By Melinda L. Lucas

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 mid-term election is next Tuesday, Oct. 11, delayed a day because of Columbus Day.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band will compete Saturday at the Big Country Marching Festival at Wylie High School in Abilene.

The Albany band will take the field at 2:30 p.m., according to director  Will Vaughan. The public is invited to attend.

The band will be performing its contest show “Shine,” with music written by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Rodney Gurley of Lubbock.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany FCCLA Chapter hosted two homecoming mum-making workshops this week for students in fourth through sixth grades.

Members of the organization put together supply kits for students, then held two workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the elementary cafeteria.

High school students walked participants through the process of making their own mum corsage, which each of the participants was able to keep to wear during homecoming.

Albany students will have a holiday on Monday, Oct. 10 in observance of Columbus Day.

The staff will also have a holiday if they have fulfilled the required numbers of workshop hours.

Classes will resume for all AISD students on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the regular time. The bell will ring at 7:55 a.m. at the elementary school and 8:00 a.m. at the secondary campus.

The second six weeks grading period started Sept. 26 and will continue until Nov. 4.

By Sam Waller

Bethel Assembly’s The Patch fall celebration was deemed a success with the pumpkin market selling out completely.

The event was held Saturday at the Bank Park. Proceeds benefit Bethel’s community ministries.

“Everything went great,” organizer Betsy Spraberry said. “The scholarship fundraiser sold out of food, and we sold out of pumpkins. We plan to do it again next year and get more pumpkins.”

In addition to the pumpkin market, a decorated pumpkin parade for children in sixth grade and younger was held.

By Sam Waller

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its annual Mission Festival at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, with Rev. Dr. Solomon Yadessa of the Multi-Ethnic Ministry of North Texas this year’s speaker.

“The ministry reaches out to immigrants from all over the world,” Trinity Lutheran pastor Tom Chandler said. “Dr. Yadessa is an interesting guy. He speaks several languages.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H held its first club meeting of the year Monday, Oct. 3 at The Feed Store, electing officers and kicking off National 4-H Week.

Senior officers are Faith Fry, president; Riley Reames, vice president; Leddie Leech, second vice president; Landon Kreit­ler, third vice president; Grace Fry, secretary; Connor Smith, treasurer; Maddy Beard, reporter; and Jordan Fikes, parliamentarian.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs volleyball teams started a season-ending road swing Monday, Oct. 3, at Hawley.

The Lady Cubs return to the road Monday, Oct. 10, when they visit Bangs. The last two dates on the schedule are Thursday, Oct. 13 at Coleman and Monday, Oct. 24, at Ranger.

At Hawley, the seventh grade Lady Cubs lost 9-25, 14-25.

“We came out very flat and it showed,” coach Tate Thompson said. “These girls haven’t had many road games, so they need to get used to getting going after a bus ride. It’s all part of the learning process.”

By Sam Waller

Moran High School’s one-act play cast and crew will perform its fall show at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the school auditorium.

The troupe will perform “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” a mashup of several Brother Grimm tales.

Tickets for the performance are $5 at the door.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Volunteers are needed this Saturday, Oct. 1 to help decorate the town for the fall season.

Anyone wishing to help set up decorations should meet at the Chamber of Commerce office in the Depot at 9:00 a.m., according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

The Chamber purchased new fall decorations last year and will provide all the supplies necessary to put up the items that include fall wreaths and garland, along with cane cut by the Albany FFA members.