Thirty-five children from China and North Korea have spent the last week at Stasney’s Cook Ranch in Albany enjoying some rest and relaxation at a family retreat sponsored by ChinaAid.

The 80th anniversary edition of the Fort Griffin Fandangle will open at the Prairie Theater next Friday night, June 22, and practices and preparations are underway on an almost daily basis.

The staff at the Old Jail Art Center has three special events scheduled during June in addition to the current summer art exhibits and displays of various items from the museum’s collection and archives. A Solar Round-Up Family Festival takes place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23.

Editors note: As we begin a new year, we reflect on the loss of Pat Jones, whose “Ponderings by Pat” brought heartfelt humor and wit to The Albany News for many years.