By Kathy Thomson

Members of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department not only contribute their time by responding to emergency calls when needed and maintaining their equipment, they also spend precious hours in training, learning how to better protect and serve their community, and teaching fire safety.

Last month, firefighters Paige Thompson and Casey Kimbrough went to the 23rd annual Red River District SFFMA Fire Protection School in Decatur.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany FFA officers attended Chapter Officer Leadership Training in Abilene on Monday, Oct. 7.

Guest speakers at the event included a former Texas FFA state officer, a former national FFA officer, and community and business leaders.

Among those attending from the Albany FFA chapter were officers Tyler Beard, Brayden Sullivan, Blaine Kayga, Mady Connally, Conner Clark, Seth Hale, Cade Neve, Susie Cormack, and Kam Browning, along with local FFA sponsor and ag instructor Chris Beard.

By Kathy Thomson

The Parent Teacher Organization sponsored Fall Fest will take place at Nancy Smith Elementary School on Saturday, Oct. 26, and parents of students attending Albany schools need to make sure they are signed up to work a shift at the annual fundraiser.

“The sign-up sheets are out,” said coordinator Malarie Sutton. “They are due back on Friday, Oct. 18, so please get signed up.”

Parents who haven’t already signed up or heard from someone about requirements for their child’s class should contact a room mother. 

By Kathy Thomson

Reverend Ron Gebauer will preach at Trinity Lutheran Church’s Fall Mission Festival this Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, at 4:30 p.m. and, according to pastor Tom Chandler, the entire community is invited to attend the service and stay for the free-will donation meal that will follow.

The meal will be Mexican salad. Tea and several types of dessert will also be served.

By Kathy Thomson

Members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance will not sponsor Trunk or Treat this year, according to Alliance president Brad McBee.

“Members stated that they would support any other organization that wanted to sponsor it, but they had no desire to do anything with it this year,” said McBee.

Started by members of First Baptist Church as a family-friendly activity that took place during Halloween, the event was more recently sponsored by the local Ministerial Alliance. 

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Mainstreet Players will present three performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever this Christmas season, and rehearsals are already underway for the 25  or so members of the cast.

Samuel French’s comedy is a full-length play based on Barbara Robinson’s best-selling book with the same name.

“It’s a very popular little play,” said director Lorna Ayers. “We have done it before, but it was over 10 years ago.”

This year’s production will include one night-time performance and two Sunday matinees.

By Kathy Thomson

Aproximately 120 Nancy Smith Elementary School students in third, fourth, and sixth grades participated in the Kids on the Land (KOL) program at Lambshead Ranch last week, where they were exposed to a variety of hands-on experiences designed to connect them to the land and spark a love of science.

By Kathy Thomson

Staff members at Fort Griffin State Historic Site are setting up additional outdoor displays in preparation for the fort’s annual Living History Days, scheduled to take place this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12.

Friday is geared primarily toward students from the Big Country area, while Saturday is designed more for the general public. On both days dozens of reenactors will portray day-to-day life in the real Old West.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany local medical professionals are advising Shackelford County residents to get vaccinated for influenza soon, following several cases of flu already appearing in one local clinic as well as the announcement on Sept. 26 by national public health and medical groups that kicked off the 2019-2020 flu vaccine campaign.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local residents who buy a vehicle or a trailer can help the Shackelford County budget by requesting that the title transfer be done at the Shackelford County Courthouse, thereby sending a portion of the taxes paid on the vehicle or trailer to the local county coffers.

Car dealers are supposed to ask buyers where they want the transfer to take place, but a lot do not, according to Belinda Perez, Shackelford County Tax Assessor - Collector Chief Deputy.