Ayers presents Fandangle Sampler to Woman’s Forum

It was an invasion from the west as Lorna Ayers brought the Fort Griffin Fandangle Sampler for the Woman’s Forum program in April. This was exactly what it said, a Sampler, of what will come in the full production presented in the oldest Outdoor Theatre in the U.S. for audiences that come from throughout the United States, during the last two weeks of June.

More than 400 Albany residents and a few from Breckenridge, like Dr. Gary Fambro, help in the live performance. The residents of Albany prepare for this annual production throughout the year, which includes upgrading costumes and creating new ones for specific characters. Some of the younger performers have outgrown their costumes and they have to be altered or completely re-made. Also, planning for new aspects of the local history of Shackelford County and the town of Albany, which was fortunate to be on a major Wagon Road in the 1850s-1880s. The history of the area is presented through singing, dancing, pantomime and pageantry, which re-creates life on the frontier in the Old West.

The partial visiting cast members, for this Sampler, included the sound man Wade Jones and on the keyboard was Sandy Abel. The quartet of singers included Lorna Ayers, Lanham Martin, Carly Price and Jeff Davis. The narrative of the presentation was led by Pam Davis, who also assisted on some of the songs. The two girls sang, “Work is a Song” and all four+one sang, “We are Texans” and “Our Precious Prairie Land.”

Remember, six flags have flown over Texas at one time or another and included France, Spain, Mexico, Texas, the United States and the Confederate flag flew over Texas during the Civil War. It is quite a remarkable history, which the Fandangle portrays through song.

The town of Albany serves up barbecue and there is an annual parade that features one of the few workable Calliopes that is still in existence and capable of producing music. Several years ago, the Calliope went through a major restoration to make sure everything was in working order.

The April luncheon was catered by the Water Store with Hostess Chair, Mandy Toombs, and Co-Chair, Marie Tennison. The hostess committee included BriElle Cawley, Lilas Davis, Robbi Harris, Courtney McClymond and Carey Woodward.

The Door Prize was provided by Jan McMillan and won by Carole Looney. The high Bridge score was Jill Flinchum and the low Liverpool Rummy score was earned by Lorene Calkins.

The Forum’s Community Service Project for April was “Birthday in a Bag” with suggestions of things that may be included such as candles, plasticware, paper plates, napkins, balloons, a cake mix and icing along with decorations and a card. The ‘Birthday in a Bag’, may include a birthday celebration for a resident of the Villa Haven Nursing Home, who has no family, or a young child whose family may not be able to afford all the trimmings of a birthday celebration. The ‘Birthday in a Bag’ helps fill the bill for a celebration that may not occur otherwise.

A new slate of officers was presented for the 2021-22 year by the current president, Jaclyn Morehart, and include the following persons: President - Mary Edwards, Vice-President - Kim Walker, Secretary - Jenny Coffee, Treasurer - Jackie Judkins, Parliamentarian - Jaclyn Morehart.

Standing Committees - Social Chair - Marie Tennison, Grounds Chair - Cindi Woodward, Ways & Means - Board Members, Reservations of Building Chair - Teeny Pearce, Membership Chair - Mary Thompson, Membership Co-Chair - Barbara Thornton, Yearbook Chair - Pat Knight, Notification Chair -Lilas Davis, Courtesy & Welcome Chair - Allison Bassler, Publicity Chair - Mona Craig, House Chair - Fran Sims, Historian & Scrapbook Chair - Mary Griffin *, Community Projects Chair - Elizabeth Power *, Junior Forum Advisor - Shannon Roberts.

The new officer slate will be read for a second time in the May meeting and then a vote will be taken. If approved and elected by the general membership of the Woman’s Forum, the new officers will take over their new positions on June 1.