By Sandy Morris Local 4-H and FFA members are in the middle of competitions and validations as they move closer to stock show season.  4-H Shooting Sports The Shackelford County 4 –H Club will be hosting a shooting sports meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5:45 p.m. at the First Christian Church.

Photo packages of local flag football teams and individuals have been printed and are now available. Parents who paid in advance or who have valid accounts can pick up their packages at The Albany News office. Others can be ordered when they are paid. For more information, call 325-762-2201.

By Sandy Morris Albany school students will be dismissed early for the Thanksgiving holidays on Tuesday, Nov. 24 with a noon release time. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, all Nancy Smith Elementary School students will be dismissed at 12:00 noon.

By Sandy Morris Friendship Baptist Church members are inviting everyone to attend the church’s fifth annual “Harvest Acres” this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

By Sandy Morris The traditional community-wide Thanksgiving service will be held this Sunday, Nov. 22 at First Christian Church.  The event is open to the entire community.  The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Brad McBee, pastor of First Christian Church, leading the attendees in song.

By Sandy Morris The Albany Ministerial Alliance is accepting applications for Christmas baskets from Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the annual drive.

By Sandy Morris Christmas shoebox season is here and several local congregations are participating in Operation Christmas Child as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Ministries.

By Sandy Morris Local residents can help the Abilene Salvation Army with Thanksgiving meals by bringing homemade or purchased pies to the First United Methodist fellowship hall beginning Thursday, Nov. 19 through 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 23.

By Sandy Morris The 2020 Believe Tree for Teens applications are due at The Feed Store this Friday, Nov. 20. The Albany Ministerial Alliance is the sponsor for the tree which provides gift assistance for Shackelford County junior high and high school students.

By Sandy Morris & Lynsi Musselman Albany Chest directors continue to be very concerned about this year’s slow progress toward the $41,000 goal. This week, the campaign saw only a $200 increase from last week’s ending total, bringing the current balance up to $7,670.