This Christmas season the Albany Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring both the annual Christmas Basket food program and for the first time this year, a new drive called “Believe Trees,” to help collect donations for Christmas gifts for local teens.

“Believe Trees,” similar to Angel Trees in other programs, will be located in several locations around town, with the various teens’ wish requests divided among the trees, according to Alliance treasurer Tisha Wilkins.

Christmas Baskets

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host a Celebration of Remembrance on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 6:00 p.m.

“This service is intended for all Albany residents, and I hope that all churches and citizens will participate,” said organizer Debbie Hamilton. “The purpose of the service during the holiday season is to honor family and friends who have passed on before us.” 

The service will last approximately one hour and will include music, scripture readings, testimonials, and prayer. 

The local Toys for Tots annual campaign got underway last week and members of Albany High School’s National Honor Society joined coordinator Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty to prepare and serve the annual fundraising luncheon on Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Youth Center.

“We had around $600 contributed at the meal, which is less than what was given last year,” Beaty said. “However, we did have some toys donated at the event. Overall, the meal was a success, since the food was donated by the NHS members and area grocery stores, so everything that was raised can be applied to the program.”

Jane Foster Mitchell passed away Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 in Temple, Texas.

She was born May 23, 1941 in Bell, California to Thomas and Fay Ola (Klaus) Foster. She graduated from Albany High School in 1959.

She worked at various jobs in Albany, including positions with Charles Hemphill, Jim Cotter, Bob Snyder, Bill Morrell, and the Albany Post Office. She also worked at post offices in Killeen and Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

She had recently retired from the post office Horseshoe Bay after working there for many years.

Albany fans are invited to join in several of the activities planned by the Albany Athletic Booster Club to help motivate the Lions to be at the top of their game for Friday’s playoff bout with the Santo Wildcats at Newton Field in Graham. 

Kickoff for the area game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 23.

Thursday Activities

Students and fans will gather at Bank Park for a community pep rally Thursday evening Nov. 22, starting at 7:30 p.m. 

Beloved artists Dan Peeler and Charlie Rose will present an assortment of Christmas classics performed by puppets on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 4 and 5. 

This is the 33rd year that the puppeteers will perform at the Old Jail Art Center during the holiday season. 

“Bring the whole family and enjoy one of our annual holiday marionette shows with the master puppeteers from Peeler-Rose Productions,” said education director Erin Whitmore. “The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.” 

The Albany Chamber of Commerce will not hold a weekly luncheon on Friday, Nov. 23 because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

Also, the Shackelford County Library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 22 and 23, and senior games on Friday, Nov. 23 are also cancelled due to the holiday.

The next Chamber luncheon will be held at the Icehouse at 12:00 noon on Nov. 30.

For information about the regular Chamber luncheons or other Chamber activities, call Jones at 762-2525.

A decisive win last week by the Lion football team in the first round of the playoffs sets up what the team, coaches and fans all hope will be another “traditional” playoff run for Albany.

Albany defeated the Rocksprings Angoras 47-7 at San Angelo Stadium, propelling the Lions to the next step in the Class 2A  Div. 2 playoffs, something some might have doubted earlier in the season after a surprising 0-5 non-district start.

The Lions (6-5) will face the Santo Wildcats (10-1), who are fresh off a 63-30 win over Quanah last Friday in Clyde.

The varsity Lady Lions split games on the road last week, and suffered a second loss this week to put their record at 3-2.

The girls were on the road Monday, losing to Ballinger 47-37. Due to an early deadline, details from the game will be reported next week.

Albany also hosted Munday on Tuesday before taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, but results were not available at press time.

Both the varsity and JV teams are scheduled to be on the road to Hamlin next Tuesday for a set of games starting at 4:00 p.m.

Signup is underway for local fifth and sixth grade boys and girls that want to play in Albany’s youth basketball league, according to organizer Clint Chapman.

“The deadline to sign up is Friday, Nov. 30,” Chapman said. “It’s a little earlier than it was last year.”

The registration fee is $35, and signup forms were sent home with students earlier this week. The fee and completed paperwork should be returned to the elementary school office or given to Chapman by the Nov. 30 deadline.