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.

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Athletic Booster Club’s annual kick off meeting for the upcoming school year will take place on Monday evening, July 15, at 6:00 p.m. at The Feed Store, and current members are already working on raising funds for the new school year by selling ads in the annual football program.

The magazine-type football program will be sold at all of the home football games and is one of the club’s biggest fundraisers.

In celebration of Ellen Webb’s 98th birthday on July 9, her family has established the endowed Sam and Ellen Webb Albany Heritage Scholarship.

Beginning in 2020, the scholarship will be awarded to an Albany graduating senior who has participated in Fandangle and other school and community activities. 

“We wanted to do something meaningful to honor Mom on her birthday,” said her daughter, Carol May Dromgoole. “An endowed scholarship means that Mom and Dad and the Webb family will continue to be involved in the Albany community they have loved with all their hearts.”

Shana and Ronnie Loftis are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, KaCee Roberts, to Kyle Beck of Abilene. 

KaCee is the granddaughter of Red and Shirley Alexander of Albany and of Barbara Bass of Fort Worth, sister of Mavrick Roberts of Albany, and also the daughter of Scott and Lisa Roberts of Azle. 

Kyle is the son of Laurie Beck of Austin, brother of Jessie Beck of California, and grandson of Judy Stevens of Abilene. 

A spring wedding is being planned.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Organizers at Closet Angels are planning a Back to School Bash next month on Saturday, Aug. 10, according to coordinator Lori Reames, with food, prizes, and fun along with great back-to-school clothing. 

“There will be drawings for cash and gift cards from local businesses to assist families with back to school clothing, shoes and supplies,” said Reames.

The drawings are exclusively for Shackelford County families. Students must be enrolled in either Albany or Moran schools.