By Kathy Thomson

Over 30 animals including several dogs, a couple of ponies, a cow, a rabbit, and a guinea pig were entered in the annual Fandangle Pet Parade last week at the Bank Park, and all of the participants went home with a prize and/or a participation treat.

“The parade was very well attended this year,” said parade organizer Sidney Bartee. “We had more entries than we were expecting!”

The exhibitors each took their pet down the sidewalk and past the judges on Friday afternoon, and winners were awarded in each of five divisions.

By Kathy Thomson

Fandangle outfits should have already been returned, and Myra Hise asks anyone that still has a Fandangle-owned costume to turn it in as soon as possible so it can be cleaned and put away for the next show.

“I’m washing them and hanging them up, and that’s all I’m doing right now,” Hise said on Monday. “My clothes line is full.”

Myra also dropped off clothes that needed to go to the dry cleaners, but she said that she has not had time to look at all of the tags yet, to see what items are still out.

Older elementary students, as well as those in junior high and high school, are preparing for several upcoming camps being sponsored by First Baptist Church of Albany.

Pre-teen camp for fifth and sixth graders is set for next week on July 8-12, with several local students heading for Camp Copass in Denton.

The following week, on July 15-19, a large group of Albany youth will be in Glorieta, New Mexico for camp. Those signed up include both junior high and high school age.

By Nolan Davis

The Old Jail Art Center will be hosting four Region 14 teacher workshops during the month of July, with the first one scheduled for Friday, July 12.

All four of the programs will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with breakfast and snacks provided.

Drawings will be held throughout the day as attendees can hope to win things such as books and classroom art supply kits.

Those who attend can also qualify for discounted museum membership at the Educator Level.

By Kathy Thomson

Nine Shackelford County 4-H members are headed to an overnight camp this week, according to the local sponsor. 

“This year’s 4-H Camp is July 11-12 at Buffalo Gap,” said extension agent Michaela Bradford. “Shackelford County 4-Hers will be attending along with 4-H members from Coke, Fisher, Jones, Nolan, and Sterling counties. There will be a total of 99 4-Hers at the camp this year.” 

The camp, designed for 4-Hers between nine and 13 years of age focuses on team building, education, and fun. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Jacob Chapman in Shackelford County reminds farmers and landowners that FSA is hosting an informational meeting regarding the 2019 County Committee Election process on July 8, at 9:00 a.m. at the Shackelford County FSA Office located at 584 US Highway 180 E in Albany. 

Producers, including minority, women and new farmers, are encouraged to attend the meeting and participate in the 2019 election.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently accepting applications for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup and will offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized CRP, one of the country’s largest conservation programs.

By Kathy Thomson

The final two performances of the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle will take place this weekend, wrapping up the 81st anniversary edition of the show.

Good seats are still available for both of the final two shows, including a very limited number of box seats as of Monday evening.

First Week Review

The first weekend of the show went well, according to board president Lanham Martin.

“It went smooth, especially on Saturday,” said Martin. “Everyone was where they were supposed to be, and there weren’t any glitches.”

By Nolan Davis

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets of downtown Albany Saturday afternoon to watch the horses, wagons, floats, antique vehicles, and longhorns take over Main Street for the 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle Parade.

With temperatures a little cooler than the typical mid-June triple digits, both participants and spectators seemed to enjoy the event, even though it was a little shorter than usual.

Early deadlines have been set for the next two issues of The Albany News.

All news items and advertising for next Thursday’s July 4 issue will be due at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 1 rather than the usual Tuesday noon before publication.

According to News editor Melinda Lucas, the deadline has been moved up because the paper needs to be taken to the post office on Wednesday in time to be posted before the postal staff leaves for the Fourth of July holiday.