By Kathy Thomson

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be performed live at the Aztec Theater by members of the Albany Mainstreet Playhouse on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, and Dec. 8, and tickets are now on sale.

“The play is perfect for the whole family,” said director Lorna Ayers. “It is a timeless, hilarious classic. Children and adults alike will be thoroughly entertained.” 

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

By Kathy Thomson

Christmas, which in America is traditionally celebrated with family gatherings, gift giving, and holiday foods, is only a month away, and members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance are once again working to try and insure that everyone in the county, even those who are having financial difficulties, have a chance to enjoy a special Yuletide meal this year.

Applications for the Alliance’s Christmas baskets are currently available at participating churches and at ResourceCare.

By Kathy Thomson

Several members of the Albany FFA Chapter competed at the Big Country District’s Leadership Development Events on Monday, Nov. 18 at Cisco College.

Seth Hale made up the Albany entry that placed second high team in Job Interview. Hale will advance to the Area IV contest.

Alayna Koemel competed in Senior Creed Speaking, earning ninth place for the Albany team. 

The local chapter’s Senior Quiz team placed sixth. Members of the team were Addison Asher, Madelyn Connally, Alayna Koemel, and Taylor Scott.

By Kathy Thomson

The annual Albany Chest campaign is well underway, and although one-half of the goal set for the 2019 campaign has been deposited in the account, another $19,010 is still needed before the end of the year in order to meet the target amount of $42,000.

According to Chest treasurer Paige Adair, $22,990 had been collected as of Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The Texas Tech University Meat Judging Team, housed within the Department of Animal & Food Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, capped the 2019 competitive season by capturing the program’s 14th national championship last week at the American Meat Science Association International Meat Judging Contest in Dakota City, Nebraska.

Newt Koemel of Albany was a member of the Meat Judging Team. He placed fifth high individual in the alternate division with a score of 836.

The News will be printing Santa letters and holiday essays in the Christmas issue to be published on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Students at Albany and Moran schools will be writing letters at school, which will be submitted to the News office by their teachers.

Children at several other local facilities, such as First Love Day Care,  will also be assisted by their instructors in writing letters to Santa.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany fans are invited to join in several of the activities planned by the Albany Athletic Booster Club to help motivate the Lions to be at the top of their game for Friday’s playoff bout with the Windthorst Trojans at Newton Field in Graham. 

Kickoff for the area game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22.

There is a team dinner at the Feed Store at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, sponsored by the senior parents. 

By Kathy Thomson

Each December, the organization Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and at veterans graves at more than 1,600 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

Part-time Albany resident Melinda Musselman would like help in bringing this display of respect and honor to the local cemetery.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion football team racked up a 56-7 bi-district win last Thursday to advance to the area playoff against Windthorst on Friday in Graham.

Kickoff in Graham is set for 7:00 p.m. All tickets will be $5 at the gate with the usual senior citizen, district, and coaches’ passes accepted.

The Trojans (9-2, 5-0) were the district champs in District 6-2A, beating Shamrock last week in the bi-district round, 53-16.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Lady Lion volleyball team captured two superlative awards and four spots each on the first and second 6-2A All-District selections.

Junior Torie Fuentes was named the district’s Defensive MVP, while sophomore Sarah Beth Cotter received the Newcomer of the Year award.