By Melinda L. Lucas

Two directors were re-elected to another term and plans made for the 2021 show during the annual membership meeting of the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association held Tuesday night, Oct. 13.

Lanham Martin and Cody Leech will continue as directors.

Branch Bartee will serve another term as president of the association, with Leech staying on as vice president and Lauren Willen as secretary.

Pam Davis, who was appointed to the board in January 2020 after the resignation of Cori Bezner, is treasurer.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Closet Angels and Neighbors In Need are joining forces this weekend to host fundraisers benefitting Kristi Brooker as she continues her fight against breast cancer.  

According to Lori Reames, both ministries will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, and all proceeds will go to help with the cost of traveling to and from Brooker’s treatments.  

By Donnie A. Lucas

With the annual Fall Fest becoming a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce are banding together to offer an afternoon of fun and food on Saturday, Oct. 31 in the downtown area.

Merchants will be handing out trick-or-treat candy from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in front of stores along the downtown block. Other booths by special groups such as churches may also be set up in the Bank Park, although details had not been set at press time.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 2020 Red Ribbon Campaign to educate students and the general public about drug and alcohol abuse is set for next week, Oct. 26-30, with events at both local school campuses.

This is the 32nd year that Albany ISD and the Albany Task Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse has sponsored the week-long campaign that is held in conjunction with the national effort.

The theme for 2020 is “Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free.”

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany High School student council will sponsor a Hendrick Regional Blood Center blood drive at the secondary campus on Monday, Oct. 26 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The AHS student council plans to sponsor two blood drives this year, one in the fall and one in the spring. 

Students who are 17 and older, or 16 with a parent’s consent, and weighing at least 120 pounds are eligible to donate.

The annual Trick or Treat for Change sponsored by the Albany student council has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus, according to secondary principal Glen Hill.

“We didn’t think it would be a good idea at this point to pack kids in cars and send them out around the community to go door-to-door to collect money,” he said. “We are currently considering other projects that we can do safely to make up for the fund drive.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Like several other local events such as the Fall Fest and homecoming parade, the 23rd annual Running Man event sponsored by the Feed Store has been cancelled for this year due COVID-19 concerns.

“The board met last week and decided to postpone Running Man until next year,” executive director Tisha Wilkins said. “They want to take extra precautions to help keep students at school, so this was just one less large gathering.”

By Lynsi Musselman

The Old Jail Art Center is now offering a monthly arts and crafts workshop series through a subscription box format.

OJAC education director Erin Whitmore said that each month, subscribers will receive a supply kit and coordinating video that is password protected. Subscribers can watch and create at their convenience.

“We created a series for fall, and we will also have a series for the spring,” Whitmore explained. “Each season, the subscription includes four kits plus a holiday bonus box.”

The Albany News’ 15th annual holiday recipe section will be published in one month, with favorite recipes being solicited from all ages of current and former Albany and Moran chefs and bakers.

“We’re looking forward to getting this underway,” said News editor Melinda Lucas. “I’ve already heard from a couple of people.”

All kinds of recipes from appetizers and beverages to desserts are needed.

The official deadline for the special section is Thursday, Nov. 12. The tab will be included in the Nov. 19 edition. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Lion football team picked up its fourth straight shutout last Friday, entertaining the 2020 homecoming crowd with a 61-0 win over the visiting Ranger Bulldogs.

The Lions are now 6-1 overall, including a 3-0 mark in the District 8-2A  Div. II race.

Albany will be on the road this week for a Thursday evening game in Santo against the Wildcats starting at 7:00 p.m.