according to high school principal Glen Hill.

Any individual, organization, or class group that would like to be included in the parade should contact Ann Riley at the high school office, 325-762-3974, to reserve a spot in the lineup.

As of Tuesday, only the Shackelford County Volunteer Fire Department had registered an entry.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 18th annual Friends of Fort Griffin Gala is set for Saturday, Oct. 15 at Collins Creek Ranch featuring Jim Sadler and the Jak Creek Band in addition to the meal and both silent and live auctions.

Tickets are currently on sale for the event at $50 per plate and can be purchased by emailing susanftgriffin@aol.com or leaving a message on the group’s Facebook page. Orders or questions can also be sent by text to 325-762-5038.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 mid-term election is next Tuesday, Oct. 11, delayed a day because of Columbus Day.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band will compete Saturday at the Big Country Marching Festival at Wylie High School in Abilene.

The Albany band will take the field at 2:30 p.m., according to director  Will Vaughan. The public is invited to attend.

The band will be performing its contest show “Shine,” with music written by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Rodney Gurley of Lubbock.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany FCCLA Chapter hosted two homecoming mum-making workshops this week for students in fourth through sixth grades.

Members of the organization put together supply kits for students, then held two workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the elementary cafeteria.

High school students walked participants through the process of making their own mum corsage, which each of the participants was able to keep to wear during homecoming.

Albany students will have a holiday on Monday, Oct. 10 in observance of Columbus Day.

The staff will also have a holiday if they have fulfilled the required numbers of workshop hours.

Classes will resume for all AISD students on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the regular time. The bell will ring at 7:55 a.m. at the elementary school and 8:00 a.m. at the secondary campus.

The second six weeks grading period started Sept. 26 and will continue until Nov. 4.

By Sam Waller

Bethel Assembly’s The Patch fall celebration was deemed a success with the pumpkin market selling out completely.

The event was held Saturday at the Bank Park. Proceeds benefit Bethel’s community ministries.

“Everything went great,” organizer Betsy Spraberry said. “The scholarship fundraiser sold out of food, and we sold out of pumpkins. We plan to do it again next year and get more pumpkins.”

In addition to the pumpkin market, a decorated pumpkin parade for children in sixth grade and younger was held.

By Sam Waller

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its annual Mission Festival at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, with Rev. Dr. Solomon Yadessa of the Multi-Ethnic Ministry of North Texas this year’s speaker.

“The ministry reaches out to immigrants from all over the world,” Trinity Lutheran pastor Tom Chandler said. “Dr. Yadessa is an interesting guy. He speaks several languages.”

By Sam Waller

Moran had seven runners compete Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Rotan. The meet was the final tuneup before the District 13-1A meet on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Eula.

Moran had five girls and two boys compete at Rotan.

“Everybody improved on their times,” Hise said. “This meet gave us a lot of practice. The kids know what to expect at district and understand the mental strength needed to get done what we need to do.”

Moran Volleyball

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H held its first club meeting of the year Monday, Oct. 3 at The Feed Store, electing officers and kicking off National 4-H Week.

Senior officers are Faith Fry, president; Riley Reames, vice president; Leddie Leech, second vice president; Landon Kreit­ler, third vice president; Grace Fry, secretary; Connor Smith, treasurer; Maddy Beard, reporter; and Jordan Fikes, parliamentarian.