Limestone Ledger

TODAY

Rice and beans day

Tanner United Methodist Church will host a rice and beans day from 9-11 a.m. today at the church, 19607 Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road, Tanner. Each adult will receive a 1-pound bag of beans and rice, no questions asked.

Arbor Day festival

Athens State University will hold a free Arbor Day festival from 1-5 p.m. today on the lawn of Founders Hall. There will be family friendly activities for all ages. In case of rain, the event will be Saturday, April 20.

TUESDAY

Chicken stew

The American Legion’s monthly chicken stew luncheon will be 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. Price is $7 for all-you-can-eat eat-ins and $7 per quart for carryouts. Eat-ins include stew, drinks and desserts. Desserts for carryouts are $1 each with a max of two per quart purchased and four total. Containers provided for carryouts. Delivery in Athens city limits is available for business or people who are homebound. More information (and to reserve carryouts or delivery): 256-230-6233 from 8 a.m.–noon Monday, April 15, and 8–11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16.

Used book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold a used book sale 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. More information: 256-232-1233.

FRIDAY

Fish fry

Limestone County NAACP will host a fish fry 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Friday, April 19,at Lincoln Bridgeforth Park, 815 Westview Ave., Athens. Cost is $10 per person and includes fish plate, dessert and drink. More information: Terry Byrd, 256-497-4359.

Elkmont Beautywalk

The 14th annual Elkmont Beautywalk will be Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20. Registration open through April 1. $35 to enter with additional $5 to enter photogenic category. Registration held in the lunchroom with places provided to dress and prepare for competition. Friday night will be kindergarten through fifth grade, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. The infants through preschool division will begin 2 p.m. Saturday. Grades 6–12 and 12th-grade guys division will be Saturday night. Tickets $5 at the door. There will be a People’s Choice category to vote for your favorite contestant. Proceeds benefit the Elkmont High School Band.

UPCOMING

Plant sale

The Limestone County Master Gardeners Association will have its annual plant sale from 8 a.m.-2 p.m Saturday, April 20, at the greenhouse behind Athens Middle School. For sale will be perennials, trees, shrubs, annuals, vegetables, handmade pots, whirlygigs, garden art and more. More information, 256-426-1872, mastergardeners-limestonecounty.org, or visit the master gardeners on Facebook.

Easter dinner

Hearts for the Homeless will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Swan Creek Park, 101 U.S. 31, Athens. The purpose of the event is to provide a good meal for anyone in need. Everyone is invited. Easter bunny will be there, so bring your camera to take free photographs. To donate food, cook a dish or for more information, call Larry Pierce at 256-874-8174 or Angie McElyea at 256-777-5681.

Library performance

Ardmore Public Library, in conjunction with Write Staging, will host a performance by writer, poet, singer and public speaker Johnnie Jones from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the library, 25836 Main St., Ardmore, Tennessee. More information, 931-427-4883.

Chicken dinner

First Cumberland Presbyterian Church will host a whole hog express dinner to raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The dinner will take place 4–6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the church. Tickets are $12 and include half of a barbecue chicken, potato salad, baked beans, a roll, tea and homemade dessert. Take-out and eat-in available. More information: Candy Barr, 256-710-6168.

Reunion luncheon

Former employees, vendors and friends of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company are invited to a reunion luncheon 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Mildred’s Restaurant in Ardmore.

Exhibitors, vendors needed

Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is seeking exhibitors and vendors for its 11th annual Earth Day & Outdoor Expo to be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in Athens. Seeking non-profit organizations, other organizations and vendors with handcrafted, earth-friendly or health-related products and services to share. Space fee is $25, or $10 plus a nice door prize. More information: KALB, 256-233-8000 or KALBCares@gmail.com.

Inspirational fisherman

Greenbrier Baptist Church will host fisherman Clay Dyer at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the church at 7939 Greenbrier Road, Madison. Dyer is a professional bass fisherman born without lower limbs or a left arm and with a partial right arm. He has fished in more than 200 tournaments and placed first in about 20 state bass tournaments. More information: www.greenbrierbaptistchurch.net or 256-497-7349.

CEMETERY CLEANUPS

Lentzville Cemetery Committee will hold a work day Saturday, April 13, to clean the cemetery. Rain date is Saturday, April 20. All those with loved ones are encouraged to attend. More information: Billy McNatt, 256-232-1601.

ONGOING

Athens walking tours

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association will host Bicentennial Historical Walking Tours 10 a.m. each Saturday in April. Tour groups will meet in the Tourism meeting room at 9:45. Tours last about one hour. Wear comfortable shoes. Tours will not continue during heavy rain or thunderstorms. More information or to volunteer as tour guide: 256-232-5411; teresa@visitathensal.com.

Elkmont walking tours

Elkmont will host Bicentennial Historical Walking Tours 10 a.m. each Saturday in April. Tour groups will meet at the train depot at 9:45. Tours last about one hour. Wear comfortable shoes. Tours will not continue during heavy rain or thunderstorms. More information or to volunteer as tour guide: 256-232-5411; teresa@visitathensal.com.

Mooresville walking tours

Mooresville will host Bicentennial Historical Walking Tours 10 a.m. each Saturday in April. Tour groups will meet at the Mooresville post office at 9:45. Tours last about one hour. Wear comfortable shoes. Tours will not continue during heavy rain or thunderstorms. More information or to volunteer as tour guide: 256-232-5411; teresa@visitathensal.com.

Ballroom dance

Ballroom dance classes will be offered 7-8 p.m. Thursdays from March 28 until May 30 at the Revival Building on Washington Street in Athens. Learn fundamentals of waltz, foxtrot, rumba and swing. Cost: $75 per person. No partner required. Proceeds benefit Learn to Read. To register, contact Deb Kohlhase at 256-232-0122 or visit fpcathens@fpcathens.org.

Ladies Civitan Vidalia onion sale

Athens Ladies Civitan Club’s annual Vidalia onion sale is underway. Delivery available the first or second week of May. Ten-pound bags are $10 each. Orders can be placed by calling Carolyn Stair at 256-658-1985; Trudy Romine at 256-232-8891; or Beverly Blakely at 256-874-4080. Mail orders can be made by sending your order and a check for payment to Athens Ladies Civitan Club, P.O. Box 1814, Athens, AL 35612. Checks should be made payable to ALCC. Include name, address, telephone number and the number of bags of onions you are ordering. Payment must be received by April 13. Orders can also be taken by any Athens Ladies Civitan Club member.

Birdie Thornton Vidalia onion sale

Athens-Birdie Thornton Civitan Club’s Annual Vidalia Onion Sale is underway. A 10-pound bag of farm fresh onions is $10. All proceeds remain in Limestone County and are used for special projects and events for people with special needs and the Birdie Thornton Center. Contact: Elizabeth McDowell, 256-874-7490 for more information and to order onions. Deadline is April 15.

Head Start

Community Action Partnership of North Alabama is accepting applications for early Head Start, preschool Head Start and state pre-K Head Start for the 2019–2020 school year. The Head Start programs are for children 3–4 years old. Parents must provide birth certificate; verification of 2018 income in the form of a W-2 form, check stub, Social Security statement, child support, unemployment, etc.; and Medicaid or insurance card, if available. More information: 256-444-1240.

Tax prep

RSVP offers free income-tax assistance for low-income, disabled or elderly taxpayers through April 15. Those who need assistance can visit First United Methodist Church Youth Center from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in March and April. The center is at 203 N. Jefferson St., Athens. Tax service will also by provided at Ardmore Public Library, by appointment only, Wednesdays through April 10. More information: RSVP, 256-232-7207.

Nonperishable food drive

Lil Red Wagon Collections at 208 N. Houston St., Athens, is open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. the first week of each month to collect nonperishable food for local homeless people. Donated items will be given to Limestone County Churches Involved, which will distribute them.

Flex class

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

Spaghetti dinner

The Vietnam Veterans of America will host a spaghetti dinner the third Monday of each month through October. Dinner consists of spaghetti, cole slaw or salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink. People can either eat in or carry out. The cost of a plate is $8. Dinners will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at the VVA building at 17915 W. Elm St., Athens. Dinners will also be available for group carryout or in-town business delivery. More information: 256-431-3213.

Medication assistance

Anyone seeking free assistance choosing a Medicare Part D Plan or with their prescription medications may contact Limestone Council on Aging at 256-233-6412.

Paid subs needed

Community Action Partnership of North Alabama is recruiting substitutes in Limestone and Madison counties. Requirements: Must be age 19 or older, hold high school diploma or GED, have medical form and tuberculosis test completed within past six months. Benefits: Flexible work hours, biweekly pay schedule and on-the-job training. More information: 256-444-1240, www.capna.org or @CAPofNAL.

RSVP seeking tutors

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is recruiting reading tutors to help students in kindergarten through third grade. Call 256-232-7207.

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.

MEETINGS

• NAACP. Limestone NAACP will hold its April general meeting 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, at Hobbs Plaza, 809 U.S. 72 West, Athens, AL 35611. Contact: Wilbert Woodruff.

• Historical society. The Limestone County Historical Society will hold its quarterly meeting7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at First Presbyterian Church Rogers Center. Carolyn Barske Crawford, director of Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, will be guest speaker. Topic will be the Tennessee River and northwest Alabama. Coffee and dessert at 6:30. Open to the public. More information: 256-232-6501.

• SCV. Sons of Confederate Veterans Capt. Thomas H. Hobbs Camp 768 will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens. Historian and author John Taylor will speak on the topic, “Union at all Costs: From Confederation to Consolidation.”

• Positive Look. The Positive Look Support Group for the blind, visually impaired and their friends, family and caregivers will meet 10 a.m.–noon Friday, April 19, at the Athens Rec Center. The meeting will include round-table discussion. Those who attend are asked to bring a finger food to share. More information: Cynthia Turner, 256-919-3175.

• Cancer support group. A faith-based cancer support group will meet 10–11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 6–7:30 p.m on the second Tuesday of each month at Discovery Church, 1207 E. Forrest St., Suite G, Athens. Open to individuals affected by any type of cancer, including patients, survivors, caregivers and supporters. More information: Diane Hammond, 256-431-1544; Jo Brown, 256-230-4802.

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

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.