This week

Holy Week Community Worship Services

First Presbyterian Church on the Square will be hosting worship services every day at noon from March 25-31. After the services, lunch will be served, with donations going to LLCI. For more information, call (256) 232-0112.

Wednesday

Tenebrae service

The Lenten service of Tenebrae will be observed on Wednesday, March 27, at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal church at 207 East Washington street in downtown Athens. The service begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be celebrated by Father Dillon Green of Saint Matthews in Madison, along with Saint Matthew’s guest choir. Information at (256)-232-3541 or sttimothy.athens@gmail.com.

Thursday

Author visit

Alabama author Valerie Fraser Luesse will be at the Athens Limestone County Public Library at 2 p.m. on March 28.

Saturday

Easter egg hunt

Women Empowering Women will host an Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30, at Robbert Allen Tinnon Park. The event will last from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and will have free clothes, hot dogs and chips. For questions visit wewoa.org or call (256) 233-5995.

Sunday

Easter Sunday service

First Presbyterian Church on the Square will be hosting Easter Sunday services. At 7 a.m. there will be a sunrise service in the prayer garden followed by a breakfast at 7:30 in the Rodger’s Center. An egg hunt starts a 9 for FPC children. A celebration and communion service will commence at 10 a.m.

Upcoming

Class of ‘56 and friends lunch

The Athens High School class of ‘56 and friends will meet for a Dutch treat lunch at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, at Mildred’s in Ardmore.

Coffee Call

Coffee Call, hosted by the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives and sponsored by Limestone Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, will take place between 8-9 a.m., Saturday, April 6, at our location at 114 W. Pryor Street.

Historic walking tours

The Tourism office will be offering guided tours during our Sunday morning tours (Sundays from 10-11 a.m.) at the Tourism Office located at 100 N. Beaty Street (located at the Duck Pond) during the month of April. There is no fee; just come and enjoy the history of our historic communities with knowledgeable guides. Show up at the Tourism meeting room before 10 a.m. There will be a different tour each Sunday morning starting with our beloved Governor Houston with our first tour guide, Will Weir.

”If you plant it — it will grow” workshop

The Limestone County will host a vegetable gardening workshop at the Limestone County Extension office (1109 W. Market St., Ste. C) April 13 from 10-11 a.m. It is free and open to the public, but please register at (256) 714-0611 or mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org.

Vidalia onion sale

Athens Ladies Civitan Club has opened its annual Vidalia Onion Sale and will be accepting orders of ten-pound bags for $12 until April 20. Freshly harvested onions will arrive directly from a Georgia farm in early May. For information or to order, call Carolyn Stair (256)-658-1985 or place order with any Athens Ladies Civitan Club member or mail a check to ALCC, P. O. Box 1814, Athens, AL 35612 with name, address, phone and number of bags ordered. This fundraiser supports efforts to improve the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities in Athens and Limestone County.

Art on the Lake vendors

Art on the Lake, an annual two-day arts and crafts festival in Guntersville, Ala., is now accepting applications from artists and vendors who wish to exhibit in the show. This 63rd annual event will be held April 20-21. For more information, please contact: Patty Richmond via email at guntersvilleartonthelake@gmail.com or visit our website www.artonthelake-guntersville.com.

North Alabama Canine Expo vendors

The North Alabama Canine Expo is a celebration of all things canine, bringing together dog lovers from our community. The expo will feature a diverse range of activities and attractions, including demonstrations, meet the breed sessions, canine education, adoption information, and various vendor booths offering dog products, services, and accessories. The expo organizers are still accepting vendor applications. For more information, reach out to northalabamacanineexpo@gmail.com.

Ongoing

RSVP tutors needed

RSVP needs volunteers, age 55 and older, who are willing to tutor students in reading and math. If interested, please call (256) 232-7207 or come by the RSVP Office at 409 West Washington Street, Suite A.

RSVP income tax service

RSVP will be offering free income tax service again this year. You must call RSVP at (256)-232-7207 to schedule an appointment for Athens Public Library and Decatur Public Library. Call 931-427-4883 for Ardmore appointment. The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will be available on Mondays and Thursdays from Mar. 4-April 15. The Decatur Public Library will have services available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 29-April 15. Ardmore Public Library will be available on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by appointment (call (931) 427-4883) from Jan. 31-April 10.

Athens City cemeteries regulations

Athens City has released updated guidelines on flowers and flags for the City, Hine-Hobbs, Old City, Roselawn and Thatch-Mann cemeteries. No flowers or decorations are allowed on the ground, unless after a funeral for seven days for fresh flowers and 21 days for silk; flowers are acceptable year-round on monuments. Approval by the superintendent of cemeteries is required before planting anything at a monument, and they will be removed if they become detrimental to adjacent lots or opening of a grave. Cemetery personnel will remove flags and properly dispose of them once they are worn out, and they will not replace the flags. The city does not assume any liability for monuments or decorations in any city-owned cemetery.

Bethel Cemetery dues

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 Tommy at (256) 874-8461.

Weekly

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 (Tuesdays)

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.

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 (Wednesdays)

The Athens, AL TOPS Club Inc.® Chapter #615 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support organization, meets weekly on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at the Athens City Activity Center located at 912 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL 35611. Your first visit to any TOPS meeting is free. For more information about TOPS Club, Inc. and our chapter, contact our Leader, Kimberly Harbin, at kh2458@charter.net.

Domestic abuse victims/survivors support group

Crisis Services of North Alabama will have support groups for domestic abuse victims/survivors every Thursday afternoon from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and every Friday from 12-1 p.m. at The Family Resource Center (406 S. Jefferson St.) For more information, call (256) 230-1240 or (256) 262-7760.

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.

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

The Houston Library has a large selection of paperback Westerns for sale. Fifty cents each. First come first serve. The Houston Library is located at 101 N. Houston St., Athens AL 35611 and open M-F and the first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (256) 233 — 8770 for more information. Houston Memorial Library and Museum hosts a book sale daily.

Monthly

Houston Library Writers Group

The Houston Library Writers Group will resume monthly meetings at the Houston Library. Open to professional and aspiring writers alike. All writing styles welcome! Call (256) 233-8770 for more information.

Beekeepers association meeting

The Limestone County Beekeepers Association meets the second Monday of every even numbered month (Feb, April, June, Aug., Oct & Dec) at 6:30 p.m. at The Extension Office located at: 1109 W Market St. STE A Athens, AL. 35611.

Disabled American Veteran meeting

The James L. Daniels unit 51 of the Disabled American Veterans will host its monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

AMVETS Post 21 monthly breakfast

AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a veterans breakfast every second Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. The breakfast is open to the public for a $6 donation, and it is free to veterans, first responders and their families. The proceeds go to help meet the needs of the post’s veterans and their families.

Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary meeting

The James L. Daniels unit 51 of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary will host its monthly meeting on the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

Delivered plate lunches

The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church hosts a monthly plate lunch sale for its land/building fund. Each plate is $13 and must be ordered by the Wednesday before the second Friday of the month and can be purchased at lapc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/686458, marie9404@gmail.com or (256) 998-0195. Each month has a new menu that can be found on the church’s Facebook page the week before. Deliveries begin as early as 10:30 a.m. to the Athens, Elkmont, Ardmore and Tanner areas.

AMVETS Post 21 themed dinner

AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a themed dinner, usually on the third Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The dinner is open to the public and costs $15 per person.

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.

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.

Book club

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

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 through October. They will be serving food and giving away free clothing. For more information contact Janice Williams at (256) 233-5995.

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.