By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany Volunteer Fire Department recently upgraded its “jaws of life” super powers with new equipment provided by donated funds.
“We’ve taken delivery of a new set of cordless extrication tools,” said AVFD captain Joel Viertel. “We received a set of cutters as well as a set of spreaders (jaws of life), with extra batteries and charger.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
With two rehearsals now under their belts, the cast and crew of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will take a week off for spring break before resuming practices for the Membership Sampler slated for April 15 at Reynolds Bend on the Matthews family’s historic Lambshead Ranch.
The initial two rehearsals for the show were held at the Aztec Theater over the past two weeks, but the cast will move outside at the Prairie Theater for practices on Mondays and Thursdays through April 13. All rehearsals will start at 7:30 p.m. at the theater.
By Donnie A. Lucas
A group of 20 Albany FCCLA members competed at the Regional Leadership Conference last week in Waco, with both Parliamentary Procedure teams and two other paired partners advancing to the state conference.
Both the Level 1 and Level 2 parliamentary teams are moving on to the State Regional Conference set for March 31 through April 2 in Dallas.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Ragin’ Red Band is preparing for concert and sight reading competition set for March 28 at Cooper High School in Abilene, hoping to repeat last year’s Sweepstakes Award by bringing home a pair of Division I ratings.
The band earned a Division I at the marching contest last fall, and if they earn two more Division I ratings in concert and sight reading, the group will add another Sweepstakes Award to their collection.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD students, facultyand staff are scheduled to be dismissed at the regular times on Friday, March 10 for the week-long spring break holiday.
The preschool classes will release at 2:30 p.m. as usual. All other classes will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m. at both campuses, with buses running at that time.
A regular “Friday schedule” will be observed.
Cheerleading try-outs will be held on the secondary campus during the morning, with results posted on the front door of the high school by the end of the school day at 3:00 p.m.
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County 4-H members Faith Fry and Grace Fry were the first locals to come away with awards from the Houston Livestock Show as both posted top-10 finishes in the horse judging contest.
In the senior division, Faith Fry placed seventh overall and second in reasons. In the junior division, Grace Fry was second overall and eighth in reasons.
The sisters were the only Shackelford County 4-H participants at the show. Several Albany FFA students are preparing to exhibit animal projects beginning this week.
By Sam Waller
For former Shackelford County judge Ross Montgomery, a brief stint in the National Football League was just a precursor to his true calling.
After two seasons as a running back with the Chicago Bears, Montgomery left the gridiron behind to take a job with Exxon in Houston. Along the way, he married his wife, Martha, whom he met while in college at TCU. The couple will celebrate their 52nd anniversary in June.
By Sam Waller
Albany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 held its annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Monday, March 6, at the Scout Shack.
Four Scouts received accomplishment badges as well as receiving $50 gift cards to Academy Sports and Outdoors for raising more than $250 each by selling popcorn.
Connor Walser received the Lion Badge, which has five requirements, and finished seven electives.
Lennon Lucas received the Bobcat Badge and completed Tiger Circles: Duty to God, which is a requirement for Tiger Cub, the rank on which she is working.
By Sam Waller
Entry deadline is drawing closer for the First Baptist Church youth ministry’s fundraising volleyball tournament.
Deadline is Sunday, March 19, and entry fees are due by then.
The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 25 at the Albany High School gym. Proceeds will help cover expenses for local youth to attend church camp this summer.
Entry fee is $20 per person. Players must be incoming eighth graders or older.
By Sam Waller
Closet Angels will be closed over spring break, which this year is Monday-Friday, March 13-17.
The ministry typically follows the school closure schedule and shuts down during school holidays.
Closet Angels director Lori Reames said volunteer workers will continue to sort items during the break.
Closet Angels relies on volunteers and some will be out of town or devoting time to family activities during spring break.
Closet Angels will reopen Monday, March 20.
