By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals are continuing almost daily for the June performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, with scene practices being held on Sunday through Thursday evenings at the Prairie Theater.

The dates for the 85th anniversary show are June 16-17 and June 23-24.

“Rehearsals are still going really well,” the show’s director Lorna Ayers said. “There have been some conflicts with the end of the school year activities, but that will also be over next week. We are expecting that everyone will come more consistently.”

By Sam Waller

With just a week to go before the big night, parents of Albany High School seniors are putting the final touches on plans for the annual Project Graduation party.

Organizer Amanda Tabor said Project Graduation has received a wide range of support from the community to assist in preparations, including several gift baskets. Two gift baskets will prove especially useful for when graduates get out on their own, Tabor said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Teachers and staff at Albany ISD have been on a food adventure this week thanks to the Albany PTO, along with the support of local businesses and individuals.

Staff members on both campuses were provided with a passport for meals from around the world, along with gift bags in celebration of Teacher and Staff Appreciation.

The week-long celebration began on Monday with barbecue catered to both campuses, plus a visit to the Kona Shaved Ice truck.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Three veteran retiring educators will be honored at a special reception on Wednesday, May 24 at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

The come-and-go retirement celebration for Ginger Norton, Roxanne Raymond, and Lillian Wheeler, who between them have 90-plus years in the realm of education, is set for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the NSES foyer at 741 Griffin Road.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany school bands will wrap up the school year with a spring concert on Thursday, May 18 in the high school auditorium, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the sixth grade band.

The fifth grade band will take the stage at 6:45 p.m., followed by the seventh grade and the high school band at 7:30 p.m.

The concerts will cap the concert seasons for each band. The public is invited to attend and no admission will be charged.

Band director William Vaughan said he will present awards to outstanding musicians in each group.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany will continue its endeavor of providing Albany High School graduates a solid spiritual foundation with its annual Bible Presentation.

The program will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at the church.

First Baptist has presented Bibles to graduating seniors in a decades-long project.

First Baptist youth minister Eduardo San Lucas, who will present the Bibles to each senior, said the Bible Presentation is to help graduates as they move into the next phase of their lives.

By Sam Waller

Weather postponed the first attempt to install a vegetable garden at the Ben Richey Boys Ranch Albany location and brought work to a halt during the second try on Wednesday, May 3.

A group of about 40 residents, staff, and volunteers had to take shelter as hail pelted the facility, but the gardening was eventually completed.

“We took a brief break for the hail storm that came in,” organizer Alicia Burton said. “The weather that week was pretty wild.”

But with plenty of help on hand, the work was soon completed once the weather cleared.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County ResourceCare hosted the 19th annual spring health fair at the Albany Bank Park last Friday, May 12.

ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary said children attended from Nancy Smith Elementary School and the Mother’s Day Out program.

“I would say close to 300 kids came through,” said Ary. “The children wiped us out of the prizes, snow cones, and popcorn.”

By Sam Waller

Volunteers are still needed to assist with Nancy Smith Elementary School’s annual track meet and field day. Principal John Gallagher said anyone wanting to help can call the NSES office at 325-762-3384.

The track meet and field day will be held Tuesday, May 23.

“Volunteers can reach out to coach Ginger Norton through the elementary office,” Gallagher said. “I know she has high school students lined up, but there will be plenty of jobs.”

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Ellis Hise qualified for FFA state competition Monday, May 15, at the Area IV convention in Wichita Falls.

Hise, a sophomore, placed first in the Star Lone Star Farmer agribusiness competition. He also won the Proficiency Award for Ag Services Entrepreneurship.

Hise interviewed with a panel of judges for his proficiency in ag services: entrepreneurship. He advances with his Star Lone Star Farmer in agribusiness to state, where he will interview again in a bid to move on to the finals at the FFA State Convention is July 10-14 in Dallas.