This Week

Wellness Fair

The Stretch Zone in Athens will host a Wellness Fair on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Athens Recreation Center, located at 21821 Sportsplex Loop, Athens, AL 35611. The event, which will feature several local fitness and body health companies, will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m.

Pinewood Derby Race

Cub Scout Pack 7355 will organize a large Pinewood Derby Race on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Cedar Hill Elemnetary School, located at 27905 Cedar Hill Road, Ardmore, AL 35739. The races are for cub scouts, first responders, companies and any members of the public looking to get in on the action. All first responders get in for free and receive one car per kit. Companies looking to get in must register prior to the event by contacting admin7355@pack7355.com. It is a $10 entry fee for all members of the public. For more information, please reach out to Charter Organization Representative Shane Lege at 256-614-5716.

Ardmore Chamber of Commerce Meeting

The Greater Ardmore Chamber of Commerce has invited Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin to host their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Ardmore Station at noon. McLaughlin will be sharing the importance of communication in law enforcement and some of the things they are doing to help keep our community informed. For more information, please visit https://greaterardmorechamber.com/.

Spring Job Fair

Calhoun Community College will host their Spring Job Fair on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. All Calhoun students, alumni and community members are invited to attend the free event with more than 40 employers. All attendees are strongly encouraged to bring with them their resume. For more information, please visit https://calhoun.edu/.

Upcoming

State of the City

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks will hold his annual State of the City Address at the Athens State University Gymnasium on Tuesday, March 4, at 8 a.m. Ticket prices range from $35 to $40 depending on membership status with the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce, who is presenting the event. For more information, and how to reserve a table, please visit business.alcchamber.org/events/details/2025-state-of-the-city-address.

Active Minds Health Summit

The 3rd annual Active Minds Health Summit will be held at the Sandridge Student Center Ballroom at Athens State University  on Tuesday, March 4, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be several conversations held about the correlation between mental health and social media. The keynote speaker for the event will be LaKrisha Coleman. For more information on the special event, please contact Dr. Patrice Broaden at patrice.broaden@athens.edu or by calling 256-233-8143.

Tennessee Bluegrass Band Concert

The 2025 Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Concert Series, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, continues with a performance by The Tennessee Bluegrass Band on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. The concert, sponsored by Morell Engineering, will be held at Athens State University in McCandless Hall. Tickets for the show are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.  For more information, and how to purchase tickets, please visit  www.TVOTFC.org.

International Women’s Day Breakfast

Athens State University will host their annual International Women’s Day Breakfast on Friday, March 7, at 8 a.m. The keynote speaker of the event will be PeggyLee Wright, president and CEO of The Company You Keep. For more information, please visit https://www.athens.edu/international-womens-day-breakfast-2/.

Chili Challenge

Hospice of Limestone County will present their annual Chili Challenge at Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, located at 114 W. Pryor St., on Saturday, March 8. The event, which will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., will cost $15 to attend, with all proceeds benefiting Hospice of Limestone County. For more information, please visit https://hospiceolc.org/.

Boutique Crawl

Clothing and boutique owners in downtown Athens will host a special Boutique Crawl on Saturday, March 15. The special event, which will feature great deals and sweet surprises, is presented by Athens Main Street. For more information, please visit https://athensmainstreet.org/boutique-crawl/.

Pub Crawl

The second annual Athens Pub Crawl will take place on Saturday, March 15, in observance of St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, Match 17. The event will start at 5:45 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. Event organizers strongly encourage all attendees to drink responsibly. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/489100324036301.

Ongoing Weekly

Hearts for Homeless

Please join The News Courier, and several others, as we try and help out our homeless population in Athens and Limestone County. Please give whatever essentials you can. All donations can be left at The News Courier’s office at 410 W. Green St. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Other donation sites include; Don Carter Heating and Cooling on 72 East, Toodlebugs on E. Hobbs St. and One Main Financial on 72 East.

Crochet Club at the Library

The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host the Crochet Club every Saturday in December at 9:30 a.m. The event is for crocheters at any skill level.

Income Tax Help

RSVP is taking appointments for preparation of Income Tax season at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library until April 15. Please call 256-232-7207 to schedule your appointments as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in February from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. and then March through April 15 – Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.

Support Group

Support groups for domestic abuse victims and survivors will be held at the Family Resource Center on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays at noon. Facilitated by Crisis Services of North Alabama. For more information, please call (256)-230-1240.

Houston Memorial Library

The best kept secret in Athens — The Houston Memorial Library and Museum is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Home to a large collection of mystery, fiction, children’s, young adult and western books to be checked out with a $5 per year membership. The historic residence, which was built in 1834, also has a book sale room that is open each day. The museum has period furniture, civil war memorabilia and Native American artifacts.

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.

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.

TOPS meeting (Mondays)

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

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.