By Melinda L. Lucas

A quorum of the seven-member Shackelford County Hospital District’s board of directors met in a special session on Wednesday evening, May 5 to canvass votes from the May 1 election within the allotted time period, but also acted on one other item on the agenda.

The vote tallies posted on Election Day were upheld by the board, retaining incumbents Mike Folsom, Jo Ann Estridge, and Leslie Belcher.

By law, the canvass had to be completed by May 12, which would have fallen prior to the next regular board meeting on May 17.

By Sandy Morris

The Old Jail Art Center will host a members viewing and reception  this weekend for two exhibitions that opened more than two months ago.

No public opening was planned at that time because of COVID precautions and limited hours of operation.

The event for featured artists Billy Hassell and Sterling Allen will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. 

The reception, which is the first public event since COVID, will provide refreshments in the sculpture courtyard.  

By Sandy Morris

The first week of official rehearsals for the 2021 Fandangle began last week at the Prairie Theater.

Fandangle artistic director Lorna Ayers said rehearsals were well-attended last week.

“We had amazing rehearsals last week,” Ayers said.”It was good to see so many people back on the Prairie stage.

Ayers said in addition to the many returning familiar faces, many new families joined the production, but people are still welcome to join.

Rehearsal Schedule

By Sandy Morris

Academic excellence was honored at the Albany Independent School District’s annual Academic Banquet for junior high and high school students on Monday, May 10 in the main gym at Albany High School.

The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD co-sponsored the banquet again this year. 

AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott welcomed the honorees and guests, and then Feed Store board president Clint Chapman led the invocation.

By Sandy Morris

Albany High School juniors and seniors will crown the 2021 prom queen and king during the Junior-Senior Prom to be held from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 at the Whitney Theater. 

“A Black Tie Affair” is the theme of this year’s prom, which will be sponsored by the junior class and chaperoned by the junior class sponsors.

The dance is open to AHS juniors, seniors, and their dates. 

Dates have to be enrolled in a high school but can be from other high schools with prior approval. 

By Sandy Morris

A spring band concert to be performed by the Albany Independent School District band program is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18 at the Bank Park. 

The concert will feature the sixth grade and Albany High School bands, which includes seventh and eighth grade musicians.

The sixth grade band will perform the contest pieces “The Buglers” and “Star Wars,” according to band director Will Vaughan. 

“We may possibly perform one more song depending on how much we can get done around testing,” Vaughan said.

By Sandy Morris

Nancy Smith Elementary School preschool through sixth grade students will enjoy their annual field day on Monday, May 24, to be held at Webb City Park this year instead of the high school track.

Starting at 9:00 a.m., students will be bused to the park, and activities will start afterward. 

Competitions for the students will include sack races, hurdles, tug-of-war, water kickball, and water relay. 

By Sandy Morris

The Albany High School Class of 2021 senior Bible presentation, hosted by First Baptist Church for decades, will take place as a part of the Baccalaureate service on Sunday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Albany High School auditorium. 

The event was combined with Baccalaureate  last year due to COVID concerns, and the decision was made to continue to hold the two services concurrently.

By Sandy Morris

First Baptist Church of Albany will hold the weekly worship service with child dedication on Sunday, May 23 at the Albany High School football stadium.

The community is invited to attend the service and will be seated in the stands while the FBC worship team will set up on the grass.

The service is scheduled from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be followed by a tailgate hamburger fundraiser. 

By Sandy Morris

Members of the local 4-H horse club have several opportunities in upcoming weeks, according to Shackelford County extension agent and 4-H sponsor Kloey Painter.

Horsemanship Clinic

Texas A&M will put on a horsemanship clinic May 28 to May 30, hosted by Coleman and Callahan counties. 

Shackelford County club members have been invited to attend, and an email with the flyer for the clinic has been sent to all members. 

Contact Kelsey Bell for more information at 325-513-5818.

Field Trip