By Sam Waller

Closet Angels and The Local Exchange) formerly Neighbors in Need) will be closed over the school Christmas break so volunteers can have time with their families.

The last day Closet Angels will be open is Wednesday, Dec. 15. The ministry will reopen Jan. 5.

“We close whenever the schools do,” Closet Angels director Lori Reames said. “This is going to be the long­est break we’ve ever had. That’ll be three Mondays that we’re off.”

Reames said there will be plenty to keep volunteers busy through the break.

By Sam Waller

The 13th annual Christmas Feast will be held Saturday, Dec. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Tamara Trail, one of the event organizers, said there is no charge for the meal, and anyone is welcome to receive food.

“It’s intended to provide  Christmas Day fellowship for those who may not have family in town this year,” Trail said. “It’s an opportunity to let people know how much the Lord loves them and to celebrate this day and not be alone.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

The year is underway for local Cub Scouts, who have had several meetings since organizing in September.

Cubmaster Jacey Shack said that about nine members are finishing up the annual popcorn sales and other projects planned by Den Leaders of the Lion, Wolf, Bear, and Tiger dens.

The Scouts will also be participating in upcoming camping trips designed to “get them back outdoors,” and they provided a Color Guard for the school’s Veterans Day assembly on Nov. 11.

By Sam Waller

There are three weeks  left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and contributions are badly  needed in order to meet the 2021 fundraising goal of $46,000. 

The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 26 organizations. 

The total donated as of Tuesday, Dec. 7 was $23,464. 

This year, more than two dozen groups covering pre-school to senior citizens and youth sports to community service have submitted requests.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Veterans in the Albany Cemetery will once again be honored during the National Wreaths Across America Day scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18, with local volunteers meeting for a brief ceremony prior to placing the 525 wreaths out across the cemetery.

The ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion at the Albany Cemetery, followed by volunteers and family members laying the wreaths.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Christmas could come early for all Albany students if the Lion football team advances to the state championship game next week in Arlington.

Currently, students are scheduled to be in class next week, with early release days planned for Wednesday, Dec. 15 through Friday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. each day.

However, if the Lions win tonight and move to the championship game set for next Thursday in Arlington, the holiday release will move to Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 12:30 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions have picked a good time to be playing their best football of the season.

In doing so, the Lions gained a measure of revenge by ending the reign of defending state champion Windthorst with a 28-14 victory last Friday in a Class 2A Division II state quarterfinal at Newton Field in Graham.

Albany (13-0) advances to the state semifinals for the 13th time in school history to face Stratford. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Thursday (tonight) at Lowrey Field in Lubbock.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady ­Lions got plenty of court time after their return from the Thanksgiving break, playing at Ballinger on Tuesday, Nov. 30, before spending the weekend at the Breckenridge tournament.

The Lady Lions went 2-3 at the tournament, beating Class 4A Springtown and Moran. Kiana Roberson was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 10.2 points per game for the weekend.

Lady Lions coach Tate Thompson said the tournament was a good experience for the team.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions junior varsity basketball team swept its four games over the weekend at the Albany JV Tournament, while the freshman team went 2-2 in its first action of the season.

The JV team beat Munday 57-29 and Breckenridge 30-22 on Thursday, then topped Graham 53-46 and Anson 47-20 on Saturday.

The freshman team downed Woodson 37-20 and Breckenridge 32-30 on Thursday, but had a tougher time Saturday, losing 31-26 to Graham and 48-21 to Cross Plains.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs basketball teams swept their home games Monday against Hamlin, allowing a total of 16 points.

The White team won 33-8 with the Red team posting a 36-8 victory. In both games, Hamlin went without scoring in the second and third quarters.

In boys action at Hamlin, Albany won all three games. The eighth grade Cubs won 36-23, the seventh grade 31-27, and the combo team 12-10.