By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany junior high students began the UIL academic season this week, competing in writing events.

The meet will be conducted virtually for the most part again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all events to be completed by Dec. 7.

Ready writing and editorial writing contests were held Monday, Nov. 15 with entries sent to judges to be scored.

The remainder of the events will be administered just as they would be at an in-person meet, but will be scored locally, then reported to the district for ranking.

By Sam Waller

Deadlines are creeping closer for those looking to contribute to or benefit from local holiday programs.

The application deadline for Believe Tree for Teens and the Christmas Basket food drive, both sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance, is Nov. 29.

Forms are available at local churches, the Feed Store, ResourceCare, and The Albany News, and can be turned back in at the same locations.

Applications for Toys for Tots must be received by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. Information and applications are available at ResourceCare.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a three or four year break, the Albany chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (­FCCLA) is back in action at Albany Jr./Sr. High School.

The group was reorganized by teacher Jennifer Marshall who took over the program along with teaching career technology classes at the school.

During a recent meeting, the group elected officers for the 2021-2022 school year including president Mayson Garcia, vice president Ashley Richards, secretary Gabby Lopez, and treasurer Luke Marshall.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A total of 13 students will be inducted in the Albany Chapter of the National Honor Society during a ceremony set for Sunday, Nov. 21 at the high school auditorium.

The public is invited to attend the 2:00 p.m. ceremony, which will be followed by a reception in the school library.

Officers of the chapter will conduct the program, reviewing the four pillars of the  NHS which include scholarship, leadership, service and character.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Junior High one act play cast has taken on the task of providing justice in the comedy “The Trial of Goldilocks,” which will be presented today in Stamford at the district contest.

The group performed the play for a local audience on Tuesday in preparation for the competition. Albany will perform second on Thursday (today) at about 11:15 a.m., according to director Melanie Turner.

“The kids have improved greatly over the past week,” Turner said. “I think they feel much more prepared and confident this week.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany school students and staff members will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Students at Nancy Smith Elementary and Albany Jr./Sr. High will  all be dismissed early, with buses running about 12:35 p.m. Parents will need to pick up students or make other arrangements for the early release.

All students at the junior/senior high campus will follow a shortened schedule, with all eight class periods meeting for 25 minutes each.

By Sam Waller

Friendship Baptist Church’s fifth annual Harvest Acres bazaar offers local residents a chance to enjoy food, crafts and fellowship all while helping worthy causes.

The event will start at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the church’s Activity Center located at 600 Greer St.

“We’re really excited about it,” Danita Johnston said. “It’s one of our favorite days because we get to have fellowship with each other in the process of sharing our talents with the community. That’s the thing we really look forward to.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s First United Methodist Church will once again help the Abilene Salvation Army with its Thanksgiving meal.

Local residents can contribute by bringing homemade or purchased pies to the church’s fellowship hall by 10:00 a.m. Monday.

“We’ll put up a little sign showing where you can leave pies,” FUMC member Lance Thomas said.

The Salvation Army serves 4,000 to 6,000 meals a month and is especially busy at Thanksgiving. The Abilene Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St.

By Sam Waller

Local shoppers can start this weekend earning tickets that can be redeemed for Albany Bucks.

Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones said boxes will be in stores Saturday.

Tickets are earned by shopping at participating downtown or locally-owned merchants. Every $10 spent in a Chamber-member business earns the shopper one ticket.

The campaign leads up to Small Town Saturday on Nov. 27. The event will include live music, food and an appearance by Santa Claus, culminating with the Lighted Christmas Parade.

By Sam Waller

Beverly Rogers of Albany is steadily nearing her overall goal of raising $100,000 for Alzheimer’s awareness.

Rogers raised $5,825, the second-highest individual total this year in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held Oct. 9 at Abilene’s Grover Nelson Park.

Rogers was sponsored by Team Albany, 59 contributors who donated to her fundraising effort. 

The 2021 event raised $115,065 despite lingering COVID-19 issues. Ed Greenlee of Abilene raised $6,150 for top honors.