THURSDAY

Nelson Mandela memoir forum

Athens State University’s Coleman Center for Religious Studies and Ethics will host a forum at noon today based on Nelson Mandela’s memoir, “Long Walk to Freedom.” The forum will focus on the practical wisdom and life lessons taken from the life journey of Mandela, and how to recover from setbacks with renewed hope. The event will be held in the second floor chapel at Founders Hall. The public is invited.

FRIDAY

Violence prevention effort

Hoping to organize those in the community who touch the lives of domestic and sexual violence victims and their families, the Limestone County Coordinated Community Response Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will hold a community meeting from 11 a.m.-noon Friday at the Family Resource Center, 406 S. Jefferson St., Athens. Free lunch provided. The goal is to identify partners and gaps in services, organize campaigns and plan outreach activities. More information: 256-230-1240 or visit www.csna.org.

Welcome home event

The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens will host a homecoming luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday for female veterans who served during the Vietnam War. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday, March 13. RSVP by calling the museum at 256-771-7578 or email info@alabamaveteransmuseum.com.

SATURDAY

Pancake breakfast

The Athens Optimist Club is holding its annual Community Youth Benefit Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Saturday in the basement of First Christian Church, corner of Market and Madison streets. The all you can eat breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. Cost is $5 per person. Takeouts available. Delivery available to local businesses. Proceeds fund youth projects. More information or to arrange deliveries: Jim Miner 256-777-7937.

Food giveaway

Anyone in need may pick up 2 pounds of pinto beans and 3 pounds of rice from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 207 E. Washington St. in Athens. No questions asked. No names taken.

FCC amateur radio exam

Limestone Amateur Radio Emergency Services will be giving the FCC amateur radio exam at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Athens Emergency Management Agency building at 1011 Market St. across from the post office. No appointment necessary. Visit www.n4sev.org for more information.

TUESDAY

Chicken stew

The American Legion Post 49 monthly chicken stew is 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $5 with one dessert to eat in or for per quart carryouts or delivery. Containers provided. Carryout desserts are 25 cents each. Free delivery to offices or job sites within Athens city limits. Delivery orders or to reserve carryouts: 256-230-6233. Quantities are limited. The Post is at 124 Cloverleaf Drive behind Staples.

Gardening questions answered

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association is available every Tuesday and the first Saturday of every month at Athens Limestone Public Library from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to answer gardening questions.

Used book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold a used book sale from 10:15 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St. More information: 256-232-1233.

UPCOMING

Foster parent spaghetti dinner

The Limestone County Fosters & Adoptive Parents Association is holding a spaghetti dinner from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the West Side Community Center, 21639 Alabama 99 in Athens. Tickets are $8, adults; $4, age 10 and under; and free for age 2 and under. To pre-order tickets call Maria at 256-777-9900.

Free dump day

From 7 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 25, Limestone County residents can bring one pickup truck or trailer load of trash free of charge to the Transfer Station at 16100 BFI Lane. No contractor dumping allowed. No hazardous waste or medical waste accepted. Appliances with freon must have compressor removed. Gates close promptly at noon.

ONGOING

Pre-K registration

The Limestone County Board of Education has announced Office of School Readiness (OCR) pre-K registration is ongoing through Friday, March 31. Parents can register pre-K children online at www.lcsk12.org. Pre-K is available at the following schools: Blue Springs, Cedar Hill, Elkmont, Johnson, Piney Chapel and Tanner.

Elkmont beauty walk

Registration is underway for the 12th annual Elkmont Beauty Walk at Elkmont High School to be held April 21-22 as a fundraiser for the school band. Registration deadline is April 7. Entry fee is $35 and $5 to enter photogenic. There is a $5 admission charge at the door at 7 nightly and at 2 p.m. on April 22. Competition includes kindergarten through fifth grade, babies through preschool, sixth through 12th grades and a 12th-grade guys division. Entry forms and money can be turned in at the Elkmont band room, Keila’s Hair Salon in Ardmore, any band booster officer or mailed to Keila Berzett, 29200 Ragsdale Creek Road, Elkmont AL 35620.

Vidalia onions sale

Athens Ladies Civitan is now taking orders for the annual Vidalia onion sale. The price is $10 per 10-pound bag. The deadline for orders and payment is April 15. Onions expected to arrive in early May. Proceeds benefit programs for special needs children and adults in Limestone County. Orders can be taken by any Ladies Civitan member or at 256-233-0258 where a message can be left for a return call, or at 256-658-1985.

MEETINGS

• Relay for Life. Relay For Life Limestone County is inviting the public to join the organization and help make a local difference. The next meeting is 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at First National Bank on U.S. 72 across from Publix. Plans for the May 12 Relay will be discussed. Register at www.relayforlife.org/limestoneal or contact Cherry Hammonds, community manager at 256-221-3926 or cherry.hammonds@cancer.org.

• SCV. The Capt. Thomas H. Hobbs Camp 768 Sons of Confederate Veterans will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Alabama Veterans Museum. Harold Bouldin, genealogist with the SCV Alabama division will speak. The public is invited.

• Democratic Club. The Limestone County Democratic Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Democratic headquarters, 22143 U.S. 72 East. The public is invited.

• Positive Look. Positive Look support group for the blind, visually impaired and families and friends, meets from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 17, at Athens Recreation Center. The meeting includes a speaker from Athens Eye Clinic. Bring a food item to share. More information: Loretta Bryan 256-552-0747 or Preston Reynolds 256-777-1140.

• DAR. John Wade Keyes chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at the First Presbyterian Church Rodgers Center. More information: Judy Rew 256-230-2105 or Brenda Winter 256-771-3536.

• NAACP. Limestone NAACP general membership meeting is 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, at Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Beaty St., Athens. Contact: Wilbert Woodruff 256-227-8489.

Limestone Ledger is a list of events hosted by nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted in writing and are listed up to six days to include the day of the event. Email submissions to ed@athensnews-courier.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.