The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is hosting two Weekend of Champions camps at Solid Rock Christian Camp in Eastland this month, and FCA Big Country East representative Paul Johnston would like to see all interested high school youth attend.

“God will change lives at these events,” said Johnston. “If you are in high school you should come. If you know a high schooler, you should send them.”

All Shackelford County senior adults (50 and up) are invited to attend the Shackelford County Resource Center’s January senior luncheon to be held on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Youth Center beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Members of Friendship Baptist are hosting the meal and will provide shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced avocados, tortilla chips, and desserts to compliment the taco soup provided by the Resource Center. 

The theme for the January luncheon is “Game Night.”

A pancake supper benefit is planned this Saturday evening, Jan. 19 at the Albany Volunteer Fire Department’s station house at 609 Railroad St.

According to AVFD fire chief Kyle Tischler, the event will help with expenses incurred by the family of J.D. Dukes, who is a veteran member of the department and has served as chaplain for a number of years.

The meal will be available from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and everyone from individuals to entire families are invited to dine in or get a to-go tray.

Open registration for the next series of General Education Development (GED) classes in Albany will take place on Monday, Jan. 21, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild.

“New applicants will be accepted starting next week,” said Fairchild. “Participants should be at least 17 years of age (with parent’s consent) or older and must have an ID to register.”

There are exceptions for 16-year-olds, listed at the end of this article.

Albany High School’s annual Winter Formal will be held this Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Whitney Theatre, from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m. 

Tickets are $12 individually prior to the event and $15 each at the door. Bottled water and cookies will be available at the dance.

The Winter Formal is sponsored each year by members of the Albany High School student council, and at least one class officer from each class has tickets for sale.

Music is provided by local disc jockey Angel Pacanins.

Students from Albany and several surrounding towns are invited to come to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) King’s Court at the Albany High School gym at 7:00 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 23.

“This is the gym version of Fields of Faith, and I will be doing four of these around the Big Country,” said FCA Big Country East representative Paul Johnston. “We will not have any refreshments or anything for sale. This is a youth rally for students and their parents, and it is all about worship and helping students to buildup their faith.”

After donations to the Albany Chest 2018 exceeded the $42,000 goal set by the directors in early October, members of the board met last week to finalize the allocations to 26 different organizations that requested help.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9, the directors awarded a total of $42,450, which was $1,000 more than the recommended amount after the October session, but still less than the $50,000 that had actually been requested.

Shackelford County commissioners approved a request on Monday, Jan. 14 by the City of Moran and Fort Griffin SUD for a grant application that will funnel through the county coffers, but will not affect county expenditures.

The meeting was conducted by senior commissioner Steve Riley in the absence of new county judge Bob Skelton, who was attending the first required school of his term that started Jan. 1, 2019.

Also in Austin at school this week was new Precinct 2 commissioner Ace Reames.

Water System Grant

Moran Independent School District has a student holiday scheduled for Friday, Jan. 25, and for Friday, Feb. 1. 

Jan. 25 is a staff professional development day and Feb. 1 is a staff comp day.

The holidays correspond with the original dates chosen for the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association show (Jan. 24-26) and the rescheduled dates for the local livestock show (Jan. 31-Feb. 2).

Youth entered in the livestock show need to be at the show barn at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 to help prepare the facility for the upcoming event.

Next Wednesday, Jan. 23 is the registration deadline for local girls and boys from eight years old through fourth grade to sign up for the upcoming Little Dribblers basketball season.

Parents should complete and return the registration form and $30 fee to either the Nancy Smith Elementary School office or to organizer Clint Chapman by Jan. 23 so that teams can be organized later that week.

“The league will play in the practice gym, using nine-foot goals,” said Chapman. “Each team will have two games each Saturday.”