Athens-Limestone County Public Library presents our youth librarian, Amanda Coleman, reading the classic scary story from Ray Bradbury: "The Black Ferris." A visit to the carnival will never be the same! Grab your popcorn and enjoy the ride!
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A conversation with Lisa Hoffman, Museum Curator, and Monteia Moore, Campus Events Coordinator, from Athens State University. They discuss two exhibits coming to campus in November - The Wall That Heals and Vietnam Then & Now. The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. that travels around the country honoring our Vietnam veterans. Beginning November 6 with an opening ceremony, visitors can view the Wall twenty four hours a day through November 9. A special candlelight ceremony will be held Friday, November 7. The exhibit includes a mobile education center with displays of the Wall of Faces and items left at the original wall. Additionally, a Vietnam Then & Now art exhibit featuring Vietnam veterans and artists, David Wright and Chuck Creasy, will be on display at the Nazaretian Alumni Welcome Center from October 27 to November 30. Both exhibits aim to honor Vietnam veterans and educate the public.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://www.athens.edu/the-wall-that-heals-is-coming-to-athens-on-november-6-9-2025/
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Yulia Weston, a certified yoga instructor, teaches free yoga classes at the Athens-Limestone Public Library on Mondays at 10:45 am and Tuesdays at 7:15 pm. She explains how yoga is not just a physical practice but also aims to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.Yulia explains her teaching style, which is focused on core stability, strength, and alignment. She addresses yoga etiquette, props, and the importance of listening to one's body. She also touches on the 2021 lifting of the yoga ban in Alabama public schools, highlighting its many benefits as a form of exercise.
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MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS is a series of five talks sponsored by A New Leaf Counseling Center. Clinical licensed therapist, Coleman Thompson, talks about depression, its signs and symptoms, and how it differs from sadness. Persistent low mood, low appetite, sleep changes, and negative thoughts for more than 6 months may indicate depression. He notes depression in children and adults may look different and advocates family and cognitive behavioral therapy to learn healthy coping skills. Exercise, positive self-talk, journaling, self awareness and family support are key in overcoming depression.
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https://www.alcpl.org/
https://www.anewleafcounseling.net/
https://nndc.org/resource-links/
A.J. Coleman reads two chapters from the first book in her Happy Hallomentary series titled Welcome to Life (and the fifth grade). Jacket:
Meet Frankie Stine. He's a tall, green, one-month old who wears his heart on his sleeve. Starting the fifth grade at
Happy Hallomentary School...has him pretty nervous. Frankie isn't afraid of the monsters and creatures that he will
be going to school with, he's just afraid that they will not like him! Join him as he starts his first day of school and learns
meeting new people isn't so scary!
https://www.alcpl.org/
www.alcpl.org./podcasts/
Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
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Local author A.J. Coleman debuts the first book in her Happy Hallomentary series titled Welcome to Life (and the fifth grade). The book follows Frankie Stein, a one-month-old green robot who is nervous about entering the fifth grade in a school for Halloween creatures. His classmates include witches, spiders, ghosts, and trolls, and their principal is an extra large pumpkin with creeping vines. In the series, aimed at ages 6-10, Coleman explores the range of emotions and relatable themes many kids experience in starting a new school year. She self-published the books and also drew the illustrations. Coleman draws inspiration from author R.L. Stine and advises aspiring writers to write every day and avoid reliance on AI. She highlights the value of originality in creative writing and art.
https://www.alcpl.org/
www.alcpl.org./podcasts/
Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
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Representatives from mental health support groups talk with library outreach coordinator, Lauren Tubbs, about services available in Limestone County. Alicia Davila from Pearl Behavioral Health Services stresses the need to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Neal Vickers from NAMI highlights the importance of peer support and education. Jeff Hastings from ROSS discusses the correlation between substance use disorders and mental health issues. Mark Prescott from Wings Across Alabama talks about their warm line and educational programs. They all stress the need for community awareness and support, and provide contact information for their organizations to help those in need.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://ross4u.org/ (ROSS - Recovery Organization of Support Specialists)
https://namihuntsville.org/ (NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness)
https://wingsacrossal.org/about-us/ (Wings Across Alabama)
https://www.pearlbhs.com/ (Pearl Behavioral Health Services)
ALABAMA WARM LINE: 1-844-99-WINGS | 1-844-999-4647 (Free, confidential, and non-crisis peer support service available 24/7)
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Lisa Hoffman, Museum Curator at Athens State University, talks about the traveling quilt exhibit celebrating Black History on display through March 7. Originating from Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the exhibit features quilts honoring Black Americans who have made important contributions in literature, science, medicine, technology, and patriotism. She talks about the rich history of quilt making and its importance as both an art form and, historically, a life or death means of survival in the Underground Railroad. Monteia Moore, Campus Events Manager, gives a preview of a special exhibit coming to campus - The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Wall coming to the campus November 6-9, 2025.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://www.athens.edu/home-heart-heritage-quilt-project-celebrating-black-history-coming-to-athens-state/
https://www.athens.edu/the-wall-that-heals-is-coming-to-athens-on-november-6-9-2025/
Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
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Brian "Fox" Ellis, author and storyteller, previews his role in the 2025 Festival of Cranes. Portraying John James Audubon, Brian depicts the artist and naturalist who traveled over 30 years to wilderness areas painting and documenting over 400 bird species. The Festival of Cranes is an annual event and celebrates the birds, featuring the sandhill and whooping cranes, that winter at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Brian is an annual performer at the festival and is an active member of the Illinois Audubon Society. His love of nature is eloquently expressed in his books and poetry.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://foxtalesint.com/
https://www.visitdecatural.org/2025FOC
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler
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Local author and Calhoun Community College English Instructor, Bradley Sides, talks about his writing journey. He began writing in college and published his first story in 2014. After his first book, Those Fantastic Lives, was released in 2021 critics called him "an exciting new voice in fiction." His second book, Crocodile Tears Didn't Cause The Flood, has been described as "a traveling carnival filled with pond monsters, vampire girls, fire breathing children...also a collection of good-hearted people making their way through unstable worlds." A writer in the magical realism genre, Bradley talks about writing and facing rejection as a way to hone and improve literary works. He also lists some of his favorite authors.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://www.bradley-sides.com/
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Athens-Limestone County Public Library presents our youth librarian, Amanda Coleman, reading scary stories! Classic tales include Alvin Schwartz's "The Green Ribbon" and Roald Dahl's "The Landlady." Grab your popcorn and prepare for a scare!
Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
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When Alabama author Heather L. Montgomery isn’t writing children’s books, you might find her hanging out in trees or catching bugs. Her passion for uncovering the mysteries of the natural world have ignited the curiosity of countless numbers of kids. Heavily researched topics from roadkill to mummies to animal poop, she frames many of her books as mysteries challenging readers to investigate both the gross and cool facts of science. Her enthusiasm for her work and has spawned 17 books to date.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://heatherlmontgomery.com/
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The Athens Storytelling Festival, held annually the last weekend in October, hosts master storytellers spinning tales from life, legends, memories, and inspiration. This year the library partnered with the festival and hosted a workshop led by storyteller Carol Cain from La Grange, Georgia for those interested in this unique art form. In this podcast they share their stories - from a runaway circus elephant to an ‘accidental’ hair cutting incident told by our youngest 10-year-old storyteller.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://www.athensstorytellingfestival.com/
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Calhoun Community College faculty members discuss the Common Read 2024-2025. Dr. Symmetris Gohanna, Bradley Sides, and Brandi Gindhart of the English, Literature, and Composition programs introduce this year's theme on disability awareness. They highlight programs being held throughout the year to bring students and the community together through the experience of reading a common text. The two books selections for the Common Read are Disability Visibility by Alice Wong and The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Kick-off event is Sunday, August 18th at the Orion Amphitheater!
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://calhoun.edu/common-read/
Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
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Dr. Kem Roper, college professor and Writing Center Director at Athens State University, discusses the upcoming Summer Writing Summit featuring interactive sessions and workshops designed to guide writers of all genres. From resumes and research papers to creative fiction and poetry, the Writing Center at Athens State is a year round resource helping writers sharpen their skills.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://www.athens.edu/resources/academic/writing-center/
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Heidi Stinnett and Madison Herron from the Limestone County Council on Aging discuss programs designed to enhance recreation, socialization, independence, and vitality for older adults. This important resource helps with with transportation, nutrition, and prescriptions, but perhaps most popular are their outings in the community. From picnics and walks in the park to shopping and bingo, there is always something fun planned for seniors.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/community-services/council-on-aging/
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Cydney Amos Honaker from the Athens Women's Resource Center talks about their services which include pregnancy testing, prenatal counseling, parenting and birth education, ultrasounds, and more. They rely on community donations to provide a free baby boutique and they welcome volunteers to help run their Community Baby Shower!
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://wrcathens.org/
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Medicare Chick, Lauri King, brings clarity to the medicare confusion. From open enrollment to special elections and the latest benefits, Lauri brings her 20 years of expertise to answer questions and sound the alert on potential pitfalls when signing up for Medicare.
https://www.alcpl.org/
https://kingseniorbenefitsspecialists.com/
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Yolanda Turner is a domestic violence survivor from an early abusive marriage. She was able to turn her life around after much spiritual reflection and authored the book Morning Glory - a 52-week devotional featuring scripture passages with commentary and personal stories of application from Yolanda s own experience with the message. In this inspirational podcast she highlights domestic violence awareness and talks about her books, including a new children's book, My 2 Brothers and Me.
https://www.alcpl.org/
ytbookshelf.com
National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-799-7233
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Teresa Smyser, author of Heaven Help Us! and the Warrior Bride series talks about her evolution as a writer. She shares tips on her writing lifestyle and offers advice on self publishing.
https://www.alcpl.org/
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