FRIDAY

Festival, auction

Athens Bible School will hold its annual fall festival from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. In conjunction with the fall festival, the senior class will host the annual silent auction from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Rollings-Lovell Auditorium of Athens Bible School. Proceeds from the auction to help fund the senior class trip. A live auction will begin at 7:15 p.m. More than 200 items total will be available for bidding.

Gem show

The Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society presents its 50th Annual Gem and Mineral Show at the following times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; and 12-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. The show will take place in the Jaycees Building at 2180 Airport Road in Huntsville and feature dealers with jewelry, decorative items, specimens and fossils. Parking is free but a $3 donation will be requested at the door.

SATURDAY

Food giveaway

Tanner United Methodist Church will give a free 1-pound bag of beans and rice to every adult who shows up between 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. No questions asked.

Reading program

The Limestone County NAACP will host STEPS, a free motivational reading program for students aged 3-13, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Round Island Creek Mission Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. Transportation and lunch are provided at no cost.

Swamp Johns

Owens Volunteer Fire Department will have a Swamp Johns dinner from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Arena. Plates are $10 each. More information: Teresa, 256-777-7981.

TUESDAY

Fort Henderson

The Limestone County Historical Society will host the Athens-Limestone Community Association at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Roger Center at 112 Jefferson St., Athens. ALCA will discuss plans to build back Fort Henderson, a Civil War fort built in 1862 by the Union Army. More information: Richard W. Martin, 256-278-1262.

UPCOMING

Monument dedication

The dedication of a monument honoring Judge James E. Horton Jr. will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, on the west side of the Limestone County Courthouse. The Judge Horton Monument Committee and Horton family will unveil the statue. A reception will follow in the courtroom where Horton presided.

Pie-centage fundraiser

Pieology will host a pie-centage fundraising night for the East Limestone High School Lady Indians basketball team from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Pieology Pizzeria in Bridge Street Town Center in Huntsville. Twenty-five percent of each purchase will go to the ELHS Lady Indians basketball team.

ARToberfest

Athens Arts League will host ARToberfest, an Oktoberfest celebration, from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at High Cotton Arts Center, 103 W. Washington St., Athens. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the mission and programs of Athens Arts League. German beverages, German food, music by The Little German Band of Huntsville and artwork from local artists will be featured. Tickets are $50 per person and are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/artoberfest-tickets-37468762076.

Propagation workshop

The Limestone County Master Gardeners Association will present a free workshop on propagation from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Athens Lowes garden center. More information: Jay, 850-393-1717; Janet, 256-614-3530.

Golf tournament

Clements High School will host a golf tournament Saturday, Oct. 21, at Joe Wheeler. The tournament will serve as a fundraiser for the Clements golf team. Those interested in participating as a team or sponsor may contact Charles Williams at 256-777-1466.

Trunk or treat

Hospice of Limestone County and staff will host a “Trunk or Treat” from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the parking lot at 405 S. Marion St., Athens.

Toys for Tots

The U.S. Marine Corps and United Way of Athens-Limestone County will be accepting applications for the Toys for Tots program 9 a.m until noon and 1-4 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 at United Way of Athens-Limestone County Office, 419 S. Marion St., Athens. The program is for children from birth to age 12. Parents/guardians must bring proof of income, birth certificates for each eligible child, social security cards for each eligible child, proof of residency in Limestone County and picture ID. More information: 256-233-2323.

Farm-City

The Alabama Farmers Federation, in conjunction with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will host Farm-City from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena on Alabama 99. The event will feature agriculture-related exhibits and activities and free lunch for the first 250 attendees. This event is free and open to all ages. More information: 256-232-5510.

Legion fundraiser

The American Legion Post 49 fundraiser, sponsored by Krystal, will be 4-9 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29. Fifty percent of net sales from customers with the appropriate flyer will be donated to Post 49 to support Post 49’s youth activities. Flyers are available at the American Legion. More information: Bob Borden, 256-230-6233.

ONGOING

Basketball registration

Athens Recreation Center will have basketball registration now through Sunday, Oct. 15, for ages 5-16. Cost is $50 and includes uniforms. More information: 256-233-8470.

Scarecrow contest

Voting in Isom’s Orchard’s Scarecrow Contest is open to the public now through Sunday, Oct. 22, with winners announced Saturday, Oct. 28. One ticket equals one vote. Prizes include $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third.

North Pole Stroll

Athens-Limestone County Tourism is accepting sponsorships for the North Pole Stroll now through Tuesday, Oct. 31. The North Pole Stroll is a display of 7-foot, live cut Christmas trees located in Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens, each decorated by a sponsor. Sponsorships are $100 each. More information: 256-232-5411.

Farmers Market

The Farmers Market will be open Tuesday and Friday through the last of November.

SNAP signup

Retired Senior Volunteer Program is taking applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for those ages 60 and older. The SNAP program helps low-income people buy the food they need to stay healthy. Call 256-232-7207 or come by the RSVP office at 409 W. Washington St. in Athens Mondays through Thursdays to complete the application.

Tutors wanted

RSVP is recruiting persons 55 and older who would like to be a school tutor at the school of their choice. More information: RSVP, 256-232-7207.

Tanner book-lending machine

Athens-Limestone Public Library staff will be at the Tanner book-lending machine Fridays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. to make library cards, teach patrons how to use the book-lending machine and answer questions about library services. More information: Visit www.ALCPL.org or call 256-232-1233.

Stability classes

East Limestone Senior Center will host SilverSneakers stability class from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. every Thursday at 25820 Nick Davis Road. SilverSneakers is a group exercise class designed to keep participants safe on their feet. The class will include standing and walking exercises designed to decrease the risk of falling. Donations accepted. More information: 256-614-3530.

Food pantry

The Women Empowering Women food pantry will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information (and to contribute): Janice L. Williams, 256-233-5995; wew5995@gmail.com; www.womenempoweringwomenofalabama.org.

MEETINGS

• Beekeepers. The Limestone County Beekeepers Association will meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Limestone County Water Authority located at 17218 U.S. 72 West, Athens.

• ALERA. The Athens-Limestone Education Retirees Association will meet 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at the Athens Recreation Center. The meeting will include a wellness screening and free flu shots to those with appropriate insurance card. More information: 256-232-9216.

• DAR. The John Wade Keyes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the First Presbyterian Church Rodgers Center. More information: Brenda Winter, 256-771-3536; Dana Henry, 256-777-7694.

• UDC. The Joseph E. Johnston 198, UDC, will meet 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Alabama Veterans Museum. More information: Peggy King, 256-233-8379; Linda Watson, 256-431-7493.

• NAACP. The Limestone County NAACP will hold its general meeting for October at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the Chamber of Commerce located at 101 N. Beaty St., Athens. More information: Wilbert Woodruff, 256-227-8489.

• SCV. The Capt. Thomas H. Hobbs Camp 768 Sons of Confederate Veterans will meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Alabama Veterans Museum. Dr. Brandon Beck, historian, author and director emeritus of the McCormick Civil War Institute, will speak. This meeting is open to the public.

Limestone Ledger is a list of events hosted by nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted in writing. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.