By Melinda L. Lucas

The filing period for the March 2020 primary elections officially starts this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 9, but since the Shackelford County Courthouse is closed through Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, the first day that candidates can actually sign up is Nov. 12.

Republican county chair Lynne Teinert plans to be at the Courthouse on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 1:00 p.m. to help sign up candidates for the Republican primary.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Nov. 13, as it does the second Wednesday of every month, depending on the weather.

The tests keep citizens familiar with the three warning sounds, and they are also used to make sure that the siren, computer, software, and radios are working correctly.

The siren should sound one of the three emergency tones at noon on that day, but the siren is not tested if the weather is questionable.

By Kathy Thomson

A large troupe of local junior high thespians are rehearsing for the upcoming University Interscholastic League one-act play competition that will be held in Albany on Thursday, Nov. 14.

“We are performing A Christmas Carol Adapted by Jerome McDonough,” said director Melanie Turner. “Rehearsals are going well.”

McDonough’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale uses simple staging and costumes, and is written for a large cast.

By Kathy Thomson

Grandparents and “substitute” grandparents of Nancy Smith Elementary School students are invited to join their family members for special lunch, classroom visits, and entertainment during Grandparents Week Nov. 18-22.

The students are encouraged to invite other relatives, neighbors, friends from church, etc. if they don’t have grandparents, or if their grandparents don’t live nearby.

By Kathy Thomson

Shackelford County residents who wish to be included in the Albany Ministerial Alliance’s annual Christmas basket drive need to turn in their applications before the Friday, Dec. 6 deadline date.

“Application forms are available at the Resource Center and at several of the local churches,” said Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins.

The filled-out applications can be turned back in at the same locations.

By Kathy Thomson

Congregations at First Christian Church and United Methodist Church are collecting shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse annual Operation Christmas Child, while a group at First Baptist Church is packing shoeboxes for Crossing Borders ministry. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in either of the missions.

Both of the missions are designed to provide underprivileged children with a shoebox full of gifts for Christmas, both to brighten their world and to show them love.

By Kathy Thomson

Many local FFA and 4-H members are already busy preparing for the upcoming stock show season by validating, feeding, and training show animals, participating in fundraisers, and making sure that their entry paperwork is turned in.

Show Registration

All 4-H and FFA youth who plan to exhibit an animal at any major stock shows or the county show need to turn in their registration information to Albany ag instructor Chris Beard by tomorrow, Nov. 8.

By Melinda L. Lucas

All first graders at Nancy Smith Elementary School were recently given free prevent tooth decay kits through the Fantastic Teeth Fan Club. 

Members of Albany Masonic Lodge, led by John Tate and Robert Skelton, assembled and delivered 41 dental hygiene kits to the school.

School nurse Lisa Russell and first grade teachers Roxanne Raymond and Lori Warren taught a short lesson about tooth care.

The two Masons distributed the kits to the students to take home.

By Kathy Thomson

Workers at area non-profits including ResourceCare, Albany Ministerial Alliance, and Toys for Tots, are asking community members to help them give holiday presents to local children, teens, and seniors who request assistance.

Toys for Tots

Marine SSgt. Doug Beaty coordinates the local Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for Albany children ages zero to 11, working through the Resource Center. 

By Kathy Thomson

General hunting season for white-tailed deer opened last Saturday, and hunters that harvest more venison than they intend to use are encouraged to donate their extra bounty to Hunters for the Hungry.

Locally, field dressed deer can be dropped off at Escalon’s Buck N Hog, along with $35 to help cover the processing fee.

“The hunter pays $35 and gets the tax write off,” said owner Patrick Escalon. “We cover the rest of the $80 processing costs.”

Escalon’s is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during deer season.