The annual membership meeting of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, including election of directors, will take place at the Chamber’s noon meeting on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Beehive. 

Each year, several of the board members’ terms come up for election on a rotating basis, and the new directors are chosen at the annual membership meeting, traditionally on the first Friday in February, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

However, because of a conflict with the county stock show, the meeting was delayed until the second Friday.

Landon Herrell took first place in the Albany Cub Scouts’ annual Pinewood Derby race held at the Youth Center on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Cubmaster John Lucas was unable to be at the event, so Ricky and Kenisha Lucas, along with Jayden Lucas and Damian Little from Boy Scout Troop 255, helped set up the 36-foot aluminum track and run the race.

“Since only four Cub Scouts showed up for the race, we just ran an overall double elimination race instead of racing by individual Dens, and then the overall,” said committee chair Teri Lucas.

Visitors at the Old Jail Art Center next week will have a chance to join museum patrons across the country in showing some love for artwork by placing a paper heart next to one of their favorite exhibits, and staff members are showing their love for museum members all month long.

Membership 

Appreciation Month

For several months, visitors to the Old Jail Art Center in Albany have been able to watch recorded interviews of several Shackelford County residents as part of SPOKEN: Ardon B. Judd Jr. Oral History Project, as well as shorter film clips of each interview.

Starting this month, the material is readily available to anyone, anywhere, who has internet access.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, four Shackelford County 4-H Food Challenge teams competed at the San Angelo Stock Show and District Competition.

A junior team of Tatum Grady, Mimi Ivy, Hattie Braly, and Charli Trail received a fifth place in District 7 with “Dream Soup” made of Spam, potato dumplings, and cheese.

Others were Alli McDaniel, Caroline Chapman, Charlee Patterson, Kenzie Neve, Myleigh Leveridge, Abi Hale, Jalea Bowman, Zeke Henson, Sidney Russell, Cambree Clegg, Maci Hatchett, and Paisley Clark.

Books, posters, and educational products for next week’s annual Scholastic Book Fair were expected to arrive at Nancy Smith Elementary School this morning, and volunteers plan to set up the displays before the end of the day, according to Parent Teacher Organization president Ginny Ivy.

“Our book fair is a reading event that brings kids the books they want to read,” Ivy said. “We’ll receive a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level, and all purchases benefit our school!” 

One Act Play (OAP) co-director Jenny Scott and 22 Albany High School students are preparing for their University Interscholastic League district competition next month.

The District 8 OAP meet will be held in Stamford on Wednesday, March 6.

“This year we are performing The Fourth Ward by Amanda Guthrie,” said Scott. “I chose this play because it is newly published, and I feel it is a well-written play that our students can perform well.”

Tryouts took place before the Christmas break, and the troupe is practicing three times a week, according to Scott.

The Lady Lion basketball team ended the regular season at home Tuesday with a big upset over Haskell, handing the Maidens, ranked third in the state, their only district loss.

Albany fought throughout the game and ended up with a big 37-32 win, electrifying a home crowd at the AHS gym. The Haskell girls have lost only one other game the entire season.

The Lion basketball team dropped to second place in the district standings due to a pair of district losses in the last week but still have a shot at the district title.

Now 8-2 in District 8-2A action, Albany lost in Hawley last Friday and were surprised with a 41-40 loss at home on Tuesday to Haskell. Details will be reported next week.

With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Lions will host Cross Plains on Friday starting at 5:00 p.m. with the JV. The varsity will take the floor at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the Albany softball board will hold a fundraiser this weekend at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall at 12:00 noon on Sunday, Feb. 10, and everyone is invited to enjoy a baked potato, fixings including butter, cheese, and sour cream, tea or water, and dessert for $8 a plate.

“Proceeds will go to our equipment fund and toward scholarships,” said board member Beth Roysdon. “FBC Albany is so nice to let us use their kitchen and fellowship hall for this fundraiser meal! Please don’t miss out.”

Dine-in or take-out options are available.