This week

Christmas Market

The Athens-Limestone Hospital will host a special Christmas Market for employees and community members to experience a unique shopping experience featuring a variety of local vendors on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Athens-Limestone Hospital Education Conference Room. The special shopping event will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m.

Donnell House 2024 Festival of TreesJoin 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.

Skating on the Square

Dream Key Real Estate, LLC, will present the annual Skating on the Square event starting on Friday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The special event is set for the entire weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 1-5 p.m. at Marion Street Downtown Athens. The cost is $5 per person — cash only.

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.

Merchants Alley Tree Lighting

Merchants Alley on Jefferson Street will kick off the Christmas open house weekend with their tree lighting and open house on Friday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. The event will also feature a special performance from the Athens High School Chorus.

Photos with Santa

Dream Key Real Estate will present a special Photos with Santa event at the Athens-Limestone Tourism Office, located at 100 N. Beaty Street, from Saturday, Nov. 23, until Sunday, Nov. 24. All photos will be sponsored by Fly Leaf Photography Studio with Santa’s Carriage sponsored by AllStar Pro Services.The event will be from 1-3 p.m. $25 per photo with Santa.

Jingle & Mingle

Athens Arts League invites you to their special Jingle and Mingle event on Saturday, Nov. 23. Enjoy an evening with their artists, following High Cotton Arts’ Open House from 5-7 p.m. Refreshments and live music by Hatfield Lake will be provided at High Cotton Arts as well.

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

Upcoming

Turkey Donations

A Better Place To Go is in need of turkey donations for 40 Thanksgiving meals on Thursday, Nov. 28. For more information on how to donate or how to obtain the organizations services please contact Latimer Dobbins at (256)-230-8822.

Christmas Parade

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

County Commission Tree Lighting

The Limestone County Commission will host their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the southwest corner of the Limestone County Courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.

Bells of Christmas Holiday Home Tour

The Athens Ladies Civitan Club will host the Holiday Home Tour on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1-5 p.m., to include five beautiful homes ranging from a lovely home in the Historical District to a beautiful Modern Farmhouse. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, Nov. 22, at Trinity’s, Pimentos, Bean Beans Boutique and Frank’s Good Stuff Antiques. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit programs for Limestone County children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, college scholarships for local youth and other worthy community causes. For more information call Carolyn Stair at (256)-658-1985 or Dianne Newby at (256)-777-2155.

Ongoing Weekly

Support Group

Support groups for domestic abuse victims and survivors will be held at the Family Resource Center on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays at noon. Facilitated by Crisis Services of North Alabama. For more information, please call (256)-230-1240.

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.