This week
Leading Change Conference
{span}{span}The Curtis Coleman Center for Religion, Leadership and Culture at Athens State University will host an inaugural clergy and faith-based activists’ conference on public faith and community engagement on Thursday, Oct. 17. There will be talks and training addressing critical issues such as homelessness, violence, child poverty, criminal justice, PTSD, mental health and addiction. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at McCandless Hall, with a short brunch in between. The theme of this year’s conference is “Leading Change Through Humanitarianism and Activism,”{/span}{span} and during the event you will hear stories from prominent local clergy and activists about the impact of advocacy and activism by {/span}{span}faith-based professionals. There is no charge for attendance, and the event is open to the public. No registration needed; simply sign in at arrival. For more information, leave a message at (256)-233-6518.{/span}{/span}
Hyatt Family Reunion
The Hyatt family reunion will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Baileyton Senior Center. The reunion will be held from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. A covered dish lunch will be provided.
Historical Society Meeting
{div class=”page” title=”Page 1”}{div class=”layoutArea”}{div class=”column”}{span}The Limestone County Historical Society will hold its quarterly meeting Sunday, Oct. 20, in the Rodgers Center of the First Presbyterian Church in Athens. Penny Chilton, an Alabama historian and genealogist, will speak about the life and service of{/span} {span}Alabama’s first{/span} {span}United States military veteran, Revolutionary soldier John Wade Keyes. Refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.{/span}{/div}{/div}{/div}
Canebrake Witches Ride
The 2024 Canebrake Witches Ride will be held on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. The family event raises money and awareness for the Pink Elephant Fund at Athens-Limestone Hospital. The fund provides scholarships to women in Limestone County who do not have the insurance for a mammogram. For more information please visit, Canebrake Witches Ride’s page on Facebook.
Night of the Bands
The 2024 Marching Bands of Limestone County will present the Night of the Bands event on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at East Limestone’s Canvar Field, 15641 East Limestone Road, Athens. A special exhibition performance of the UNA Marching Pride will also be performed at the event. Tickets for the event, which starts at 6 p.m., will be $5.
Upcoming
Truckload Chicken Tender Sale
The Limestone County Sheriffs Office will host a truckload chicken tender-strip sale from Thursday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. until Saturday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. All proceeds for the event will support the LCSO acquire essential equipment and training. For more information, and how to donate, please visit givebutter.com/0xlSOW?s=ObJis9.
Storytelling Festival Banquet
The 18th annual Athens Storytelling Festival Banquet will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Sandridge Student Center on Pryor Street. The event is set to start at 5:30 p.m., and it will be catered by Sweetest Things Tearoom.
Pre-Halloween Social
The Limestone County NAACP Youth Council will host a Pre-Halloween Social on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pizza, drinks and candy will be provided, the event is free and open to the public. There will also be a best costume prize. The event will be held at Hobbs Plaza, located at 809 Highway 72 W. Suite D.
Harvest Festival
Friendship Church will hold their two-day Harvest Festival at their three campus locations on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27. On Saturday, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., the Friendship Church North Campus, located at 21960 Easter Ferry Rd. in Elkmont, will start the weekend celebration. Then on Sunday, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., both the Friendship Church Lucas Ferry Campus, located at 16479 Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens, and the Friendship Church Cambridge Campus, located at 14004 Cambridge Ln. Athens, will finish off the weekend celebration. For more information, and how to help serve the event, please visit friendshipchurchal.org/harvestfest.
State of Education
The 2024 State of Education and Higher Education Address will be held at Athens State University’s Carter Gymnasium on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The address, which will allow community members to hear from administrators from various city and county schools along with higher education institutions, will begin at 8 a.m.
Trunk or Treat
The Athens First Christian Church will host their Trunk or Treat event on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Big Spring Park. There will be free food and drink provided alongside the candy. The event will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
First Responders Softball Tournament
The 2024 Athens Police Department’s First Responders Softball Tournament has been postponed to Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Athens Sportsplex. All teams must consist of at least seven first responders. Church teams are also welcomed. here will be prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams. There is a team entry fee of $400.
Dia De Los Muertos
The Athens Arts League will present a special celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, a day to gather and remember those loved ones who went before us. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m., at High Cotton Arts. Live music, food trucks, vendors, arts and crafts will be offered to the public. For more information, please visit athensartsleague.com.
Toys for Tots
The United States Marine Corps and United Way of Athens-Limestone County will be accepting applications for the Toys for Tots Program. Sign-ups are on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the United Way of Athens-Limestone County office, located at 419 South Marion St., Athens. This is a one-day sign-up. The times are from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. This program is for children from birth to 12 years old. Parents and guardians must bring the following: Proof of income, birth certificates, guardianship papers, social security cards for each eligible child, proof of residency in Limestone County and a photo ID. For more information, or if you have any questions, please call (256)-233-2323. If your business or organization would like to collect toys, please call their office for more information as well.
Veterans Day Parade
AMVETS AL Post 21 will host the Athens-Limestone County 2024 Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The deadline to register to participate in the event is Thursday, Nov. 7. For more information, please contact the AMVETS AL Post 21 at (256)-444-2793 or amvetspost21@gmail.com.
King’s Table Thanksgiving Drive-Thru
New Life Church, located at 2314 Hine Street South, will be giving out a free full-course carryout meal on Saturday, Nov. 16. The King’s Table Thanksgiving Drive-Thru will start at 11 a.m. For more information, please contact (256)-233-7228.
Elvis Christmas Concert
The Make-A-Way Foundation will present a special Elvis Christmas Concert, featuring Michael Dean and the Athens High School Choir, on Saturday, Nov. 16. The concert, which will be held at the Athens Middle School Auditorium, will start at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information, please contact (256)-434-1762.
Ongoing Weekly
Athens Haunt Walk
The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association will host their annual spooky Haunt Walk in the month of October every Tuesday and Thursday starting Oct. 1. The tours will begin at the historic 1906 Athens Visitors Center at 100 North Beaty Street,where local guides, Garth Lovvorn Jr., Will Weir, Leah Oakley, Jamie Mikell, Will Ogles and Jessie Ziegler, will lead the groups. For more information, and how to participate, please alcchamber.org/events/details/2024-athens-haunt-walk-2919.
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 (Mondays)
Athens AL TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Evening Chapter #0616 meets weekly on Mondays, at the Athens Activity Center on Pyror Street. Weigh-in starts at 6:00 p.m., and the meeting at 6:30 p.m. For more information, email: AthensAL616TOPS@gmail.com.
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.
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.
