By Donnie A. Lucas

While the boys are finishing their summer conditioning program today, the girls program will still offer sessions through next Thursday, July 29.

The girls conditioning and sport specific training picked up last Monday after a two-week break and will continue through next week.

Female athletes finished sport specific sessions for basketball skills in June, but volleyball sessions continued earlier in the month. Only conditioning will be offered next week since the volleyball team camp is scheduled for the afternoons.

By Sidney Bartee

Organizers at Closet Angels are planning a Back to School Bash on Thursday, July 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“We are so excited to be able to continue hosting this event,” director Lori Reames said. “We had a great turnout back in 2019, with lots of door prizes. We are hoping to attract even more families this year.”

Families have the opportunity to win multiple prizes during the event.

First Financial Bank is providing hot dogs and gift cards, and Bethel Assembly will give Walmart gift cards for school supplies.

By Jillian Lucas

Juggling performances, American Ninja Warrior  members, fireworks, ga-ga ball, ropes course,  archery,  and ziplining were just a handful of the activities that local kids got to experience while participating in a fun week at camp.

July 12-16, 25 preteen students  and four sponsors from First Baptist Church attended  Camp Copass.

“We had a fantastic time,” said FBC youth minister Campbell Terry. “It was an incredible week  for all of our kids and leaders.”

By Jillian Lucas

Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins says plans are underway for this upcoming school year.

“We are excited to be able to get going again after a really rough year,” she said. “We are making plans but have not finalized them yet.”

Wilkins stated that the Feed Store will be in attendance at the junior high and high school registration on Aug. 2 and 3 .

By Jillian Lucas

ResourceCare Day Camp has been underway for over a week with much higher attendance numbers during week two.

“Our numbers for the first week stayed in the 80s each day,” said one of the camp directors Mindy Ary. “This week, our numbers have been over 100 with Monday having 107 campers.”

Although 155 students registered to attend Day Camp, Ary explained that it is not typical for that many to attend every day.

By Sidney Bartee

Over the summer, two new water stations were installed at Albany schools.

The stations are located in the elementary school cafeteria and in the main gym lobby at the high school.

According to nurse Lisa Russell, members of the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) conducted a fundraiser at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, which included a dunk tank, and in addition to those proceeds, several private donations were made to fund the purchase of the stations.

By Sidney Bartee

Summer band rehear­sals started Monday, July 19 for percussion with the rest of the band members scheduled to join on Monday, July 26.

Percussion practices start at 3:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.

The title of this year’s marching show is “Tales of Arabia.”

On Monday, July 26, percussionists will continue practice at the same times, and all other band members will work at 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Band members will practice from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and will not practice on Fridays.

By Jillian Lucas

Five members of the Albany chapter of FFA attended the Texas FFA State Convention and Rodeo in Fort Worth recently, accepting several awards during the five-day event.

In addition, a couple of local residents were honored by the organization for their volunteerism.

Texas FFA Convention

Members Addie Beth Denton, Leddie Leech, Robyn Trail, Gracie Price, and Kam Browning, accompanied by sponsor Chris Beard, participated in the state convention on July 5-9 in Fort Worth.

By Sidney Bartee

The deadline for the Old Jail Art Center children’s workshop has passed, but organizers are willing to accept a couple more signups.

According to education director Erin Whitmore, four spots are available for the 2021 camps, and families need to sign up as soon as possible if they want to participate.

This year, workshops are being held virtually for students in first through sixth grade. 

Students who register will receive supplies for crafts in the mail and a password to access step-by-step instructions for each craft.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With barely a quorum present for the July 19 meeting, Shackelford County Hospital District board members opted to table most agenda items until more directors can be present for those decisions.

They approved payment of bills and heard several departmental reports, but the only action item was to pass a resolution to move $50,000 to the Sanders Pharmacy account in anticipation of a routine, but large purchase of pharmaceuticals in the near future.