TODAY

Christmas Open House

The 31st annual Christmas Open House will take place Nov. 17-19 on the Square in Athens. Event activities include live entertainment, Ice Skating on the Square, Blizzard Bash, gift-wrapping, tacky sweater contest and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. More information: bit.ly/2017ChristmasOpenHouse.

SATURDAY

Stuff-A-Truck

The annual Stuff-A-Truck food drive to benefit Limestone County Churches Involved will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at First National Bank on the corner of Lindsay Lane and U.S. 72. This is a rain-or-shine event.

Bake sale

The Ardmore Friends of the Library will host a bake sale from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Ardmore Public Library, 25836 Main St., Ardmore, Tennessee. Baked goods such as cakes, pies, breads and similar items in pint jars will be sold. Marie Allsup’s Christmas wreath, two plates and a crystal bowl will be given away during the event. Deborah Smith Ford, Elkton native and author of “The GRITS Guide to Life,” will attend.

Turkey shoot

West Limestone Volunteer Fire Department will host a turkey shoot and stew sale starting 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at 28500 Alabama 99 in Salem. Goat stew and chicken stew will be available. More information: 256-233-7678; 256-233-4087; and 256-233-5544 (Saturday only).

Farm-City

Alabama Farmers Federation, in conjunction with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will host Farm-City from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena on Alabama 99. The event will feature agriculture-related exhibits and activities and free lunch for the first 250 attendees. This event is free and open to all ages. More information: 256-232-5510.

Turkey giveaway

Women Empowering Women will host a 100 turkey giveaway Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Athens-Limestone Public Library at 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. Event runs from 10-11 a.m. or until turkeys are gone. Turkeys are free to the first 100 families. More information: 256-233-5995.

Tools workshop

The Limestone County Master Gardeners Association will present a free workshop on garden tool maintenance from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in the Athens Lowe’s garden center. More information: Jay, 850-393-1717; Janet, 256-614-3530.

Chicken stew

Elkmont Volunteer Fire Department will host a chicken stew fundraiser from 11 a.m. until sold out Saturday, Nov. 18, at 19667 Sandlin Road, Elkmont. Cost is $5 for a bowl of stew with drink and dessert, $30 per gallon of stew, $15 per half-gallon and $8 per quart. Bring own containers for carryout orders. More information: Susan Pylant, 256-431-0277.

Food distribution

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church will host a Thanksgiving food distribution from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1911 Hine St., Athens. To receive food, participants must be eligible to receive food stamps; be eligible for SNAP, TANF or SSI; meet income minimums as listed at the distribution site; experience special circumstances such as fire, flood, illness, injury, etc.; or complete eligibility form at distribution site. Those interested in participating must bring valid ID card or driver’s license. More information: Pastor McMillon, 256-444-2628.

SUNDAY

Jewelry sale

Athens-Limestone Hospital Education Department and Masquerade will host a $5 jewelry and accessories sale at the following times: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20; and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21. Proceeds benefit Athens-Limestone Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

TUESDAY

Chicken stew

The American Legion’s monthly chicken stew luncheon will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21. Price is $5 for all-you-can-eat dine-ins or $5 per quart for carryouts. Dine-ins include stew, drinks and dessert. Desserts for carryout are $1 each and limited to two per quart purchased with no more than four desserts total. Containers provided for carryouts. Free delivery within Athens city limits for businesses or homebound persons. More information or for reservations: 256-230-6233, 8 a.m. to noon, Monday or Tuesday.

Used book sale

The Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold a used book sale from 10:15 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. More information: 256-232-1233.

UPCOMING

Museum closing

The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives will be closed Nov. 23-25 for Thanksgiving. The museum will open for normal operation on Monday, Nov. 27.

Legion fundraiser

American Legion Post 49 fundraiser, sponsored by Krystal, will be 4-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 28 and 29. Half of net sales from customers with the appropriate flyer will be donated to Post 49 to support youth activities. Flyers are available at the American Legion. More information: Bob Borden, 256-230-6233.

Meet and greet

The Foundation for Mental Health and Mental Health Center of North Alabama will host a food and fun event from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Somerville Place, 1316 Somerville Road, Decatur. This event will double as an opportunity for visitors and the public to meet staff and board members of the Foundation for Mental Health and Mental Health Center. More information: 256-260-7324.

Fine arts showcase

The One Athens Fine Arts Showcase will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Athens Middle School. The public is invited to visit throughout the building during the free event. Student choirs and band performances will take place in the auditorium. Visual art displays, a silent auction and additional band performances will be in the gymnasium. The library will feature video of theater performances. Refreshments will be sold in the cafeteria. This is the final year for AMS to host the showcase.

Christmas parade

The city of Ardmore’s Christmas parade will be held 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4. In the event of rain, the parade will be postponed to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.

Holiday home tour

The Seventh Annual Bells of Christmas Holiday Home Tour, sponsored by Athens Ladies Civitan, will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. The tour will include the homes of Mary Nelle Clam, Jim and Sherry Johnson, Melvin and Vicki Workman and Mary Winn, as well as Little Pink Houses and a portion of The Warten Bed and Breakfast. Caterers for the event are Food Fite, C&A Catering, Sweet Thymes and Honeysuckle Café. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and may be purchased starting Friday, Nov. 17, at Crawford’s Gifts, Pimentos, Pam’s Home Furnishings, Class Act Hair Salon, First National Bank on U.S. 72 or Kathleen’s Corner Hair Salon. Proceeds support programs for special needs children and adults of Limestone County. More information: Carolyn Stair, 256-658-1985; Carol Malone, 256-777-2918.

ONGOING

Chili Challenge

Registration is now open for the Athens High School Chili Challenge. All businesses and community groups are eligible to sign up as challengers. Entry fee is $50 and includes five chili challenge tickets. Reserve a spot by calling 256-232-5017 or visiting the hospice office at 405 S. Marion St.

North Pole Stroll

Athens-Limestone County Tourism is accepting sponsorships for the North Pole Stroll until Nov. 17. The North Pole Stroll is a display of 7-foot, cut Christmas trees located in Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens, each decorated by a sponsor. Sponsorships are $100 each. More information: 256-232-5411.

Letters to Santa

The News Courier is accepting letters to Santa from children in Athens and Limestone County. Letters may be handwritten and delivered to the office at 410 W. Green St., Athens, or emailed to ancsantaletters@gmail.com.

Leaf collection

The first round of leaf collection in the city of Athens will be Nov. 6 through Dec. 1. Here is the schedule: Nov. 6-10 for those with garbage pickup Tuesdays; Nov. 13-17 for those with garbage pickup Wednesdays; Nov. 20-22 for those with garbage pickup Thursdays; and Nov. 27-Dec. 1 for those with garbage pickup Fridays. Due to weather conditions, this schedule is subject to change. Residents are asked to keep leaves and limbs separate. Leaves mixed with limbs will not be collected.

Farmers Market

The Farmers Market will be open Tuesdays and Fridays through the end of November.

Jingle Paws

Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter is now accepting photos of pets to be used for decorating trees at the North Pole Stroll in Athens’ Big Spring Park and the Tinsel Trail in Ardmore. Cost is $10 per picture. Picture must be no larger than 4×6 and will not be returned. Deadline for photos and registration is Sunday, Dec. 10. Registration forms can be downloaded at limestonepets.org.

SNAP signup

Retired Senior Volunteer Program is taking applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for ages 60 and older. The SNAP program helps low-income people buy the food they need to stay healthy. Call 256-232-7207 or come by the RSVP office at 409 W. Washington St. in Athens Mondays through Thursdays to complete the application.

Tutors wanted

RSVP is recruiting people 55 and older who would like to be a school tutor at the school of their choice. More information: RSVP, 256-232-7207.

Tanner book-lending machine

Athens-Limestone Public Library staff will be at the Tanner book-lending machine Fridays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. to make library cards, teach patrons how to use the book-lending machine and answer questions about library services. More information: Visit www.ALCPL.org or call 256-232-1233.

Stability classes

East Limestone Senior Center will host SilverSneakers stability class from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. every Thursday at 25820 Nick Davis Road. SilverSneakers is a group exercise class designed to keep participants safe on their feet. The class will include standing and walking exercises designed to decrease the risk of falling. Donations accepted. More information: 256-614-3530.

Food pantry

The Women Empowering Women food pantry will be open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and the second Saturday of each month. More information and to contribute: Janice Williams, 256-233-5995; wew5995@gmail.com; www.womenempoweringwomenofalabama.org.

MEETINGS

• Positive Look. Positive Look, a support group for blind and visually impaired and their friends and family, will meet 10 a.m. until noon today at Athens Recreation Center. The speaker will be Tamara Tumlin, ATAP coordinator for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. Those who attend are asked to bring something to share for lunch. More information: Loretta Bryan, 256-552-0747; Preston Reynolds, 256-777-1140.

• NARFE. NARFE Chapter 1480 will meet 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Veterans Museum. Dr. Jim Williams, second vice president of the Alabama NARFE Federation, will speak on legislation. Breakfast will be served. More information: Dean Morgan, 256-233-0248.

• UDC. Joseph E. Johnston 198 chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will meet 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Traditions Assisted Living, 22171 Traditions Way, Athens. More information: Peggy King, 256-233-8379; Linda Watson, 256-431-7493.

• NAACP. Limestone NAACP will hold its November general meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at the Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Beaty St., Athens. More information: Wilbert Woodruff, 256-227-8489.

• Archives. The Friends of the Limestone County Archives will hold its quarterly meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Limestone County Archives. This meeting is open to the public. More information: 256-233-6404; foa_44@yahoo.com.

• NSDAR. The John Wade Keyes chapter of NSDAR will meet 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Traditions Assisted Living, 22171 Traditions Way, Athens. More information: Brenda Winter, 256-771-3536; Dana Henry, 256-777-7694.

• UDC. Joseph E. Johnston 198 of UDC will meet 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Traditions Assisted Living, 22171 Traditions Way, Athens. More information: Peggy King, 256-233-8379; Linda Watson, 256-431-7493.

• Bondage Breakers. Bondage Breakers Ministry will host its “Final Call” women’s conference at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Athens-Limestone Public Library. More information: Pastor Cordell Hunter, 256-374-9412.

Limestone Ledger is a list of events hosted by nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted in writing. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.