I moved from Cullman County in October 2003 to the third smallest county in Alabama. Limestone. Over the 13 years I've lived here, I've done so much. I've laughed and cried. I've made memories to last a lifetime. I've made friends and I've lost friends. I've graduated high school. I've gotten lost on backroads and found my way home in the early hours of the morning. I've made more Walmart trips that any person should ever make and I've spent countless hours feeding ducks at the Duck Pond. I learned to accept that everyone knew everyone, and that meant everyone knew EVERYTHING about everyone. When I moved to Huntsville in August of 2015 for school, I missed my home more than anything. I didn't know the backroads, and I didn't know that a road could have more than four lanes. They didn't have anything like what I was used to. But eventually I fell in love with Madison County, too. While part of my heart is still in Huntsville, Limestone County will always be my home, and here's a few things that make it so special.

1. If you live in Limestone County, you eat Mexican at least twice a week.

If your friend calls you and says y'all need to go get dinner, you can almost always guarantee y'all are going to Casa on the Square for a plate of the best chicken and rice ever and the worst selfie lighting and then to Sonic for a half price milkshake and to hang out with all your other friends. You can also guarantee that you're gonna go at least twice a week, usually more.

2. On the third weekend in May every year, you'll find everyone up at the Rodeo Arena for the Annual Limestone County Sheriff's Rodeo.

This is one of the many traditions in Limestone. It is known as "the largest outdoor rodeo East of the Mississippi" and this past year, we celebrated it's 34th year. It has made the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 list in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Everyone piles into the back of a pick-up truck and heads down Highway 99 for two nights full of funnel cakes, barrel racing, bull riding, calf roping, and lots of laughing and memory making.

3. Fiddler's Convention is the first full weekend of October, and it is a must.

This two day event is another one of our many traditions, and this year it celebrates it's 50th anniversary! What started as a group of our founders gathering around a fire, playing old folk music, has turned into a wonderful event in the fall that is held at Athens State University. With it being outdoors, it is a great place to enjoy the nice fall weather, shop at different arts and crafts booths and see the beautiful homemade pieces, such as woodwork and quilts and jewelry. The biggest selling part of Fiddler's is the instrumental competitions on the two different stages. People travel from all over to compete in playing the fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, guitar, and many other things. Make sure to bring blankets and wear layers!

4. Dubs and Kreme Delite are two places you have to eat at before you leave Limestone County.

Dub's Burgers is known for its greasy, juicy hamburgers. (Yes, that is the same place that Miranda Lambert visited a couple of months ago!) They have been open since 1961 and they only serve lunch so make sure you're free to go with some friends this summer before heading out to the river ! Kreme Delite is an ice cream stand that has been in Athens since 1951. It has the best upside down banana split you could ever ask for and makes for a perfect treat anytime of day. (Fun fact: both were owned by the same man, Mr. Jimmy Greenhaw.)

5. The Storytelling Festival and Haunt Walk happen on the last weekend in October every year.

The Storytelling Festival was always my favorite field trip in elementary school. It is set up on the Square and is surrounded by a variety of local shops and restaurants. It is held under a large tent and you listen to different storytellers from around the country. This year it celebrates its 10th anniversary! Haunt Walk is exactly what it sounds like. Athens and Limestone County dates back to pre-Civil War era and that means so does most of

its buildings. The tours last about two hours and you are guided around all of downtown and historic Athens, learning about all our haunted houses and buildings and the history behind them. It is a walking tour, so comfortable shoes are highly recommended.)

That's just a few things that stand out in my beautiful county. We also have a wide variety of events such as the Grease Festival, Kiddie Carnival, Tractor Pull, and many others. Our county is full of rich history and many fun facts, like our courthouse is made out of limestone and our county seat, Athens, is one of the oldest incorporated cities in Alabama. No matter where I go, I know I can always come home to Limestone and be met with smiling faces and warm hugs and lots of love, and of course the question, "how's your mom and them doing?"