By Donnie A. Lucas

With teacher and staff appreciation week just a couple of weeks away, two local organizations have opted to honor school personnel a week early.

The annual Ben Richey Boys Ranch dinner for teachers and staff is set for Tuesday, May 2 at the pavilion at the ranch. The event, which is open to all AISD employees, will beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Staff members are urged to sign up in the teachers’ workroom at either campus in order to get a head count of those attending.

By Sam Waller

Project Graduation fund­raising efforts are winding down as commencement ceremonies are now less than a month away.

The 33 members of the Albany High School Class of 2023 will graduate Friday, May 26. The Project Graduation party will follow.

“We’re still selling raffle tickets for the PS5, and we have completed sending out our donation letters,” Project Graduation organizer Amanda Tabor said. “If anyone else would like to donate the AHS Project Graduation, the mailing address is P.O. Box 2901, Albany, Texas 76430.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

Organizations planning to award scholarships at the 2023 Albany High School graduation exercises on Friday, May 26 are asked to report their scholarship amounts and recipients by Wednesday, May 10.

Ann Riley at the AHS office is organizing the scholarship announcement and distribution, handing out the seniors’ application letters to committee representatives this week.

Parents of Albany High School graduating seniors are reminded to gather baby pictures for The Albany News’ upcoming graduation section.

Pictures are due by the end of next week, on Thursday, May 4, if possible.

Parents need to select a clear, sharp baby picture of their graduate, preferably a face and shoulders close-up under age three or four.

High resolution images for the graduation special section can be emailed to news@thealbanynews.net or photos can be brought by the News office to be scanned and returned immediately.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Ministerial Alliance will conduct local observance of the National Day of Prayer at noon Thursday, May 4 at Bank Park.

The theme for this year’s event, chosen by the NDP task force, is “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much,” based on James 5:16.

Pastor Brad McBee of Albany’s First Christian Church said the local program will be much the same as past years.

“Anybody who wants to show up can offer a prayer for our nation and our leaders,” McBee said. “We need much prayer right now.”

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store will host an evening of praise and worship at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30 to cele­brate the fifth Sunday of the month.

Organizer Kyle Viertel said the the program will include a number of songs, a spoken word message, and possibly a time to share testimony.

“The plan is that musicians – instrumentalists, singers, sound technicians and technical people – are invited to participate in a community worship,” Viertel said.

By Sam Waller

For nearly four decades, Polo on the Prairie has raised millions of dollars for cancer research and patient programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Research Center.

The 37th edition of the annual event, which will be held Saturday, April 29 at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 Ranch, has already sold out with more than $1 million raised.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Anyone who would like to add a veteran’s name to the veterans memorial marker located on the Shackelford County Courthouse square needs to contact Mary Kay O’Connor by Monday, May 15.

O’Connor said she has not had anyone contact her about additions to the marker this year, but she will take information until the deadline to give to the engraver.

She added that she hopes to have any new names listed in time for Memorial Day on Monday, May 29.

By Sam Waller

With prom season in full swing, Sweet Repeats Ministry  is again offering free use of formal attire for people in Shackelford County and the surrounding area.

An offshoot of Closet Angels, Sweet Repeats is operated by Tammy McBee out of First Christian Church, 201 S. Walnut St.

McBee said the variety of dresses and menswear covers a wide range.

“Dresses go from extra small to 4X,” McBee said. “For men, we have tuxedoes, two-piece and three-piece suits, slacks, and jackets.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High tennis program’s intrasquad tournament was pushed back a week to Thursday, April 27 (today), as coach M.J. Reneau prepared for the state tournament.

The junior high program will play its district tournament Thursday-Friday, May 4-5, at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

“Girls will be one day and boys will be the other, but we don’t really know which is which yet,” Reneau said. “And we’ll probably just stick to doubles.”