By Sam Waller

Eight graduates from Shackelford County high schools enjoyed one last hurrah as high school athletes last week in the Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star Festival.

“Everything went very smoothly,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston said. “The kids and coaches had a lot of fun, but it was extremely hot.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Students at Nancy Smith Elementary School participated in the annual track meet held all day Monday, May 23, with results kept in many of the third through sixth grade competitions.

Third and fourth grade places were reported in the June 9 edition. Continued below are the results from fifth and sixth grade contests.

FIFTH GRADE

Long jump – 1. Hattie Fikes 10-6.5, 1. Tinley Hefner 10-6.5, 3. Hailey Gleitz 9-9, 4. Keeley Britting 9-6, 5. Kynlee Milligan 9-2.5, 6. Mackenzee Roysdon 8-7

By Sam Waller

The field is almost full for the Albany Golf Club’s annual three-person Father’s Day Golf Tournament scheduled Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19 at the Albany Golf Course.

Entry fee is $300 per team. The tournament will have 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. tee times on Saturday. Teams will be flighted after the first round.

For entry information, call Kennith Waters at 325-660-2329.

Albany residents Brenda and Glenn Picquet experienced a thrill of a lifetime this past weekend, as their horse, Mo Donegal, captured first place in the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11.

Jimmy Ruff, age 72 of Albany, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 16 at First Baptist Church in Albany with Pastor Paul Johnston officiating. Interment will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Jimmy Everett Ruff was born Dec. 27, 1949 in Albany, Texas to parents James Allen Ruff and Betty Jean Israel Ruff. He went to school in Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1968.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany until his honorable discharge.

Connie Dianne (Fielder) Nail, age 75, of Bells TX formerly of Albany, was born on Feb. 10, 1947 in Odessa, TX to Douglas Harvey Fielder, Sr. and Treby Louise (Childers) Fielder. She passed away on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, TX surrounded by her loving family.

Connie married Larry Henry Nail on July 16, 1981, in Albany, TX; together they celebrated 40 years of marriage. She was a homemaker, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend.

Donald Brazos Thomson, 38, of Prosper, TX, was called home by God on June 10,2022, after a long fight with Neurofibromatosis Type 2.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual spring cleanup day Saturday, June 11 in advance of the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

“This is the time of year when everybody tries to make their yards along Main Street look good,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

Jones said volunteers should meet at the Chamber office at 8:30 a.m., and she asked that participants bring yard tools and implements such as mowers, weedeaters, rakes, and hoes.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The call is being sent out this week to local individuals, families, and organizations to help keep the tradition of the annual Fort Griffin Fandangle parade alive and well.

With just over a week remaining before the Saturday, June 18 event, very few entries or sponsors have signed up.

“We don’t have any Fandangle-themed floats so far,” co-chairman Ragan Riley said. “There have been some tractors and horse riding groups sign up, but not much else.”

The parade is scheduled to roll down Main Street at 5:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With dress rehearsal and opening night for the 84th anniversary performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle a week away, just about everyone involved in the annual outdoor production is rehearsing or preparing on a daily basis.

The show is set to open on Friday, June 17, with additional performances set June 18, June 24, and June 25.

Other local residents and businesses are also preparing to host, feed, or entertain the hundreds of visitors expected in Albany on each show date.