The Etowah Thursday Music Study Club will present the 21st Annual Community Christmas Concert Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Etowah First Baptist Church. Featured will be Etowah Town Band, Etowah Community Choir and Flute & Saxophone Ensembles. Admission is free. Bring non-perishable food or monetary donations to help the Etowah Food Pantry

Athens Community Theatre will present the Tony Award–winning musical Annie February 19–March 1, 2026. Performances will be held Thursdays–Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Sue E. Trotter Black Box Theater. Tickets are now available for AACA Arts Partners and go on sale to the general public December 5. Prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students. The special catered ―Where Are They?‖ reunion event on February 20 is $25. Patrons are encouraged to purchase early, as ACT productions frequently sell out.

To my friend Jim, on turning 80 years old:

 On Aging by Maya Angelou

When you see me sitting quietly,

Like a sack left on the shelf,

Don’t think I need your chattering.

I’m listening to myself.

Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!

Hold! Stop your sympathy!

Understanding if you got it,

Otherwise I’ll do without it!

When my bones are stiff and aching,

And my feet won’t climb the stair,

I will only ask one favor:

Don’t bring me no rocking chair.

When you see me walking, stumbling,

Don’t study and get it wrong.

‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy

And every goodbye ain’t gone.

I’m the same person I was back then,

A little less hair, a little less chin,

A lot less lungs and much less wind.

But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.

Bald river falls, one of our many local beauties here.