By Sam Waller

Albany Little League’s season came to an end Tuesday, June 20, as the Majors All-Stars were eliminated from the Little League International Tournament with a 5-4 loss to Abilene Northern at the Wylie complex.

Albany finished 1-2 in the 12-team, double-elimination tournament, having survived the first round of elimination games.

“I’m extremely proud of the kids,” coach Dan Key said. “They played well, but that’s the way it goes in baseball. I truly believe we were one of the better teams there.”

By Sam Waller

A total of 86 campers attended the Albany Volleyball Camp, receiving instruction in the sport from Albany volleyball coach M.J. Reneau and several assistants.

The camp was the third offered by Albany coaches since school let out for the summer, following an all-sports camp and basketball camp.

The final camp on the summer schedule is the Cubs Cheer Camp for age 3 through sixth grade. That camp is scheduled for Monday-Wednesday, July 24-26 at the auxiliary gym.

By Sam Waller

Brian Chapman won the raffle conducted by the Albany Athletic Booster Club’s raffle for a custom football signed by members of the Albany Lions 2022 state championship.

Chapman is an uncle of Cole Chapman, quarterback of the championship team and one of the signatories.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany’s Summer SONshine program wrapped up its four-week run Wednesday, June 28.

The program, for children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade, offers Bible study, music, crafts, games, and field trips.

“We’ve had fun helping kids not just have something to do, but bond as a group and a class,” FBC children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said. “We talk about the Lord along the way. We try to make church a fun place to be, someplace they want to go to.”

By Sam Waller

A total of 17 Albany and Moran students attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Summer Camp at HSU last week.

The camp, held Monday-Friday, June 19-23 at Hardin-Simmons University, drew 400 youth.

Among the attendees were 12 students from Albany, five from Moran, and another 12 from Breckenridge.

“We had about 86 kids come out of my area,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston said. “It was a great week, and the kids had a lot of fun. We had about 100 kids make some type of decision.”

By Sam Waller

A group of approximately 30 Shackelford County 4-H members and their families took down seating at Prairie Theater on Sunday, June 25, following the final 2023 performance of the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said the 4-Hers were rewarded for their efforts, performed in triple-digit heat, with a pool party hosted by Jamie and Dustin Parsons.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With a Saturday, July 1 deadline coming up fast, parents need to get their 6-12 year olds signed up for the  Old Jail Art Center children’s summer workshops.

The traditional Cultural Connections Camp, which is centered on Egypt this year, will be offered both on-site and virtually to start things off on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Three other workshops will be in-person only on Aug. 4, Aug 8-9, and Aug. 11, including the popular puppet workshop..

By Sam Waller

Albany High School cheerleaders earned a number of awards, including three all-American selections last week during a home camp conducted by the National Cheer Association.

The camp was held Monday-Wednesday, June 19-21 at the auxiliary gym.

By Sam Waller

The Local Exchange will be closed until further notice due to the heat, according to director Lori Reames.

Reames said the facility has no air conditioning to combat the triple-digit temperatures blanketing the area, and staff will be taking vacation.

Reames said the ministry could have occasional openings in July if the heat abates.

“We may put the flag out once in a while if it’s cool and do an impromptu opening,” she said. “If we get too full, we might post some pictures of things that need to move.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s run in the Division III 7-on-7 State Tournament came to an end Friday, June 23 with a 27-19 loss to Daingerfield in the second round of championship bracket play.

The Lions went 3-2 at the tournament, which was played Thursday-Friday, June 22-23 at College Station’s Veterans Park. It marked the first time that Albany has won a game in the championship bracket.

“I thought we competed really well,” Albany coach Kevin Hill said.

Albany was making its fifth appearance in the state tournament, following trips in 2015-16, 2019, and 2021.