This week

American Legion Meeting

The American Legion Post 49 will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m., at the DAV Building, located at 25396 Airport Rd., Athens, AL. For additional information, please call Rod Huffman at 256-233-3023.

Athens Garden Club

The Athens Garden Club invites the ladies of Athens and Limestone County to attend their general meeting on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Freeman Street, in Athens. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments will be provided. The guest speaker will be Lynn Hart who was the director of the Athens Beautification Board for several years. After the guest speaker, the ladies will make small flower arrangements for local shut-ins. Please come out and enjoy the fellowship. For more information, please call (256)-431-6418.

Veterans Breakfast

AMVETS Post 21 will host their regularly scheduled monthly Veterans Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at their Post building, located at  22769 Black Road, in Athens. The breakfast is free to all Veterans and first responders, but $10 for all other guests. For more information, please contact AMVETS Public Relations Officer Eddie Craig at 256-777-2290.

Crochet Club

The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host the Crochet Club on Saturday, Jan. 11. Join in on the fun from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. as club members share their projects and learn new stitches. For more information, please visit www.alcpl.org.

Gettin’ Dirty at the Library 

The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host Rachel Bailes with BluButterfly Botanicals on Tuesday, Jan. 14, for an hour-long presentation on tinctures and medicinal plants. Bailes is a passionate health care provider and nutritional wellness advocate. She has curated a haven of nature’s finest remedies to elevate your journey towards vibrant health and balance. She specializes in tinctures combining functional mushrooms and herbalism. Her presentation, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and last until 12 p.m.,  is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.alcpl.org.

Upcoming

Kenny and Amanda Smith Concert

The 2025 Fiddlers Concert Series will continue with a performance by Kenny and Amanda Smith on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at McCandless Hall on the campus of Athens State University. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets for adults are $15 and $5 for children. For more information, and where to purchase tickets, please visit www.TVOTFC.org.

Whiskey University at Princess Theatre

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m., The Princess Theatre in Decatur will host a fundraising event called Whiskey University Tasting and Class. Guided by an expert from Whiskey University, sample a variety of bourbons and ryes for under $50. Each ticket will help fund The Princess Theatre, all attendees must be 21 years old or older. For more information, please visit www.princesstheatre.org/events.

Dr. King Day Prayer and Breakfast

The Curtis Coleman Center for Religion, Leadership and Culture at Athens State University will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer and Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. in the Founder’s Hall Chapel at Athens State University. The location of this year’s event is at 300 N. Beaty St. Athens, AL. The theme of the event is “Prayer Against Violence,” all members of the public are welcomed to attend and no registration will be required. For more information, please contact Eric Betts at 256-233-6518.

Ongoing Weekly

Heart for Homeless

Please join The News Courier, and several others, as we try and help out our homeless population in Athens and Limestone County. Please give whatever essentials you can. All donations can be left at The News Courier’s office at 410 W. Green St. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Other donation sites include; Don Carter Heating and Cooling on 72 East, Toodlebugs on E. Hobbs St. and One Main Financial on 72 East.

Ardmore Tinsel Trail

The Greater Ardmore Chamber of Commerce Tinsel Trail has returned for another year at the corner of Ardmore Avenue and 1st Street near Ardmore Town Hall and The Bryan House until Wednesday, Jan. 1. Visitors coming to town are welcomed to view the trees and are also encouraged to shop and dine at the local businesses in historic Ardmore area.

Christmas Lights Drive-Thru

A free Christmas lights display is available for public viewing from dusk until midnight everyday until Dec. 31 at 8971 Lentzville Road, Athens, AL 35614. The 1/4 mile loop is a drive-around experience that includes thousands of lights, inflatables and displays. All are welcomed to come out and enjoy.

Athens Tinsel Trail

The Tinsel Trail will be on full display at Big Spring Memorial Park until Dec. 31. For more information please visit alcchamber.org.

Crochet Club at the Library

The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host the Crochet Club every Saturday in December at 9:30 a.m. The event is for crocheters at any skill level.

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.

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.