By Kathy Thomson Congregations at First Christian Church and United Methodist Church are collecting shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse annual Operation Christmas Child, while a group at First Baptist Church is packing shoeboxes for Crossing Borders ministry.

By Melinda L. Lucas All first graders at Nancy Smith Elementary School were recently given free prevent tooth decay kits through the Fantastic Teeth Fan Club.  Members of Albany Masonic Lodge, led by John Tate and Robert Skelton, assembled and delivered 41 dental hygiene kits to the school.

By Kathy Thomson General hunting season for white-tailed deer opened last Saturday, and hunters that harvest more venison than they intend to use are encouraged to donate their extra bounty to Hunters for the Hungry.

By Kathy Thomson Beverly Rogers of Albany was once again honored as a top individual fundraiser and also as a member of one of the top fundraising teams at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s annual fundraiser held at Abilene’s Rose Park on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The deadline for The Albany News’ 13th annual holiday recipe section has been set for Nov. 14, with favorite recipes being solicited from Albany and Moran chefs and bakers, as well as former residents and family members.

By Kathy Thomson A special assembly to honor local veterans will be held at Nancy Smith Elementary School cafeteria on Monday, Nov. 11 at 9:00 a.m.  “All local veterans and their families are invited,” said school administrative assistant Stephanie Gleitz. “They do not need to RSVP.

By Kathy Thomson A total of 147 runners, including students and their adult leaders, tried to negotiate the streets and alleys of Albany to reach the Feed Store without being spotlighted by the official volunteers, and according to youth minister Kathryn Hamilton, it was a great year for “Running...

By Kathy Thomson Members of the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church have held their annual church bazaar for over a century, and plans are underway for this year’s event, which will be held at the church on Saturday, Nov. 9. The youth room doors will open to the public at 10:00 a.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas An FCA fundraiser is planned prior to the last home football game against Haskell on Friday, Nov. 1, according to Paul Johnston, who works with area schools as an FCA representative.

By Melinda L. Lucas Depending on the weather, this week’s Fifth Quarter fellowship will be held at the home of Ricky and DeVona Davis on Hwy. 6 Friday night, Nov. 1, following the Albany-Haskell football game.