By Melinda L. Lucas

Local businesses and residents are encouraged to join with patriots across the United States next Tuesday, June 14 in the annual cele­bration of Flag Day.

Individuals and business owners who have their own flags are asked to put them up for the day, except in case of inclement weather.

Typically, flags are put out by volunteers on holidays, but it is usually limited to the downtown block.

Flag Day was first observed across the nation in 1877, the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the national symbol.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The next family festival at the Old Jail Art Center is planned on the first Saturday of the Fandangle season, June 18, celebrating sunshine.

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

“Inti Raymi” is an Incan “Festival of the Sun” originating in Peru.

The OJAC Education Department, with the help of interns, docents, and other staff members, will host art projects and games, as well as serve traditional Peruvian food.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A wide variety of activities will be offered in Albany during the last two Fridays and Saturdays in June to help entertain the crowds of visitors coming to town for the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Free events will be offered on all four of those days including a quilt show, organ and  calliope concerts, car museum, viewing the Picket House, longhorns on the Courthouse Square, a film at the Aztec Theater, and exhibits and activities at the Old Jail Art Center.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local residents are invited to a free concert by the Houston Boychoir next Thursday, June 16 at the Aztec Theater.

The special performance is hosted by Dr. Richard Stasney and the Stasney Cook Ranch starting at 7:30 p.m.

The stop in Albany is part of the 60-year-old group’s summer tour entitled “On the Road Again.”

According to artistic director Carole Nelson, the program will include a variety of music including classical, spiritual, and even some Texas songs.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County Library’s annual children’s story hour got underway Tuesday, June 7 with a visit from the Albany Volunteer Fire Department.

The program continues from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  on Tuesday mornings through the end of the month.

“The kids got to check out the fire truck and learn what the firemen do,” organizer Janna Ledbetter said. “We discussed fire safety – stop, drop, and roll.”

Ledbetter said the program has a theme of service to community. Upcoming programs feature DPS officers and EMS personnel.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H members Riley Reames and Faith Fry combined for 11 quality awards, including four blue ribbons, for their submissions to the Texas 4-H Photography Contest.

Results of the contest were announced at the State 4-H Roundup, which began Monday, June 6, at College Station.

The Texas 4-H Photo­graphy Contest encourages self-expression and allows youth to demonstrate skills learned in photography, including the use of photographic equipment and process of photographs.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County EMS will offer an EMT course beginning Thursday, June 30.

Classes will be held 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. each Tuesaday and Thursday at the Shackelford County EMS Building located at 840 Gregg St. in Albany.

Cost is $500, which includes tuition, insurance, class shirt, lab use fee, and extrication. The cost does not include textbooks.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD began conducting summer school classes Tuesday, June 7 for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Summer classes will continue 8:30-11:30 a.m. each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through June 30.

Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said students can make up attendance requirements as well as make academic progress.

Summer Hours

Moran school offices will be open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday through July. School offices will be closed the first week of July for the Fourth of July holiday.

By Sam Waller

Deadline for submissions to Albany Study Club’s annual Quilt Show is Friday, June 10.

The Quilt Show will be held the two Fridays and Saturdays during Fandangle, June 17-18 and 24-25, at the Whitney Theatre.

The show is free to the public and will be open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

To submit a quilt or handmade piece for the show, exhibitors can leave them in a plastic bag with a completed information card at Shackelford County Library. Information cards are available at the library.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive test results for COVID-19 dropped to just three patients last week, reversing a trend of growing numbers three weeks prior.

County judge Bob Skelton reported Tuesday that a total of eight tests were administered for the period of May 30 through June 3, with three positive results.

Two weeks ago, a total of nine positive results were indicated from the 16 people tested by one of the two local testing sites.