Thursday

Author visit

The Athens Limestone County Public Library will be hosting an author visit with Thomas O. Ott on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

Friday

BBQ chicken fundraiser

On Friday, Oct. 20 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, the Limestone County Council on Aging will host their BBQ chicken fundraiser consisting of a menu of half chicken, baked beans, potato salad, slaw and roll. Dine in, carry out and delivery in Athens are available with a minimum of 6 orders. Presale only — $15. For tickets or more information, call (256)-233-6412.

ASU community block party

Athens State University will be hosting a Community Block Party on Friday, Oct. 20, as part of its annual Homecoming Celebration. The event will take place in front of Founders Hall and feature food trucks, magic from world-class magician Scotty Wiese, and entertainment from The Flashbacks Show Band. Children ages 12 and younger can also enjoy face painting, games and activities at the event’s Cubs Corner. The block party will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the Flashbacks concert to begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Saturday

Master Gardeners plant sale

Limestone County Master Gardeners will host a Fall Plant Sale Saturday, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the greenhouse behind Athens Middle School. Perennials and shrubs available. 10” potted Mums $12.00. Website: https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org Facebook: Master Gardeners of Limestone County, Alabama.

Chicken stew and silent auction

The Friends of Former Sheriff Mike Blakely will be hosting a chicken stew and silent auction on Oct. 21 at the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Stew is first come first serve for $10/quart.

Elkmont fall festival

On Oct. 21 from 5-7 p.m., the Elkmont community will come together for a fall festival at Friendship North (21960 Easter Ferry Road, Elkmont, AL). All ages are welcome, and there will be games, candy and snacks.

Sunday

Souther gospel music quartet

Unity4 will be at Enon Baptist Church (33130 AL Hwy. 99, Anderson, AL, in the Goodsprings community) on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. A fellowship will be served following the singing. For more information, call (256) 278-0588.

Next week

Storytelling festival

The 17th Annual Athens Storytelling Festival will be Oct. 24-28. Visit athensstorytellingfestival.com for more details and to purchase tickets.

Tuesday

All about 911

The Athens Limestone County Public Library is hosting an “All about 911” information session on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. where visitors can learn about the tools E-911 provides and what to expect when you call 911.

Upcoming

First Christian Church Trunk or Treat

Please join the First Christian Church for Trunk or Treat on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Big Spring Park Duck Pond There will be free hot dogs, chips, drinks and candy. Join us for lots of fun from 5-7 p.m.

Fall chicken stew

The Athens VFW Auxiliary 2765 (18615 Jefferson St, Athens, AL, 35611) will be hosting a chicken stew on Oct. 28. Pre-order pickup (call Nina at (562) 879-2557 to place) starts at 1 p.m. and walk-in serving starts at 2 p.m. Stew will be $10/quart and $30/gallon.

Trunk or treat

Elk River Health & Nursing Center is sponsoring a community wide Trunk or Treat on Oct. 30 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. with set-up starting at 4:30 p.m. at 24623 Union Hill Rd Ardmore, TN, 38449, For more information, contact Wendi Crawford or Wendy Stevens at (931) 427-2143 or ardmark@twinrivershc.com. Please reach out to register to sponsor a trunk as well.

Trunk or treat

At least 20 churches are set to decorate booths/trunks and hand out candy during a trunk or treat event, which will take place 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Round Island Creek Mission Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Rd, Athens. The event will start with a prayer and ribbon cutting.

Black & Gold Club clay shoot

Ardmore’s Black & Gold Club, a nonprofit supporting Ardmore’s softball team, will host a sporting clay tournament on Nov. 3 at Old South Clays (27246 Wooley Springs Road, Athens, AL, 35613). Check-in for the morning flight is at 8 a.m. to start at 8:30 a.m., and the afternoon flight check-in begins at 12 p.m. to start at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is included in registration. Shooter must provide their own factory shells, and each person gets 100 clays. Raffle items will also be available. Reach out to mlb19780@outlook.com for a registration form or questions.

OVFD chicken stew and bake sale

The Owens Volunteer Fire Department will host a chicken stew and bake sale fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 4, starting at 10 a.m. at Station No. 1 (15359 Elk River Mills Road). Pre-sale tickets are available now. A bowl will be $6, a quart $10, a half gallon $18 and a gallon $30.

Thanksgiving meal drive through

The New Life Church will serve a full course Thanksgiving meal to the community on Nov. 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. All carry out meals are free and provided on a first come first serve basis until supplies are exhausted. For more information, call (256) 233-7228.

Ongoing

Active Minds donation drive

Athens State University’s Active Minds organization is conducting a donation drive for HOPE Place in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Until Oct. 27, select cleaning and hygiene products can be dropped off at Sandridge Student Center, the Center for Lifelong Learning or the Alabama Center for the Arts. For more information on needed items or donations, contact Patrice Broaden at (256) 233-8143.

First Metro Bank Pink Out

First Metro Bank is having a pink out in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can donate scarves and hats (new, unused or handmade) for local cancer patients at any location. All locations are accepting donations for research.

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.

Haunt Walks

The Athens Haunt Walks will be every Tuesday and Thursday night in October (except for Oct. 31). Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

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/.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monthly

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.

AMVETS Post 21 themed dinner

AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a monthly German dinner 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.

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.

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

Cemetery cleanup

City cemeteries

The City of Athens reminds residents and families of the following regarding its cemeteries (City, Hine-Hobbs St., Old City, Roselawn and Thatch-Mann): No flowers or decorations allowed on the ground, unless following a funeral; flower placement acceptable year-round on monuments; fresh flowers will be removed one week after a funeral; silk flowers will be removed 21 days after a funeral or to be placed on the monument; 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.