TODAY

Used book sale

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

WEDNESDAY

AHS Class of 1956

Athens High School Class of 1956 and friends are invited to meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Catfish Cabin in Athens for a Dutch-treat lunch. More information: 256-232-4815.

THURSDAY

Grief support group

A grief support group will meet the first Thursday of each month beginning 11 a.m. Sept. 6 at Traditions Senior Living Center, 22171 Traditions Way, Athens. Group is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Amedisys Hospice. More information: Amy at 256-760-7877.

SATURDAY

STEPS for young readers

The Limestone County NAACP is offering a free motivational reading program for students ages 3 to 13 at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Round Island Creek Mission Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. The program, called STEPs, which stands for Students Taking Excellence Personally = Success, motivates students who may not enjoy reading. It also gives students who already enjoy reading an opportunity to showcase their enjoyment. Free transportation and lunch provided.

Dove shoot

Elkmont Lions Club will host a dove shoot Sept. 8 and 9 at Hobbs Farms, 26229 Veto Road, Elkmont. Cost is $30 to pick an individual spot, $100 for a round bale for four hunters, and $20 for what is left for hunters at noon. More information: Johnny Jenkins, 256-732-4304; Dickie Hobbs, 256-509-5121; or website at www.elkmontlionsclub.com.

UPCOMING

Photo contest

Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is hosting a photography contest — deadline Dec. 3 — for amateur and professional photographers, including those in Limestone County. Prizes include dinner at Marriott Shoals and national recognition through promotional materials. Entries should celebrate the people and places of Alabama. For entry forms and rules, visit msnha.una.edu.

Haunts Walk

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Haunts Walk events in Athens. Cost is $5 for adults or children. Dates will be Oct. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30. Tickets sell fast, so don’t wait until October. More information: Call Athens-Limestone County Tourism, 256-232-5411.

North Pole Stroll

Also, Athens-Limestone County Tourism is now accepting sponsors for the 7-foot Christmas trees to be featured in the annual North Pole Stroll in Athens. Sponsorships are $100 and available until Nov. 1. To reserve a tree, call Athens-Limestone County Tourism at 256-232-5411 or send email to VisitAthensAl@gmail.com

Free workshop

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association is offering a free workshop 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Limestone County Extension System office at 1109 W. Market St., Suite C, across from the Post Office. This month’s workshop is on native plants.

Swamp John’s event

Friendship Men’s Group will sponsor a Swamp John’s-catered dinner from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Friendship Church, door 2, 16479 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. Cost is $10 for choice of fish, shrimp or chicken; cold drink included. More information: Paul Tucker at 256-206-2845 or visit friendshipumc.org.

Human trafficking

Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center and Summit Crossing Community Church will host a human trafficking awareness event 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Summit Crossing, 740 E. Roy Long Road, Athens. Speaker: Carolyn Potter, executive director of The Wellhouse.

Kid’s safety event

Lowe’s in Athens will host a free safety event for children 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the store at 1109 U.S. 72 East. Event will include emergency vehicles, fingerprinting, face painting, games, food and live music by Mercedes Gilliland, Athens High School Band, Darwin McCluskey, Bitter Creek, Exit 361 and Jeremy Ezell.

Free carpentry course

Alabama Homebuilders Foundation and Limestone County Schools will host a free eight-week basic residential carpentry course for adults from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 25-Nov. 13 at the Limestone County Career Technical Center. Taught by Jerry Haggermaker, the course will cover safety, blueprints, layout, framing, window and door installation, siding and exterior trim. NCCER credits available. To register, call Kory Boling at 1-800-745-4222 or send email to koryboling@hbaa.org.

ONGOING

Donnell House

The Donnell House will host special tours in honor of its placement in the Alabama PastPort, part of Alabama’s bicentennial celebration. Tours are by reservation by calling 239-249-2211. Donations are appreciated.

Book drive

United Way of Athens-Limestone County will host Stuff A Bus 2018 book drive through Sept. 30 at 419 S. Marion St., Athens. Donations of used and new books will be given to students in Athens and Limestone County schools as reading incentives.

Food pantry

The Women Empowering Women food pantry will be open 9 a.m.–noon Mondays through Thursdays. More information and to contribute: Janice Williams, 256-233-5995; Laura Aldridge, 256-262-7744.

SNAP signup

Retired Senior Volunteer Program is taking applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for ages 60 and older. The SNAP program helps low-income people buy the food they need to stay healthy. Call 256-232-7207 or come by the RSVP office at 409 W. Washington St., Athens, Mondays through Thursdays to complete an application.

Pop tab drive charity

Limestone County Farmers Federation is collecting aluminum pop tabs to raise money for Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham. Drop off tabs from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at ALFA Insurance office at 524 U.S. 72 West in Athens, across from Hobbs Jewelers. More information: 256-233-0938.

Flex class

A SilverSneakers Flex Class to improve cardiovascular health and strength will be 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Round Island Baptist Church gymnasium, 14790 Browns Ferry Road. Everyone welcome. More Information: Janet, 256-614-3530.

Farmers market

The farmers market in Athens is now open 6:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays off Green Street.

Tanner book-lending machine

Athens-Limestone Public Library staff will be at the Tanner book-lending machine from 9:45–10:45 a.m. Fridays to make library cards, teach patrons how to use the book-lending machine and answer questions about library services. More information: Visit www.ALCPL.org or call 256-232-1233.

Burger night

American Veterans Post 21 hosts weekly burger nights from 5–8 p.m. Fridays at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cost is $5 and includes fries and a drink. Veterans and members receive a 10 percent discount. Proceeds benefit AmVets and American military veterans. More information: AmVetsAl21.com; 256-444-2793.

Game day

Americans Veterans Post 21 hosts weekly game days Saturdays at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cover is $5 for nonmembers and free for members, with proceeds benefiting AmVets and America military veterans. More information: AmVetsAl21.com.

Spaghetti dinner

Vietnam Veterans of America hosts an all-you-can-eat spaghetti meal from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, except November and December, at 17915 W. Elm St., Athens. Cost is $7 and includes spaghetti, cole slaw, garlic bread, dessert and drink. Eat-in and carryout available. Entertainment provided. Profits pay for scholarships for local students. Group orders are asked to call ahead. More information: 256-431-3213.

Country-fried steak

American Veterans Post 21 hosts monthly country-fried steak dinner from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cost is $6.50 per person and includes golden-fried chopped beef steak in country gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans and a roll. Veterans and members receive a 10-percent discount. More information: AmVetsAl21.com; 256-444-2793.

A few good yards

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association is searching for “a few good yards” to recognize. Yards must not be professionally maintained. Nominations, including owner information and photographs of the yard, can be submitted online at mg.aces.edu/limestone/were-looking-for-a-few-good-yards/ or to tlt_brown@charter.net.

MEETINGS

• Quilt guild. Athens Dixie Stitchers will meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at UMC on Lucas Ferry Road in Athens. Bring six 2 1/2-inch W of F strips. Visitors welcome; come join the fun.

• Legion meeting. American Legion Post 49 will meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Post home at 124 Cloverleaf Drive, Athens. More information: Rod Huffman, 256-233-3023.

• Master Gardeners. Limestone County Master Gardeners Association will meet 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at the Limestone County Extension System office on Market Street in Athens. Social time, 12:30 p.m.; light refreshments and speaker, 1 p.m.; business meeting, 1:30 p.m. Speaker’s topic is drying fruits. Public welcome.

• NAACP. Limestone NAACP will hold general membership meetings 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, and Monday, Oct. 15, at 809 U.S. 72 West, Suite D, Athens. Election of officers and executives meeting will be 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, same location. More information: Wilbert Woodruff.

• Al-Anon. Al-Anon group meets 7 p.m. Mondays at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Rogersville. An time for relatives and friends of alcoholics and other addicts to share their experiences, thoughts and support to solve common problems. More information: Call Sue Vial at 256-762-5977.

Limestone Ledger is a community calendar in which nonprofit organizations can notify the public of events. Items will run as space allows until the day of the event and should be submitted at least one week prior to the event for best results. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.