By Sam Waller

First United Methodist Church will “step out of camp” Sunday as it holds Family Day at the Stasney Ranch cookshack.

Starting at 10:00 a.m., the day will be one of singing, testimonies, preaching, and fellowship, Rev. Tim Trimble said.

“The whole church family is invited to be out there,” Trimble said. “It’s just a day for us to sort of get out of the camp, which means to get out of the routine and do something different.”

Trimble said the idea comes from the Book of Exodus and fits in with the church’s 40 Days of Prayer event.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany graduate Emily Raymond made a stop by her father’s science class at Albany High School on Tuesday prior to embarking on a six-week trip to Great Britain to complete research for her doctoral dissertation.

Raymond, who graduated in the AHS Class of 2009, spoke to the class about the importance of developing educational skills while in high school.

By Sam Waller

Contests, prizes and themed days will be featured throughout next week as Albany ISD students participate in the 2021 Red Ribbon Campaign.

The campaign educates students and the general public about drug and alcohol abuse. This year’s program will run Oct. 25-29.

Nancy Smith Elementary School will have a poster contest as well as well as dress-up themes for each day.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus dropped a little last week, with 15 positive cases reported by the local testing facilities.

According to an update from Shackelford County Judge Robert Skelton, 38 tests were administered Oct. 11-15, resulting in four fewer positive cases than the week before.

Likewise, the number of cases reported to the state last week by Albany ISD nurse Lisa Russell dwindled to just two, both at the elementary campus.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Parent Teacher Organization is still in need of volunteers to help with its annual Fall Fest, which is scheduled for Oct. 30 at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Malarie Sutton, PTO president, said some changes have been made to the schedule because of the lack of volunteers, partly due to some conflicts such as the area band competition in Amarillo that day. 

Instead of separate bingo games for adults and children, a single game for all ages will be held in the gymnasium. Also, the fire department’s bounce house has been cancelled.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions kept building momentum last Friday with another efficient performance to move to the brink of playoff qualification.

The Lions scored on eight of nine possessions – kneeling out the clock to end the game on the last – in a 57-0 victory against the Hico Tigers in District 8-2A Division II action at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions (7-0 overall, 2-0 district) assumed sole possession of first place in the district standings, setting up a showdown against Santo on Oct. 29.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions won their only outing of last week on Tuesday Oct. 12, defeating Newcastle 25-17, 25-16, 25-14 on the road in District 6-2A volleyball action before enjoying an open date on Saturday.

Albany played Hawley at home on Tuesday, winning a hard-fought three-set match 25-14, 31-29, 25-18 to secure the first place spot in district. Details from Tuesday night’s game will be reported next week, but the win keeps the girls undefeated in district and gives them undisputed claim to the district championship.

By Sam Waller

The foursome of Randy Walker, James Waters, Charles Barrett, and Rodney Barton scored a one-shot victory last Friday in the 14th annual John Rose & Jim Law Memorial Albany Kiwanis Charity Golf Tournament.

The tournament raises funds for the Albany K Charity Scholarship Fund and other local projects.

The winning team carded an 18-hole total of 58. The team of Justin Noble, Chris Gay, Derrick Hughes, and Tyler Driskill finished second with a 59.

By Sam Waller

Bucky Nail and Charles Barrett were reelected to three-year terms on the board of directors of the Albany Golf Club.

The elections were held Oct. 9 as part of the club’s annual business meeting and club championship.

Club president Randy Walker said the focus now turns to preparing for 2022.

Six greens at the Albany Golf Course were resodded over the summer because of damage inflicted by last February’s winter storm.

“We have purchased covers to protect them in cold weather,” Walker said. 

By Sam Waller

Spots are still available for the Albany Masonic Lodge Scholarship Golf Tournament, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23 at Albany Golf Course.

Entries will be accepted until the start of play.

Entry fee for the four-person scramble is $300 per team. Hole sponsorships are available for $500. A sponsorship combined with a team entry is $700.

Entries are limited to the first 12 paid teams.

Proceeds benefit the Albany Masonic Wisdom Foundation, which awards college scholarships to Albany High School graduates each year.