Families and individuals who completed applications for the Albany Ministerial AllianceChristmas Program should return to services this Sunday to pick up their gifts for the 2023 holiday season. The Alliance is transitioning from the traditional food basket given in years past to a more personal approach, asking that applicants attend services in participating churches the first Sunday in December.

— We would like to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this unbelievable time in our family The cards, visits, beautiful flowers, and delicious meals are deeply appreciated. The presence of friends, acquaintances, andlovedonesfromfarand wide overwhelmed us with gratitude. This is a special town, and we are thankful to be part of it. The Walter Beams Family

As followers of Christ, how are we preparing for Christmas? Like many people, we may decorate a tree, go shopping, wrap presents, and enjoy holiday music. But since we are Christians, we might also make it a point to set out one or more nativity scenes, listen to hymns and carols, and read the Christmas story as found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Closet Angels will be closed through the first week of the new year to allow staffmemberstospend the holidays with family. The ministry will reopen at noon Monday, Jan.

Albany churches are gettingreadyforChristmas with a handful of special services planned for Sunday, Dec. 24.

˚ LUNCH MENUS Dec. 18 - 22 Monday - manager’s choice Tuesday - manager’s choice Wednesday - manager’s choice Thursday - holiday Friday - holiday ˚ PRINCIPAL’SPOINTS Nancy Smith Elementary is in full swing as we wrap up the fall semester of the 2023-2024 school year.

Albany’s junior high and elementary students completed in the annual UIL Academic District competition last Wednesday in Anson, with a large number of students placing and Nancy Smith Elementary winning the district title. The elementary racked up 399.3 points for first place, followed by Anson in second with 349.6.

The Old Jail Art Center hasbeenpromotingChristmas spirit with an artistic flair this month, starting with a Family Festival last weekend and continuing with the opportunity to make handmade gifts. Until Dec.

Members of the Albany City Council worked through a few routine agenda items in less than a half hour, then ended their Dec. 11 meeting with another half hour in closed session.

Bylatespring,MaryKay O’Connor hopes that two new stones she was able to order this week will join the otherveteransmonuments on the Courthouse Square. Two weeks ago, almost $4,000 was still needed in order to meet a Dec.