Today

Gospel meeting

Sanderfer Road Church of Christ will host a Gospel Meeting from March 15 to March 19 with Evangelist William St. John.

Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 6:00 p.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sunday.

Contact Bobby J. Pepper at (256)-206-0873 and bobbypepper80@gmail.com if transportation is needed.

Lenten Lunches

Lenten Lunch will be held Wednesday, March 15, at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal church, 207 East Washington street in downtown Athens. Preaching is Reverend Kenny Baskins of First United Methodist Church of Athens, with lunch Supplied by FUMC church. The service begins at noon in the church sanctuary, with lunch following in the parish hall. There is no admission charge, but an offering will be accepted for projects to feed the hungry. Lenten Lunches continue on March 22 and March 29. Preachers include The Reverend Mary Catherine Akamatsu of Saint Timothy’s and Dr. Karl Kling of First Presbyterian.

Thursday

Social Media & The Law

Patrick Caver, juvenile court attorney, will present a lecture on Social Media & The Law: What Parents Need to Know at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library on March 16 at 6 p.m.

Saturday

Benefit

Swamp John’s/Bake Sale for Beth Nixon Ham Saturday March 18 4-7 p.m. at Nixon Cabinet Co.17048 Blackburn Rd. $14 per plate.

Upcoming

Read. Play. Repeat.

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling who is caring for your relatives’ children? You are invited to join Kids & Kin!

The training will be held at The Haven at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on March 22. For more information contact Tammie Hill at (256)-724-2554.

Swamp John’s

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is having a Swamp John’s fundraiser on March 23 from 4-7pm at the Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena in Athens to raise funds for local cemetery cleanup and care. Plates are $14 and include fried fish, shrimp, or chicken, (or any combination) along with slaw, french fries, hush puppies, and tea. Carry out or eat in. Presale tickets are available. Walkups are encouraged and welcome! Call Daveen Stanford at (256)-777-2199 or see any Camp member for tickets. Email camp768@alscv.org for more information.

Author talk: Dawn W. Hogan

ALPCL will host an author talk with Dawn W. Hogan, writer of “Unbroken Bonds,” on March 23 at 6 p.m.

Book wreath craft class

The ALPCL will be providing a free class on creating book wreaths on March 30 at 6 p.m. All materials are provided; call (256) 232-1233 to register.

Ongoing

Ladies Civitan Onions

Athens Ladies Civitan Club is accepting orders with payment of $12 per ten-pound bag of freshly harvested onions until April 15. The onions will be delivered directly from a Georgia farm the first or second week of May. For more information or to order, call Carolyn Stair at (256)-658-1985, contact any Athens Ladies Civitan Club member, or mail a check payable to Athens Ladies Civitan Club to ALCC, P. O. Box 1814, Athens, AL 35612.

Include name, address, phone and number of bags ordered. This fundraiser supports the club’s efforts to improve the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities in Athens and Limestone County.

Google courses

Athens-Limestone County Public Library is a certified ‘Grow with Google’ Partner, and we are offering a series of Google courses that provide free resources and workshop content to help you learn the digital skills that will grow your careers and businesses.

Tuesdays, Jan. 17 – March 28, 10:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. To learn more, or to register, please visit www.alcpl.org or contact the library at (256) 232-1233

Genealogy classes

Are you interested in learning how to research your family history? Athens-Limestone County Public Library is hosting a free series of genealogy classes on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from January-March. Basic Genealogy: 10-11 a.m., Intermediate Genealogy: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Call to reserve your seat today! (256)-232-1233

Newcomer series

The Athens-Limestone Public Library is hosting a Newcomers Series for new Limestone County Residents to connect with local leaders on the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m at 603 South Jefferson St.

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.

Free bread giveaway

The Frazier CME Church Ministry will be giving away free bread every Saturday morning at 10 a.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/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.

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

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.