This week

Donnell House 2024 Festival of Trees

Join the Donnell House for the 2024 “Christmas with the Donnells” celebration. Tickets are $30 each and payable at the door. The house will be open on Friday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.., and Sunday, Dec. 1 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free. For more information, call (256) 497-8526.

Tinsel Trail

The Tinsel Trail will be on full display at Big Spring Memorial Park until Dec. 31. For more information please visit alcchamber.org.

Turkey Donations

A Better Place To Go is in need of turkey donations for 40 Thanksgiving meals on Thursday, Nov. 28. For more information on how to donate or how to obtain the organizations services please contact Latimer Dobbins at (256)-230-8822.

AHS Class of 1956 Luncheon

The Athens High School graduating class of 1956 and friends luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Roe’s Restaurant.

Upcoming

Christmas Parade

The annual Athens-Limestone Christmas Parade, also known as Christmas Carnival of Lights, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5.

County Commission Tree Lighting

The Limestone County Commission will host their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the southwest corner of the Limestone County Courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.

Ardmore Tinsel Trail

The annual Ardmore Tinsel Trail and tree lighting ceremony will begin on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. Located on the corner of Ardmore Avenue and First St., the Ardmore Tinsel Trail runs beside the Ardmore Town Hall. The Ardmore High School Choir will perform during the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

ASU Column Lighting

Athens State University’s annual Christmas Column Lighting event will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5:15 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. at Founders Hall.

Elkmont Christmas Festivities

The town of Elkmont has a full day Christmas events planned for Saturday, Dec. 7, in downtown Elkmont. The Elkmont Christmas Parade, which will be hosted by the Elkmont Fire Department, is set to begin at 3 p.m. Then at 4 p.m. their will be a special meet and greet with Santa Claus at the Elkmont Town Hall. Then the lighting of the Elkmont Tinsel Trail will begin at 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.elkmontal.gov

Bells of Christmas Holiday Home Tour

The Athens Ladies Civitan Club will host the Holiday Home Tour on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1-5 p.m., to include five beautiful homes ranging from a lovely home in the Historical District to a beautiful Modern Farmhouse. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, Nov. 22, at Trinity’s, Pimentos, Bean Beans Boutique and Frank’s Good Stuff Antiques. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit programs for Limestone County children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, college scholarships for local youth and other worthy community causes. For more information call Carolyn Stair at (256)-658-1985 or Dianne Newby at (256)-777-2155.

Ardmore Christmas Parade

The yearly Ardmore Christmas Parade will be held on Monday, Dec. 9, in downtown Ardmore. The parade, which is set to start at 6:30 p.m., will begin at Ardmore High School and head through Ardmore Avenue. {span}Hear the Pride of the Stateline band and see lots of floats in the annual Ardmore Christmas Parade.

Sippin’ Cider Festival

Athens Main Street will host the 14th annual Sippin’ Cider Festival in downtown Athens on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. {/span}During the Sippin’ Cider Festival, participating merchants prepare and offer complimentary sample tastings of their favorite hot cider recipe. Cider enthusiasts will vote by ballot for their favorite, and the cider receiving the most votes wins the coveted Cider Cup and bragging rights for the year. This is a free event for patrons. For more information, please visit athensmainstreet.org/sippin-cider/.

Annual Meeting Limestone NAACPThe Limestone County branch of the NAACP will hold their annual meeting for all members on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. The meeting is scheduled to be held at Pincham-Lincoln Center, located at 606 Brownsferry St. For more information, please contact Wilbert Woodruff at 256-227-8489.

Ongoing WeeklySupport 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 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Home to a large collection of mystery, fiction, childrens, young adult and western books to be checked out with a $5.00 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.

Thanksgiving Turkey/Food Banks Registration

Women Empowering Women (WEW), located at 21625 Holt Rd., will start the registration process for their annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Banks. Registration will begin Monday, Nov. 4, and run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Monday, Nov. 18. The registration on each day is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and go until 4 p.m. For more information, please contact Janice Williams at (256)-233-5995.

Virtual exercise classLimestone 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 saleFriends 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.

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Annual Meeting Limestone NAACP

The Limestone County branch of the NAACP will hold their annual meeting for all members on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. The meeting is scheduled to be held at Pincham-Lincoln Center, located at 606 Brownsferry St. For more information, please contact Wilbert Woodruff at (256)-227-8489.

Ongoing Weekly

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 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Home to a large collection of mystery, fiction, childrens, young adult and western books to be checked out with a $5.00 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.

Thanksgiving Turkey/Food Banks Registration

Women Empowering Women (WEW), located at 21625 Holt Rd., will start the registration process for their annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Banks. Registration will begin Monday, Nov. 4, and run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Monday, Nov. 18. The registration on each day is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and go until 4 p.m. For more information, please 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.

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.