Thursday

Festival of Trees

The Historic Donnell House presents their annual Festival of Trees Candlelight Preview Party on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy delicious appetizers and beautiful decorations from some of the area’s most talented individuals, organizations, and businesses. Tickets for the preview party are $30 at the door.

After that, there are tour dates. Tickets on tour days are $10 for adults; free for children 12 and younger.

Tour dates: Saturday, Nov. 18: 10pm-4pm; Sunday, Nov. 19: 1pm-5pm; Friday, Nov. 24: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 25: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Sunday, November 26: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

This weekend

Christmas open house

The 37th Annual Christmas Open House will be Nov. 17-19, in downtown Athens. There will be ice skating, shopping and musical performances around the square.

Saturday

Free groceries

OneGenAway’s Mobile Pantry is coming to Athens! Anyone is welcome to drive through and receive fresh produce, dry goods, and other groceries — free of charge, no questions asked — at Athens High School on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9-10:30 a.m.

NARFE Chapter 1480 meeting

NARFE Chapter 1480 will meet Saturday, Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. at the Veterans Museum on Pryor Street. Eddie Craig will be our speaker. Please call Dean Morgan, (256)-233-0248 if you need information.

LCAC open house and silent auction

The Limestone Child Advocacy Center is hosting an open house and silent auctionSaturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. This year, the Grinch will be available for photos.

Upcoming

Small business Saturday authors event

There will be a local author event on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Athens State University LAUNCHBOX on the square.

Holiday craft market

Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host a holiday craft market on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market will have crafts from local artisans.

Sippin’ Cider

Sippin’ Cider will take place on Dec. 9 from 4-8 p.m. around downtown Athens. The event is free to the public, and visitors are encouraged to visit stores around the entertainment district and vote on their favorite cider while enjoying shopping deals and Christmas carols.

Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park tree lighting

The Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee will host their 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m.

Ongoing

Leaf pickup

The City of Athens sanitation department began picking up leaves from Athens residents on Nov. 6. If you expect leaves to be picked up, please do not mix limbs or debris with leaves. Piles of leaves with limbs or debris will not be picked up. Please do not place leaves in the street or block drainage inlets. This will cause water drainage issues when there is rain. There is not a set schedule for leaf pickup. Sanitation will start on the west side of the city and work to the east side throughout the season as staffing allows.

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.

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

{span style=”font-size: 1.5em;”}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.