By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Chamber of Commerce annual garage sale will take place on Sept. 14, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

The signup fee to register a garage sale, be included on the map, and receive a sign is $25. 

“The signs will be available for pickup the week of the sale,” said Jones. “Ten dollars of the signup fee will be returned upon request, when returning the sign.”

Free maps showing registered sales will be available on the day of the sale.

The City of Albany will test the emergency warning siren at 12:00 noon next Wednesday, Aug. 14, 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, according to local fire chief Kyle Tischler. 

SEVERE WEATHER

By Sidney Bartee

Members of the Ragin’ Red Band started their summer practices on Monday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Practice will continue through this week at 6:30 p.m., but rehearsal times for Aug. 12-16 have not yet been planned. Those times will be announced later this week, according to new band director Richard Murrow.

Band members and parents are able to join a “remind group chat” in order to get updates for the band.

“Text @albanyra to 81010 and you will receive a message confirming that you have joined,” said Murrow.

By Melinda L. Lucas

New students at Albany High School and Albany Junior High School, including all incoming seventh graders, are urged to attend a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13 starting at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria/snack bar, which is located in the junior high building.

At least one parent is asked to accompany their student to the brief meeting, if at all possible.

The time slot follows the elementary’s “Meet the Teacher” sessions, which start at 5:00 p.m.

By Kathy Thomson

Staff members from the Kindred Home Health office in Albany are gathering school supplies in conjunction with the company’s 15th Annual Food Drive.

In past years the local Kindred office has joined the national campaign by gathering food items, but this year they decided to try something a little different. 

“We’ve noticed a need for school supplies,” said Tracy Sullivan with Kindred. “I’ve asked both of the schools in town what they needed, and Kleenex and hand sanitizer topped the list for both locations.”

By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Ministerial Alliance sponsored Vacation Bible School began this summer’s “Wild” and “Amazing Encounters with Jesus” on Sunday, Aug. 3  and wrapped up the annual event on Wednesday, Aug. 7 with a “Family Night” program in the First Baptist Church sanctuary followed by food, games, and a bounce house at the Bank Park.

Over 140 children and 40 to 50 workers attended the first evening, according to organizer Ginger Bumguardner.

“Every class was full,” said event organizer Ginger Bumguardner. 

By Kathy Thomson

Local minister Sonny McCauley recently returned from a mission trip to Central America.

“On July 20-28, I had the opportunity to travel to Honduras with a dental mission trip,” McCauley said. “I want to thank the Albany Church of Christ for allowing me to go and help minister to the people of Honduras.”

McCauley worked as both a minister and as a dental assistant during his visit. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Evangelist Tom Fuller, founder of the John Wesley Adventure, will preach at First United Methodist Church in Albany this Sunday morning, Aug. 11, according to local pastor Tim Trimble.

Fuller has been General Evangelist for the United Methodist Church since 2006. He spent five years assembling the John Wesley Adventure, a plan to reintroduce the church to its heritage and get members back to Wesleyan values.

The United Pentecostal Church’s annual Back to School Bash will be held this coming Sunday, Aug. 11 at the church on Cook Field Road, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

All students, from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, are invited to the celebration, along with their friends and families.

After music and prayer time, a hamburger meal with all the trimmings will be served in the church’s Family Life Center.

There will also be games and drawings, with several gift cards given to different age groups.

Shane McAuliffe (l), host of “The Texas Bucket List,” finds out from chef Ali Esfandiary (c) what’s so special about Fort Griffin Gen. Mdse. Restaurant for an upcoming episode. The syndicated show airs on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. on KTXS. For information about when the Beehive segment will be televised, keep an eye on TheTexasBucketList.com.