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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.