By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets have sold fast over the last week for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala set for Oct. 9 featuring Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers.

As of Tuesday, only 35 of the original 300 tickets were available, according to Susan Waller, who is coordinating the event for the 17th year.

Waller said that she will start a wait list for anyone seeking tickets after the 300 seats are sold. The cost of a ticket is $50, which includes a prime rib dinner and a 75-minute performance by the famous group of brothers.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 continued to rise during the last week, prompting local health care providers to encourage people to get vaccinated.

During the week of Aug. 16-20, the Shackelford County Health Clinic and Resource Care Community Health Center administered 26 tests with nine positive results.

On Monday, Aug. 23, the clinic reported four more positive cases among nine tests given.

Over the last four weeks, a total of 104 tests were conducted at the two local clinics with 32 positive results.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Upwards of 1,000 people are expected on Saturday, Aug. 28 for the third CareFest fundraiser at Happy Wife, Happy Life event venue three miles northwest of Albany.

As of Monday there were only eight VIP tickets to the event remaining, but $60 general admission tickets and some preferred $125 admission tickets can still be purchased online at outhousetickets.com.

Some general admission tickets may still be available at the gate on Saturday, but organizers are recommending purchasing tickets in advance.

By Sidney Bartee

Citizens of Moran will hold their annual garage sale on Saturday, Sept. 4, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Organizers will have maps and lists of homes participating at the Moran community center on the day of the sale.

The deadline for community members to sign up is by noon Thursday, Sept. 2.

“We have had some responses already,” community volunteer Michelle Taggart said. “We expect a few more people participate.”

There is a post on the city of Moran Facebook page for people to sign up if they want to participate.

By Sam Waller

Teachers and staff at the Moran Independent School District underwent CPR training this week along with other preparations for the start of the school year.

The training was conducted by Deloris Londerholm, part-time school nurse for the district.

“CPR is state mandated,” Moran principal Jo Hise said. “Praise God, we have not had to use it yet.”

Classes begin Monday and the school district has a busy slate of events scheduled for the last few days of summer vacation.

By Sidney Bartee

A meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center for those interested in perpetuating the Dennis Cemetery.

The goal of the meeting is to create a committee to maintain and oversee the property.

According to volunteer Jana Kitchens, Brad and Maureen McCollum were overseers of the cemetery for many years, and new community members are needed to collect donations and make decisions concerning the property.

By Sam Waller

The field for the Albany Golf Club’s Labor Day tournament has been filled, but organizers are taking names for a waiting list.

“We are all full up,” golf club board member James Waters said, “and I’ve got a couple or three teams that are still on the standby list.’ 

Waters encouraged those who would like to be put on the standby list to to sign up at the clubhouse, where a signup sheet is located, or call him 325-627-3598.

By Sidney Bartee

Board members of the Albany Chest will meet to organize the 2021 fundraising campaign, nominate and elect new directors, and choose officers for the upcoming year during a Sept. 1 meeting 

The meeting will be held at the Feed Store at 5:15 p.m.

Current board chair Amy Kelly said four directors will complete their current terms, with Kelly, Tisha Wilkins, and Mindy Skelton set to rotate off the board and Sara Wilson eligible to serve another term.

By Sam Waller

The 35th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale in Shackelford County has been scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Shackelford County Livestock Show Barn.

The sale benefits all Shackelford County youth who exhibit at the county livestock show.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Bronco Askew, president of the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association, said.

By Sidney Bartee

The Ragin’ Red Band’s Community Night was rescheduled from Aug. 16 to Aug. 23 due to weather this week.

The event will still be held at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium and is set to begin at 8:00 p.m.

The band will perform what they’ve been working on throughout summer rehearsals and director Will Vaughan will introduce all members for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Members of the Band Booster Club will also be present at the event to help raise funds for the band trip to Colorado during spring break.