TODAY

Friends of the Archives meeting

The quarterly meeting for the Friends of the Archives is taking place on Tuesday, August 16, at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY

Fall Festival for LCFAPA

The Limestone County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association is hosting their Community Fall Festival taking place at Swan Creek Park. Enjoy a day of fun with the whole family. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 20, and will be selling lunch plates for $4.

Meadows Family Reunion

On Saturday, August 20, the Meadows Family Reunion will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival. Please bring a covered dish and a drink. Please contact any and all family members.

Freedom Fund Celebration

The Limestone County NAACP is hosting their Freedom Fund Celebration, with a the presentation of their community impact awards. The theme is ‘This is Power’, and will take place on August 20 at 6 p.m. and is a virtual event. Guest speaker is Claudette Owens and Mistress of Ceremony is Councilwoman Cassandra Lee. Contact Wilbert Woodruff at (256)-227-8489.

Todd Cemetery Decoration Day

Todd Cemetery decoration is the third Sunday, August 20. If you are unable to make it but would still like to send a donation please make checks payable to Todd Cemetery and send to 31866 AL Hwy 99 Anderson, AL 35610.

UPCOMING

Coffee with the Sheriff

Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office would like to invite the community to share coffee with us, discuss public safety issues, and build relationships on Aug. 25 from 7 to 9 a.m.

Swamp John’s

The SCV is holding a Swamp John’s on August 25 from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Sheriff’s Rodeo on Hwy. 99.

Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting

The Athens Garden Club monthly meeting is September 14 at 9:30 a.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (1432 Freeman Ave., Athens, AL 35613). The guest speaker will be Chris Becker with the Limestone County Extension office. Learn about what they do, the best way to grow gardens, the free classes offered by the extension office, the club’s flower and garden tips for the month, etc. Contact Angie DuBois with any questions at (256) 431-6418.

Constitution Day

A Constitution Day program commemorating the signing of our great Constitution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 17, 1787 will be held Monday, September 19, at 1 p.m. in McCandless Hall of Athens State University. Dr. Jess Brown, professor Emeritus of Political Science at Athens State University, recently retired, will be the guest speaker. The event is open to the public at no charge. For additional information on the program, contact Pam Porterfield at (205)-789-2294.

ONGOING

Chess Nights

The Houston Library and Museum is currently hosting Chess Night on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for beginners and experienced players. Call the library at (256)-233-8770 for additional information. The Library is located at 101 North Houston Street and is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 10-4.

Digital Literacy Classes

Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host a series of Digital Literacy Classes in conjunction with Calhoun Community College & Drake State Community & Technical College. Classes will boost your digital confidence & provide you with skills and training needed in today’s job market. Classes are Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Call (256) 306-2830 to learn more.

Houston Memorial Library Daily Book Sale

Houston Memorial Library and Museum, 101 North Houston Street in Athens, hosts a book sale daily. The book sale, museum and library are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Tuesdays they are open from 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.

Bingo

Bingo is back up and running for the public at Decatur Elks Lodge each Monday. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games beginning at 6:30 p.m. No outside food or drink will be allowed. Elks Lodge is located at 2625 Centron Drive SW in Decatur. More information: https://www.loc8nearme.com/alabama/decatur/elks-lodge/6449656/.

After-school feeding program

Women Empowering Women of Alabama, in partnership with FreshWind Christian Fellowship, is offering free meals for students after school. Meals are available 3–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. More information: Janice

Williams, (256) 233-5995.

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.

Used 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.

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.

CEMETERY CLEANUP

City cemeteries

The City of Athens reminds residents and families of the following regarding its cemeteries: No flowers or decorations allowed on the ground between April 1 and Oct. 31, unless following a funeral; flower placement acceptable year-round on monuments, at their base or at foot markers; fresh flowers will be removed one week after a funeral; silk flowers will be removed 21 days after a funeral; approval by cemetery superintendent required before planting flowers, shrubs, trees or sod; city personnel will remove all trees or shrubs deemed detrimental to adjacent lots or grave openings; and worn, tattered or damaged U.S. flags will be removed and disposed of properly.

Bethel Cemetery

Bethel Cemetery Annual monetary contributions for cemetery upkeep are due. If you have family members buried in Bethel Cemetery, send donations to Tommy Sprague at 25917 Pepper Road in Athens. Total funding for the cemetery comes from contributions. Cleanup of family burial sites is also encouraged as mowing season will begin soon. For more information, reach out to Sprague at (256) 874-8491.

BLOOD DONATIONS

Red Cross, LifeSouth

You can schedule a time with the Athens Donor Center (in the original Publix parking lot) online anytime.

For more information, or to find and participate in blood drives, visit https://donors.lifesouth.org/donor/schedules/zip or https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.