Saturday

Starlight ball

Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation will host the second annual Starlight Ball on Jan. 30, at the Limestone County Event Center. This black-tie evening will include an exclusive cocktail hour from 8-9 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the “Emerald Empire Band.” Tickets can be purchased at one.bidpal.net/starlightball2023, and the funds raised will go towards the purchase of a new Echocardiogram Ultrasound machine for Athens-Limestone Hospital.

Monday

2024 Jubilee Day

The Limestone County NAACP will host “Giving God Thanks for What We Have” and an update on what the NAACP is doing at their 2024 Jubilee Day event on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The event starts at 11 a.m. at David’s Temple M.B. Church (11273 Stewart Rd., Tanner, AL, 35671. Everyone is welcome to enjoy food and hear keynote speaker Bernard Simelton, President of the Alabama State Conference NAACP.

Wednesday

AHS class of 1956 lunch

The Athens High School class of 1956 and friends will meet at Cafe 72 on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.

Upcoming

Coffee call

Coffee Call, hosted by the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives and sponsored by Kelly Davis, will take place between 8:00am and 9:00am, Saturday, January 6, at our location at 114 W. Pryor Street.

Eat a peach concert

The Athens Arts League will host Eat a Peach: A tribute to the Allman Bros. Band on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. in McCandless Hall on the campus of Athens State University. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Gettin’ dirty at the library

The Alabama Master Gardeners will host their “Gettin’ Dirty at the Library” event on Jan. 9 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. for the public. There will be a discussion about the rebound from extinction of whooping cranes led by Travis Roddy.

Interfaith panel

The public is invited to an interfaith panel Thursday Jan. 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at Athens State University in the Founders Hall Chapel. There will be three panelists from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim persuasions. This is an educational and professional enrichment opportunity hosted by the Athens State University’s Religion Department, and the Curtis Coleman Center for Religion Leadership and Culture for the public to learn and understand other cultures. The theme is neighborliness, gratitude and hospitality in hostile times. For more information and directions contact Maria Garner (256) 233-6516.

Gospel singing

Country Southern Gospel Music artist Bradley Walker will be singing at Berea Baptist Church (16779 Lucas Ferry Rd. Athens, AL, 35611) at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. No admission is required, and a love offering will be received. For more information, call (256) 278-0588.

MLK prayer breakfast

The public is invited to our inaugural Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Athens State University’s Curtis Coleman Center for Religion Leadership and Culture. The event will be held Tuesday Jan. 23 at 9 a.m. at the Sandridge Student Center Ballroom. There will be panelists from churches and community organizations who will present. Our keynote speaker is the Reverend Robert Malone, who worked alongside Dr. King. The purpose of the Dr. King prayer breakfast is to celebrate the life, work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to unite people of different faiths, races and backgrounds in the spirit of his vision. The prayer breakfast is held annually on or around Martin Luther King Jr. Day in various locations across the country. For more information and directions contact Maria Garner (256) 233-6516.

Ongoing

North Pole Stroll

Visit the trees at the North Pole Stroll around Big Spring Memorial Park throughout the month of December.

Christmas lights drive-thru

A free Christmas lights display at 8971 Lentzville Road in Athens, 35614, is available for public viewing from dusk until midnight Dec 1-31. The 1/4-mile loop is a drive-around experience that includes thousands of lights, reindeer jumping over the drive, light arches, music you can tune your radio to, lots of inflatables and other Christmas displays.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Red Cross

American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make an appointment for blood or platelet donation.