By Donnie A. Lucas

The fifth grade class at Nancy Smith Elementary will spend three days next week studying a range of science curriculum at Camp Grady Spruce Outdoor Education Program.

The 34 students and four sponsors will spend three days and two nights at the camp at Possum Kingdom Lake learning about sciences ranging from geology to biology to astronomy.

“Fifth grade science covers a wide range,” science teacher Leslie Neve said. “This camp is based on the TEKS that are covered on the STAAR test for fifth graders.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H will have a potluck dinner at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 for its annual Friendsgiving meal at The Feed Store.

The club will hold a regular monthly meeting following the meal to work on community service projects.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Horse Club members will meet for a trail ride at Hamby.

The next outdoor education meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at The Feed Store.

Swine validation will be conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Wednesday, Nov. 16, Friday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 20.

By Sam Waller

Collection deadline for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign is coming up quickly on Monday, Nov. 14.

First Christian Church pastor Brad McBee, who helps coordinate the local project, said shoeboxes may be brought to First Christian Church or taken back to the participant’s home church. McBee will then deliver all shoeboxes to Abilene.

“First Baptist Church in Abilene has a big center that picks them up,” McBee said. “There’ll be thousands upon thousands of boxes there.”

By Sam Waller

Friendship Baptist Church will continue its fall tradition with the sixth annual Harvest Acres bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The event has been scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving since its inception. This year’s Harvest Acres will start at 9:00 a.m. at the church’s Activity Center located at 600 Greer Street.

“It’s always a good time,” organizer Danita Johnston said. “We enjoy hanging out and fellowshipping with each other. It’s a fun Saturday as a congregation.”

The First Baptist Church youth group will hold a bake sale fundraiser at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Bank Park or, if the weather is bad, across the street under the portico at the Albany News.

Available items include brownies, cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, and more, by donation.

Proceeds will go to help fund summer camp trips for FBC youth.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Community Thanksgiving Service makes its return after a one-year hiatus.

The service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at Albany Methodist Church. Pastor Brad McBee of First Christian Church will speak.

“This is always fun,” McBee said.

The FCC pastor said his message will be Thanksgiving-focused.

“There’s a lot of good history and knowledge about what really brought the Pilgrims to this country,” he said. “It’s not what you might think. Come find out a few facts you may not know.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany ISD Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) raised $850 with its field goal contest at last week’s final home football game.

The Student Health Advisory Council is a committee of board appointed AISD employees, parents, and community members to assist the district in ensuring the local community values are reflected in health education instruction.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Aztec Theater will again host a special evening of local singing talent accompanied by Sandy Abel as a fundraiser for the facility on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket will be sold at the door for $15, payable with cash or check only. Credit cards will not be accepted.

The program is called “Seasons of Love,” featuring love songs of all genres.

“There will all kinds of songs,” Abel said. “It will not be just romantic love. There be some about good love and others about love gone wrong.”

By Sam Waller

Several holiday programs provided by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and ResourceCare to benefit local residents are gearing up for another season.

Applications for and funding of programs providing for children through senior adults are being accepted.

ResourceCare works hand in hand with Toys for Tots, asking community members to help them provide holiday presents to all county children who might not get much otherwise.

The facility also coordinates the Adopt A Senior project, which is already well underway.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals are underway for the 2022 production of “The Nativity,” with performances set for Dec. 10 and 11 at the Aztec Theater.

Practices are being conducted by scenes and started last week.

“After this week we will have been through all the major scenes at least once,” director Lorna Ayers said. “Not everyone has been able to make it to the first rehearsals, but hopefully we will get caught up quickly since we don’t have much time to put this all together.”