This week

STEPS Book Club

The Limestone County NAACP will hold their monthly STEPS Book Club session on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Round Island Creek Mission Center, located at 13829 Lucas Ferry Rd. The special event, for students from 3 to 13 years old, will begin at 9 a.m. For more information, and to register for the event, please visit limestonecountyalnaacp.org or call (256)-216-5668.

BBQ Competition

AMVETS AL Post 21 will host a BBQ team competition on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 22769 Black Road, Athens. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., with two or three people per team — featuring at least one veteran. Ribs and chicken will be supplied for the competition, and a free dinner will be provided after judging. To register, and to receive the rules for the event, please contact amvetsalpost21@gmail.com or (256)-444-2793. The deadline to register for the BBQ competition is Monday, Nov. 4.

Veterans Day Parade

AMVETS AL Post 21 will host the Athens-Limestone County 2024 Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The deadline to register to participate in the event is Thursday, Nov. 7. For more information, please contact the AMVETS AL Post 21 at (256)-444-2793 or amvetsalpost21@gmail.com.

King’s Table Thanksgiving Drive-Thru

New Life Church, located at 2314 Hine Street South, will be giving out a free full-course carryout meal on Saturday, Nov. 16. The King’s Table Thanksgiving Drive-Thru will start at 11 a.m. For more information, please contact (256)-233-7228.

Elvis Christmas Concert

The Make-A-Way Foundation will present a special Elvis Christmas Concert, featuring Michael Dean and the Athens High School Choir, on Saturday, Nov. 16. The concert, which will be held at the Athens Middle School Auditorium, will start at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information, please contact (256)-434-1762.

Upcoming

Tinsel Trail Tree Lighting

The Athens-Limestone Tinsel Trail’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Athens Big Spring Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. The special ceremony will be followed by Story time with Santa at 7 p.m., with live entertainment and Happi Pappi Beignets. The Tinsel Trail will be on display until Dec. 31. For more information please visit alcchamber.org.

Donnell House 2024 Festival of Trees {div}Join the Donnell House for the 2024 “Christmas with the Donnells” celebration. The much-anticipated Candlelight Preview Party will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and promises guests a first glimpse of the magic created by talented local businesses, clubs, school children and individuals. Enjoy catered delicacies among thousands of twinkling lights as we usher in the Christmas season. Tickets are $30 each and payable at the door. If you can’t make it to the preview party, the house will be open on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.., and Sunday, Dec. 1 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free. For more information, call (256) 497-8526.{/div}

Christmas in the Country Craft Show

The 41st Christmas in the Country Craft Show will be held at Rotary Park gyms, located at 927 North Military Road, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The event will be hosted by Voice of Victory John 6:35 Food Pantry Special Show on Friday, Nov. 22. The event will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and it will cost $5 for entry fee. The regular show on Saturday, Nov. 23, will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for a $3 entry fee. All children under the age of 6 years old get in for free. For more information, please contact Sheila at (931)762-1667

Christmas Parade

The annual Athens-Limestone Christmas Parade, also known as Christmas Carnival of Lights, will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Ongoing Weekly

Houston Memorial Library

The best kept secret in Athens — The Houston Memorial Library and Museum is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Home to a large collection of mystery, fiction, childrens, young adult and western books to be checked out with a $5.00 per year membership. The historic residence, which was built in 1834, also has a book sale room that is open each day. The museum has period furniture, civil war memorabilia and Native American artifacts.

Thanksgiving Turkey/Food Banks Registration

Women Empowering Women (WEW), located at 21625 Holt Rd., will start the registration process for their annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Banks. Registration will begin Monday, Nov. 4, and run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Monday, Nov. 18. The registration on each day is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and go until 4 p.m. For more information, please contact Janice Williams at (256)-233-5995.

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 (Mondays)

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

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.