By Donnie A. Lucas

Excitement is building with final touches being made to the traditional Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, which is just over a week away on Saturday, April 16 at the historic Matthews Ranch for the first time in 25 years.

All current members of the association are invited  to attend the preview performance for the summer shows at Reynolds Bend on the Lambshead Ranch. Show time has been set for 6:00 p.m., with the gates at the site opening at 5:30 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the April distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 7.

Albany families who are eligible for the April food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, April 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual Easter egg hunt at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at Webb City Park.

The park will be sectioned off for each individual age group.

All children will need to meet with their parents at the pool parking lot before the hunt begins to find their sections.

This will be the 20th year for the community egg hunt.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Old Jail Art Center’s Junior Docent Corps will host Slow Art Day this Saturday, April 9, with student workers on hand from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to discuss artwork with museum visitors.

“Slow Art Day is an international event where museums ask visitors to slow down and explore the art around them,” explained Kirsten Hahn, Education Programs Coordinator at the Old Jail. “Our Junior Docents, inspired by their favorite pieces, have created activities throughout the museum to encourage you to get up close and personal with our galleries.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Grandparents Week at Nancy Smith Elementary continues today and tomorrow, along with the associated Book Fair.

The Parent-Teachers Organization is hosting the annual Book Fair in the cafeteria on the same days that grandparents are welcome to eat with their grandchildren or other students who might need a stand-in.

“It has been booming so far,” counselor Susie Beard said Tuesday. “We have had lots of grandparents for lunch, as well as both parents and grandparents at the book fair.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Chamber of Commerce members will be treated to a Crawfish Boil at the Depot Thursday (today) beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“All Chamber members are invited,” Chamber executive secretary Mary Beth Jones said. “This is an appreciation event for all current members.”

A check-in table will be set up in the parking lot at the Chamber office for anyone who wants to renew a membership or join.

The menu for the event will feature crawfish, fish and all the fixings. Water will be provided.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s One-Act Play will perform “The Girl in the Mirror” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 at the MISD auditorium.

The performance is open to the public.

Moran earned regional-alternate status with its performance at the District 13-1A meet on Feb. 28.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A total of four positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded at the three Albany testing sites last week, continuing to mark a slowdown of the virus’ spread locally.

While the local testing sites reported no new cases a week earlier for the period of  March 14-18, the number of patients being tested is still on the decline overall.

A total of 11 patients  was reported in each of the last two weeks.

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show participants have one more day to fulfill obligations in order to receive checks for this year’s stock show bids.

Friday, April 1 is the deadline for exhibitors to write thank you notes, pay outstanding balances due the stock show, and clean pens at the FFA barn.

Thank you notes must be certified by Albany FFA advisor Chris Beard, county extension agent Kelsey Bell, or Moran FFA advisor Minnie Denson.

By Sam Waller

Gracie Price placed first in her class with her Maine-Anjou heifer March 25 at the Star of Texas Stock Show in Austin, the last major show of the season.

Kenzie Neve exhibited a steer March 22, as FFA and 4-H members wrapped up a productive show year.

Albany FFA members now turn their attention to several upcoming judging contests.