By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD students will observe a holiday on Monday, Feb. 20 for President’s Day.

Staff members will still report for work on Monday for a staff development day.

Spring break is scheduled for the week of March 13-17, with regular dismal times on Friday, March 10. Classes will resume on Monday, March 20 at the normal times.

So far, the two days designated as “bad weather days” on April 7 and April 10 are still scheduled.

The holidays are in observance of Good Friday and the Monday following Easter.

By Sam Waller

The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes concluded its Weekend of Champions camps with a another record attendance as 171 boys gathered at Eastland’s Solid Rock Camp.

The weekend camp, held Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12, included nine boys from Albany and one from Moran.

“We had quite a few life-changing decisions take place,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston said. “The response from the kids was that the message was very well received.”

By Sam Waller

Albany Methodist Church will be among local congregations conducting Ash Wednesday services, but details are still to be worked out.

This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 22.

Lance Thomas, president of Albany Methodist’s board of trustees, said the transition from former pastor Tim Tremble to pastor Bob Heidecker has led to some changes.

Thomas said Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations as it falls on the first day of Lent.

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany will host two free viewings of the ENGAGE simulcast on Sunday, Feb. 26, and Wednesday, March 1, with everyone in the community invited.

The program, headlined by Mark Gregston and Kirk Cameron, is designed  to equip and empower parents to raise teens in a “contrary culture.”

For information, call FBC at 325-762-2019.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The membership drive and ticket sales for the 2023 season of the Fort Griffin Fandangle are well underway, with the annual membership Sampler set for April 15 at Reynolds Bend.

Letters were mailed in January to previous members of the association, and invitations to the Sampler are being mailed daily as new or renewal memberships are received.

Memberships are available at seven levels ranging from Pioneer, open to anyone 65 years or older, to Platinum at $5,000.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Individual and team photos of Albany’s eight Little Dribblers team will be taken on Saturday, Feb. 18 in the lobby of the main gym, starting at 8:15 a.m.

Schedules will be sent home with elementary students on Thursday, as well as given to coaches so they can share with parents.

In order for players not to have to come any earlier than necesssary, only 10 minutes per team is being allowed for the photos, so parents are asked to be on time.

Everyone needs to be present for the team photos even if individuals are not ordered.

By Sam Waller

Moran resident Tate Tabor was arrested Tuesday after his son brought a valentine box to his kindergarten party with commercial fireworks and “fuses.”

Classes at Moran Independent School District were briefly interrupted Tuesday, Feb. 14 when the “suspicious package” was discovered by a teacher between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m.

Tabor was later arrested on charges of “prohibited weapon,” with additional charges pending.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s one-act play cast and crew will attend a workshop Friday, Feb. 17 at Clyde to prepare for district competition, scheduled for for Monday, Feb. 27 at Abilene Wylie.

Moran is performing “Little Women,” adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott, under the direction of teacher Bryce Hughes.

FFA News

Three Moran FFA students exhibited hogs at the San Angelo Stock Show this week.

Cotten Campbell showed a gilt on Sunday, Feb. 12, while Ellis Hise showed a barrow on Tuesday, and Allen Hebel showed a barrow on Thursday (today).

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD recently obtained a floral cooler for students to use in floriculture projects and classes.

“With this, we will be able to make fresh flower arrangements and take certification tests for the Texas State Floral Association,” agriculture teacher Minnie Denson said. “It also has the potential to morph into a business that the students run and gain experience in that aspect. I’m excited to get more flowers and start doing more arrangements.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Study Club is seeking donation of a quilt to be raffled off as a fundraiser later this year.

The Study Club raffles off a quilt each year during its annual Quilt Show, traditionally held during the Fort Griffin Fandangle, with a hand-pieced quilt being raffled to raise funds for scholarships.

The quilt raffle is one of two fundraising projects the Study Club has, along with cookbook sales, to fund scholarships.

The club is also seeking new members to assist with projects, which include operating the Shackelford County Library.