By Sam Waller
Albany FFA members earned high placings with their livestock entries last week at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. Several more will be entering the show ring this week.
Gracie Price placed first in the Other Registered Breeds heifer class with her Maine-Anjou heifer. She also placed sixth in the class with her Chianina heifer.
Myleigh Leveridge placed third in the Breeding Shorthorn heifer class.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Several records were set at the 36th annual First Impressions pig sale benefitting the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association on Sunday, including the largest number of pigs sold, highest price, and the highest gross sales.
According to organizer Mike Parsons, a total of 123 head were sold, with 13 “no sales,” amounting to a total of $117,800 in sales.
But the biggest news at the sale was the record-shattering price of $20,000 paid for the grand champion boar pig. Last year, the top pig sold for $5,000.
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County 4-H will celebrate the start of a new year with its kickoff party at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18 at Webb Park.
“We’ll have hot dogs and hang out and play games,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “We’ll get everybody’s questions answered before everything gets going.”
Bell said club members will be informed of the 14 projects being offered this year.
While the first official club meeting is still being planned, several activities will get underway in the coming weeks.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Students who are needing extra help are now able to attend one of three after-school programs offered at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.
All students in grades 7-12 can attend Lion Academy on Monday through Wednesday this year, while fifth and sixth graders can stay after school on Monday through Thursday for Cub Academy.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Open registration for GED classes continues weekly on Monday and Tuesday nights at the Shackelford County Library, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild.
Classes started last week with three students enrolling; however, students are free to begin the program at any point.
Weekly classes are held on Monday and Tuesday each week from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and will follow the Albany ISD holiday calendar.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The next family festival at the Old Jail Art Center is a little more than a week away on Saturday, Sept. 24, celebrating the harvest moon.
The free event will be held from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., with activities mostly in the Marshall R. Young Courtyard, weather permitting, and the Stasney Center
The “Mid-Autumn Moon Festival” is a centuries-old Chinese Harvest Festival honoring family, gathering, and gratitude.
By Sam Waller
Bethel Assembly will hold The Patch fall celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Bank Park.
The pumpkin market will open at 10:00 a.m. and last until the pumpkins sell out.
“I’ve ordered more pumpkins this year,” organizer Betsy Spraberry said. “All proceeds from the event go back into the community in various ministries we do throughout the year.”
Spraberry said the market will offer a wide variety of pumpkins suitable for almost any fall pumpkin need.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Ministerial Alliance will hold its second Fifth Quarter fellowship Friday, Sept. 16, following the Albany Lions home football game against Hawley.
The gathering will meet at The Feed Store. For the first time this year, high school and junior high students will meet in the same location.
Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said refreshments will be provided by Matthews Memorial Presbyterian and Trinity Lutheran churches.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The time for a Sunday youth Bible study is changing after the group met for the first time last weekend.
Friendship Baptist Church pastor Paul Johnston, who is leading the sessions, said that there was a good turnout for the Sept. 11 kickoff, but participants told him that other high school students would be able to come if it started an hour later.
The next meeting of “The Word with Coach Johnston” will be at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, with plans to continue weekly throughout the school year.
By Melinda L. Luca
A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Sept. 22.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.
The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.
Blood center officials said that there is always a need for blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.
