By Kathy Thomson
Albany Independent School District will break for the Christmas holidays at noon next Friday, Dec. 20, and student early releases on both Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19 should help everyone survive the five-day-long week and make it to the anticipated vacation.
Students on both campuses will be released at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19, and at 12:00 noon on Friday, Dec. 20.
By Kathy Thomson
Christmas is fast approaching, and several programs designed to help make the season bright for everyone in Shackelford County are almost ready to distribute the holiday gifts and food donated by generous community members.
Toys for Tots provides gifts to underprivileged children ages newborn to sixth grade.
Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign. He is assisted by Albany High National Honor Society members and local merchants.
By Kathy Thomson
Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Painter has two events scheduled this weekend for 4-H members and other area youth.
4-H Christmas Party
There will be a 4-H Christmas party at The Feed Store at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, and everyone is invited to attend.
“Come join us for games, fun, and lots of food,” said Painter. “Bring your friends. We will be collecting new blankets to donate to the Resource Community Center, so bring a blanket to donate if you can.”
Hunter Education
By Kathy Thomson
Moran elementary and junior high school students recently participated in the District 20 1-A University Interscholastic League elementary academic meet, which took place over several days.
Second through fifth graders are in the elementary division, and their contests took place on Thursday, Dec. 5, in Strawn.
Middle school students from sixth through eighth grade did ready writing at their home campus on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and traveled to Ranger for the rest of the contests on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Sydney Ten Cate of Moran is graduating from Hardin Simmons University on Friday, Dec. 13 with Cum Laude honors. Her major is Criminal Justice and her minor is Psychology.
She is the daughter of Steven and Delisa Ten Cate and the granddaughter of Bonnie Ten Cate
Ten Cate graduated from Moran High School in 2015. She was a member of the HSU track team as a long distance runner throughout her college career, earning numerous honors.
By Kathy Thomson
Several events are planned in Moran this Saturday, Dec. 14, including the monthly children’s painting party, the annual Moran Parent Teacher Organization holiday meal, and a bimonthly fundraiser.
Children’s
Painting Party
The monthly kids painting party will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Moran Community Center.
According to organizer Tiffany Waddell, over two dozen children have been coming to the painting parties.
By Kathy Thomson
The annual Moran holiday craft fair will take place this Saturday, giving Christmas shoppers a chance to find those special gift items without having to fight their way through busy traffic and crowded stores.
A children’s painting party is set for the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 14, and a chili fundraiser, complete with a live band, will take place that night.
Holiday Craft Fair
By Kathy Thomson
Several activities are crowded into the few remaining weeks of the fall semester at Moran including, of course, exams, but also Christmas activities, a visit from Santa Claus, UIL contests, basketball games, the annual PTO holiday meal, and gathering presents for the Angel Tree.
UIL Contestants
Junior high students remained in Moran for the University Interscholastic League ready writing competition on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany resident Bobby Williams is expected to challenge incumbent Shackelford County Precinct 1 commissioner Steve Riley after filing paperwork on Monday, Dec. 2.
According to County and District Clerk Cheri Hawkins, Williams filed his campaign treasurer’s form late Monday afternoon and picked up documents with the intention of filing by petition, although it had not been turned in as of press time.
By Kathy Thomson
Theatergoers have one final chance to watch Albany Mainstreet Playhouse’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The 2:30 p.m. matinee at the Aztec Theater will be the last of three performances of the holiday comedy.
“The first two performances were great and very well received by the audience,” said director Lorna Ayers. “We wanted to be sure and have a performance this weekend for those who were unable to come opening weekend due to the holidays.”
