Visitors attend a previous Crape Myrtle Festival.

Thursday

Evening with local authors

Athens-Limestone County Public Library presents and evening with local authors A.E. Chewning and James C. Chewning Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.

Famers Federation annual meeting

Annual Meeting of the Limestone County Farmers Federation will be Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 at 6:30 pm. Location: Willow Oaks Farm 17434 Morris Road. All ALFA members are encouraged to attend. For info call ALFA Office at (256)-232-1340 for additional info.

Saturday

Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival

The Greater Ardmore Chamber is gearing up for the 31st annual Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival, presented by Bean & Co Boutique, on Aug. 19, 2023, at John Barnes Park in Ardmore, Tennessee from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Freedom Fund Banquet

The Limestone County NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet will be Aug. 19 at 6 p.m at the Round Island Creek Mission Center. Tickets are $40/person or a 6-person table for $220. Contact (256) 431-3759 or (256) 227-8489 for more information.

Tuesday

Friends of the Archives meeting

The regular quarterly meeting of Friends of the Archives will be on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at the Archives office at 102 West Washington Street, Athens, Alabama. The public is invited, but please RSVP. James Martin will be giving a short presentation on researching old homesite locations and discussing a number of old homesites he has visited in Limestone County. The presentation will include a display of artifacts found at these locations.

Upcoming

Author visit

ALCPL is hosting and evening with author Georgina Cross Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. in the community room.

NARFE meeting

NARFE Chapter 1480 will meet Saturday, August 26th at 9:00 a.m. at the Veterans Museum. Please call Dean Morgan, (256)-233-0248 for information.

Gospel singing

Nebo Community Church will host guest singers Clear Vision Aug. 26 at 3 p.m.

Autism and sensory sensitivity awareness training

Tourism ALL-a-Bama will conduct a free training to help individuals become more autism and sensory sensitivity aware Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library Community Room. For more information, visit www.tourismallabama.org or call (256) 859-4900.

Horton Family Reunion

The Horton Family will host a family reunion Sept. 1-3 at Lincoln-Bridgeforth park. The worship service will be at Peace Missionary Baptist Church.

Stop smoking seminar

A free seminar, “LIVING FREE—A PROGRAM TO HELP YOU STOP SMOKING,” will be held at the Athens Limestone County Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson St., beginning September 5, 2023. If you are a smoker and would like to stop, you will want to check out this informative ten-day program designed to help you live life to the fullest. To register, sign up at https://form.jotform.com/232148612350145 or go to 7gypcee7@gmail.com for more information. Sponsored by the Pryor St. Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1207 E. Pryor St. Athens, 35611.

Sporting clay tournament

The Athens-Limestone County Chamber will host the 10th annual Sporting Clay Tournament on Sept. 8. Teams of 4 can register by Aug. 25.

Rescue Squad yard sale

The annual Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad yard sale will be Sept. 8-9.

Ongoing

Rescue Squad yard sale donations

The Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad is now collecting good, clean, used items for its upcoming annual yard sale. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1401 Freeman Ave. For more information, contact Tina at (256) 374-9331.

Community Choir Rehearsals

The Athens State University Community Choir holds rehearsals on Tuesday nights from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Athens High School Choir Room. For more information, contact Teresa Edwards at tedwards32815@gmail.com or learn more at the choir’s Facebook page.

TOPS meeting

Athens AL TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Evening Chapter #0616 meets weekly on Tuesdays, at the Athens Activity Center on Pyror Street. Weigh-In starts at 6:00pm and the meeting at 6:30pm. For more info, email: AthensAL616TOPS@gmail.com

Crochet Club

Athens-Limestone County Public Library hosts a crochet club every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for every skill level. Bring your current projects to work on or help others learn.

Book club

We have a Book Club that meets the fourth Thursday of every month at Antiques on Jefferson.

Book club

Join the Athens-Limestone Public Library for a new book club on the third Tuesday of the month. The club meets at 6 p.m. at Athens Alehouse & Cellar.

Support group

Crisis Services of North Alabama in Athens will have support groups for domestic violence victims and survivors every Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m. at 406 S. Jefferson Street. For more information, call (256) 262-7760 or (256) 230-1240.

Senior Game Nights

The Athens Activity Center is going to start hosting Friday Night Game Night on the third Friday of each month from July 21-Dec. 15. Games will be available from 3-7 p.m.

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 through Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bingo

Bingo is 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/elkslodge/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.

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.

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.

Community outreach day

Freshwind Christian Fellowship is partnering with Women Empowering Women of Alabama to create a day of fun for the whole family every fourth Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 17200 Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens. They will be serving food and giving away free clothing. For more information contact Janice Williams at (256) 233-5995.

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

Todd Cemetery

The annual Todd Cemetery Decoration will be held on Saturday Aug. 19, 2023. If you would like to contribute and are not able to attend please send donations for Todd Cemetery c/o Allen Todd at 31866 AL HWY 99 Anderson, AL 35610.

Oak Grove Cemetery

The Oak Grove Cemetery cleanup will be Aug. 26. If you are unable to attend, please make checks out to Oak Grove Cemetery and send to 33535 AL Hwy. 99, Anderson, AL, 35610.

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.

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. The City of Athens does not assume any liability for any monument, flowers, shrubbery, ornaments, flags, etc. in any city owned cemetery.

Blood donations

LifeSouth

You can schedule a time with the Athens Donor Center online anytime. For more information, or to find and participate in blood drives, visit https://donors.lifesouth.org/donor/schedules/zip.

Red Cross

American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make an appointment for blood or platelet donation.