By Donnie A. Lucas

Local students have a couple of programs to help keep in shape over the summer, both starting over the next two weeks.

Prospective female athletes who want to stay or get in shape this summer will be able to participate in a strength and conditioning program that starts Monday, June 7, plus practice some sport-specific drills as well.

A program for male athletes will wait an extra week, starting on June 14.

Both programs will meet daily on Monday through Thursday for six weeks, with the schedule regulated by UIL rules.

By Sandy Morris

Recent Albany High School graduate Addie Beth Denton will compete at the Texas High School Rodeo Finals scheduled for Sunday, June 6 to Saturday, June 12 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. 

This will be Denton’s fourth year to qualify for the THSR state finals.

Texas is divided into 10 regions, and each region sends the top 10 individuals to the state competition in Abilene. 

Competitors who land in the top four will advance to the National High School Rodeo finals held in Lincoln, Nebraska in July.

By Sandy Morris

Local cowboy Will LeMay finished his eighth grade year by winning big at the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association Region 3 competition and earning a trip to the state finals. 

LeMay finished the regional contest as the breakaway roping champion, winning second place in goat tying and fifth in team roping, as well as coming out as the Region 3 finals team roping champion.

  He went on to complete in those same events at the TJHRA state finals last week in Gonzales. 

By Sandy Morris

Eight Albany High School seniors will be competing in the upcoming Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star games over the next two weeks.

AHS basketball coach Tate Thompson is spending the week in Brownwood helping coach the girls south basketball team.

Thompson’s game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 at Brownwood High School.

A private family burial for Shirley Welch Caldwell of Albany is planned at Alpine on Saturday, June 5. Tentatively, a memorial service at the Aztec Theater is set for Monday, June 7 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a meal at the Old Jail Art Center. A complete obituary will be printed June 10.

 Mary Elizabeth Powers was born March 7, 1938, and she went to be with the Lord Jesus on Monday, May 24, 2021. She was 83 years old. 

Mary had been living with her granddaughter, April Rodgers, in New Braunfels, Texas since January of 2021. She was laid to rest at Northlawn Memorial Gardens in Dumas, Texas, on Saturday, May 29.

Mary was born at home in the country to Ellis and Carrie Tatum; the third of sixteen grandchildren of Ben and Mollie Dillingham. She was raised in Albany and Friona, Texas. 

By Sandy Morris

All residents from around the Shackelford County area are invited to attend the Albany Lions Club sponsored Memorial Day service set for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 31 at the Aztec Theater.

Albany resident, veteran, and helicopter pilot Jacey Shack will be the speaker at the Memorial Day service sponsored by the Albany Lions Club. 

According to Lions Club member Sandi Conway, Shack was asked to speak to represent the younger generation of military veterans. 

By Sandy Morris

Thirty-five Albany High School seniors will march into the AHS gymnasium Friday night, May 28, walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, stand to sing the Alma Mater together as a class one last time, and then step into the future. 

Commencement exercises are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the gym, with a reception afterwards at the Whitney Theatre. 

Friday night’s traditional ceremony will begin with the senior class processional.

By Sandy Morris

The annual Splash Day at the Albany city pool is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1.

The facility will be open free of charge to the general public from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. to start the beginning of the summer.

Albany city pool co-managers this summer are Jennifer Bowman and Dakota Fowler, who have both previously run the facility.

The managers will work in the concession area, sell  swim passes, and keep up with the lifeguards. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany Dance Theater Company will present its 71st Annual Recital on Saturday, June 5. 

The performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Albany High School auditorium. 

Last year’s recital was for senior dancers only due to COVID concerns. 

This year’s performance will feature the six graduating seniors but will include all dancers. The event is free to the public.