TODAY

Donnell House needs you

State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who represents residents in North Alabama District 3 and heads the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, will be guest speaker at the Donnell House annual membership meeting 5:30 p.m. today at 601 S. Clinton St., Athens. The historic Donnell House is one of only three PastPort sites in Limestone County. Public invited to attend, hear Orr’s speech on bicentennial, enjoy refreshments and watch unveiling of Donnell House’s recent improvements.

Food pantry schedule change

The schedule for the Women Empowering Women food pantry will change to 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning today. The pantry is at 21625 Holt Road, Athens. Special appointment times may be arranged by calling 256-233-5995.

Used book sale

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

WEDNESDAY

Smart car rally

The 2018 All-American Smart Car Rally will make a stop Wednesday, June 13, in Athens. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., smart car drivers are invited to join the rally on the Square, where the cars will be parked for visitors to check out and observe while drivers from across the U.S. and Canada tour local establishments. The rally will then move to the Veterans Museum at 1 p.m. and Big Spring Park at 5 p.m. for photos at the Gulf station on East Street in Athens. Additional stops include Florence, Decatur and Lynchburg, Tennessee. More information: 256-606-6765; chplotz53@gmail.com.

Libraries Rock!

Ardmore Public Library will host a series of summer events as part of the “Libraries Rock!” summer reading program. Each event will be held in the new addition to the library. Events include: “Hands On” with Zig, 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13; “Rocking at the Library” with Rachel Sumner, 10 a.m.Wednesday, June 20; “Songs of Treasure Island” with Hampstead Stage, 10 a.m. Monday, June 25; “Rocking Reader Magic Show” with Bruce Almato, 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 27; and Safari Greg, 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 11. All events for ages 12 and under.

THURSDAY

Art show

Huntsville artist Carole Hunt Forêt and Chicago artist Claire Hunt Kayser will return to their Athens roots from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 14, for a show at In-Line Lighting, 281 U.S. 72 West. Come for refreshments and viewing works with both historic and contemporary themes.

FRIDAY

Class reunion

Trinity High School Class of 1963 will host a class luncheon noon Friday, June 15, at Twist Grill and Bar at DoubleTree Hotel in Decatur.

SATURDAY

NAACP festival

Limestone NAACP will hold its 14th annual solo festival at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, 803 Westmoreland St., Athens, at 6 p.m.Saturday, June 16. Young and old singers and the community are welcome. No charge.

UPCOMING

Self-defense course

Madison Police Department will host a RAD Systems Inc. self-defense course for women ages 12 and up from 6–9 p.m. June 18–21 at Dublin Park, 8324 Old Madison Pike, Madison. To register, contact Sgt. Christie Gover at 256-722-5618 or christie.gover@madisonal.gov. More information: rad-systems.com.

Homeownership workshop

Community Action Partnership, Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. and BBVA Compass will host a free homeownership workshop 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at the Tom A. Scott Community Center, 609 Ninth Ave., Athens. Topics include preparing for ownership, budgeting, the mortgage loan process and home maintenance. Space is limited. To RSVP, call 256-704-1650.

Free concert

The U.S. Army Materiel Command Band from Redstone Arsenal and the 80-voice choir from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will perform at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23, as part of “Celebrate America” at 1804 Sparkman Drive NW, Huntsville. This concert will serve as one of the final performances of the U.S. AMC Band.

Babysitting class

Ardmore Public Library will host a teen Red Cross babysitting safety course 9 a.m.–2:45 p.m. June 28 and 29 at the library in Ardmore. The class is for ages 11–16 and requires prior sign-up.

Boat Party

The 12th annual Elk River Boat Party, hosted by Bridget and Mike Jackson of Anderson Creek, will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30, and will feature music by Kozmic Mama. The event is by boat only. From the Tennessee River, travel north on the Elk River and under Lee Hi/U.S. 72 bridge, then left on Anderson Creek. The nearest boat launch will be Lee Highway/U.S. 72.

ONGOING

Summer concert series

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association and Jimmy Smith Buick-GMC are hosting “Singing on the Square” again this year. The free events are open to the public and will take place 6–8 p.m. at the Limestone County Courthouse, Marion Street side, on the following dates: Friday, June 15, with Tom McClung and Friends; Friday, July 20, with Briana and Garrett Dean; andFriday, Aug. 3, with the Athens State Community Band. Attendees are asked to bring their own seating. Rain location: Vietnam Veterans of America, 17915 W. Elm St., Athens. More information: 256-232-5411.

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., Athens, Mondays through Thursdays to complete an application.

Pop tab drive charity

Limestone County Farmers Federation is collecting aluminum pop tabs to raise money for Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham. Drop off tabs from 8 a.m.-5p.m. Mondays through Fridays at ALFA Insurance office at 524 U.S. 72 West in Athens, across from Hobbs Jewelers. More information: 256-233-0938.

Farmers market

The farmers market in Athens is now open 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays off Green Street.

Flex class

A SilverSneakers Flex Class to improve cardiovascular health and strength will be 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Round Island Baptist Church gymnasium, 14790 Browns Ferry Road. Everyone welcome. More Information: Janet, 256-614-3530.

Tanner book-lending machine

Athens-Limestone Public Library staff will be at the Tanner book-lending machine from 9:45–10:45 a.m. Fridays 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.

Burger night

American Veterans Post 21 hosts weekly burger nights from 5–8 p.m. Fridays at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cost is $5 and includes fries and a drink. Veterans and members receive a 10 percent discount. Proceeds benefit AmVets and American military veterans. More information: AmVetsAl21.com; 256-444-2793.

Karaoke

American Veterans Post 21 hosts weekly karaoke nights from 8 p.m.-midnight Fridays at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cover is $5 for nonmembers and free for members, with proceeds benefiting AmVets and American military veterans. More information: AmVetsAl21.com.

Game day

Americans Veterans Post 21 hosts weekly game days Saturdays at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cover is $5 for nonmembers and free for members, with proceeds benefiting AmVets and America military veterans. More information: AmVetsAl21.com.

Spaghetti dinner

Vietnam Veterans of America hosts an all-you-can-eat spaghetti meal from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, except November and December, at 17915 W. Elm St., Athens. Cost is $7 and includes spaghetti, cole slaw, garlic bread, dessert and drink. Eat-in and carryout available. Entertainment provided. Profits pay for scholarships for local students. Group orders are asked to call ahead. More information: 256-431-3213.

Country-fried steak

American Veterans Post 21 hosts monthly country-fried steak dinner from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cost is $6.50 per person and includes golden-fried chopped beef steak in country gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans and a roll. Veterans and members receive a 10 percent discount. More information: AmVetsAl21.com; 256-444-2793.

A Few Good Yards

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association is searching for “a few good yards” to recognize in June. Yards must not be professionally maintained. Nominations, including owner information and photographs of the yard, can be submitted online at mg.aces.edu/limestone/were-looking-for-a-few-good-yards/ or to tlt_brown@charter.net.

CEMETERY CLEANUPS

Poplar Creek Cemetery

Poplar Creek Cemetery on Snake Road will host its annual decoration day beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16. Members of the committee will be there to answer questions and concerns from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Donations can be made at that time. Those who are unable to attend are asked to send donations for upkeep to Poplar Creek Cemetery, P.O. Box 965, Athens, AL 35612.

Cemetery donations

Yearly donations are now being accepted for upkeep of the Bethel Church of Christ Cemetery. Donations are $50 and should be mailed to: Bethel Cemetery Fund, c/o Tommy Sprague, 25917 Pepper Road, Athens, AL 35613. Family and friends of those buried are asked to remove everything from the graves at the cemetery immediately for mowing season. Exceptions will be made for saddles and vases connected to monuments. At the discretion of the caretaker, anyone who has no made a donation for upkeep of a reserved plot will be subject to removal from reserved status and their plot being made available to families in need. More information: Tommy Sprague, 256-874-8461.

MEETINGS

• Toastmasters. Athens Toastmasters Club will hold its Comedy and Improv Club meeting 5:45-7 tonight at 124 Cloverleaf Drive, Athens. Visitors are welcome. More information: 708-691-2447.

• Historic preservation. Athens Historic Preservation Commission will hold its annual meeting 6 tonight in the Council Chamber of Athens City Hall, 200 W. Hobbs St., Athens. Work session begins at 5:45 p.m. The following item is on the agenda: Request by Andrew and Lisa Gibson for certificate of appropriateness to build a detached garage in the rear yard of 409 W. Pryor St.

• DAV. Disabled Americans Veterans Chapter 51 will meet 7 tonight at the American Legion building on Cloverleaf Drive. The meeting will cover the possible loss of the chapter. All members are encouraged to attend. More information: Roger Keyes, 256-374-2072 or 256-509-1306.

• Beekeepers. Limestone County Beekeepers Association will meet 6 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at 17218 U.S. 72 West, Athens.

• NAACP. Limestone County chapter of the NAACP will meet 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 18, at 809 U.S. 72 West, Suite D, in Athens. More information: Wilbert Woodruff, 256-227-8489.

• Al-Anon. Al-Anon group meets 7 p.m. Mondays at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Rogersville. An time for relatives and friends of alcoholics and other addicts to share their experiences, thoughts and support to solve common problems. More information: Call Sue Vial at 256-762-5977.

Limestone Ledger is a community calendar in which nonprofit organizations can notify the public of events. Items will run as space allows until the day of the event and should be submitted at least one week prior to the event for best results. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.