By Kathy Thomson

The new Scout Hut in Albany is almost ready to use, according to local Scout committee chair Teri Lucas, and the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts should be able to start using the building as soon as the plumbers have completed their part of the project. 

“The outside of the building is done, and most of the inside is finished,” said Lucas. “The floors, walls, electricity, heating, and air are installed. Tables and chairs have been donated by the First United Methodist Church.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Athletic Booster Club met earlier this week to elect officers and start planning for the annual Hamburger & Ice Cream Supper and other fall events.

Officers elected at the meeting on Monday, July 15 were Stephen Kayga - president,  D’Anna Knight - vice president, Shawnee Tischler - treasurer, and Tisha Wilkins - secretary.

Logan Neve will be in charge of the “Tunnel Crew,” and anyone willing to help Neve with the inflatable A, the horn, or the flags is asked to contact him. 

By Kathy Thomson

Preparations are beginning for the 16th annual gala planned by the Friends of Fort Griffin for Saturday, Oct. 5, and reservations for the nonprofit fundraiser are currently being accepted.

An open bar with premium brands, a steak dinner, silent and live auctions, music, and dancing will all take place at the event held again this year at Lynne and Clifford Teinert’s Collins Creek Ranch.

Tickets

Anyone 21 years and older is invited to purchase a ticket to the gala. 

By Kathy Thomson

The City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) class on Saturday, July 27, and the public is welcome to attend.

“The class will be open to anyone needing CPR certification or a refresher,” said Moran VFD secretary/treasurer Michelle Taggart. “The cost to the public will be $35 per person.”

By Kathy Thomson

Organizers for the 2019 Fort Griffin BBQ Cook-Off and Battle for the Blade plan to hold the contest at Fort Griffin State Historic Site this year.

The event, once again scheduled for the last weekend in September, raises funds for the historic calvary fort located around 14 miles north of Albany on Highway 283.

The entry fees for the fifth annual cook-off are $150 per team, and judging will be done in several categories including steak, dove, brisket, ribs, and chicken.

By Kathy Thomson

KTAB News will be “On the Road” in Albany on Thursday, July 25 and everyone in the community is invited to join the Abilene TV news anchors at The Feed Store for the free event.

“It is important for us to connect with our audience,” said KTAB vice president and general manager Albert Gutierrez. “On the Road allows us to go out and meet our amazing viewers all across the Big Country. It also allows us to connect with our advertisers and offer them unique exposure to connect them to a greater audience.”

Austin Sherwood of the financial services firm Edward Jones recently received the firm’s exclusive Century Award for outstanding performance during 2018.

Sherwood, who lives in Albany with his family, was one of only 767 of the firm’s more than 18,000 financial advisors to receive the Century Award.

Sherwood has been an Edward Jones advisor for five years, and he knows the hard work that goes into building a business in the financial services industry. Sherwood is honored to receive the award.

By Kathy Thomson

The Fort Griffin Fandangle is put on by members of the Albany community and the cast typically includes many family groups, but this year one of those ensembles was a little larger than most.

“Our group is 19 strong!” Melinda Musselman said. “Viva Fandangle!”

Henry and Melinda Musselman brought 19 family members and employees with them to swell the ranks of the cast, which already included their nephew’s family of three. All total, the Musselmans’ contingent included 22 people, two trailer loads of horses, a team of mules, and a wagon.

By Nolan Davis

The first of four Region 14 teacher workshops hosted by the Old Jail Art Center is scheduled for Friday, July 12, with the other three being held later in July.

The workshops give teachers access to new lesson plans and projects, and they can win drawings throughout the day for books and classroom art supplies.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer conditioning programs for both boys and girls entering grades 7-12 are in the final stretch, with the boys meeting for two more weeks while the girls are all but finished.

The boys are meeting at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday until July 25.

The girls program just has a two-day window remaining on July 25-26 beginning at 8:00 a.m. both days. The girls are not meeting for workouts the first three weeks of July due to conflicts, according to coach Tate Thompson.