The annual Albany Chest campaign will continue for two more weeks, and another $12,343 is needed to meet goal of $42,000 set by the directors for the 2018 campaign. 

Donations of $29,657 have been given so far this year, including $4,550 contributed during the last week. Although 70.6 percent of the goal has been met, the end of the year, and the campaign, is fast approaching.

Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.

Shackelford County employees and elected officials are planning a retirement “celebration” for county judge Ross Montgomery, who is retiring at the end of his current term on Dec. 31.

Montgomery has served as judge for six terms, a total of 24 years.

The reception is set for Monday afternoon, Dec. 17 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the second floor courtroom. 

Other Business

•Commissioners voted during their Dec. 10 session to leave the current burn ban active.

•The county’s Christmas lunch is planned for Friday, Dec. 21 at noon.

During their meeting on Monday, Dec. 10, Albany city council members voted unanimously to accept the low bid from Z.T. Jackson Construction of Breckenridge to install the water system in the newly annexed Clarke Estates development.

The four bids that were submitted were reviewed by the city’s engineering consultant, Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, with Jackson recommended as the “lowest responsible, responsive bidder” at $118,135. The other bids ranged as high as $215,125.

This close to the Christmas holidays, with Albany in the midst of a strong run in the 2-A state football playoffs, multiple early dismissals due to holidays and football games, and this week’s playoff game located over three hours away on a Thursday evening, Nancy Smith Elementary School principal Jonathan Scott, has had some calls from parents wondering if AISD will really hold classes this Friday, Dec. 14.

“Yes, classes will be at the normal times on Friday,” said Scott, who is also the incoming Albany Independent School District superintendent.

The junior high and elementary University Interscholastic League district meet originally planned for Thursday, Dec. 13 in Hawley was rescheduled to eliminate a conflict with the state semifinal football game between Albany and Gruver in Plainview that same day.

Several Nancy Smith Elementary School sixth graders and Albany Junior High students placed in the middle school division of the University Interscholastic League speaking events meet held last Thursday, Dec. 6 in Hawley. 

Other schools in District 8-2A are Haskell, Hawley, Roscoe, Cross Plains, and Stamford.

The speaking events portion of the UIL district event will be included with this week’s academic meet to determine overall school points. 

Results for those who placed first through sixth in the middle school speaking events are listed below:

Albany Independent School District will break for the Christmas holidays at noon next Friday, Dec. 21, and early releases on both Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 19 and 20 should help everyone survive the five-day-long week and make it to the anticipated vacation.

Next week, holiday celebrations are planned at the elementary school while end of semester tests will be given at the secondary campus.

“Semester exams are currently scheduled for Dec. 19, 20, and 21,” said AJSH principal Edward Morales. “High school students will be allowed to eat in the gym foyer during finals.”

Two of the four candles on church Advent wreaths were lit this week, and they serve as a reminder that Advent is already half over, and Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, is fast approaching.

Several local churches are hosting special activities to help pass on the joy God gave to us on Christmas by sharing gifts of food, presents, songs, and fellowship with others in their congregations and the community.

Ministerial Alliance 

Closet Angels will be closed over the Christmas holidays so that volunteers can take a break and spend time with their families, according to director Lori Reames.

“If the school is closed, we close as well, so that volunteers can spend time with their kids and grandkids,” said Reames. 

The local clothing ministry will be open on Monday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec. 19, before closing for the holidays. They will be closed until Jan. 7.

Updates are posted on the nonprofit’s Facebook page.

The popular annual Mr. Christmas Tree pageant will take place at The Feed Store next Monday evening, Dec. 17, at 7:00 p.m.

“The four contestants will have a chance to put up signs and do a little decorating on Sunday after we deliver the Christmas Baskets,” said Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins.

No one is allowed to compete more than once, so a selection committee helps to determine the candidates. 

Nominated for the honor this year are senior Derek Isbell, junior Gregori Mikeska, sophomore William Webb, and freshman Monte Cauble.