Limestone Ledger for 03/19/25
Published 8:24 am Wednesday, March 19, 2025
- 2023 File Photo. Guests sample wings during the tasting portion of the People’s Choice Wings competition. The Singing River Smoke-O-Rama BBQ Contest and Festival returns for its second year on Saturday, March 22.
This Week
Singing River Smoke-O-Rama
The Singing River Smoke-O-Rama BBQ Contest and Festival returns for its second year on Saturday, March 22. The special event will be held at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, located at 18118 SR—99. Tickets to sample and vote on your favorite BBQ are $5. Gates will open to the public at 9 a.m.
Trash Pandas Spring Business Mixer
The Rocket City Trash Pandas will host their Spring Business Mixer, in collaboration with the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, March 20. Registration for the special event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m., will last until Monday, March 17. For more information, and to register for the event, please visit trashpandasbaseball.com.
Pub Crawl
The second annual Athens Pub Crawl has been moved to Saturday, March 22, due to the threat of weather on Saturday, March 15. In observance of St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, Match 17. The event will start at 5:45 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. Event organizers strongly encourage all attendees to drink responsibly. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/489100324036301.
Town Hall Meeting
The Limestone County Democratic Party will host a town hall meeting on Saturday, March 22, at the El Opry Event Center, located at 24861 Airport Rd. The town hall, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and last until 8:30 p.m., aims to foster an open dialogue between our representative and his constituents who are eager to engage with him about recent changes and developments within our community. Congressman Dale Strong has been invited to attend.
Nebo Community Church Program
Singer Aaron Green will be the keynote speaker for Nebo Community Church’s program on Sunday, March 23, at 17772 Nuclear Plant Rd., Athens, Alabama. The program, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., will be free for the public to attend.
Southern Gospel Music Trio
The Lovelace Family will be singing at Grassy Baptist Church on Sunday, March 23, at 5 p.m. Grassy Baptist Church is located at 142857 Highway 64 in Lexington, Alabama. For more information, please call 256-278-0588.
Upcoming
Community Easter Eggstravaganza
Friendship Church will host their Community Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 5, at Swan Creek Park — next to Athens Middle School. The free event, which will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 5 p.m., is open to all members of the public. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. There will be eggs, inflatables and food trucks (which you will have to pay for). For more information, please visit friendshipchurchal.org.
Attention — NARFE Members
The Alabama Federation of NARFE has scheduled their 2025 Alabama Convention in Huntsville at the Holiday Inn, 5903 University Drive on 10-11 April. The National President William Shackelford will speak and our Region III Field VP Lynn Harper will install the new officers. The price is $100. Call Robert Malone, 256-374-2204 or Dean Morgan 256-431-5555 if interested.
Central Church of Christ Women’s Ministry Conference
Career and Workforce Expo
Athen State University will host their 2025 Career and Workforce Expo at the Sandridge Student Center Ballroom on Thursday, April 17, from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Annual Membership Gala
The Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce will hold their 2025 Annual Membership Meeting Galla on Thursday, April 24, at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, located at 114 W. Pryor St. The Disco Night event will begin with a reception from 4 p.m. through 6 p.m. and then a dinner immediately after. All member tickets are $85 and all non-member tickets will be $150. For more information, and to register for the event, please visit https://business.alcchamber.org/events/details/2025-annual-membership-gala-disco-night-2935.
Elkmont Beauty Walk
The 20th annual Elkmont Red Carpet Affair Beauty Walk will be held on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26. Registration for the special event is currently underway, with the deadline to register being Tuesday, April 8. Registration forms can be picked up at at Elkmont High School, Elkmont Elementary Schoool and Keila’s Hair Salon in Ardmore. Special guest judge, Miss Indiana Teen USA for 2024-2025 will be on hand. For more information, please call 256-777-8216.
Ongoing Weekly
Vidalia Onion Orders
Orders may now be placed for fresh Vidalia Onions — a fundraiser for Athens Ladies Civitan Club. 10 lb. bags are $12 each and will be delivered the 1st or 2nd week of May. Onions arrive from the farm within 72 hours of harvesting. Orders may be placed by calling Carolyn Stair 256-658-1985, Ruby McCartney 256-655-6080, or through any Athens Ladies Civitan Club member. You may also order by mail to ALCC, P.O. Box 1814, Athens 35612. Include name, address, contact info and number of bags ordered. Orders and payment must be received by April 21, 2025. Venmo payments are accepted. Make checks payable to ALCC. Venmo also accepted. For more information, please contact Lynne Hart at 256-431-0272.
Women Empowering Women
Every fourth Sunday of the month, the Women Empowering Women of Alabama will meet at Freshwind Church, located at 17200 Lucas Ferry Rd. Athens AL. 35613, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. from February to October. For more information, you can contact Rev. Janice Elisa Lanier Williams at 256-233-5995 or you can visit their website at https://wewoa.org/.
Hearts 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.
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.
Income Tax Help
RSVP is taking appointments for preparation of Income Tax season at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library until April 15. Please call 256-232-7207 to schedule your appointments as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in February from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. and then March through April 15 – Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
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 a.m. until 4 p.m. Home to a large collection of mystery, fiction, children’s, young adult and western books to be checked out with a $5 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.
Flower and Flag Regulations for Athens Cemeteries
(City; Hine-Hobbs St., Old City, Roselawn and Thatch-Mann Cemetery) No flowers or decorations allowed on the ground for maintenance, unless following a funeral. Placement of flowers is acceptable year-round on monuments. Flowers will be removed after funerals as follows: Fresh flower removal will take place seven (7) days following a funeral. Silk flower removal will take place twenty-one (21) days following a funeral or to be placed on grave as specified above. Approval by Superintendent of Cemeteries is required before planting flowers, shrubs, trees, or sod grass. City Cemetery personnel shall remove any trees or shrubs that become detrimental to the adjacent lots or prevent opening of a grave. The City of Athens Cemetery Department will remove flags and properly dispose of them, when they are so worn that they are no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country. The City of Athens will not replace any worn flags that it removes. The City of Athens does not assume any liability for any monument, flowers, shrubbery, ornaments, flags, etc. in any City owned cemetery.
