By Sandy Morris

The recent lifting of mask restrictions has changed the location of the junior high district track meet which eliminates the concession stand planned by the Albany Athletic Booster Club.

All junior high school track teams in the district will now compete at Hamlin on Saturday, March 27 instead of being divided between two communities. 

The Athletic Boosters will still host the concession stand for the high school district track meet on Wednesday, March 31. 

By Sandy Morris

Several Albany FFA members have been participating at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with more competition being held this week both in Houston and Austin.

Those results will be published over the next two weeks. 

Carli Edgar won light weight Grand Champion Duroc at the show and will participate in the barrow sale at NRG Stadium later in the spring on Friday, May 21.

Laithe Leech won fourth place with his Hampshire and Tatum Grady won 11th place with her Duroc.

By Sandy Morris

The ResourceCare Community Health Center will hold a Murder Mystery Dinner fundraising event at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22.

A “Roaring 20s Murder Mystery Dinner” will be performed by the Albany Mainstreet Playhouse Traveling Troupe with attendees encouraged to wear “Roaring 20s” attire.

Troupe members include Sandy Abel, Lorna Ayers, Jacob Cleveland, Jeff Davis, Pam Davis, Wade Jones, Ragan Riley, and Cali Rose.

By Sandy Morris

Local FFA and 4-H youth are kicking off various spring activities and competitions, as well as continuing to compete in livestock shows around the state.

4-H News

Shackelford County Extension Agent and 4-H sponsor Kloey Painter said 4-H members have several opportunities to participate in upcoming practices and clinics.

Archery Practice

The club has started archery practice every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at the Shackelford County Show Barn. 

By Sandy Morris

A raffle and a brisket plate fundraiser are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 21 to benefit local resident Kristi Brooker. 

Brooker, who is fighting stage four breast cancer, has been a long-time supporter of the community and continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter. 

The brisket plate fundraiser will be held at the Bank Park and will include brisket, beans, and potato salad.

The cost is a suggested donation of $10 per plate, and all meals will be served ‘to-go’ starting at 11:00 a.m.

By Sandy Morris

Albany junior high and high school held cheerleader tryouts on Friday, March 12 prior to Spring Break.

The 2021-2022 varsity squad will include Kam Browning, Elizabeth Chavez, Savannah Hobbs, Brooke Kayga, Avery Kleiner, Gracie Price, Ella Webb, and Robyn Trail.

The junior varsity cheerleaders will be Ann Davis, Myleigh Leveridge, and Makenna McNeill.

Chey’anne Weaver was selected as mascot for the next school year. 

By Sandy Morris

Classes in the Albany schools will resume on Monday morning, March 22 following a week-long spring break, and AISD students and staff were happy to learn that their upcoming Easter weekend will not be cut short.

AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott announced last week that due to Winter Storm Uri and its state-wide impact, the Texas Education Agency had approved the “Missed School Days Waiver” that his office had applied for last month. 

By Sandy Morris

The sophomore Cross Examination debate team of Leddie Leech and Ella Webb competed in the state meet on Monday, March 15.

The team debated four rounds but did not make the finals held on Tuesday. 

Sponsor Jenny Scott said it was a long day for the girls, but they never quit.

By Melinda L. Lucas

All seven of Shackelford County Hospital District’s directors were present for a long meeting on Monday, March 15, much of which took place in closed session to discuss individual employee evaluations and job descriptions.

A similar closed session about personnel was held March 8.

There was no action either night when the meetings were reopened to the public.

“Probation” Clarification

By Sandy Morris

The annual Fandangle Sampler invitations have gone out in the mail, and Fandangle artistic director Lorna Ayers will begin rehearsals next week.

The annual Fandangle Sampler is being held at Reynolds Bend on the Lambshead Ranch on Saturday, April 17. 

Open Rehearsals

Ayers said rehearsals for the Sampler will begin on Tuesday, March 23 at the Aztec Theater, and she encourages everyone to attend.