This week

Gospel meeting

West Hobbs Street Church of Christ is hosting a gospel meeting Feb. 16-18. Friday and Saturday will be at 7 p.m., and Sunday will be at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The speaker will be Wayne Cox of Verona Church of Christ in Verona, Miss.

Upcoming

Empty bowls

The 2024 Athens Limestone Empty Bowls project will hold the annual luncheon on Friday, Feb. 23, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Revival just off the square in Athens. Each ticket holder will get two bowls of soup and bread provided by local restaurants and a handmade pottery bowl as a reminder that someone’s bowl may be empty. There will also be a Maker’s Market with items to purchase. Proceeds go to local agencies that address food insecurity. Tickets are $15 and available from committee members, the office of First Presbyterian Church and through the Facebook page of Athens Limestone Empty Bowls Project.

Civil rights and religion community symposium

As a feature for black history month, Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Alabama Fork CPCA Church at 2:30 p.m., the Curtis Coleman Center for Religion Leadership and Culture of Athens State University will hold community symposium on Historic Civil Rights Congregations, Freedman Churches and Religious Education in the Athens and the Limestone County Area. The event will address the history of Athens and Limestone County African American religious schools, and will highlight the resilience and brilliance of Black clergy, educators and students and the adversity they overcame to make the area what it is today. Leaders and historians from area’s historic churches, along with the University archivists will present and open discussions. This is an education opportunity for community leaders, clergy, educators, and lovers of history. It is free and open to the public. The church is located at: 19801 Cross Key Road and 21057 Highway 127 Athens, AL 35611. For more information, contact Eric Betts at (256)-233-6518.

Addiction recovery celebration

New Beginning MB Church (19871 George Washington St., Tanner, AL, 35671) will host the “I’m an overcomer” addiction recovery celebration on Feb. 24 at 12 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.

Spelling bee registration

The Learn to Read Council’s Pat Waybright/Sue Vice Spelling Bee and silent auction will be on March 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the Athens Middle School cafeteria. The registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 29. For more information or to make a monetary donation, email learntoreadcouncil@gmail.com.

Author visit

Jennifer Hallmark will visit the Athens Limestone County Public Library community room Feb. 29 at 6 p.m.

Gospel singing with The Pylant Family & Clear Vision

Nebo Community Church will host a gospel singing on Sunday, March 3, at 3 p.m. at 1772 Nuclear Plant Rd. Athens, AL. The Pylant Family and Clear Vision will be performing. This event is free and open to all.

ASU’s Active Minds Mental Health Summit

Athens State University will host their second Active Minds Mental Health Summit on March 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Sandridge Student Center Ballroom, with breakfast served at 8 a.m. The keynote speaker will be TeNisha Carpenter, and the theme will be “Moving from Hurt to Hope: Healing from Trauma.” For more information contact Dr. Patrice Broaden at (256) 233-8143.

Art on the Lake vendors

Art on the Lake, an annual two-day arts and crafts festival in Guntersville, Ala., is now accepting applications from artists and vendors who wish to exhibit in the show. This 63rd annual event will be held April 20-21. For more information, please contact: Patty Richmond via email at guntersvilleartonthelake@gmail.com or visit our website www.artonthelake-guntersville.com.

North Alabama Canine Expo vendors

The North Alabama Canine Expo is a celebration of all things canine, bringing together dog lovers from our community. The expo will feature a diverse range of activities and attractions, including demonstrations, meet the breed sessions, canine education, adoption information, and various vendor booths offering dog products, services, and accessories. The expo organizers are still accepting vendor applications. For more information, reach out to northalabamacanineexpo@gmail.com.

Ongoing

RSVP tutors needed

RSVP needs volunteers, age 55 and older, who are willing to tutor students in reading and math. If interested, please call (256) 232-7207 or come by the RSVP Office at 409 West Washington Street, Suite A.

RSVP income tax service

RSVP will be offering free income tax service again this year. You must call RSVP at (256)-232-7207 to schedule an appointment for Athens Public Library and Decatur Public Library. Call 931-427-4883 for Ardmore appointment. The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. from Jan. 29-Feb. 29 and Mondays and Thursdays from Mar. 4-April 15. The Decatur Public Library will have services available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 29-April 15. Ardmore Public Library will be available on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by appointment (call (931) 427-4883) from Jan. 31-April 10.

Weekly

Virtual exercise class

Limestone County Council on Aging presents virtual exercise class 2–3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays via Zoom. The classes are called S.A.I.L., which stands for Stay Active and Independent for Life. More information: (256) 233-6412.

Book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library host a used book sale from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each Tuesday and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. More information (256) 232-1233.

TOPS meeting (Tuesdays)

Athens AL TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Evening Chapter #0616 meets weekly on Tuesdays, at the Athens Activity Center on Pyror Street. Weigh-In starts at 6:00pm and the meeting at 6:30pm. For more info, email: AthensAL616TOPS@gmail.com.

Community Choir Rehearsals

The Athens State University Community Choir holds rehearsals on Tuesday nights from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Athens High School Choir Room. For more information, contact Teresa Edwards at tedwards32815@gmail.com or learn more at the choir’s Facebook page.

TOPS meeting (Wednesdays)

The Athens, AL TOPS Club Inc.® Chapter #615 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support organization, meets weekly on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at the Athens City Activity Center located at 912 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL 35611. Your first visit to any TOPS meeting is free. For more information about TOPS Club, Inc. and our chapter, contact our Leader, Kimberly Harbin, at kh2458@charter.net.

Crochet Club

Athens-Limestone County Public Library hosts a crochet club every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for every skill level. Bring your current projects to work on or help others learn.

Digital Literacy Classes

Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host a series of Digital Literacy Classes in conjunction with Calhoun Community College & Drake State Community & Technical College. Classes will boost your digital confidence & provide you with skills and training needed in today’s job market. Classes are Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Call (256) 306-2830 to learn more.

Houston Memorial Library Daily Book Sale

The Houston Library has a large selection of paperback Westerns for sale. Fifty cents each. First come first serve. The Houston Library is located at 101 N. Houston St., Athens AL 35611 and open M-F and the first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (256) 233 — 8770 for more information. Houston Memorial Library and Museum hosts a book sale daily.

Monthly

Houston Library Writers Group

The Houston Library Writers Group will resume monthly meetings on Thursday, March 7th, at 6 p.m. at the Houston Library. Open to professional and aspiring writers alike. All writing styles welcome! Call (256) 233-8770 for more information.

Beekeepers association meeting

The Limestone County Beekeepers Association meets the second Monday of every even numbered month (Feb, April. June. Aug. Oct & Dec) at 6:30 p.m. at The Extension Office located at: 1109 W Market St. STE A Athens, AL. 35611.

AMVETS Post 21 monthly breakfast

AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a veterans breakfast every second Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. The breakfast is open to the public for a $6 donation, and it is free to veterans, first responders and their families. The proceeds go to help meet the needs of the post’s veterans and their families.

AMVETS Post 21 themed dinner

AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a themed dinner, usually on the third Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The dinner is open to the public and costs $15 per person.

Book club

Join the Athens-Limestone Public Library for a new book club on the third Tuesday of the month. The club meets at 6 p.m. at Athens Alehouse & Cellar.

Food giveaway

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church’s food pantry will be open 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at 1911 Hine St., Athens. Patrons must provide proof of at least one of the following: eligibility to receive supplemental food assistance (SNAP/food stamps); eligibility for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; eligibility to receive Supplemental Security Income; income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level; or special circumstances. Eligibility forms provided at distribution site. Must have valid ID card or driver’s license. Only one distribution per household while supplies last. Monetary and food donations accepted. More information: (256) 424-5403.

Book club

We have a Book Club that meets the fourth Thursday of every month at Antiques on Jefferson.

Community outreach day

Freshwind Christian Fellowship is partnering with Women Empowering Women of Alabama to create a day of fun for the whole family every fourth Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 17200 Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens through October. They will be serving food and giving away free clothing. For more information contact Janice Williams at (256) 233-5995.

Blood donations

LifeSouth

You can schedule a time with the Athens Donor Center online anytime. For more information, or to find and participate in blood drives, visit https://donors.lifesouth.org/donor/schedules/zip.

Red Cross

American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make an appointment for blood or platelet donation.