By Melinda L. Lucas

Teams are invited to enter an upcoming cornhole tournament to be held at the Bank Park in Albany on Sunday, March 26.

The sanctioned tournament, hosted by Alpha Zeta Epsilon sorority, is the third annual fundraiser for the organization, which uses the proceeds for scholarships to be given to Albany and Moran students.

“Last year, we gave six scholarships totaling $2,500,” said AZE secretary Megaen Birdwell. “This year, we aim to meet and hopefully exceed that amount.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-Hers were shown a different type of horsemanship with an English riding clinic at the Fikes Arena.

Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said the program offered 4-Hers a different perspective than they normally get in Western riding. The program included an introduction to jumping.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A number of Albany High School students will travel to Stamford on Wednesday, March 22, to compete in the District 10-2A UIL Academic Meet.

The top three places in individual events will advance to the regional meet, while each top team in the team events moves on to the next level.

Only three entrants are accepted in each event from member schools in individual contests, while teams can enter up to six contestants, with the top four counting towards the team score.

By Sam Waller

The deadline for participants from the 2023 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show to fulfill their obligations is swiftly approaching.

Exhibitors must have completed writing thank you notes to buyers and other obligations by Saturday, April 1.

Show participants must place their finished notes in a stamped, addressed envelope ready for mailing. Notes must be verified by Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard or Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School One Act Play earned fourth place out of seven district schools last Wednesday, March 8  to serve as alternate to the bi-district contest, and three members of the cast and crew received special recognition.

The group presented the comedy “Oz” for the judges at Haskell.

Two members of the cast received honorable mention All-Star Cast, including Landon Balliew as the Lion and Avery Everitt as the Scarcrow.

Presley Green, a member of the technical crew, received All-Star Crew.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is currently sending out membership notices to current members and encouraging new members to join in time for the annual Crawfish Boil set for Thursday, April 6 in the parking lot in front of the Depot.

All Chamber members are invited to attend without charge, and memberships will be available during the event for anyone wanting to attend.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Cheerleader tryouts for the 2023-2024 school year were held last Friday, March 10 prior to dismissal for spring break.

Several adjustments were made in this year’s tryouts, including the change back to an eight-member varsity squad.

“Last spring, we just had 10 high school girls signed up, so it was decided that they would all be on varsity rather than having a separate JV squad,” said cheer sponsor Nickie Leveridge. “The administrators always intended to go back to eight on varsity when the numbers went back up.”

By Sam Waller

When classes resume on Monday following spring break, Moran ISD will have nine weeks of class remaining until the end of the school year. However, there will be minor changes to the schedule, superintendent Dr. John Denson said.

At its meeting Monday night, the Moran school board will review proposed changes to the school calendar regarding makeup dates for two class days missed because of winter weather in February.

“We’ll let the board approve the calendar amendment and make those days up,” Denson said.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Families are invited to celebrate the beginning of spring break and a traditional holiday from India this Saturday, March 11.

Even though the forecast calls for some wind on Saturday, temperatures are expected to be warm, and the OJAC hopes to host games and crafts in both the Stasney Center and outdoors.

“Family Festival: Holi!” geared toward children of all ages, will begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., with docents, junior docents, and other volunteers helping with activities.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Just in time for spring sports and other warm weather outdoor activities, Daylight Saving Time (DST) returns this Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 a.m.

Most of the United States officially begins DST every year on the second Sunday in March, and changes back to standard time on the first Sunday in November.

Local residents are reminded to set any manual clocks forward one hour before they go to bed on Saturday night.