By David H. WallerNote: Dad has never been one for attention, and he would much rather stay quietly behind the scenes. Not everyone gets a fancy article in The Albany News when they retire, but this is one of the perks of having a son who runs the paper, I get to honor him with words.

In the days leading up to Christmas, Albany is normally quiet aside from last-minute shopping and church services. This year, however, the town found itself in the middle of a 10-day kidnapping spree involving an inflatable Christmas cow named Kyle.

A new music series is coming to Albany this winter as the Aztec Theater prepares to host The Aztec Sessions, a lineup of concerts sponsored and organized by Goodnight Steakhouse and Saloon.

The Albany Masonic Lodge held a special ceremony on Saturday, November 15, to honor longtime member Sammy Joe Rippey for 50 years of service in Freemasonry. Family and local lodge members gathered at the Albany Lodge to celebrate the milestone. Rippey’s wife, Barbara, was also in attendance.

In Albany, mention of the “Bazaar” means the holidays are near — and this year’s event carries extra significance.

Members of the Albany Masonic Lodge visited Nancy Smith Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 31, to deliver toothbrush kits and share a lesson on oral health with students.

It’s time to break out the recipe cards and family secrets — The Albany News is cooking up this year’s Holiday Recipe section and we need your help to make it delicious.

Albany took center stage this past weekend when The Daytripper—the popular PBS travel series hosted by Chet Garner—featured the community in its latest episode.

The 39th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale shattered previous records Sunday, Sept. 7, with gross sales topping $158,300 and an average of $1,251 per head, according to longtime organizer Mike Parsons.“This was a record-breaking sale in every way,” Parsons said.

Landon Balliew, a 2025 Albany High School graduate with a heart for missions, recently returned from his second trip to Guatemala – one of several mission efforts he’s participated in over the last few years.