Limestone Ledger

TODAY

Swamp John’s Fundraiser

The Elkmont Volunteer Fire Department will host a Swamp John’s fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. today at the fire department. The cost is $12 per plate, which includes a choice of chicken, shrimp or catfish, and also includes tea. It can be purchased either for eat-in or carry-out. More information: Susan Pylant, 256-431-0277

FRIDAY

Heritage days

The 27th annual Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days will be Aug. 2-3 at 20147 Elkton Road, Athens. Gates open at 7 a.m. Admission is free; parking is $5. Golf cart and UTV registration is $5. Friday events include a tractor ride, fish fry and wheat threshing exhibits. Event presented by the Piney Chapel Antique Engine and Tractor Association. More information: 256-206-5926

SATURDAY

Cemetery decoration

Salem Cemetery’s decoration day will be 8 a.m.–noon Saturday, Aug. 3, with a covered-dish lunch at noon. Donations may be mailed to: Joyce McGill, 28980 Alabama 99, Lester, AL 35647. More information: Joyce McGill, 256-232-6452

Cemetery decoration

Decoration at Lentzville Cemetery will be Saturday, Aug. 3. Those who have loved ones buried there are urged to attend. Lentzville Cemetery fund donations may be mailed to Belinda Lansford, 1703 Trace End Trail, Athens, AL 35611. More information: Billy McNatt, 256-232-1601

Coffee call

Drs. Joshua Hood and Jeremiah Harris of Dental Associates of North Alabama will sponsor a coffee call 8–9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives.

Free giveaway

Women Empowering Women will host a free food and clothing giveaway for men, women and children 10 a.m.–noon Saturday, Aug. 3, at Robert Allen Tinnon Park, 802 Fifth Ave., Athens. Food and refreshments available.

Sandlin reunion

Anyone related to the Sandlin family is invited to the 85th consecutive annual Sandlin reunion, starting 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Cold Springs Community Center, 8821 Cullman County Road 109, Bremen. A covered-dish dinner is set for noon. More information: Patsy Sandlin Medlock, 205-995-7988 or patsymedlock@bellsouth.net.

SUNDAY

McCowan, Yarbrough reunion

Descendants of Wiley McCowan and OLeavy Yarbrough McCowan are invited to a reunion Sunday, Aug. 4, at Sardis Springs Baptist Family Life Center on Alabama 251. Bring favorite dish and drink. Lunch will be at 1 p.m., after church. All family and friends welcome. More information: Terry Adams, 256-232-9059 or Annette Wales, 256-732-4532.

Fort Unity celebration

The Fort Unity celebration will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at Lincoln Bridgeforth Park, 815 Westview Avenue, Athens. Activities include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, car and bike show, bouncy house for kids, face painting and school supplies for kids. There will also be a live local talent showcase, featuring gospel, rap and R&B. The event is free to the public. All are welcome.

UPCOMING

Class reunion

Athens High School Class of 1956 and friends will meet at Mozza Pizza (formerly Little Texas Buffet) 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. More information: 256-777-0516

Free HIV, STI testing

The Thrive Mobile will set up in the parking lot of the Athens-Limestone Public Library from noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. Thrive staff will provide testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and can quickly link patients to the care they need.

Master gardener class

Fall master gardener classes begin 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, and continue everyThursday evening through Nov. 7. Participants will learn how to grow a healthy landscape or their own vegetable garden, while also serving the community. Class size is limited, so send application as soon as possible. More information: Call Limestone County Cooperative Extension Office or Janet Hunt at 256-614-3530, or visit the Master Gardener website at https://mg.aces.edu/limestone/

Venue change

The next event in the Athens-Limestone Summer Concert Series will be 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, in the new auditorium of Athens High School. The Athens State Community Band will perform. No food or drinks allowed inside the auditorium.

Free book club for kids

Limestone County NAACP is offering a free motivational book club for children ages 3 to 13 from 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 10, at Round Island Creek Mission Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. The club — Students Taking Excellence Personally = Success, or STEPS — motivates students who may not enjoy reading. It also gives students who already like reading an opportunity to showcase their enjoyment. Free transportation and lunch provided. More information: Diane Steele, 256-216-5668, 256-797-1333 or dsteele50@gmail.com.

Cemetery decoration

Decoration for Higgins Cemetery will begin 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Those unable to attend may send donations to Faye Chandler, 20065 Temperance Oak Road, Rogersville, AL 35652.

Family reunion

The Meadows Family Reunion will be 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Kiddie Carnival on Forrest Street in Athens. Please bring a covered dish, your drink and an item for the silent auction. Rides will be open after lunch. There will not be individual invitations this year, so attendees are encouraged to spread event info on social media and by word of mouth. More information: Christa Ball Bolton, 256-497-3952; Dianne Spence-Hall, 256-874-0702

Special used book sale

Friends of Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold its huge quarterly book sale from 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the library at 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. Hardbacks, $1; paperbacks, 25 cents.

STEM banquet

David’s Temple Missionary Baptist Church will host the “Empowering Minorities for STEM” banquet 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the church’s family life center, 11273 Stewart Road, Tanner. Tickets are $30 each. More information: 256-771-7716

Garden pollinators, beneficials

Taylor Reed will discuss how to attract pollinators and other animals helpful to your garden from 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. The event is sponsored by the Limestone County office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama Master Gardeners.

Kids & Kin

Limestone County Kids & Kin will hold a childrearing class 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Aug. 14, at The Haven, 810 N. Malone St., Athens. Theme will be “Plan Ahead, Be Prepared.” More information: Tammie Hill, 256-724-2554.

Laxson reunion

The fifth annual Laxson reunion will begin 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, in the fellowship hall of Isom’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 16230 Mooresville Road, Athens. There will be a covered-dish potluck lunch.

Board game day

The Athens-Limestone Public Library will host a board game day from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. Games will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own, too. More information: 256-232-1233

Crape Myrtle Festival

The 27^th annual Crape Myrtle Festival is set for Aug. 23-24, at the Ardmore pavilion. A variety of vendors and food trucks will be on hand, as well as crape myrtles for sale. From 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Astro Diggins and Jed Eye will perform. From 5-9 p.m. Saturday, John Douglas & The Pickin’ & Grinnin’ Pickers, Straight Shift and TriplePlay will perform. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. More information: 256-423-6177

Kids & Kin

Limestone County Kids & Kin will hold a childrearing class 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Aug. 28, at The Haven, 810 N. Malone St., Athens. Theme will be “School Readiness & Backpack Safety.” More information: Tammie Hill, 256-724-2554.

Class reunion

Trinity High School Class of 1963 will host a class reunion Saturday, Aug. 31. Reunion breakfast will be 9 a.m. at Tanner Nutrition Center, 13589 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. Attire should be casual and in pink or green (the school colors). A banquet will begin 5 p.m. at Pincham-Lincoln Center, 606 Trinity Circle, Athens. Attire should be casual and all white. Tickets are $50 per person. More information: Dorothye Malone-Lloyd, 205-994-6557 or 256-431-6425

ONGOING

Tutoring help

David’s Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Tanner is offering after-school tutoring and homework help in all subjects from 3-5 p.m. beginning Aug. 12 and running through the school year. Cost is $10 per week. More information: Geraldine McDonald, 256-355-1343

New Veterans Affairs hours

The Limestone County Veterans Affairs office will be open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through the month of August. The office is closed each day from noon to 1 p.m. More information: 256-233-6459

Athens Saturday Market

Athens Main Street will host Athens Saturday Market 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Aug. 24. Local food, crafts and prepared food available each week. Athens Saturday Market is at 409 W. Green St., Athens, across from The News Courier office.

Yard sale donations

The Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad is accepting donations for an indoor yard sale to be held Sept 6–7. Donors must call Mickey at 256-345-2212 to arrange an appointment for drop off at 1401 Freeman Ave., Athens. After Aug. 1, donors can call to arrange an appointment for pickup from their location.

DV vigil training

Crisis Services of North Alabama will hold weekly meetings for those who wish to participate in the Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil on Oct. 9. The meetings are at 6 p.m. starting Wednesday, Sept. 11, and each Wednesday until Oct. 9. at the Family Resource Center, 406 S. Jefferson St., Athens. More information: Stacy Owens, 256-230-1240.

Pop tab collection

The Limestone County Farmers Federation is collecting aluminum pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham. Tabs can be dropped off 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the ALFA office, 524 U.S. 72 West, Athens. More information: 256-233-0938

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. each Tuesday and the first Saturday of each month at the library at 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. Hardbacks, $1; paperbacks, 25 cents. More information: 256-232-1233

Karaoke night

American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 21 will hold karaoke night from 8 p.m.-midnight every Friday at the Post home at 22769 Black Road, Athens. Cover charge is $5. More information: Lyle Sadler, 256-444-2793

A Few Good Yards

Limestone County Master Gardeners Association is looking for a few good yards. Gardeners with an award-worthy yard that is not professionally maintained can be nominated at https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/ or by emailing information about the gardener and yard with a photo to tlt_brown@charter.net.

MEETINGS

• Farmers Co-op. The annual membership meeting of the Limestone Farmers Co-op will be 4 p.m. today at the Tennessee Valley substation in Belle Mina. The past year’s business will be presented, and two board members will be elected. The meeting will conclude with a meal.

• American Legion. American Legion Post 49 will hold its monthly meeting at 7 tonight at the post home, 124 Cloverleaf Drive, Athens. More information: 256-233-3023

• LCMGA. The Limestone County Master Gardeners Association will meet Monday, Aug. 12, at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center on Beaty Street in Athens. Light refreshments and social time begin at 5:30 p.m., with speakers Wes Brown and Teresa Brown to discuss LCMGA’s charity garden at 6. A business meeting will follow.

• Book club. The Third Thursday Book Club will meet 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Athens-Limestone Public Library to discuss “A Painted House” by John Grisham. Coffee and baked treats included. More information: 256-232-1233

• Toastmasters. Athens Speaking Up Toastmasters Club will meet 5:45-7 p.m. thesecond and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 124 Cloverleaf Drive, Athens. More information: 708-691-2447

• Quilt guild. North Alabama Modern Quilt Guild meets 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, 101 W. Pryor St., Athens. All quilters interested in modern quilting are welcome.

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.