Next week, Dec. 17 to 23, is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping, and delivery week of the year for the United States Post Office, and since the Albany Post Office is already hand-ling an increased volume of packages, they need customers to continue to pick them up in a timely manner.

“We had 486 packages come through here yesterday,” said local postmaster Laura Gilbreath on Tuesday. “We need everyone to continue to come and pick them up as soon as they can.”

Albany’s Cause for Paws’ mission is to give an affordable option to pet owners to get their cats and dogs fixed, according to the non-profit’s president Lacey Anderson, but that mission comes at a price.

“Our last fundraiser was a bake sale last spring, and although the funds we raised then were nice, we average spending about $1,000 a month, so it goes pretty quick,” said treasurer Buford Salters. “We had vet bills of over $1,200 this November. We want to get our balance back up because it is easier to ‘operate’ with funds.”

Clawing back from a 14-point deficit, the Lions mounted a second-half assault that steamed rolled over the Wheeler Mustangs, 48-27, in the regional playoff in Vernon last Friday to set up a quarterfinal rematch.

Albany (8-5) will face off for the second time this season against the Hamlin Pied Pipers (12-1) for the quarterfinal at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. with the Lions serving as the home team. Tickets are $5 per person, with the usual passes honored.

Both the varsity and JV Lady Lions were busy last week, getting in a lot of court time at area tournaments.

The varsity played for the championship at the Dublin tournament, coming in second behind Goldthwaite.

The JV girls swept the Woodson tournament to win the title by defeating Anson’s JV.

Both teams were idle on Tuesday, with the varsity playing in the Breckenridge Tournament on Thursday through Saturday.

The junior high basketball teams fared well against Stamford on Monday, with the girls and boys both winning two out of three games.

The Cubs and Lady Cubs will play Roscoe next Monday, with the boys hosting and the girls on the road. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

The 7A girls defeated Stamford 30-19 at home on Monday.

“I really thought the girls hustled well against Stamford,” coach Lauren Peacock said. “We created some turnovers to lead by 10 at the half. They played really hard and are starting to see the floor and make good passes.”

The JV Lion basketball team opened the season at the Woodson tournament last week, winning one out of three games.

The JV will host a 16-team tournament starting Thursday, which will continue on Saturday. Albany will open with a game against Early at 9:00 a.m., followed by a bout with Baird on Thursday at 11:20 p.m. On Saturday the JV will play Cross Plains at 1:40 p.m. and the Sweetwater freshmen at 4:00 p.m.

Members of the local community have worked together to organize a special event and everyone is invited to gather around the big tree in downtown Moran for lighting of the tree and Christmas caroling at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, and then head to the Community Center to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  

Several activities are crowded into the final two weeks of the fall semester at Moran including, of course, exams, but also classroom Christmas parties, a visit from Santa Claus, UIL contests, basketball games, the annual PTO holiday meal, and gathering presents for the Angel Tree. 

Parties

A group of students attended one of the puppet shows at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Master puppeteers Charlie Rose and Dan Peeler presented the marionette performances to Christmas classics.

The First Baptist Church of Moran’s Kool Kidz will have a Happy Birthday Jesus party on Wednesday, Dec. 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  

“Each class will do a short program then we will serve refreshments,” said organizer Jo Hise.

— —

The Moran varsity Bulldogs dropped their basketball season opener in Gustine last Tuesday, Nov. 27.

The ’Dawgs kept it close in the first quarter before pulling ahead to lead 29-27 at intermission. But the Tigers clawed their way back in the second half, and came out on top with a final score of 56-47.

The Bulldogs played in the Woodson tournament last weekend and then traveled to Highland on Tuesday, Dec. 4 for a 7:30 p.m. match. 

The first game in the Woodson tournament matched the Bulldogs against Albany’s JV Lions.