By Donnie A. Lucas

With one of the longer list of entries in several years, the 2023 Fandangle Parade rolled through downtown Albany last Saturday before a large home crowed and several celebrity judges.

The call that went out early and often for entries this year in celebration of the Fandangle’s 85th anniversary, evidently paid off with over 50 entries.

“Local people really stepped up and increased participation this year,” co-chairman John Ayers said. “It was a great  parade, and we thank everyone who turned out both with entries or as spectators.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

With two shows under their belts including one sellout, the cast and crew of the Ft. Griffin Fandangle are gearing up for the final two performances set for Friday and Saturday, June 23-24 at the Prairie Theater.

Tickets are still available for both shows of the 85th anniversary edition of the outdoor musical.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Teacher pay raises were approved for those who have “topped out” on the state salary scale during the June 19 meeting of the Albany ISD school board.

Trustees also heard about several staff candidates who had been interviewed, and even though some of those came with administrator recommendations, the board ultimately gave superintendent Jonathan Scott the authority to make final decisions about filling vacancies rather than voting individually on the applicants.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Pet owners will get a chance to show off a bit at the annual Fandangle Pet Parade Saturday, June 24 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Bank Park.

The prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed, Most Creative, Most Unique Pet, and Best Fandangle Costume.

Pet owners are encouraged to dress pets up in their best wild west attire.

Early registration is recommended by looking for the Google form on the Fandangle’s Facebook page. Otherwise, registration will begin at the Bank Park at 9:30 a.m. the morning of the parade.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany’s municipal swimming pool at Webb Park will be closed on Friday and Saturday, June 30 and July 1 due to a shortage of lifeguards, according to information from Albany City Hall.

“Because of various conflicts, we just don’t have enough workers to cover those two days,” said city secretary Kenisha Lucas. “For safety reasons, the decision was made to close the pool.”

The facility will open for normal hours of 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, then be closed as usual on Monday, July 3.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Visitors and locals alike will be able to partake of a variety of activities offered in Albany this weekend prior to the final two performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

Free events will be offered on Friday and Saturday including a quilt show, tracker organ concert, calliope concert, car museum, viewing the Picket House, longhorns on the Courthouse Square, exhibits and craft kits at the Old Jail Art Center, plus several other activities.

Shopping will be available at downtown stores and at a few non-food vendors will be at the Bank Park.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The registration period for the annual summer Day Camp sponsored by ResourceCare is open online through until June 30.

The program will be held on July 10-14 and July 24-28 this year for Albany area residents.

ResourceCare is also looking for additional sponsors to help meet the cost of program, which also has a June 30 deadline.

“We’re taking sponsorships through the end of next week,” Resource Care’s Mindy Ary said. “The name of all sponsors will be printed on the back of the camp t-shirts, and the printing deadline is June 30.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County Hospital District board members were in closed session for much of their three-hour meeting time on Monday, June 19 concerning an appeal by a former employee about his termination.

New board member Maggie Viertel, who was approved at the May meeting, was sworn in at the beginning of Monday’s session.

Employee Appeal

Kent Stewart, who worked for the local EMS, presented his appeal in closed session with the district’s legal counsel John Montgomery also present.

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany blood drive is set for this afternoon, June 22.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park the bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., but local donors are reminded to note the switch back to Thursdays.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year, with other 2023 events planned Aug. 17, Oct. 12, and Dec. 7.

The students listed on the Dean’s List of Academic Honors at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, are undergraduates who have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 out of a perfect 4.0 in all work attempted while enrolled in not less than 12 semester hours.

The university recognized Elia Hebel of Albany, daughter of Rose and Kirk Hebel, for earning the honor for the Spring 2023 semester.